Here are the latest news and events that happened today, Thursday, February 16, 2023.
Bakit naluha si Vice Ganda sa ABS-CBN contract signingMAYNILA -- Pinaliwanag ni Vice Ganda kung bakit siya naging emosyonal sa kanyang contract signing sa ABS-CBN nitong Miyerkoles. Sa episode ng "It's Showtime" nitong Huwebes, hindi niya muli napigilan ang kanyang emosyon nang magbalik tanaw sa kanyang karera. "Doon na ako naiyak, nung sinabi kong 14 years, ang hirap nun ah? Dun tumulo na 'yung luha ko kahapon. Pero See more...
PCG slams Chinese official's statement on laser-pointing incidentThe Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Thursday slammed the statement of Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin in connection with the February 6 laser-pointing incident in Ayungin Shoal. “Sasabihin nila na nagsisinungaling tayo. Hindi naman natin naging trabaho na gumawa [ng istorya],” PCG spokesperson for West Philippines Sea (WPS) Commodore Jay Tarriela told Super Radyo dzBB. (They are saying that See more...
How is the Philippines affected by melting glaciers due to climate change?Melting glaciers due to climate change sounds like a problem that does not affect the Philippines. But the most recent Generation Restoration documentary explains the unlikely connection between our tropical country in Southeast Asia and melting glaciers in the North Pole. "Icebreaker" was filmed in Svalbard, an archipelago in the north of Norway and North Pole. Blanketed in snow and See more...
UPCAT resumes this yearThe University of the Philippines (UP) announced that its college admission test will resume on June 3 and 4 after being halted due to COVID-19 pandemic. The university said the UP College Admission Test (UPCAT) will be held in more than 100 test centers nationwide. This year’s UPCAT application period will open in the first week of March, according to See more...
LOOK: KD Estrada, Alexa Ilacad grace cover of Metro.Style magazineMANILA -- Celebrate love month as Kapamilya love team KD Estrada and Alexa Ilacad graced the February cover of Metro.Style. In their first-ever digital cover, the two shared how their relationship evolved from being former "Pinoy Big Brother" housemates to becoming love team and musical pair. “[I] definitely feel honored to think na me I was just a guitar See more...
DOH posts 119 new COVID-19 cases; active tally climbs to 9,120The Department of Health (DOH) on Thursday registered 119 new COVID-19 cases, while the active tally climbed to 9,120. According to the DOH’s latest figures, the country’s COVID-19 tally rose to 4,075,073. The highest number of new infections in the past two weeks came from the National Capital Region with 459 cases, followed by Calabarzon with 211, Davao Region with See more...
Nasawing Pinay sa Turkey quake, inalala ng mga kaanakLubos ang pagdadalamhati Nicole Abulad para sa kaniyang ina na si Wilma Abulad Tezcan sa pagpanaw sa lindol matapos ang mahabang panahong pagtatrabaho sa Turkey. Inuwi ni Tezcan ang labi ng kaniyang ina sa Lucena, Quezon. Pagdating sa Pilipinas, nandoon ang ama ni Tezcan na tahimik lamang ngunit nagdadalamhati sa pagpanaw ng anak. Kuwento ni Abulad, nang mangyari See more...
Pinoy life coach wins at World Coaching CongressA Filipino life coach was included in the list of coaching leaders at the World Coaching Congress 2023 held at the Taj Lands End Mumbai in India on February 15. Myke Celis was the lone Filipino recipient alongside 100 other coaching experts from all over the globe. The winners were chosen based on their credentials, body of work, testimonials, See more...
China says lasers for ‘navigation safety’, denies pointing at PH crewChina has denied that its coast guard pointed lasers at the crew of the BRP Malapascua while the latter was on a resupply mission on February 6 in waters off the Ayungin Shoal. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin at his regular press conference on Wednesday said the Philippines' allegations did "not reflect the truth." Wang reiterated his earlier remarks See more...
Vin Abrenica, tiniyak na hindi hihiwalayan ang asawang si Sophie AlbertInihayag ni Vin Abrenica na labis siyang nasasaktan na maging sila ng asawa niyang si Sophie Albert ay idinadamay din ng ilang tao sa pambabatikos at pagpuna sa kapatid niyang si Aljur. Pero pagtiyak ni Vin, hindi niya hihiwalayan ang kaniyang asawa. “Inaamin ko naman eh, kahit ako nadadamay ako. I just got married. And all of the comments na See more...
Palace names latest appointees to DA, DNDMalacañang on Thursday disclosed the latest appointments in the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of National Defense (DND). The new appointments in the DA, which President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. leads, include the following: * Paz Benavidez II - Assistant Secretary * Honorio Flameño - Director IV * Fernando Flores - Director IV * Maria Christine Inting - Director IV * See more...
Rare footage of Titanic wreckage shot in 1986 releasedRare video footage showing the Titanic ocean liner on the floor of the Atlantic is being released on Wednesday, decades after the discovery of the wreckage and more than a century after the ship hit an iceberg and sunk. The footage from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) was shot about 2 miles (3 km) below the ocean's surface, just months See more...
BSP continues policy tightening, hikes rates by 50 basis pointsThe Monetary Board of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) on Thursday decided to continue with its policy tightening, bringing key policy rates to levels last seen in 2007. BSP Governor Felipe Medalla said the 50-basis-point adjustments would take effect on Friday, February 17, bringing the overnight reverse repurchase rate to 6.0%, the overnight deposit facility rate to 5.5%, and See more...
Philippines, US to hold biggest war games in yearsThe Philippines and the United States will this year carry out their biggest joint military drills since 2015, Manila's army chief said on Wednesday, against a backdrop of growing tensions with China in the South China Sea. The exercises underscore improved ties with the United States under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., and come as the Philippines condemns China's "aggressive" actions See more...
Most baby formula health claims not backed by science: studyPARIS, France - The vast majority of health claims used to advertise baby formula worldwide are not supported by rigorous scientific evidence, a study said Thursday, leading researchers to urge the breast milk substitutes be sold in plain packaging. The study comes a week after a group of doctors and scientists called for a regulatory crackdown on the $55-billion formula See more...
PH-set 'Romeo and Juliet' opens Ballet Manila's 2023 seasonMANILA -- “We need to be inspired to inspire others,” Ballet Manila’s (BM) artistic associate and principal dancer Gerardo Francisco Jr. said during the recent media launch of BM’s 25th live performance season. True enough, BM is brimming with vigor and inspiration to bring excellent classical and modern dance pieces as it continues with its 25th season. As a See more...
MMDA to build Disaster Preparedness Training Facility in CaviteMANILA — The Metro Manila Development Authority is set to build a Disaster Preparedness Training Facility in Carmona, Cavite this year. The agency owns the 1-hectare lot where it plans to build structures for disaster simulation such as a rappel tower, confined space structure, wrecked building structure, and extrication facility, said MMDA Chairman Romando Artes. “Ituturo paano mag-extricate ng See more...
80 train coaches purchased in 2017 have water leaks: DOTrMANILA -- Some 80 of the 120 train coaches that the government procured for the Light Rail Transit 1 Cavite Extension Project in 2017 for P12 billion have water leaks, a Department of Transportation (DOTr) official told a House Committee on Transportation hearing on Thursday. During the House panel's hearing with the DOTR's Railway Sector, Undersecretary for Railways Cesar Chavez See more...
Meta boosts teen online safety education via interactive webtoonsMANILA - Meta said Thursday it has developed 3 new interactive webtoons in a bid to educate and protect teenagers online. These new tools will help teens learn about online safety and responsibility and for parents to guide their children in navigating online sites, Meta Philippines Public Policy Head Clare Amador said. The webtoons, launched in celebration of the Safer See more...
VP Duterte wants stop to Philippine education’s ‘further deterioration’Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte on Thursday emphasized the need to avert the further deterioration of Philippine education, saying that the next two to three years will be a critical period for the reforms to the education system under her leadership. “Our collective mission…is to ensure that we are able to avert the further deterioration of the See more...
LOOK: beabadoobee shares moments in PH in new MVMANILA -- Filipino-British singer-songwriter Beatrice Kristi Laus, also known as beabadoobee, shared her moments here in the Philippines in her new music video. In the music video for "Glue Song," beabadoobee can be seen having fun in her hometown in Iloilo where she recently had a vacation last January. "I’ve never smiled so big in a music video before ... See more...
Mga pedestrian at motorista, ginulantang ng malakas na pagsabog sa ChinaNagimbal ang mga pedestrian at mga motorista matapos magkaroon ng malakas na pagsabog mula sa isang restaurant na malapit sa kalsada sa China. Alamin ang pinagmulan ng pagsabog Sa ulat ng GMA News Feed, mapapanood sa isang CCTV ang pagtilapon ng mga bubog at debris mula sa restaurant sa Guandong dahil sa pagsabog na dulot ng gas leak. Natumba at See more...
Kors honors feminist icon as New York Fashion Week wraps upNEW YORK -- American designer Michael Kors paid tribute to US feminist icon Gloria Steinem on the final day of New York Fashion Week Wednesday. His Fall-Winter 2023 parade saw several models wear round, low-hanging belts in a nod to the 88-year-old Steinem's signature look. Steinem, considered the leader of second-wave feminism in America in the late 1960s and early See more...
‘Para kay Gab’: Eraserheads-signed guitar sold for P1.3 millionMANILA – A guitar signed by all the members of the iconic Filipino band Eraserheads was sold at a whopping price of P1.3 million to help raise funds for Parokya ni Edgar’s guitarist Gab Chee Kee. Parokya ni Edgar shared on their social media page that the D&D Gab Chee Kee Signature Guitar was auctioned to Bryan Beran, executive producer See more...
DOJ indicts 10 over kidnapping, murder of pharma execMANILA - The Department of Justice has indicted 10 suspects for the kidnapping and murder of pharmaceutical businessman Eduardo Tolosa in July 2022. In a resolution released February 14, 2023 but was published Thursday, DOJ prosecutors indicted the following persons for kidnapping for ransom with murder: The indictment was based on the testimonies of five persons who took part in See more...
Philippines rejects China claim that use of laser pointer not meant to harm PCG crewThe Department of Foreign Affairs on Thursday rejected China's claim that its coast guard's use of laser pointer against Philippine government crew conducting a resupply mission to Ayungin shoal was merely for navigation safety purposes. "As far as the DFA is concerned, we have no reason to doubt the Philippine Coast Guard's account of the incident," Foreign Affairs spokesperson Tess See more...
13-anyos na estudyante na pauwi galing paaralan, patay sa pamamaril sa CotabatoNasawi ang isang 13-anyos na lalaking mag-aaral matapos siyang barilin habang papauwi mula sa eskuwelahan sa Pikit, Cotabato. Ang 12-anyos niyang kasama, sugatan. Base sa police report ng Pikit Municipal Police Station, sinabing nangyari ang insidente sa Barangay Gli-gli nitong nakaraang Martes. Naglalakad umano ang mga biktima sa gilid ng irrigation lining nang barilin sila ng salarin, na kaagad See more...
TINGNAN: Pinsala ng lindol sa MasbateBakas ang pinsala sa mga apektadong lugar ng magnitude 6 na lindol na yumanig sa ilang parte ng Masbate nitong Huwebes. Isa ang sugatan at nasira ang evacuation facility, public market at Municipal Hall sa Palanas, Masbate. Ito ang makikita sa mga larawang ibinahagi ni Bayan Patroller Chris Jo A. Adigue, officer-in-charge ng Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and See more...
Sandiganbayan reminded Enrile just turned 99, prosecution to rest plunder case by MarchMANILA — Government prosecutors told the Sandiganbayan 3rd Division on Thursday they would end by March their presentation of witnesses in the plunder case of former senator and now Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile. After presenting two witnesses, Prosecutor Khadaffy Ferdinand Garzon told the anti-graft court that they would resume their presentation of witnesses on March 7, as they See more...
BOC seizes 850K liters of smuggled fuel in BatangasThe Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Thursday said it seized a motor tanker carrying 850,000 liters of smuggled fuel in Batangas. Personnel of the BOC Intelligence Group and the Philippine Navy apprehended on Wednesday motor tanker MT BRALEMAN 1, which had no government-approved marker and pertinent documents, as well as a small motor vessel. BOC enforcement group Deputy Commissioner Teddy See more...
MANILA - Japanese firm Fujifilm said on Thursday it looking for partners in the Philippines to expand further its healthcare business, but also said it will not let go of its photography business. Fujifilm Philippines' new President Masahiro Uehara told the media its healthcare unit contributed 32 percent to the company's revenues globally, while its original business imaging and photography See more...
Pokwang grateful that 'Ten Little Mistresses' is no. 1 on Amazon PrimePokwang couldn't be more grateful that "Ten Little Mistresses" became the no. 1 movie on Amazon Prime. On her Instagram Stories, the Kapuso comedienne accompanied the screengrabs she posted of the film's success with a sticker expressing her thanks. Pokwang also reshared some of her fans' social media posts about the movie, including one netizen who wrote, "a must watch See more...
Babaeng naglalaba sa ilog, ginahasa; 18-anyos na suspek, arestadoArestado ang isang 18-anyos na lalaki matapos umanong pagsamantalahan ang isang 24-anyos na babae na naglalaba sa isang ilog sa Tanauan City, Batangas. Sa ulat ni Deniece Abante sa Regional TV News nitong Huwebes, kinilala ang suspek na si Jeffrey Olequino. Ayon sa pulisya, nangyari ang krimen sa San Juan river sa bahagi ng Barangay Tres sa nasabing lungsod. "Madalas See more...
Alleged onion cartel may also be behind soaring garlic prices in 2014, says solonMANILA — The cartel involved in the soaring prices of garlic in 2014 may be the same cartel possibly behind the recent skyrocketing prices of onion, a lawmaker investigating the matter said Thursday. Nueva Ecija Rep. Rosanna Vergara, whose district includes top onion producer Bongabon town, said that "Mrs. Sibuyas" Lea Cruz had also appeared before Congress in 2014 See more...
Arroyo, 18 lawmakers file reso urging 'unequivocal' defense of Duterte vs ICCMANILA — Former President and House Senior Deputy Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo led a group of 19 lawmakers who filed a resolution seeking the "unequivocal defense" of former President Rodrigo Duterte from a possible investigation by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in relation to his anti-narcotics crackdown. House Resolution 780 claimed that Duterte's presidency ushered "remarkable accomplishments brought about by See more...
Hontiveros seeks justification on issuance of latest sugar orderSenate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros is seeking justification on the latest issuance of an order allowing the importation of 440,000 metric tons of sugar in the country. "The absence of the signature of the President on Sugar Order No. 6 is probably the least of my questions. Andami kong katanungan (There are a lot of questions that need answers). See more...
Carla Abellana, hindi na muling magpapakasal?Hindi inaalis ni Carla Abellana ang posibilidad na umibig muli pero nag-iba na umano ang pananaw niya pagdating sa kasal matapos ang hiwalayan nila ni Tom Rodriguez. “As a woman, naniniwala ka pa sa love and marriage? Will you ever marry again?” tanong ni Tito Boy kay Carla sa “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda” nitong Huwebes. “Love, definitely po Tito See more...
DBM approves release of P3.4B for tech-voc scholarsThe Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has approved the release of over P3 billion to cover the cost of education for technical-vocational students. In a statement on Thursday, the DBM said Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman approved on February 15 the Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) amounting to P3.410 billion. The SARO was released to the Department of Labor and See more...
Philippines intends to give cash donation to quake-hit Syria — OCDThe Philippine government is planning to send cash donation to Syria, which was hit by a magnitude 7.8 earthquake on February 6, the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) said Thursday. OCD spokesperson Assistant Secretary Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV told reporters that their office and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) are just waiting for its approval. “We are just See more...
Masbate quake damages coliseum, causes power outage, class suspensionsPower interruptions, class suspensions, and hospital evacuation have been reported following a magnitude 6 earthquake that hit Batuan, Masbate early Thursday, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said. In its 7 a.m. bulletin, the OCD said electricity supply in Masbate and Ticao Island was interrupted while work and class schedules were suspended in the entire province. A report on Balitanghali See more...
'Future Mrs. Milby': Catriona Gray, Sam Milby are engagedMANILA — (UPDATED) Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray and Kapamilya leading man Sam Milby are engaged, the couple announced on Thursday. Gray, 29, and Milby, 38, announced the personal milestone through an Instagram photo showing them in a sweet moment, with the beauty queen wearing a diamond engagement ring. They are also seen holding a cup each. Milby's has the See more...
New PCO execs sworn in following Marcos’ reorganization orderMalacañang on Thursday announced new undersecretaries and directors at the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) following President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.'s order to reorganize the agency. Marcos administered the oath of office to the following officials: * Honey Rose Mercado - Undersecretary for Traditional Media and External Affairs * Franz Gerard Imperial - Undersecretary for Broadcast Production * Gerald Baria - Undersecretary See more...
GCash OK'd for use abroad sans Philippine SIMAyala-backed mobile wallet GCash can now be used abroad through international SIM cards after it secured the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas' (BSP) approval to launch the service. In a statement, GCash said the central bank has approved the beta launch of GCash Overseas. The new service allows Filipinos in Japan, Australia, and Italy to sign up for the mobile wallet See more...
'Hiling' ni Mark Carpio, hindi basta ordinaryong 'hugot' o pag-ibig songItinuturing na isang "hugot" song para sa mga umiibig ang awiting "Hiling." Pero ayon sa kumanta at sumulat nito na si Mark Carpio, isa itong "prayer." "It's actually a prayer. Kung papakinggan mo siya akala mo it a song about someone. Pero the first line goes something like: 'Ito'y isang dalangin.' So prayer talaga siya," paliwanag ni Mark sa mga See more...
Transport dept to stop PNR operations for 5 years for North-South railway constructionMANILA -- The Philippine National Railways (PNR) will stop operations for about 5 years to give way to the completion of the North South Commuter Railway (NSCR), a Transport official told lawmakers on Thursday. Transportation Undersecretary for Rail Cesar Chavez explained this is so that they can solve the right-of-way problems that plague the NSCR construction. "In the spirit of See more...
Chartered flight na umano'y di ininspeksyon, iniimbestigahan ng MIAAMAYNILA — Iniimbestigahan na ng Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) ang insidente kaugnay ng isang chartered flight patungong Dubai na umano'y hindi dumaan sa inspeksyon. Batay sa paunang imbestigasyon, sinabi ng MIAA na kumpleto sa entry-exit clearance ang flight N9527E noong Pebrero 13 mula sa Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP). Mayroon din umano itong aircraft exit See more...
3 patay, 4 sugatan sa pamamaril sa Caloocan CityPatay ang tatlong tao, habang sugatan ang apat na iba pa sa walang habas na pamamaril ng isang lalaki sa kanyang mga kapitbahay sa Caloocan City. Ayon sa ulat ng Unang Balita nitong Huwebes, naburyong lamang umano ang suspek (na hindi pinangalanan), kaya nagawa ang krimen. Sa ulat ni Jonathan Andal, sinabing nabulabog ang mga residente ng Brangay 10 at See more...
13-year-old boy shot dead in Cotabato; Abalos orders probeA 13-year-old boy was shot dead while on his way home from school in Barangay Gli-gli in Pikit, Cotabato on Tuesday, according to Pikit Municipal Police Station. His companion, a 12-year-old boy, was hurt in the incident, the police said. Based on a police report, the victims were walking on the side of an irrigation lining past noon when the See more...
Palace names new appointees in defense, agriculture departmentsMANILA — Malacañang on Thursday disclosed the latest appointments in the Department of National Defense (DND) and Department of Agriculture (DA). The new appointments in the DA, which President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. heads, include the following. Meanwhile, the latest DND appointments include the following. Jose Maria R. Cuerpo II - Commander, Philippine Army 4th Infantry Division Ramon J. See more...
Carla Abellana granted a temporary protection order against Tom RodriguezCarla Abellana was granted a temporary protection order against Tom Rodriguez following their separation. On Thursday's episode of "Fast Talk With Boy Abunda," the Kapuso actress said she filed the application for protection order under the local courts. Carla said the details cannot be publicly disclosed. The legal basis was also not provided, but her lawyer, Atty. Peter Sanchez, said See more...
Hectares of forest gutted by two fires in Bontoc barangayTwo forest fires hit a barangay in Bontoc, Mountain Province razing a few structures and at least 16 hectares of forest on Tuesday night. According to Dano Tingcungco's report on “24 Oras”, one incident was reported in Sitio Napo in Barangay Bontoc Ili at 4:40 p.m. The blaze lasted for more than five hours as firefighters struggled to put See more...
Nadine Lustre, Mikhail Red to team up anew for horror film 'Nokturno'[SUBHEAD] 'Deleter' director partners with Viva Films for Evolve Studios MANILA — After the box-office and critical success of their first collaboration, "Deleter" filmmaker Mikhail Red and lead actress Nadine Lustre are set to team up anew for another horror offering. The film with the working title "Nokturno" was one of two projects announced Thursday to be in development at the See more...
Astronomers marvel at ‘perfect explosion,’ a spherical cosmic fireballWASHINGTON — Astronomers have observed what might be the "perfect explosion," a colossal and utterly spherical blast triggered by the merger of two very dense stellar remnants called neutron stars shortly before the combined entity collapsed to form a black hole. Researchers on Wednesday described for the first time the contours of the type of explosion, called a kilonova, that See more...
Robin Padilla wants farmers, fisherfolk to become businessmenSenator Robin Padilla on Thursday urged the Department of Trade and Industry and the Cooperative Development Authority to train farmers and fisherfolk to become businessmen. At a Senate committee on trade, commerce, and entrepreneurship hearing, Padilla lamented that farmers and fisherfolk are still below the poverty line. "Ang ating mga kababayan na magsasaka at mangingisda sila ang tawag natin na See more...
Maynilad water supply cuts in parts of NCR, Cavite to continue until Feb. 17Some Metro Manila and Cavite residents will continue to experience water service interruptions until February 17, 2023. According to a report by Lei Alviz on "24 Oras," some parts of Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Parañaque, Pasay and Bacoor, Cavite City, Imus, Noveleta and Rosario in Cavite are affected by the five to 21 hours water service interruption. Maynilad advised the affected See more...
Marcos appoints new officials under 'revamped' PCO: PalaceMANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. has appointed undersecretaries and other officials under the "revamped" Presidential Communications Office, Malacañang said on Thursday. Honey Rose Mercado will now be the undersecretary for Traditional Media and External Affairs. She was an undersecretary of the Presidential Management Staff prior to her new post. Other undersecretaries include Franz Gerard Imperial (Broadcast Production) See more...
Transport dept eyes bundling MRT-3 operations, maintenance with LRT-2MANILA -- The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is mulling bundling the operation and maintenance of MRT-3 with LRT-2, an official of the agency told lawmakers on Thursday. Transport Secretary Jaime Bautista has already formed a body within the department to look at the feasibility of transferring MRT-3 assets to the government’s Light Rail Transit Authority, said DOTr Undersecretary for Railways, See more...
Marcos says SWS 'very good' rating 'encouraging'President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Wednesday said the recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey that gave him a “very good” rating was “encouraging." "I don't really look at surveys kasi… But it’s always encouraging to know that naunawaan ng tao ‘yung aming ginagawa,” Marcos said in an interview. (I don’t really look at surveys but it’s always encouraging to See more...
Mga suspek sa pagpatay sa 79-anyos na lola sa QC, na-inquest naNaisalang na sa inquest proceedings ang mga suspek sa pagkamatay ng isang lolang taga-Quezon City, ayon sa Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit (CIDU) ng Quezon City Police. Ayon sa ulat ng Unang Balita nitong Huwebes, sinampahan ng reklamong murder, kidnapping, abduction, at robbery si Mark Anthony Cosio at mga umano'y kasabwat niya sa pagpatay kay Ediberta Gomez, 79-anyos, na See more...
Jayda has her own way of motivating Aljon Mendoza while filming ‘Teen Clash’MANILA – Kapamilya singer and now actress Jayda Avanzado played a huge role in making her on-screen connection with Aljon Mendoza for teen-oriented series “Teen Clash” work. During the media conference of the upcoming iWantTFC original, the “Pinoy Big Brother” alumnus revealed that Avanzado would help him, especially when he runs out of energy while in taping. “Every See more...
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Thursday said it is still conducting preparations for a possible catastrophic earthquake or the "Big One". MMDA spokesperson Mel Catarungan made the statement at a televised public briefing following the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria on February 6. “Ang pagkakatulad po sa Turkey at Metro Manila ay madami ring mga See more...
MTRCB to reevaluate US film 'Plane' amid complaintsMANILA -- The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) will be reevaluating the US film "Plane" amid complaints that it paints a "bad image" of the Philippines. This after Sen. Robin Padilla called on the board to ban the public viewing of the movie starring Gerard Butler. "We acknowledge the sentiments expressed by our honorable Senators concerning the See more...
LPA, localized thunderstorms to trigger rains in MindanaoThe trough or the extension of the low pressure area (LPA) brewing over the waters off Surigao del Sur is expected to trigger rains in the southern portion of the Philippines. State weather bureau PAGASA on Thursday reported the trough of the LPA will bring cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms in Caraga, Davao Region, Northern Mindanao, and See more...
MMDA to open training center for disaster responseThe Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Thursday said it is set to open a disaster preparedness training center for emergency and disaster responders. "The training center aims to improve and institutionalize disaster response measures in the metropolis and to provide a safe, conducive, and controlled learning environment to capacitate individuals and stakeholders on emergency response and public safety that See more...
Twin undersea quakes strike off Zambales townMANILA — Twin undersea earthquakes above magnitude 4 struck off Zambales in Central Luzon on Thursday night, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported. The first quake, with a magnitude of 4.7 and hit at 6:23 p.m., was located 56 kilometers southwest of Iba town. The second quake, with a magnitude of 4.2, struck near the epicenter See more...
Chinese envoy, AFP chief meet amid laser controversyChinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian has met with Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief General Andres Centino amid the tension following the laser-pointing incident in Ayungin Shoal. In a Facebook post on Wednesday, Huang said they discussed military liaison exchanges and cooperation as well as maintaining “peace and stability” in the region. “Had a cordial and constructive See more...
Foreign investment commitments up by 30.1% in Q4 2022Foreign investment commitments or pledges saw a double-digit increase in the last quarter of 2022 amid further reopening of the economy as well as the various foreign trips of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., which attracted pledges from foreign investors. Data released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed total foreign investment pledges stood at P173.61 billion in the October to See more...
UHC law can’t be applied retroactively —DOJThe Universal Health Care (UHC) Law and its penalties cannot be applied retroactively, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ). In a seven-page legal opinion, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said all laws are prospective in application as a rule, meaning that laws should not apply to pending cases. “Concomitant thereto, the penalties to be imposed are the prescribed penalties See more...
Russian cyberattacks on NATO spiked in 2022 —GooglePARIS — Russian cyberattacks in NATO countries quadrupled last year compared to 2020 and more than tripled in Ukraine over the same period, Google said Thursday. The spike in attacks—which coincided with Moscow's invasion of pro-Western Ukraine on February 24, 2022—was a sign of how cyber warfare would become increasingly prevalent in future conflicts, the US tech giant said in See more...
Bangko Sentral hikes benchmark rate by 50 bps to 6 percent, highest since Aug. 2008MANILA (UPDATE) - The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas on Thursday hiked its benchmark overnight reverse repurchase rate by 50 basis points, bringing it to 6 percent as it tries to tame inflation. The 6 percent rate is the highest since August 2008, or near a 15-year high. "In deciding to raise the policy interest rate anew, the Monetary Board See more...
Ten indicted for kidnap, slay of pharma firm execThe Department of Justice will file charges against ten persons who have been linked to the kidnapping and death of a pharmaceutical company executive in July 2022. In a resolution dated February 14, the DOJ indicted Carlo Cadampog, Cesar Cadampog, Adrian Joseph Mendez, Richmel Riel Ignilan, Jomel Vizcarra, and Aldrin Norman Antonio as principals for kidnapping for ransom with murder. See more...
'Rollin' hitmakers Brave Girls announce disbandment, release final single 'Goodbye'K-pop girl group Brave Girls will be disbanding after seven years. Their agency, Brave Entertainment, on Thursday released a statement regarding the disbandment of the group. "The exclusive contracts of our agency’s four artists Minyoung, Yujeong, Eunji, and Yuna expire today (February 16). Accordingly, Brave Girls will officially wrap up their activities following the release of their digital single ‘Goodbye,’ See more...
Group seeks more partners for brain health advocacyNon-profit organization Let's Save the Brain Foundation is seeking more partners in aiding indigent patients who are afflicted with neurological conditions to get timely and quality medical care. On its 11th founding anniversary this February, the foundation geared up to widen its reach by building more partnerships to continue its crusade. Supporters are encouraged to look forward to their See more...
Poe wants MIA, BI in Senate probe on alleged human trafficking modus in NAIASenator Grace Poe wants officials from the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) and the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to appear in the hearing of the Senate blue ribbon committee to explain the alleged human smuggling at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). "Base sa preliminary intel, mukhang kailangan talaga ipatawag ang MIAA dahil sila ang may hawak mismo sa NAIA, See more...
Paliwanag ng China sa paggamit nila ng laser sa PCG, 'di pinaniwalaan ng DFAHindi naniniwala ang Department of Foreign Affairs sa paliwanag ng China na para sa "navigation safety" ang ginawang paggamit ng kanilang coast guard ng laser na itinutok sa barko ng Philippine coast guard, na nasa resupply mission sa Ayungin Shoal. "As far as the DFA is concerned, we have no reason to doubt the Philippine Coast Guard's account of See more...
Born in wartime, Syrian children orphaned by quakeMAARRAT MISRINE — In a hospital in earthquake-hit northwest Syria, eight-year-old Hanaa keeps asking for news of her family, unaware she is the sole survivor among her immediate relatives. Her father, mother and four-year-old sister were among the nearly 40,000 people killed in the 7.8-magnitude quake that struck Turkey and Syria on February 6. After years of war and See more...
PCC probing high onion prices for possible cartelThe Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) on Thursday said it has launched an investigation on the spike in the prices of onion seen in late December last year for possible anti-competitive practices. In a statement, the PCC said that since November 2022 it has been investigating the high prices of onion for possible cartel or abuse of dominance conduct. The antitrust See more...
PhilHealth: Dialysis service centers in all gov’t hospitals possible with UHC lawThe establishment of dialysis service facilities in all national, regional, and provincial government hospitals would be possible through the Universal Health Care (UHC) law, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) said Thursday. PhilHealth senior manager for corporate communications Rey Baleña bared this in an interview on GMA News’ Unang Balita when asked about the filed measure mandating all government hospitals See more...
WHO maintains int’l public health emergency alert for mpoxThe World Health Organization's emergency committee on Wednesday maintained a Public Health Emergency Of International Concern (PHEIC), its highest level of alert, for mpox, saying that transmission continued to persist in some countries. Formerly called monkeypox, the disease was first discovered in humans in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with the spread among humans since then mainly limited See more...
Gloria Arroyo, other solons rally behind Duterte amid ICC drug war probeA group of House members led by former President and Senior Deputy Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Thursday filed a resolution defending former President Rodrigo Duterte against any probe by the International Criminal Court (ICC). Through House Resolution No. 780, the lawmakers said Duterte's presidency "has ushered remarkable accomplishments brought about by his relentless campaign against illegal drugs, insurgency, separatism and See more...
Damage in coliseum, hospital evacuation reported after Masbate quakeInitial report posted by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) in Masbate shows photos of damage and evacuation of a hospital after the magnitude-6.0 earthquake hit the province early Thursday morning. In a social media post, the PIA reported that Jessar Adornado, Office of Civil Defense in Region V (OCD-5) assistant regional director, said that Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices See more...
80 train cars for LRT-1 Cavite extension have leaksMost of the train cars which have been delivered for the LRT-1 Cavite Extension have been found to have leaks. According to Tina Panganiban Perez's report on "24 Oras", out of the 120 train cars delivered in 2021, 80 were found to be leaking. The train cars cost some P12 billion and P6 billion have been paid. The supplier See more...
Kalinga sets 2 Guinness World Records with gong ensemble, banga danceMANILA — Kalinga province set 2 Guinness World Records for the largest gong ensemble and largest banga dance this week, the local government said. A total of 3,440 men played gongs, while 4,681 women danced with pots called "banga" balanced on their heads during the Feb. 15 attempt to set Guinness records, the provincial government said on Facebook. See more...
Philippines' first XBF COVID-19 case a Filipino senior with no travel historyThe first case of COVID-19 Omicron subvariant XBF in the Philippines is a Filipino senior citizen with no known history of travel, the Department of Health (DOH) said on Thursday. The DOH said the Filipino senior citizen has already been tagged as recovered. “The first case detected here in the Philippines is from a Filipino senior citizen with no known See more...
DA eyes planting hybrid seeds in Bangsamoro, more regions to boost rice yieldsMANILA — The Department of Agriculture (DA) aims to plant hybrid seeds in the Visayas and southern parts of the country as it eyes to boost yields and reach rice self-sufficiency, an official said Thursday. Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel De Mesa said they also want to plant hybrid seeds in the Bangsamoro, Western and East Visayas, and Davao regions See more...
LOOK: BTS, Lego collaborate for new toy collectionPopular toy brand Lego will be collaborating with K-pop supergroup BTS for its new collection. In an Instagram post, Lego unveiled its new set with the sunny vibe from the hit song "Dynamite." "Who's ready for a brick-built megahit? It's time to get creative with the LEGO Ideas BTS Dynamite Set!" Lego said in the caption. Lego earlier teased See more...
David Licauco's old tweets about Rizal resurface, reveal he's just the same as KlayFans of "Maria Clara at Ibarra" are cackling after David Licauco's old tweets about Dr. Jose Rizal resurfaced, revealing that he and Klay have much in common after all! In a pair of tweets almost 10 years ago, David complained about his Rizal subject, just as Barbie Forteza's character, Klay, did in the beginning of "Maria Clara at Ibarra." "Hassle See more...
Visa says credit card fraud in Philippines at record lowIncidents of credit card fraud in the Philippines have reached a record low, global payments technology company Visa said Thursday, due to the introduction of “tokenization” technology, which converts cardholders’ sensitive data into a token to make payments more secure. At a media roundtable in Pasay City, Visa head of risk for Southeast Asia Louis Smith said they introduced tokenization See more...
DOTr bares proposed fares on the Metro Manila SubwayMANILA -- Riding the Mega Manila Subway will cost at least P22, with an additional P2 per kilometer, an official of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) told the House Committee on Transportation on Thursday. "Ang fare batay ho sa feasibility study, P22 plus P2 per kilometer," Undersecretary for Railway Cesar Chavez told the panel. Chavez also told lawmakers that the See more...