Philippines News Today February 15, 2023

Here are the latest news and events that happened today, Wednesday, February 15, 2023.

Miguel Tanfelix prepares a boodle fight for his fans on Valentine's Day

Miguel Tanfelix chose to make his fans feel loved and special on Valentine’s Day. In a YouTube vlog, Miguel shared how he prepared a boodle fight for them, doing everything himself from buying ingredients at a public market, to cooking. Among the things he cooked were chicken adobo, liempo, tilapia, and fruits. Miguel said this is his ideal way of See more...

Personal remittances hit record-high of $3.49B in December 2022 —BSP

Remittances from Filipinos abroad grew to a record-high in December last year, data released by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) on Wednesday showed. The BSP said this was due to an increase in demand for foreign workers overseas, as economies began to reopen. Overseas Filipinos’ personal remittances — the sum of transfers sent in cash or in-kind via informal See more...

Guro, niregaluhan ng buhay na manok ng kaniyang estudyante sa Valentine’s Day

Nagulat ang isang guro sa mga regalong natanggap niya mula sa kaniyang mga estudyante para sa Valentine’s Day sa General Santos City. Bukod sa mga bulaklak at tsokolate, may kasama pang buhay na manok. “Ang una kong na-feel, na-shock ako na, ‘Ay manok na buhay!’ Nagulat ako. So far memorable itong Valentine dahil may manok akong natanggap,” sabi ni Teacher See more...

Tulfo seeks review of minimum wage hike policy

A resolution seeking a review of existing government policies on minimum wage increases was filed in the Senate. "The current minimum wage will not be able to sustain the living conditions of workers, and many workers are facing significant financial difficulties as a result and the issuance of an emergency wage order may be necessary to address these challenges," Senator See more...

RCEP free trade deal na-sponsor na sa plenaryo ng Senado

MAYNILA — Na-sponsor na sa plenaryo ng Senado nitong Miyerkoles ang resolusyon na umaayon sa ratipikasyon ng Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP). Unang nag-sponsor sa tratado si Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri. Sabi ni Zubiri, matagal nang suportado ng gobyerno ang RCEP, at concurrence na lang ng Senado ang hinihintay dito. "Ayoko pong mapag-iwanan tayo. Ayoko pong tignan tayo See more...

PAL eyes operation of largest flight network between China, Philippines

Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) seeks to operate the largest network of multiple routes between mainland China and the Philippines, as it is set to fly to Jinjiang and Beijing after restarting Shanghai flights earlier this week. PAL President and Chief Operating Officer Capt. Stanley Ng on Wednesday said the carrier is pushing through with its Greater China flight network See more...

Michelle Dee, sasabak muli sa Miss Universe Philippines

Gaya ng kaniyang hashtag noon na "#DeePaTapos," 'tuloy ang pageant journey ni Michelle Dee na planong sumabak muli sa Miss Universe Philippines. Sa Instagram Stories, ibinahagi ng Kapuso actress and beauty queen na muli siyang nag-apply upang sumali sa naturang kompetisyon. BASAHIN: Michelle Dee, may plano bang muli na sumali sa beauty pageant? Sa larawan na ginamit niya sa aplikasyon, See more...

Philippines launches human rights tracking database

The Philippines has launched a tracking database aimed at ensuring smooth information sharing and reporting of accomplishments and best practices for the promotion, protection, and fulfillment of human rights in the country. The Presidential Human Rights Committee Secretariat (PHRCS) said the Philippines’ National Recommendations Tracking Database (PH-NRTD) was launched during a workshop conducted in Clark, Pampanga, from February 8 to See more...

Quake-hit Turkey stops accepting help from international rescue teams: NDRRMC

MANILA — The Turkish government has stopped accepting help from rescue teams from other countries, including the Philippines, in saving survivors from the powerful Turkey-Syria earthquake, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said Wednesday. Citing Turkish authorities, NDRRMC information officer Diego Mariano told reporters that the "golden hour," or the window to locate and rescue survivors See more...

Senior citizen, nanalo ng P35-M sa Lotto 6/42

Isang 63-anyos na lola na umaasa lang sa pensyon ng namayapang asawa ang nanalo ng mahigit P35 milyon sa Lotto 642. Sa pahayag ng Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office nitong Martes, sinabing solong tinamaan ng lola na mula sa Davao Del Sur ang jackpot prize na P35,314,806.60 sa Lotto 642 draw noong Enero 17, 2023. Sa nasabing draw, ang mga lumabas See more...

2 lalaki sa QC, arestado sa panloloko gamit ang eWallet

Kalaboso ang dalawang lalaki sa Quezon City matapos mabisto ang umano'y panloloko nila sa mga tindahan. Sa ulat ng Unang Balita nitong Miyerkoles, sinabing ang modus ng dalawa ay magpapa-cash out sa eWallet ng tindahan na hindi naman sila nagta-transfer ng pera. Ayon sa ulat ni Nico Waje, sinabing dalawang beses nabiktimang nagkataon lamang na bantay sa tindahan ng kanyang See more...

Trough of LPA, Amihan to bring scattered rains over parts of the Philippines

The trough of a Low Pressure Area (LPA) will bring cloudy skies, scattered rain and thunderstorms over Visayas and Mindanao while the Northeast Monsoon (Amihan) will be affecting Luzon on Wednesday, according to PAGASA's weather forecast. Palawan, Visayas, and Mindanao will have cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms due to the trough of the LPA. Flash floods or See more...

2 low pressure areas off Mindanao forecast to merge

MANILA — Two low-pressure areas (LPAs) off Mindanao as of Wednesday are forecast to merge, but the development into a tropical depression remains unlikely. ABS-CBN resident meteorologist Ariel Rojas said another LPA — located 1,535 kilometers east of northeastern Mindanao and still outside the Philippine area — formed northeast of the first LPA. The first LPA entered the Philippine area See more...

After 'Dream Maker' success, new season possible, exec says

MANILA -- After the success of "Dream Maker," ABS-CBN business unit head Marcus Vinuya said Tuesday that a follow-up series with the same survival show format is possible. In a press conference, Vinuya said that they have talks about the future of the show with MLD Entertainment CEO Lee Hyung-jin, stressing that Filipino viewers have discovered the new format. "Nothing See more...

Posibleng kaso ng human trafficking sa NAIA ibinulgar ni Sen. Poe

MAYNILA — Ibinulgar ni Sen. Grace Poe sa kanyang privilege speech nitong Miyerkoles, ang isang kaso ng umano'y human trafficking sa Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). Aniya, nakarating sa kanilang tanggapan na Lunes, Pebrero 13, ay nakatanggap ng tip ang PNP Aviation Security Group tungkol sa isang human trafficking activity kung saan sangkot ang aircraft na may tail no. N9527E See more...

LPA spotted off southeastern Mindanao

A low pressure area (LPA) that entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility is expected to affect weather conditions in the Mindanao region, state weather bureau PAGASA said Wednesday. Based on its 24-hour public forecast, the agency said the LPA was last seen 925 kilometers east of Southeastern Mindanao as of 3 p.m. The trough of the LPA is expected See more...

SRA issues order to import 440,000 MT of sugar, sans Marcos signature

The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) on Wednesday released an order authorizing the importation of 440,000 metric tons (MT) of refined sugar, even without the signature of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., who sits as chairman of the SRA Board in his capacity as Secretary of Agriculture. The Sugar Order (SO) No. 6, uploaded on the SRA website, showed that the See more...

LTO: Vehicle registration renewal may now be done online

Good news awaits car owners as the renewal of their motor vehicle registration may now be done online, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) said Tuesday. In a Facebook post, LTO chief Jose Arturo Tugade announced that motorists may now use the agency’s Land Transportation Management System (LTMS) to skip long lines and comply with the registration renewal in less than See more...

Philippines logs 171 new COVID-19 infections

The Department of Health (DOH) registered 171 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday, lowering the country’s active infections to 9,082. The latest DOH bulletin indicated the Philippines’ total nationwide caseload increased to 4,075,094. Of the figures, a total of 3,999,982 have recovered. The country’s death toll, meanwhile, currently stands at 65,985. Metro Manila remains the region with the highest number of See more...

Philippines detects first COVID-19 Omicron XBF case

The Philippines has detected its first case of COVID-19 Omicron subvariant XBF—a recombinant sublineage of BA.5.2.3 and CJ.1 —based on the latest data by the Department of Health (DOH). While XBF was linked to the rise of infections in Australia and Sweden, DOH stressed that available evidence about this subvariant “does not suggest any differences in disease severity andor clinical See more...

Witchcraft or science? 21 dead in I. Coast 'magic' case

Kpo-Kahankro, Ivory Coast - "My grandson fell ill during the night and in the morning he was dead. He was a year and a few months old and could just about walk," said Amena Djaha. Seated under a mango tree in Kpo-Kahankro, a village in central Ivory Coast, the grandmother was still in shock at seeing a young life scythed See more...

French study links COVID-19 to spike in depression among young

PARIS, France - A major French mental health study has found a huge rise in the number of young people reporting depression, with the most likely cause seen as COVID-19 and restrictions to control the disease. Public Health France on Tuesday published the results of the latest round of a regular mental health survey which took place in 2021, a See more...

Spanish businessman’s case revived after cops’ surrender — DOJ

The case of Spanish businessman Diego Bello Lafuente has been revived after the policemen allegedly involved in his death surrendered, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said Wednesday. According to the agency, the three cops surrendered to the DOJ on February 9. They were escorted by Criminal Investigation and Detection Group chief Police Brigadier General Romeo Caramat Jr. to the DOJ. See more...

RCEP reaches Senate plenary for the second time

The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) reached the Senate plenary anew on Wednesday. This, after Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri and Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda sponsored the mega free trade deal during the session—a step towards the chamber's concurrence to its ratification. Zubiri said in his sponsorship speech that in a globalized economy, the Philippines cannot afford to See more...

DepEd amends Panatang Makabayan: ‘Nagdarasal’ to ‘nananalangin’

The Department of Education (Deped) has made an alteration to the national pledge Panatang Makabayan, changing the terminology “nagdarasal” to “nananalangin.” According to DepEd Order 004 series of 2023, signed by Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte, various experts and linguists were consulted with regard to this amendment. The agency said that the Linguistic Society of the Philippines found See more...

Airbnb posts first profitable year as travel rebounds

Airbnb on Tuesday reported its first annual profit, with revenue surging in the final three months of 2022 as travel bookings rebounded. The home-rental platform said it made a profit of $319 million in the final quarter of last year on revenue of nearly $2 billion. Airbnb finished 2022 with net income of $1.9 billion compared with a loss of See more...

Vice Ganda to ABS-CBN: Nakapirma na ang puso ko dito

MANILA – “Ayoko na lumabas.” Kapamilya host and comedian Vice Ganda assured ABS-CBN on Wednesday that he has no intention of leaving the company even without a contract. As he signed another exclusive contract with the Kapamilya network, Vice could not help but get teary eyed as he expressed his gratitude to ABS-CBN for believing in him through the See more...

Manila Water to spend P833M for service expansion projects in Rizal

Manila Water Company Inc. on Wednesday said it is set to spend P833 million for projects slated for implementation this year, including 23 mainline extension and individualization projects. According to the east zone concessionaire, the project pipeline includes 11 extension projects in several municipalities in Rizal — five in Baras; four in Rodriguez; and two in Binangonan. It is also See more...

Suspect cops pleaded not guilty in missing sabungeros case —PNP

The police officers who were tagged as suspects in one of the cases of missing cockfight enthusiasts (sabungeros) have pleaded not guilty to the charges filed against them, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Wednesday. At a televised public briefing, PNP public information office chief Police Colonel Redrico Maranan said that the suspects, who surrendered to authorities, have already See more...

Tanzania bans 'The Diary of a Wimpy Kid', children's books for violating 'cultural norms'

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania - The Tanzanian government has banned a popular series of children's books from schools in the conservative East African country, claiming they violate local cultural norms. Education Minister Adolf Mkenda announced Monday an immediate ban on "The Diary of a Wimpy Kid" books, and said the government was monitoring libraries in both public and private schools See more...

Lack of business plan for proposed Maharlika fund questioned in Senate

At least two senators on Wednesday questioned the lack of business plan for the proposed Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF), which is being pushed by the Marcos administration. The issue was raised during second hearing of the Senate Committee on Banks, Financial Institutions and Currencies on the MIF bills. At the start of the hearing, Foundation for Economic Freedom President Calixto See more...

Deep-sea mining noise pollution threatens whales: study

Scientists warned on Tuesday that controversial seabed mining could significantly threaten ocean ecosystems, especially blue whales and other cetaceans already stressed by shipping, pollution and climate change. A study in the journal Frontiers in Marine Science found that commercial-scale extraction of valuable minerals from the ocean floor, which could begin for the first time later this year, would damage See more...

Gab Chee Kee ng Parokya ni Edgar, nasa ICU pa rin pero ‘steadily improving’

Nakapag-senyal na ng "ok" ang miyembro ng bandang Parokya ni Edgar na si Gab Chee Kee habang patuloy na ginagamot sa ospital. Nitong Martes, nag-post ng larawan ang mga kabanda ni Gab sa Facebook na makikita ang “ok” sign niya gamit ang kamay. “He’s still at the ICU but steadily improving. Please keep sending positive vibes to him and praying See more...

Deep-sea mining may disrupt whale communication, study finds

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa - Noise produced by mining the seabed for nickel, cobalt and other metals for the green energy transition could interfere with whales' ability to navigate the ocean depths and communicate with one another, according to a study released on Tuesday. Potato-sized rocks filled with battery metals blanket vast swathes of the ocean floor at depths of 4 See more...

Marcos OKs adopting 'hybrid rice' to boost rice production: Palace

MANILA— President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. has agreed to adopt hybrid rice in an effort to boost farm yields, Malacañang said on Wednesday. The Presidential Communications Office said a 2-year study by the Department of Agriculture and several local government units showed that hybrid seeds had better yields than conventional seeds. Farmers who used hybrid rice harvested around 7 to See more...

Military charges served to Durante, Licyayo over Yvonette Plaza slay —Army

Military-related charges have been served to former Presidential Security Group head Brigadier General Jesus Durante III and another Army officer over the killing of businesswoman Yvonette Chua Plaza in Davao City in December 2022, the Philippine Army said on Wednesday. Aside from Durante, who has been tagged by police as the mastermind in Plaza's killing, Colonel Michael Licyayo is also See more...

Maynilad targets 24/7 water supply with normal pressure for all customers by 2027

Maynilad Water Services Inc. targets to provide uninterrupted water services with normal water pressure to 88% of its customers by the end of the year, and to all its customers by 2027. According to Maynilad Chief Operating Officer Randy Estrellado, 80% of the firm’s 9.5 million customers currently have 247 water supply with normal pressure, which it seeks to increase See more...

Marcos gives green light to adopt hybrid rice for better production

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has agreed to adopt hybrid rice as a better alternative to the inbred variety for increased crop production, Malacañang said on Wednesday. On Tuesday, Marcos met with SL Agritech Corporation (SLAC), represented by its chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) Henry Lim Bon Liong, as well as farmers from Central Luzon to discuss and address See more...

PH online news media at 'moderate level of disinformation risk': study

MANILA — Online news media in the Philippines face a "moderate level of disinformation risk," the Global Disinformation Index (GDI) has found in its study, in partnership with the De La Salle University (DLSU). Cleve Arguelles, reviewer and co-author of the study, said they looked into 35 online news media from July to November 2022, written in English, Tagalog, and See more...

PH Army: Japan eyes giving 'retired' helicopters to PH

MANILA - The Japanese government is looking to give the Philippines their “retired” helicopters, Philippine Army commanding general Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said Wednesday. According to Brawner, this is to help beef up the Philippine Army’s capabilities. The proposal was made during the trilateral meeting of the ground forces of the Philippines, Japan and the United States in Japan See more...

Vin Abrenica, hindi iiwan ang kapatid na si Aljur: ‘He’s broken now’

Inihayag ni Vin Abrenica na nasasaktan siya para sa kapatid na si Aljur, na walang tigil na nakatatanggap ng mga puna at batikos dahil sa mga isyung kinasangkutan nito. “Our relationship now is, well the closeness is there. Ever since naman hindi naman mawawala ‘yan kasi we’re brothers, isang taon lang ang gap namin. But we haven’t been talking much See more...

Palace bares promotion of ranks in PCG

Malacañang on Wednesday announced the latest promotion of ranks in the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). The list includes PCG spokesperson Commodore Armando Balilo, who is now holding the rank of Rear Admiral, according to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO). It also includes the following: Joseph M. Coyme - Vice Admiral Ronnie Gil L. Gavan - Vice Admiral Robert N. Patrimonio - Vice See more...

Sen. Tulfo seeks review of minimum wage rules to improve workers' 'quality of life'

MANILA — Sen. Raffy Tulfo has filed a resolution seeking to review the policies and methods in determining the increases In minimum wage as he noted that last year's pay hike failed to match the country's inflation. “It is the responsibility of the state to ensure that the minimum wage is set at a level that provides workers with a See more...

CHR probing attack vs. lawyer in Abra

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Wednesday said it has also started investigating the attack against a lawyer in Bangued, Abra. “In line with our mandate as the country's independent human rights institution, our regional office in the Cordillera Administrative Region is conducting a motu proprio investigation in aid of the pursuit of truth and accountability,” the CHR said See more...

House panel OKs free annual medical check up for all Pinoys

MANILA — The House Committee on Health approved Wednesday the various proposals to provide free annual medical check up for Filipinos. Marikina Rep. Stella Quimbo, however, wanted the government, through the Department of Health, to fund the annual medical check ups instead of charging it to the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth). "Pag sinasabi ninyong that you fully support, kami See more...

OFW sa Kuwait, ibinenta ng amo at ginahasa ng bagong employer

Ikinuwento ng isang overseas Filipino worker (OFW) ang kalbaryong dinanas niya nang pagtatrabaho siya bilang domestic worker sa Kuwait. Sa ulat ni Mark Salazar sa GMA News “24 Oras” nitong Martes, sinabi ng OFW na itinago sa pangalang "Taya," na taong 2021 nang magtrabaho siya sa isang Kuwaiti national na may sahod na katumbas ng P20,000 isang buwan. Pero See more...

Philippine military to continue patrols in WPS after China’s laser use

The Armed Forces of the Philippines' Western Command (Wescom) on Wednesday said it would continue sovereignty and maritime patrols in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) even after a Chinese vessel recently pointed a military-grade laser at a Filipino ship in Ayungin Shoal. "Even nung nangyari yung incident na ‘yun, yung AFP natin ay hindi naman po tumigil sa kanyang mandato See more...

This couple met on a language app of all places and now they're married!

Going pretty viral is Duolingo's post about two users who met on the app and are now married. On social media, the language app posted screengrabs of two users Amanda and Rob meeting on the app in 2021 and a photo of their recent wedding in the popular manner of "how it started, how's it going" style. "Who needs See more...

Aura Mayari ends 'RuPaul's Drag Race' season 15 journey

Pinoy drag queen Aura Mayari has ended his journey in the 15th season of "RuPaul's Drag Race." In the 7th episode of the show, Aura just came from a win in the girl group challenge and had his hopes up to win the competition. The 11 remaining queens were tasked to play roles in an acting challenge in a sitcom See more...

Kris Aquino, nilinaw ang tunay na ugnayan nila ni Mark Leviste

Dahil sa post sa Instagram ni Batangas Vice Governor Mark Leviste na bumiyahe siya sa Amerika para makasama si Kris Aquino sa Valentine’s Day na kaarawan din ng huli, may mga netizen na napaisip kung ano ang talaga ang namamagitan sa dalawa. Kaya naman nilinaw na kaagad ni Kris na nagpapagamot sa Amerika na "best male friend" lang niya si See more...

PhilHealth charter does not allow investment in proposed Maharlika Fund: CEO

MANILA — The current charter of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) will not allow it to invest in the proposed Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF), according to its president and chief executive officer (CEO) Emmanuel Ledesma, Jr. The bill on MIF approved on third and final reading by the House of Representatives proposes that apart from government financial institutions, government See more...

'Someone else' could be running Twitter this year, says Musk

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - Twitter boss Elon Musk said Wednesday that a new CEO might be running the online platform by the end of 2023, after a "rollercoaster" since he took full ownership last year. "I'm guessing probably towards the end of this year should be good timing to find someone else to run the company," he told the See more...

BSP, state banks should be removed as Maharlika funding sources: advocacy group

MANILA (UPDATE) - The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas as well as the state-run Landbank of the Philippines, and Development Bank of the Philippines should be removed as funding sources for the Maharlika Investments Fund, an advocacy group said on Wednesday. During the Senate deliberation on the MIF, Foundation for Economic Freedom President Calixto Chikiamco said funding the sovereign fund undermines See more...

House panel approves bill allowing President to suspend hikes in PhilHealth premiums

MANILA — The House Committee on Health has approved a bill that would authorize the President to suspend and adjust the scheduled hikes PhilHealth premiums during crisis periods. The bill would amend Republic Act 11223 or the Universal Health Care Act, and give the President this power during national emergencies or calamities or when the public interest so requires. "Suspending See more...

More troops expected in Balikatan 2023 to prepare vs 'threats': PH Army

This year’s Balikatan exercises are expected to be bigger, Philippine Army chief Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner, Jr. said Wednesday. The Balikatan is the annual Philippine-led bilateral exercise of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the United States Armed Forces. “The exercises will involve a myriad of activities, not just focused on developing war-fighting capabilities, but also non-traditional roles such See more...

Ilang vendor inalmahan ang hirit na lagyan ng Kadiwa Stores ang mga palengke

Nangangamba ang ilang tindera sa plano ng Department of Agriculture na magpuwesto ng Kadiwa stores sa ilang palengke sa Metro Manila. Ayon sa mga nagtitinda, hindi nila kayang sabayan ang presyo ng mga produkto sa mga Kadiwa store Sabi ng tindera ng gulay na si Anday Santos, minsan nasa P10 lamang ang tubo niya kada kilo "Kasi kawawa naman See more...

Durante, Licyayo face charges for violation of two Articles of War: PH Army chief

MANILA - The Philippine Army has served charges for violation of two Articles of War against two of its officials tagged in the murder of a Davao City-based model and businesswoman in December last year. Army chief Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said Wednesday that a copy of the charges for violation of Article of War 96 (conduct unbecoming of See more...

DILG to hold fun run in bid to intensify revamped anti-drug campaign

MANILA — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said Wednesday it is organizing a fun run to help promote its revamped anti-drug campaign that started in November last year. The event seeks to "galvanize the support of the community, duty-bearers, and other stakeholders" in the Buhay Ingatan, Droga'y Ayawan (BIDA) Program, which aims to clamp down the See more...

Army chief backs possible VFA with five different countries

MANILA - Philippine Army chief Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said Wednesday he supports proposals for the country to forge visiting forces agreements (VFA) with Japan, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and South Korea. Speaking to reporters at Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City, Brawner said that the Philippines’ partnership with “allied nations” will be mutually beneficial. “This is not the stand See more...

OPEC raises world oil demand forecast as China reopens

PARIS, France - The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) raised its world oil demand forecast for 2023 on Tuesday after top consumer China lifted its zero-COVID policy. The Saudi-led oil cartel expects demand to grow by 2.3 million barrels per day to an average of 101.87 million barrels per day this year. This is 100,000 a day more See more...

Shallow magnitude 5.0 quake strikes Masbate; damage expected - Phivolcs

MANILA (UPDATED) — A magnitude 5.0 tectonic earthquake struck Masbate in the Bicol Region on Wednesday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said. The shallow tremor, with a depth of 9 kilometers, hit 11 kilometers northwest of Dimasalang town in Masbate at 5:15 p.m., according to Phivolcs' second bulletin. The quake was initially reported at a magnitude of See more...

Mister, ipinatumba umano ng kaniyang misis at kalaguyo nito sa Batangas

Crime of passion ang lumilitaw na motibo sa ginawang pamamaril at pagpatay sa isang 27-anyos na mister sa San Jose, Batangas. Ang lumitaw na utak sa krimen, ang mismong misis ng biktima at umano'y kalaguyo nito. Sa ulat ni Paul Hernandez sa GMA Regional TV News nitong Miyerkules, sinabing binaril at napatay noong Biyernes ng madaling araw ang biktimang si See more...

Water interruption ng Maynilad, iniimbestigahan ng MWSS

Iniimbestigahan ng Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System Regulatory Office ang panibagong water interruption ng Maynilad. Nagpatupad ng panibagong water interruption ang Maynilad sa ilang parte ng southern Metro Manila at Cavite, bunsod ng paglabo ng suplay ng tubig galing sa Laguna Lake. Mula sa normal na 280 milyon hanggang 300 milyong litro kada araw na produksyon nasa 260 See more...

Issues raised vs bills seeking to criminalize fake news

Several government agencies expressed reservations about the proposed measures seeking to criminalize the creation and dissemination of fake news. During the hearing called by the House Committee on Information and Communications Technology on Wednesday, the Department of Justice-Office of Cybercrime (DOJ-OOC) withheld support for the current version of the proposed bills as it lacks the "parameters to classify a See more...

DOH says global risk of Marburg virus is 'low'

The Department of Health (DOH) assured the public on Wednesday that it is monitoring developments on emerging diseases, after the World Health Organization confirmed the first-ever outbreak of Marburg virus disease in Equatorial Guinea. The DOH noted that the global risk of Marburg virus disease is low. “The public can rest assured that the DOH through the Epidemiology Bureau See more...

Robin Padilla wants ban of movie 'Plane' for wrong portrayal of PH

The Senate is eyeing to pass a resolution expressing condemning the movie "Plane" over the wrong portrayal of the Philippines. Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri raised this suggestion after Senator Robin Padilla urged the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) to ban the showing of the film in the country. According to the movies website, Plane is about See more...

Japan, Australia, Germany raise concerns over China's use of laser vs. Philippine ship

Japan and Australia on Tuesday expressed serious concerns over the Chinese coast guard's (CCG) use of military-grade laser against a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ship in Ayungin Shoal. Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines, Koshikawa Kazuhiko, tweeted that all states should observe maritime order. He cited the Philippines' 2016 arbitral win over China in regards to overlapping claims in the South See more...

LOOK: Chiz Escudero has another birthday gift to wife Heart Evangelista

MANILA – Heart Evangelista could not help but gush over another gift from her husband, Senator Chiz Escudero, for her birthday which also coincided with Valentine’s Day. Evangelista shared through an Instagram post that Escudero gifted her with a painting of herself made by Ivan Roxas, who was her painting teacher when she was young. “Met the great #IvanRoxas when See more...

Blue Ribbon probe into 'rampant, unabated' agricultural smuggling sought

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III is seeking a Senate blue ribbon committee investigation into the "rampant and unabated" agricultural smuggling in the country. Pimentel filed proposed Senate Resolution 477 where he emphasized the agricultural smuggling's negative impact to local farmers and fisherfolk; health risks to Filipino consumers; and effect on the government's much-needed revenues. The Senate inquiry seeks See more...

Magsasaka, patay nang sakmalin ng alagang baboy-ramo sa Quezon

Patay ang isang magsasaka matapos siyang sakmalin ng alaga niyang baboy-ramo at maubusan umano ng dugo sa Dolores, Quezon. Ayon sa ulat ng Quezon Police Provincial Office, kinilala ang biktima na si Ricardo Mendoza, 64-anyos at residente ng Brgy. Mangahan ng nasabing munisipyo. Nangyari ang insidente nitong Martes, kung saan umalis ang biktima sa kanilang bahay ng 8 a.m. para See more...

Digital video viewing to top traditional TV in US: forecast

SAN FRANCISCO, United States - For the first time ever, US adults will spend more time this year watching digital video on platforms such as Netflix, TikTok and YouTube than viewing traditional television, Insider Intelligence forecast on Wednesday. In the historic first, the market tracker expects "linear TV" to account for less than half of daily viewing, dropping See more...

Still a Kapamilya: Vice Ganda inks exclusive contract with ABS-CBN

MANILA – (UPDATED) Phenomenal box-office superstar and award-winning host Vice Ganda strengthened his loyalty to Kapamilya network. Vice will continue his journey in showbiz as a Kapamilya as he signed an exclusive contract with ABS-CBN on Wednesday. Present during the event dubbed “The Unkabogable Day” were ABS-CBN chairman Mark Lopez, COO for Broadcast Cory Vidanes, Star Magic head Lauren Dyogi See more...

Robin Padilla condemns 'bad image' of PH in US film 'Plane'

MANILA -- Sen. Robin Padilla condemned Wednesday the "bad image" of the Philippines as portrayed in the Hollywood film "Plane." In his manifestation, Padilla called on the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) to ban the public showing of the film. "Ginoong Pangulo, hindi po dapat ito tanggapin. Sana po, nakikiusap po tayo sa ating MTRCB na See more...

Woman found dead with slit throat in Cavite; stay-in helper tagged as suspect

In Cavite, a woman was found dead with a slit throat on her birthday inside her house. The suspect is the stay-in helper hired by the victim's family, 21-year-old Patrick John Gonzales aka Butchoy, according to the report of Emil Sumangil on "Saksi." A CCTV footage showed a man carrying several bags at 4 a.m. last February 11, Saturday outside See more...

Mum of seven gives birth to 'miracle' quintuplets

WARSAW, Poland - Polish-British parents of seven welcomed five new babies just in time for Valentine's Day, with the mother saying Tuesday that she felt "better than expected" after the rare pregnancy. Dominika Clarke, already a mum to seven children ranging in age from 10 months to 12 years, gave birth to the quintuplets at a hospital in the southern See more...

Cecile Alvarez leads 8 Filipinos in world theater congress in UAE

MANILA -- When the International Theater Institute (ITI) was created in 1948, the world was still recovering from the devastation caused by World War II. Sadly, the conflict among nations would continue for decades because of the start of what was dubbed the Cold War. The ITI founders were the first United Nations Educational Scientific Cultural Organization (UNESCO) director general, See more...

PhilHealth set to expand hemodialysis coverage, to 'rationalize' COVID package

MANILA - The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) is set to expand this year its coverage for outpatient hemodialysis to 156 sessions from the current 90, according to its President and Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel Ledesma Jr. PhilHealth’s benefits committee has approved the expanded coverage, and the board is set to tackle the matter before the end of the month. See more...

UK's Camilla to wear Queen Mary's Crown at May coronation

LONDON, United Kingdom - British Queen Consort Camilla will wear Queen Mary's Crown at her and King Charles III's coronation in early May, Buckingham Palace said on Tuesday. The crown is more than a century old and was commissioned by Queen Mary for her 1911 coronation alongside King George V. It will be modified for the landmark ceremony on May See more...

Rising seas threaten exodus of 'biblical' scale, warns UN chief

UNITED NATIONS - The UN Secretary-General warned Tuesday that global warming could force a mass exodus "on a biblical scale" as people flee low-lying communities and called for legal frameworks to be implemented in preparation, especially for refugees. "The danger is especially acute for nearly 900 million people who live in coastal zones at low elevations -- that's one out See more...

DBM chief says LGUs to exercise stronger autonomy with full devolution

Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman on Wednesday said local government units (LGUs) will see a stronger exercise of autonomy upon the full implementation of full devolution of certain national government functions to them given the increase in their national tax allotment (NTA) shares. Executive Order 138, issued by then President Rodrigo Duterte in June 2021, provided guidelines on the full devolution See more...

Ginang, patay nang laslasin sa leeg sa araw ng kaniyang kaarawan sa Cavite

Patay ang isang ginang matapos siyang laslasin sa leeg diumano ng kanilang lalaking helper sa mismong araw ng kaniyang kaarawan sa kaniyang bahay sa Bacoor, Cavite. Sa ulat ni Emil Sumangil sa Saksi, kinilala ang biktima na si Felicitas Bing Policarpio Soriano, na ipinagdiriwang din ang kaniyang ika-61 kaarawan nang mangyari ang krimen. “Doon pa lang sa gate, may mga See more...

'It's Showtime' host Ryan Bang proud of HORI7ON

MANILA -- "It's Showtime" host Ryan Bang expressed how proud he is of the new idol group HORI7ON. In the Wednesday episode of the noontime show, Bang said he is happy that news about the group was picked up by Korean media. "Alam mo, Kimmy, proud na proud ako kasi lahat ng balita sa Korea lumalabas kayo ... Proud na See more...

3 suspects in death of 79-year-old woman in QC arrested, 2 others still at large

Three suspects have been arrested over the death of a 79-year-old woman who was initially reported missing in Quezon City, the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) said on Wednesday. “Ang mga suspects natin, tatlo sila, ay nasa kulungan na rin natin. May dalawa pang pinaghahanap at hina-hunting natin,” QCPD chief Brigadier General Nicolas Torre III told GMA News’ Unang Hirit. See more...

NBI serves another subpoena to Flex Fuel, Luis Manzano

MANILA - The National Bureau of Investigation has served another subpoena to Flex Fuel Corporation and its former co-ownerchairman, actor-host Luis Manzano. They are invited to explain in the ongoing investigation on the allegations of fraud raised by the company’s co-owners. The law firm representing Manzano sent a messenger during the hearing last Monday, bringing a letter requesting for See more...

PNP records among bases in screening senior officers’ resignations — official

Records from the Philippine National Police (PNP) will be among the bases for the assessment of the resignations of senior police officers, PNP public information office chief Police Colonel Redrico Maranan said Wednesday. “Pinahanda na po kaagad yung mga dokumento na kakailanganin po sa pag-screen at yung kanilang mga proseso kung paano titignan at susuriin yung mga dokumento na hawak See more...

Smart partners with Plentina to offer buy now, pay later load

MANILA - PLDT Inc said on Wednesday its wireless unit Smart Communications tapped Silicon Valley-based fintech Plentina to offer micro consumer loan buy now, pay later service for consumer load. To avail of the service, Smart and TNT consumers need to download the Plentina app and register. Once approved, they can shop for products and pay in installments, PLDT said See more...

‘Nagtiwala ka sa 'min’: Cory Vidanes lauds Vice Ganda’s loyalty amid ‘difficult times’

MANILA – As phenomenal superstar Vice Ganda inked a new contract with ABS-CBN, the network’s chief operating officer for broadcast Cory Vidanes made sure to commend the comedian for his loyalty. On Wednesday, Vidanes turned emotional as she read her letter for the “It’s Showtime” host, who has become one of the key faces of ABS-CBN in recent years. See more...

Compensation hike for victims of unjust imprisonment, violent crimes sought

Several lawmakers from the House of the Representatives are pushing to amend a 31-year-old law to increase the compensation for victims of heinous crimes and those who were wrongfully detained. During the hearing of the House Committee on Justice on Wednesday, Quezon City 4th district Representative Marvin Rillo said that monetary awards and compensations should be reviewed to determine if See more...

Calabarzon is top wedding destination for many Filipinos

With the emergence of online dating in this day and age and the continuous back to normal setting, one would agree that "love will always be in the air" anywhere. But in this case, the Calabarzon region trumps all other areas in the country as it recorded the highest number of registered marriages so far in 2022. Region 4-A, more See more...