Philippines News Today March 20, 2023

Here are the latest news and events that happened today, Monday, March 20, 2023.

Over 60 million physical, digital national IDs printed, says PSA

MANILA - Over 60 million physical and digital national IDs have been printed, the Philippine Statistics Authority said on Monday. As of March 15, 2023, 60,326,990 IDs have been printed, out of which 33,550,575 were physical PhilIDs while 26,776,415 are ePhilIDs, the PSA said in a statement. "Reaching 60 million national IDs printed brings us closer to fully realizing See more...

Klea Pineda comes out as member of LGBT community

MANILA – To celebrate her birthday, actress Klea Pineda came out as a member of the LGBT community. "My 24th birthday is extra special since I finally mustered up the courage to come out to the world as my true authentic self. Masasabi ko na ito na ang pinakamatapang na desisyon na nagawa ko sa buong buhay ko. I See more...

Klea Pineda, nagkuwento tungkol sa kaniyang girlfriend

Ngayong inihayag na ni Klea Pineda na mayroon siyang "rainbow heart," ibinahagi rin ng aktres na mayroon siyang girlfriend na nakilala niya sa Tiktok. "Nakita ko lang siya sa TikTok and hindi ko ine-expect na meron kaming common friend. And then kinulit ko na 'tong si common friend namin," sabi ni Klea sa latest episode ng "Updated With Nelson Canlas." See more...

NEDA releases IRR for amended Public Service Act

MANILA - The National Economic and Development Authority said on Monday it has released the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the amendments to the Public Service Act. The IRR, approved by all 21 agencies, was released following an extensive review and consultations with the public, legislators, administrative agencies and stakeholders, NEDA said in a statement. Republic Act. No. 11659 See more...

Miss Universe R'Bonney Gabriel set to visit PH

R'Bonney Gabriel is set to visit the Philippines this year. The reigning Miss Universe made the announcement during a guest appearance on the TV show "Houston Life" over the weekend. "I will be visiting the Philippines soon in May. We're going to have a huge event there as Miss Universe so I'm really excited," she said. "So for all the See more...

Gasoline, diesel, kerosene prices down Tuesday

Oil firms are set to roll back the pump prices of petroleum products on Tuesday, marking the second straight week of downward adjustments for diesel and kerosene. In separate advisories, Chevron Philippines Inc. (Caltex), Flying V, Petron Corp., Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp., and Seaoil Philippines Corp. said they will reduce prices per liter of gasoline by P1.20, diesel by P1.85, See more...

Bill amending bank secrecy hurdles House 2nd reading

MANILA - A bill seeking to give more powers to the central bank to probe bank deposits has advanced in the House of Representatives. House lawmakers approved on second reading House Bill 7446 which amends Republic Act 1405 or the "Secrecy of Bank Deposits Law" to empower the Bangko Sentral to investigate bank deposits. According to its committee fact sheet, See more...

Teves camp blasts calls to freeze assets, expel him from Congress

MANILA — The legal counsel of Negros Oriental 3rd District Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. on Monday blasted calls to freeze his client's assets amid allegations of the embattled lawmaker's supposed involvement in the murder of Governor Roel Degamo and another local politician. In a press conference, Teves' lawyer Ferdinand Topacio said that the proposal was "uncalled for," "unsubstantiated," and "libelous." See more...

'The Biggest Loser': MMDA employees undergo fitness program

MANILA -- The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and the Junior Chamber International-Manila has launched a fitness program to make select MMDA employees physically fit through proper diet and physical activities. Atty. Victor Nunez, MMDA Traffic Discipline Office director for enforcement, said 100 employees were chosen to undergo the program. "Ito po ay isang parang 'Biggest Loser' event wherein we encourage See more...

COVID-19 positivity rate up to 3.2% in NCR —OCTA

The seven-day COVID-19 positivity rate in the National Capital Region (NCR) has increased in the past week but remained below 5%, independent monitoring group OCTA Research said Monday. From 2.2% recorded on March 11, the positivity rate in the NCR increased to 3.2% on March 18, OCTA Research fellow Dr. Guido David said on Twitter. "NCR remained LOW, below 5%," See more...

PAGASA: Easterlies to spur rains over Philippines

The easterlies are expected to bring isolated rain in the country, state weather bureau PAGASA said Monday. In its 24-hour public forecast, PAGASA said the easterlies continue to affect the eastern section of the country and will spur partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms in Metro Manila and the rest of the country. Rain-induced flash See more...

DA confirms cases of African swine fever in parts of Cebu

MANILA -- The Department of Agriculture - Bureau of Animal Industry on Monday confirmed the presence of the African Swine Fever in parts of Cebu province. In a press statement, the agency said it has detected ASF in Cebu City, Liloan, Sibonga, Tuburan, and Bogo City. It said that the sample collection was conducted in backyard farms by the local See more...

Maharlika Investment Fund reaches Senate floor

The bill creating the proposed Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF) reached the Senate plenary on Monday. Senator Mark Villar, the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Banks, Financial Institutions, and Currencies, sponsored Senate Bill No. 2020 which contained Committee Report No. 58. The measure reached the Senate floor three weeks after the committee ended its hearings on the MIF bills. Villar See more...

SWS: Most Filipinos hopeful worst of COVID-19 'behind us'

A survey released by Social Weather Stations (SWS) on Monday showed that 93% of adult Filipinos are hopeful that the "worst of the COVID-19 crisis in the Philippines is behind us". The result is the highest percentage since SWS began conducting the survey in 2020 on whether respondents felt the worst of the pandemic is over or the worst is See more...

Why more people are opting for plant-based foods

More people are now looking for alternatives to meat-based diets as they become more aware of its health and environmental benefits. This has led to a surge in popularity of plant-based foods in the recent years with more people embracing the flexitarian lifestyle. As the Lenten season is already here, some are searching for meatless options that are not only See more...

Zubiri eyes mandatory disclosure of students' fraternity, sorority membership

Senate President Miguel Zubiri on Monday is considering requiring students to declare their membership in fraternities or sororities after the death of Adamson University student John Matthew Salilig by hazing. “If we now compel under the law, the schools and the students to mandatorily declare if they are members of fraternities or not maybe that would help,” he said during See more...

Remulla dares ICC: File a complaint before DOJ

MANILA - Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Monday dared the International Criminal Court or other critics to file a case against former President Rodrigo Duterte before the Department of Justice. Remulla told the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines that the ICC should file a case in the Philippines and they will act on the complaint. "File a complaint. See more...

401 PDLs released by BuCor

More than 400 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) were released Monday from various prisons and penal farms in the country, according to the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor). Most of the 401 PDLs released were from the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) with 163, followed by the Davao Prison and Penal Farm (DBBF) with 99, and Leyte Regional Prison (LRP) with 47. See more...

Oil spill has reached Verde Island, Batangas, PCG says

The oil spill from a submerged motor tanker in Oriental Mindoro has now creeped into the waters of Verde Island in Batangas, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said on Monday. PCG-Batangas station commander Captain Victorino Acosta confirmed this in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB, when asked if the oil spill from MT Princess Empress which sank on February 28 See more...

Padilla: Rep. Rodriguez invitation deferred due to inter-parliamentary courtesy

Senator Robin Padilla explained that he deferred Cagayan de Oro Representatives Rufus Rodriguez's appearance at today's Senate Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes Committee hearing on the House-approved resolution seeking to push for Charter change (cha-cha) via a constitutional convention (con-con) due to inter-parliamentary courtesy. Padilla clarified that the invitation was postponed, not cancelled, and disclosed that Senate President Juan See more...

Pambihirang white tiger, itinapon lang sa basurahan sa Greece

Ikinagulat ng mga tauhan ng isang zoo sa Athens, Greece nang may makita sila sa basurahan na isang nanghihina at payat na pambihirang uri ng white tiger. Sa video ng GMA News Feed, sinabing bata pa lang ang naturang tigre na tinatayang tatlong-buwang-gulang, at isang babae. Hinihinala ng mga awtoridad na galing sa ilegal na bentahan ng wildlife ang white See more...

Solon protests last minute scrapping of Senate hearing on House-led Cha-cha

MANILA -- Cagayan de Oro City 2nd District Rep. Rufus Rodriguez on Monday expressed disappointment over the "last minute" cancellation of a Senate hearing on Charter change (Cha-cha), supposedly without any explanation. “After inviting me last March 14, I received last night a notice of cancellation from the Senate committee on constitutional amendments and revision of codes,” he said See more...

ERC says at least 20 electric firms lack approved supply deals

MANILA - At least 20 power distributors have been operating without ERC-approved power supply agreements, the Energy Regulatory Commission said on Monday. This was revealed during a Senate hearing on an allegedly questionable deal between a regional distribution utility and a power supplier. The Senate conducted a hearing on power distributor San Fernando, La Union Electric Light and Power See more...

IN PHOTOS: Beauty queens spotted at Bench fashion show

MANILA -- Both reigning and former beauty queens graced the Bench Fashion Week SpringSummer 2023 event over the weekend. Miss Universe Philippines 2022 Celeste Cortesi and her batchmates, Michelle Dee and Katrina Llegado, were among those spotted on the red carpet, as well as former Miss Universe bets Gazini Ganados (2019) and Ariella Arida (2013). Miss World Philippines queens also See more...

Arnie Teves given 24 hours to appear before House ethics panel

The House Committee on Ethics on Monday gave Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves 24 hours to show up in the House of Representatives or face sanctions due to his continued absence despite the lack of travel authority. House ethics panel chairperson COOP-NATCCO party-list Rep. Felimon Espares said Teves had yet to return to the Philippines from an overseas trip See more...

Fire hits residential area in San Andres Bukid, Manila; 3 hurt

Fire hit a residential area in Barangay 767 in San Andres Bukid, Manila on Sunday night. The fire which started at almost 11 p.m. quickly spread since the houses were made of light materials, according to a report by Darlene Cay on Unang Balita on Monday. Residents tried to save whatever belongings they could. Three residents had minor injuries sustained See more...

Senate OKs bill vs. ‘no permit, no exam’, 16 other bills

The Senate on Monday approved on third and final reading 16 measures, including Senate Bill 1359 which prohibits the imposition of “no permit, no exam” policy in all public and private educational institutions. SB 1359 garnered 22 affirmative votes, zero negative votes and zero abstention. The senators also unanimously voted for the passage of Senate Bill 1841 seeking to See more...

Philippines, US foreign affairs, defense secretaries to meet in Washington

The secretaries of foreign affairs and defense of the Philippines and the United States will hold a high-level meeting in Washington in April to boost their political and military engagement in the face of China’s position in the South China Sea. Philippine Ambassador to Washington Jose Manuel Romualdez said Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and Defense officer in charge Carlito See more...

Now 34, Maggie Wilson plans to continue 'rebuilding'

Maggie Wilson recently marked her 34th birthday with an empowering message about taking a leap and moving forward. The host and former beauty queen has been in a legal battle with her estranged husband, real estate scion Victor Consunji. Expressing gratitude despite recent setbacks, she said she plans to continue "rebuilding" her life and looks forward to seeing her See more...

BSP likely to hike rates 25 bps or keep steady: Diokno

MANILA - Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno said on Monday the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas could raise the benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points or keep it steady on its next meeting this month. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas has so far increased the overnight borrowing rate by a cumulative 400 bps to 6 percent since last year to tame See more...

Over 60 million nat'l IDs, ePhilIDs printed as of March 15, 2023 —PSA

More than 60 million physical and virtual national identification cards (IDs) have been printed by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) as of March 15, 2023. In a statement issued Monday, the agency said it had printed a total of 60,326,990 Philippine Identification System (PhilIDs) and ePhilIDs for the implementation of the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys). Of the figures, 3,550,575 See more...

Trailer: Summer MMFF entry 'About Us But Not About Us'

MANILA — The trailer of "About Us But Not About Us," one of the eight entries in the first-ever summer edition of the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), has been released. Set entirely at a restaurant, the film stars Romnick Sarmenta and Elijah Canlas as a professor and his former student whose conversation brings up someone's death and raises secrets See more...

Cha Eun Woo tells Filipino fans: 'I'll be seeing you very soon!'

Cha Eun Woo just told his Filipino fans: "I'll be seeing you very soon." The South Korean actor and member of the K-pop group ASTRO was recently introduced as the brand ambassador of Dunkin' Donuts Philippines. In a video where he gamely shared his donut and coffee preferences, Cha Eun Woo also spoke about having visited Cebu many times in See more...

Meralco says 'no impact' from SMC units power deal issue

MANILA - Meralco said on Monday San Miguel Global Power Holdings Corp's notice of termination for the 2 power supply agreements (PSAs) has no impact on operations as electricity is not yet being supplied under the deal. In a disclosure to the stock exchange, Meralco said SMC's power arm submitted the notices of termination for the power supply agreements (PSA) See more...

House panel issues ultimatum to Teves: Come to Batasan in 24 hours or risk sanctions

MANILA — The House of Representatives Committee on Ethics and Privileges has given Negros Oriental 3rd District Rep. Arnolfo Teves, Jr. an ultimatum: show up in person at the Batasan Pambansa within 24 hours or the panel will recommend disciplinary sanctions. Committee chairperson COOP NATCCO party-list Rep. Felimon Espares told media that this was the panel's decision as he emerged See more...

CHR probes separate killings of 2 barangay officials in Cebu, Maguindanao

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Monday said it has launched investigations into the killing of two barangay chiefs in Asturias, Cebu and Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao del Sur recently. “Upon cognisance of these attacks, CHR, through its offices in Regions X and XII, launched its independent motu proprio investigations,” it said in a statement. The CHR also supported the See more...

PCG: Isla Verde waters 'no longer have' oil spill traces

MANILA -- The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has confirmed Monday afternoon that the waters of Isla Verde and its vicinity has no longer traces of an oil spill. This, after a Coast Guard official said the oil spill in Oriental Mindoro has reached the shores of Isla Verde near Batangas City early Monday. The PCG said in its official Facebook See more...

Teves employee seeks CHR's help vs. police over 'illegal' arrest, detention

A household employee of Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo Teves Jr. on Monday filed a complaint with the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) against the police for the alleged illegal arrest and detention of her and her husband. Hanna Mae Oray and her husband were among those arrested by elements of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) during a series See more...

UN holds rare conference on global water crisis

UNITED NATIONS — With water scarce in some places, in excess elsewhere, polluted or otherwise problematic, the United Nations addresses this week a global crisis that has been long overlooked even as the welfare of billions of people is at stake. "It's the first time in 46 years that the world comes together on the issue of water," said Henk See more...

Robi Domingo has no regrets not becoming a doctor

MANILA -- Actor Robi Domingo does not regret not pursuing his dream of becoming a doctor. In “Tatak Star Magic: Celebrity Conversations,” Domingo he regretted it before, but not anymore. "I regretted it kasi it was a dream na gusto kong ma-fulfill for a score of my life. Imaginin mo I was grinding it all grade school, high school, even See more...

Rayver Cruz and Julie Anne San Jose make a stunning power couple in black

Rayver Cruz and Julie Anne San Jose are one good-looking couple—all the more when they dress up. As seen on Instagram Stories by fashion stylists Miss Keith and Ivor Jullian, the pair looked as stunning as ever, dressed in mostly black, definitely giving off the vibe of a power couple. Julie wore a long sleeve black top with a See more...

Raffy Tulfo senses turf war amid alleged human smuggling incidents at NAIA

Amid alleged human smuggling at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), Senator Raffy Tulfo on Monday said there could be a turf war going on there among concerned government agencies. "I believe ito po ay away ng MIAA (Manila International Airport Authority), ng [Bureau of] Immigration, ng [Bureau of] Customs, ng [Bureau of] Quarantine, at kung ano pang mga awtoridad See more...

EastWest net income up 42% in 2022

Gotianun-led East West Banking Corporation (EastWest Bank) is optimistic it will surpass its 42% growth in 2022 and exceed pre-pandemic asset levels this year, as the lender reported more loan bookings. In an emailed statement, EastWest said its net income rose to P4.6 billion in the past year, excluding one-off items in 2021. Core revenues grew 12% to P28.1 billion. See more...

Chinese victims of 'hulidap' not pressing charges

MANILA - The Philippine National Police said Monday it is verifying reports the 13 Chinese nationals who were allegedly victimized by police in anti-illegal gambling operations have signed an affidavit saying they won't be pressing charges. PNP Chief Police Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. says the document, signed and notarized on March 16 in Parañaque City, is still being looked into. See more...

UBS to take over Credit Suisse, assume up to 5 billion Swiss francs in losses

BERN - UBS agreed to buy rival Swiss bank Credit Suisse for 3 billion Swiss francs ($3.23 billion) in stock and agreed to assume up to 5 billion francs ($5.4 billion) in losses, in a shotgun merger engineered by Swiss authorities to avoid more market-shaking turmoil in global banking. The deal includes 100 billion Swiss francs ($108 billion) in liquidity See more...

Arnie Teves to face House ethics probe via video conference, says lawyer

Negros Oriental Representatives Arnolfo "Arnie" Teves Jr. will participate in Monday's House ethics committee's hearing on his continued absence in Congress proceedings, his legal counsel Ferdinand Topacio said Monday. In a press briefing in Quezon City, Topacio also said Speaker Martin Romualdez has denied the two-month leave requested by Teves, who is currently out of the country. "May mga information See more...

Trailer: Coco Martin, Brillante Mendoza reunite for 'Apag'

MANILA — The trailer of the family drama film "Apag," which marks the reunion of indie collaborators Brillante Mendoza and Coco Martin, has been released. The nearly two-minute trailer gives a glimpse of the story, which follows two families who navigate their lives after an incident that claims a life. "Rafael (Martin), a son of a wealthy family, causes a See more...

Nasa P8M halaga ng umano'y shabu, nasabat sa buy-bust operation sa Lucena

LUCENA CITY, Quezon - Arestado sa isinagawang police drug buy-bust operation ang isang lalaking motorcycle buyer and seller sa Isabang, Lucena City, Quezon matapos umano itong makuhanan ng mga sachet at plastic bags ng hinihinalang shabu. Nangyari ang insidente dakong 12:24 a.m. nitong Lunes. Isang pulis ang nagpanggap na buyer ng shabu sa suspek na si Andrian Saludez, 34-anyos, na See more...

Elha Nympha, nagbukas ng food stall sa UP

MAYNILA -- Pinasok na rin ng mang-aawit na si Elha Nympha ang pagnenegosyo. Sa naging pagbisita ni Nympha sa "Magandang Buhay" nitong Biyernes, ibinahagi nito na sa personal niyang ipon kinuha ang pagbubukas ng Bien Fait, isang food stall na nagbebenta ng steak sa Gyud Food UP Food Hub sa loob ng University of the Philippines noong Enero. "Last year See more...

Rice, vegetables, meat are most wasted food in Filipino households: DOST

MANILA — Rice, vegetables, and meat are the most wasted food in Filipino households, the Department of Science and Technology said in a recent study. Based on the two-stage cluster survey to assess the household plate waste in the country by the agency's Food and Nutrition Research Institute, some of the factors to wastage to the following food are: See more...

Pinay teen who went TikTok viral over a bag is now doing content for an airline

Remember Filipina teenager Zoe Gabriel who received hate online over her excitement for a Charles & Keith bag? Well, she has now been tapped by AirAsia to create content for them. On the official TikTok page of the Malaysia-founded low-cost airline, Zoe was seen in three recently uploaded videos. In one, Zoe danced to “I Think He Knows” inside the See more...

Meralco: San Miguel termination of supply deals no impact on business

Pangilinan-led Manila Electric Company (Meralco) on Monday said its business and operations will not be impacted by the termination of the two power supply agreements (PSAs) with units of San Miguel Global Power Holdings Inc.. In a filing to the local bourse, Meralco said it is considering the possible steps to take moving forward, as the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) See more...

Suspect in Degamo slay surrendered to authorities —Abalos

One of the suspects in the killing of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and eight others has surrendered to authorities, Special Task Force Degamo head and Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos confirmed on Monday. “We welcome the report of the surrender of at least one of the other suspects,” said Abalos at a joint press conference. According to See more...

Maharlika Fund bill, isinumite na sa Senado

MANILA - Hinimok ni Senator Mark Villar ang mga kasamahan sa Senado na suportahan ang Senate Bill 2020 o Maharlika Investment Fund Act na malaki umano ang magagawa para sa ekonomiya at magpapabilis ng mga proyekto ng gobyerno lalo na sa inprastraktura. Sa sponsorship speech ng senador, sinabi nitong kailangan ang panukala upang maipagpatuloy ang umano'y paglago ng ekonomiya ng See more...

Miley Cyrus dissects 'Endless Summer Vacation' album in documentary

American singer Miley Cyrus' new album "Endless Summer Vacation" hopes to convey the roller-coaster of emotions one experiences in a day. In the documentary "Backyard Session" on Disney+, Cyrus explained that she divided the album into two parts: morning and night "The sequencing of an album is very important to me. I kind of think of it like a See more...

Galvez says Cagayan, CamSur open to having EDCA sites

Defense chief Carlito Galvez Jr. on Monday said that local governments in Cagayan and Camarines Sur are open to establishing new Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement sites in their areas. At a press conference during the groundbreaking ceremony of the Basa Air Base Runway Rehabilitation in Pampanga, Galvez was asked about the reported opposition of Cagayan Governor Manuel Mamba to the See more...

Japanese ROV to be used at Mindoro oil spill arrives in the Philippines

The remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to be used to check the condition and contain the oil leak from the sunken MT Princess Empress arrived in the Philippines from Japan on Monday. According to Cedric Castillo’s report on “24 Oras", the ROV contracted by RDC Rield Marine Services — the operating company of the sunken motor tanker off Najuan, Oriental Mindoro— See more...

De Lima camp awaits bail petition resolution after ‘fast, short’ hearings

The camp of former Senator Leila de Lima on Monday said they are now awaiting the resolution of a bail petition they filed in seeking the ex-legislator’s temporary freedom. Lawyer Boni Tacardo, legal counsel of de Lima, said the hearings for the petition may now be considered “finished” after witness Jojo Baligad, the prosecution’s last witness, was presented before the See more...

Vice Ganda named most trusted entertainment presenter

MANILA – Vice Ganda has been named as one of most trusted personalities in the 2023 Reader’s Digest Trusted Brands awards. The “It’s Showtime” host was hailed as the Most Trusted Entertainment & Variety Presenter, citing his innate ability to make people “laugh, cry and ponder the irony and unfairness of modern life.” “His cultural impact makes him one of See more...

Philippines records 1,171 COVID-19 cases, 63 deaths in past week

MANILA — The Philippines recorded 1,171 COVID-19 cases in the past week, the Department of Health said Monday. From March 13 to 19 , an average of 167 daily infections were logged in the country, which is 19 percent higher compared to the previous week. Of the new infections during the week, 6 case were considered severe or critical, according See more...

Philippines logs 1,171 new COVID-19 cases from March 13–19, 2023

The Philippines recorded 1,171 new coronavirus cases from March 13 to March 19, 2023, the latest Department of Health (DOH) bulletin indicated. According to the DOH, this is 19% higher compared to the 1,101 new cases reported from the 983 COVID-19 infections reported from March 6 to 12, 2023. The daily case average likewise increased to 167 from the 140 See more...

MARINA: MT Princess Empress’ CPC ‘not authentic’

The director of the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) in the National Capital Region on Monday denied signing an amended Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC) which covered the MT Princess Empress. At a news conference, MARINA-NCR regional director Marc Pascua said the copy of the CPC released by the Philippine Coast Guard was not authentic. “I just want to clarify that See more...

Padilla threatens to leave PDP-Laban if party rejects Cha-cha

MANILA — Sen. Robin Padilla on Monday vowed to leave PDP-Laban the moment his party declares that it will not support any move to amend the Constitution. Padilla, chairman of the Senate committee on constitutional amendments and revision of codes, said one of PDP-Laban’s platforms is Charter Change (Cha-cha), and he is expecting their party to push for ti either See more...

Max’s Group posts 38% growth in 2022 net income

Casual dining restaurant operator Max’s Group Inc. (MGI) on Monday reported a 38% growth in its 2022 bottom line, as the company reported stronger performances of its brands during the year. In a disclosure to the local bourse, MGI said its organic net income for the past year rose to P622 million, reflecting a 38% increase from the P451 million See more...

K-pop group NMIXX back with first EP 'Expérgo'

The wait is over NSWER! K-pop girl group NMIXX made a comeback on Monday with its first extended play (EP) "Expérgo." The six-track record dropped alongside the music video for lead single "Love Me Like This," arranged by K-pop hitmakers LDN Noise. It also includes the pre-release song "Young, Dumb, Stupid." Last week, the six-member act unveiled a music video See more...

PH is third biggest market of TWICE on Spotify

MANILA — The Philippines is the third biggest market of K-pop girl group TWICE on Spotify, the music streaming platform said. This came after the idol group released the music video for "Set Me Free" last week. The Philippines ranked only next to the United States and Japan who are at first and second, respectively. With this, Spotify will See more...

BFAR: P5 million lost daily due to Mindoro oil spill fishing ban

The country is losing P5 million per day as fisherfolk continue to suffer from the fishing ban imposed in several areas affected by the oil spill from the sunken motor tanker off Oriental Mindoro, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said Monday. BFAR chief information officer Nazario Briguera said that 19,000 fishermen in nine municipalities in Oriental Mindoro See more...