Philippines News Today March 29, 2023

Here are the latest news and events that happened today, Wednesday, March 29, 2023.

Tolentino to serve as Bato’s lawyer in ICC; invites Khan to Senate hearing

Senator Francis Tolentino has accepted Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa’s request to be his legal counsel in all proceedings related to the International Criminal Court’s investigation into the Duterte administration’s drug war. “I accept the letter, the proposal of Senator Dela Rosa to lawyer for him,” Tolentino said in an online interview with reporters on Wednesday. “My role there would See more...

Twitter changes to benefit 'blue check' accounts only

Twitter CEO Elon Musk has announced changes that will whittle down the experience for those not willing to cough up verification fees for their accounts. On Monday Musk posted: "Starting April 15th, only verified accounts will be eligible to be in For You recommendations." The "For You" column appears on the home page and is an algorithm feed displaying tweets See more...

Meralco secures 300-MW emergency power supply deal with SPPC

The Manila Electric Company (Meralco) on Wednesday announced it secured an emergency power supply agreement (EPSA) with San Miguel’s South Premiere Power Corp. (SPPC) for the supply of 300 megawatts (MW) baseload capacity. The EPSA took effect on March 26, 2023 and will continue until March 25, 2024. The EPSA between Meralco and SPPC followed the receipt of certification from See more...

Taylor Swift, kauna-unahang living artist na may 7 album sa Top 40 ng Billboard 200

Nakagawa ng kasaysayan si Taylor Swift sa Billboard 200, bilang kauna-unahang living artist na nakapag-chart ng pitong album sa Top 40. May panibagong achievement para sa award-winning American singer-songwriter na si Taylor Swift. Sa ulat ng Unang Balita nitong Miyerkoles, sinabing siya ang unang artist na may pitong album sa Top 40 ng Billboard 200 charts. Pumangatlo ang latest album See more...

Astronomers discover one of biggest black holes ever recorded

PARIS — One of the largest black holes ever recorded has been discovered using a new technique that could spot thousands more of the insatiable celestial monsters in the coming years, according to astronomers. The ultramassive black hole, one of just four ever observed, is more than 30 billion times the mass of the Sun, a new study said. It See more...

Bato confident bill on military pension reform will pass 19th Congress

Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa on Wednesday expressed confidence that the bill seeking to introduce a new pension system for incoming military and uniformed personnel (MUP) will be approved in the 19th Congress. He issued the remark a day after Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno disclosed that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is “okay” with the proposal to reform the pension See more...

LRTA eyes completion of west extension project by 2026

MANILA - The Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) seeks to complete its west extension project for LRT-2, which will add 3 more stations in Manila, by 2026, its head said on Wednesday. LRTA administrator Hernando Cabrera said they are just waiting for the budget of the 3-kilometer extension project to be approved. The project's total cost is at P10.1 See more...

LRTA awaits budget for LRT2 extension to port area

The Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) is all set to start the construction of Light Rail Transit line 2’s (LRT-2) extension all the way to Manila’s port area as it now awaits the budget documents for the P10.1 billion project. Interviewed on PTV’s public briefing on Wednesday, LRTA Administrator Hernando Cabrera said the agency is now ready to open the See more...

Guevarra to clarify with Marcos move to 'disengage' from ICC

Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra on Wednesday said he will confirm the country’s possible disengagement from the International Criminal Court (ICC) with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. This came after Marcos said the Philippines will disengage from any contact and communication with the ICC after its Appeals Chamber rejected the Philippines’ bid to suspend the drug war probe. “It could mean many See more...

Pilipinas Shell net income up 6% in 2022

Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. reported a 6% climb in its 2022 net income, as the firm reported double-digit growth in its delivery and higher premium fuel penetration during the year. In a regulatory filing, Shell said its net income grew to P4.1 billion from P3.9 billion, while its operational cash flow jumped to P1.8 billion from P1.1 billion. The non-fuel See more...

LOOK: Vanessa Hudgens bonds with students in Lio, El Nido

Vanessa Hudgens continues to explore Palawan as she films a travel documentary, which will delve into her family history and Filipino roots. For her Wednesday agenda, Hudgens visited the Earth School at Lio, El Nido where she bonded with a number of young students. It is uncertain what Hudgens and the kids talked about, but based on a contributed photo See more...

Extent of oil spill almost the size of Quezon City — PhilSA

The extent of the oil spill from the sunken Motor Tanker Princess Empress is almost the same size as Quezon City, according to the satellite image from the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA). According to Jun Veneracion reported on "24 Oras," from March 3 to March 8 monitoring showed that the area of the oil spill was only 1 to 13 See more...

VP Sara insists hiring 30K teachers a year impossible; ACT Teachers says it is logical

Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte on Wednesday insisted that the call of ACT Teachers party-list for hiring 30,000 new teachers and constructing 50,000 new classrooms yearly is impossible. Duterte also accused the party-list group of turning a blind eye on gunfights near schools involving communist rebels. The Vice President said the DepEd is not blind to the problems See more...

#StarMagicalProm: Who's going with who after 'promposals'

In the weeks leading up to the first-ever Star Magical Prom, where the ABS-CBN talent agency will introduce its new-generation artists, "promposals" of attendees have been making headlines. Among them are Andrea Brillantes' fangirl moment at the recent Blackpink concert where she asked boyfriend Ricci Rivero to be her date, as well as Seth Fedelin's grand surprise for his See more...

DOH says COVID-19 vaccination program still aligned with WHO roadmap

MANILA – The Department of Health (DOH) said its current vaccination program against COVID-19 remains in line with the revised vaccination roadmap of the World Health Organization (WHO) Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on Immunization. On March 28, the WHO SAGE revised its roadmap for prioritizing the use of COVID-19 vaccines to reflect the impact of the globally dominant See more...

P4 billion worth of shabu hidden in tea bags seized in Baguio City

Authorities seized over P4 billion worth of suspected shabu hidden inside tea bags in Naguilian Road, Baguio City, according to John Consulta’s “Balitanghali” report on Wednesday. Police seized around 570 kilograms of shabu with an estimated value of P4 billion during the operation in Purok 4, Barangay Irisan, Naguilian Road, Baguio City. A Chinese national was also arrested during the See more...

Google removes 5.2 billion 'bad ads' to keep users safe

MANILA - Google said at least 5.2 billion ads were removed in 2022 in a bid to keep online users safe. On top of that, over 6.7 million advertiser accounts were suspended, according to Google's annual Ads Safety Report. Google said it has also blocked or restricted ads from serving over 1.5 billion publisher pages and across over 143,000 See more...

Maynilad announces longer daily water interruptions starting next week

Maynilad Water Services Inc. customers will experience longer daily service interruptions starting next week, as its cross-portal arrangement with Manila Water Company Inc. will no longer be extended. The decline in the water elevation at the La Mesa Dam has forced east zone concessionaire Manila Water Company Inc. to gradually suspend the supply sharing, according to Maynilad's emailed statement. See more...

Bong Revilla recovers from gallbladder surgery

Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. on Wednesday said he is currently recovering from a gallbladder surgery. In a Facebook live on Wednesday afternoon, the lawmaker said he is about to be discharged from the hospital after his gallbladder was removed in a procedure on Tuesday. “Ngayon palabas na ako. Wala na yung aking gallbladder. Yun ang cause ng aking pain,” See more...

UK envoy: AUKUS alliance will help defend rules-based order in South China Sea

The AUKUS security bloc consisting of Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States will support the Philippines and neighboring countries by helping deter threats to a rules-based international order and freedom of navigation in the South China Sea amid escalating tensions in the contested waters, the British ambassador told GMA News Online in an interview last Monday. The UK See more...

Meatball from extinct mammoth unveiled by food tech firm

AMSTERDAM - Food scientists unveiled a giant meatball made from lab-grown flesh of an extinct woolly mammoth on Tuesday, saying the protein from the past showed the way for future foods. The glistening meatball was displayed under a glass bell jar by Australian-based cultivated meat firm Vow at the NEMO science museum in the Dutch capital Amsterdam. But the pachydermic See more...

Creation of 4 new barangays in San Jose del Monte to benefit public - mayor

San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, Mayor Arthur Robes on Wednesday welcomed the results of the plebiscite that backed the creation of four new barangays in the city. Results of the March 25 plebiscite showed 12,324 people voted “yes” to splitting the village, while 969 voted “no,” according to the Commission on Elections. Less than half of the registered voters participated See more...

Korean singer-actor Lee Seung-gi sets Manila return in May

South Korean singer-actor Lee Seung-gi is returning to the country in May to perform for his Filipino fans, his talent agency announced Wednesday. On Instagram, Human Made announced that Lee would embark on his "The Dreamers Dream - Chapter 2" Asian concert tour, which includes a stop in Manila on May 27. "How many of you guys have waited for See more...

No plan to move students' summer vacation back to April-May —DepEd

The Department of Education (DepEd) has no plan to move back to April and May the summer vacation of students despite the hot weather, its spokesperson Michael Poa said on Wednesday. “At the moment, there are no plans to revert,” Poa told reporters in a message when asked about calls to move the school break back to April and May. See more...

Traffic enforcers, street sweepers to get 30-minute 'heat stroke break': MMDA

MANILA - Traffic enforcers and street sweepers in the capital will get a 30-minute "heat stroke break" starting April 1, the Manila Development Authority said on Wednesday as the temperature rises during the dry season. In a statement, the MMDA said it signed a memorandum to impose the 30-minute "heat stroke break" for its field personnel until May 31, See more...

EXO-SC in PH: Seat plan, ticketing details released

Heads up, EXO-Ls! Concert producer PULP Live World dropped Wednesday the seat plan and ticketing details for the upcoming Philippine "fan concert" of K-pop duo EXO-SC. The EXO sub-unit of Sehun and Chanyeol is set to play at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City on May 20. On its social media pages, PULP bared the following ticket prices for the See more...

Meralco enters emergency power deal with SMC unit

MANILA - Meralco has begun implementing an emergency power supply agreement (EPSA) with an energy subsidiary of San Miguel Corp, the company said on Wednesday. Meralco said the deal with South Premiere Power Corporation, a unit of SMC Global Power, is for the supply of 300 megawatts of baseload capacity from March 26, 2023 until March 25, 2024. The See more...

Lalaking inilagay ang kamay sa pangil ng patay na king cobra, nasawi

Patay at putol na ang katawan ng isang malaking ahas na nahuli sa Davao Occidental nang hawakan ng isang lalaki ang ulo nito at inilagay ang kaniyang kamay sa pangil. Pagkaraan lang ng ilang minuto, ang masiglang lalaki, biglang nanghina, nahilo, nagsuka, at namatay. Sa nakaraang episode ng "Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho," sinabing nangyari ang trahediya noong Marso 20 sa See more...

Villanueva confident other senators will back report seeking ban on POGOs

Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva on Wednesday expressed confidence that his colleagues will support Senate ways and means committee chairman Sherwin Gatchalian’s report recommending the immediate ban of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) in the country. “I have to say that I am confident with my colleagues that if they get a chance to really read into the committee report See more...

Pre-selling of 'Hamilton' tickets to start in April

MANILA -- "Hamilton" fans in the Philippines can mark their calendars as pre-selling of tickets to the smash hit musical will start next month. TicketWorld sent an email to users on Wednesday, saying that it will start pre-sales for "Hamilton" at 10 a.m. on April 20. It encouraged the public to sign up for the waitlist to gain early See more...

ACT urges DepEd to shift to distance learning amid hot weather

MANILA — The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) on Wednesday called on the Department of Education (DepEd) to temporarily shift classes to blended or distance learning during the dry season. ACT Chairperson Vladimir Quetua told ANC that based on a survey they held recently, a significant number of learners experienced discomfort and sickness due to hot weather, resulting to absenteeism. See more...

Khalil Ramos to work on project with Maris Racal, Project 8 Studios

Khalil Ramos is working on a new project! In an Instagram Story, the Sparkle actor reposted Project 8 Studios' photo of him and Maris Racal. Dressed in a classic dark polo, Khalil looked into Maris Racal's eyes, who wore what looked like a uniform. "[Finally] working with @khalilramos! bakit ganyan ka makatingin, @mariesteller?" the company said in their caption. Khalil See more...

Ina Raymundo says she once got approached by a younger man in the gym

Ina Raymundo looks so much younger than 47 years old, so it's not a surprise that she sometimes gets mistaken for someone single and ready to mingle. On Wednesday's episode of "Fast Talk With Boy Abunda," the mom of five shared one instance where she got approached by a younger man. "Actually sa gym may lumalapit sa akin, hindi niya See more...

MWSS says eyeing ways to shorten water interruptions

MANILA - The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) said it is pursuing steps to alleviate the problems caused by the water interruptions of Maynilad. The water regulator met on Wednesday with the concessionaires to discuss details on interruptions which is currently experienced by Maynilad customers. Jose Dorado Jr., deputy administrator for engineering and technical operations of MWSS, said that See more...

6-anyos na batang babae sa Maynila, hinostage ng sariling ama

Hinostage ng ama ang kanyang 6-anyos na bunsong anak na babae sa kanilang bahay sa maynila. Sa ulat ng Unang Balita nitong Miyerkoles, sinabing nangyari ang pangho-hostage matapos umanong mag-away ang suspek at ang kanyang asawa. Tumakas sa bahay magaling-araw ang asawa ng suspek, karay-karay ang kanyang panganay at pangalawang anak at naiwan ang bunso dahil tulog pa umano ito. See more...

PEZA books P12.537-B investment pledges in Q1, up 53.99%

The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) on Wednesday said it booked a total of P12.537 billion worth of investment pledges in the first quarter of 2023. The January to March investments registered at PEZA saw a growth of 53.99% year-on-year. In a statement, PEZA Director General Tereso Panga said that the surge in investments commitments during the period “is an See more...

BAP names BPI prexy TG Limcaoco as new president

The Bankers Association of the Philippines (BAP) on Wednesday named Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) president and CEO Jose Teodoro “TG” Limcaoco as the organization’s new chief. Limcaoco, along with other new set of officers, will serve the organization for the term 2023-2024. “I am thankful for the trust that BAP members have placed in me to lead the See more...

Garin calls on industry leaders to help protect the rights of creatives

GMA Network, in collaboration with the Intellectual Property of the Philippines (IPOPHL) and Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE), conducted an anti-piracy symposium with the theme "Disrupting the Piracy Ecosystem and Protecting Legal Services" on Wednesday at the Ascott Hotel in Bonifacio Global City. The event's keynote speaker is Department of Energy Undersecretary Hon. Sharon Garin. She said that although See more...

Additional school incentives eyed for children of indigent farmers

Additional incentives for the dependents of indigent farmers have been proposed in the House of Representatives amid a huge decline in the number of employed workers in the agriculture and forestry sector. Based on the most recent Labor Force Survey released by the state-run Philippine Statistics Authority in December 2022, those employed in the agriculture and forestry sector decreased by See more...

Villanueva approves one year transition period to phase out POGOs

MANILA -- A one-year transition period would be enough for all Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGO) to complete their tasks in the country, pack up and leave. Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva pointed this out Wednesday, as he reiterated his support for the penned committee report of Senator Sherwin Gatchalian which centers on the latter’s recommendation to ban POGOs. A See more...

Ex-Gov. Teves allows DOJ to look into his phone, bank records

MANILA — Former Negros Oriental governor Pryde Henry Teves on Wednesday filed a waiver allowing the Department of Justice (DOJ) to look into his bank accounts, phone records, and emails in an effort to clear his name. Teves personally appeared at the Hall of Justice in Dumaguete City Wednesday morning with the waiver, which he said may help authorities in See more...

Marcos urges lawmakers to craft laws vs. malnutrition

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Wednesday urged lawmakers to "enshrine" into law policies that will help address malnutrition in the country. Marcos made the call as he attended the launching of the Philippine Multisectoral Nutrition Project (PMNP) held at the Manila Hotel. "We must continue to exert our best efforts to ensure a well-orchestrated and coordinated strategy to implement See more...

Graduating student ninakawan at pinatay sa Cavite

Pinagnakawan at pinatay umano ang isang 24 anyos na graduating college student ng hindi pa nakikilalang salarin sa inuupahan nitong kuwarto sa isang dormitoryo sa Dasmariñas City, Cavite nitong Martes. Ayon sa Cavite Police Provincial Office, nagtaka umano ang land lady ng dormitoryo dahil hindi pa lumalabas para pumasok sa klase ang biktima. "Naka-double lock ang kuwarto niya kaya pinilit See more...

Duterte says ready to 'rot in prison' amid ICC probe on drug war

DAVAO CITY — Former President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday said he was ready to face the consequences and even "rot in prison," should the International Criminal Court (ICC) prove that his administration's bloody war on drugs committed human rights violations. At the national prosecutors' convention here Wednesday, Duterte reacted to the ICC's investigation on the drug war. “I would like See more...

‘Peter Pan & Wendy’ to stream on Disney+ on April 28

A live adaptation of the classic "Peter Pan" is set to stream on Disney+ next month. Titled "Peter Pan & Wendy," the film will be available to stream on Disney+ on April 28. The film stars Alexander Molony and Ever Anderson in the title roles along with Jude Law, Yara Shahidi, Alyssa Wapanatâhk, Joshua Pickering, Jacobi Jupe, Molly Parker, Alan See more...

NBI nabs 4 suspects in fake gov't projects scam

The National Bureau of Investigation arrested four suspects allegedly involved in peddling fake government projects, according to John Consulta’s “24 Oras” report on Tuesday. The arrest was made after several contractors filed a complaint before the NBI over the projects being offered by the suspects purportedly amounting to around a billion pesos. The projects, however, are fake and non-existent “The See more...

PH maaaring maipit kung hindi makikipag-ugnayan sa ICC: abogado

MAYNILA -- Naniniwala si Registered International Criminal Court (ICC) Assistant to Counsel Atty. Maria Cristina Conti na ang posibleng target ng imbestigasyon ng ICC ang maiipit sa pahayag ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. na hindi na makikipag-ugnayan ang Pilipinas sa nasabing korte. Paliwanag ni Conti sa TeleRadyo, may nakabinbin pang apela ang Pilipinas sa ICC, at nakapagbigay na rin See more...

Presyo ng manok tumaas dahil sa mahal ng patuka

MAYNILA - Matapos ang baboy, bahagyang tumaas ang presyo ng manok sa mga merkado, dahil umano sa mahal ng patuka. Batay ito sa datos na farmgate price mula sa United Broiler Raisers Association. Mula sa P93 noong Pebrero, nasa P112 na ang farmgate price nitong Marso na nakaapekto sa retail price sa palengke na nasa P150 hanggang P200 See more...

Man indicted in wake of viral video of him licking soy sauce bottle

NAGOYA - A man arrested for allegedly licking a tabletop soy sauce bottle at a conveyer-belt sushi restaurant in Nagoya and then posting a video of the act online was indicted Tuesday on a charge of obstructing a business. The case of Ryoga Yoshino, 21, is believed to have been the first instance of a customer being arrested for such See more...

'Green' travel mart opens in Silang, Cavite

MANILA - The first International Eco Tourism Travel Mart opened in Silang, Cavite, Wednesday. Former Tourism Secretary Mina Gabor, who organized the event, described it as the world's first green travel mart. Representatives from different countries joined the opening event at the compound of the International School of Sustainable Tourism, which Gabor leads. Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco and Transportation See more...

Makakakuha ba ng danyos ang mga apektado ng oil spill kapag nagsampa sila ng kaso?

MAYNILA - Umalma kamakailan ang mga apektado ng oil spill sa Oriental Mindoro matapos sabihin ng abogado ng isang insurance company na hindi mabibigyan ng danyos ang magsasampa ng kaso. Ayon kay University of Makati College of Law dean Jay Layug, sa danyos kapag may waiver, may kasulatan sa dalawang panig. Nakasaad umano sa batas na hindi pwede i-waive ang See more...

US colleges face loss of racial diversity if race-conscious admissions banned – study

If the US Supreme Court bans the consideration of race in college admissions, enrollment of minority groups at selective colleges will likely stall or decline - even if the schools give more weight to factors such as class, a new study found. The conservative-leaning court will issue rulings this spring in cases questioning the legality of race-conscious admissions at Harvard See more...

Padilla urges Senate leaders to hold cha-cha talks with House counterparts

Senate constitutional amendments and revision of codes chairman Robin Padilla has appealed to the leaders of the Senate to immediately conduct a meeting with their counterparts in the House of Representatives to deliberate the preferred mode of amending the economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution. Last Monday, Padilla sent separate letters to Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, Senate President Pro See more...

'Summer heat' affecting students' concentration —ACT survey

A huge majority of teachers in the country reported that students are finding it difficult to concentrate on their studies due to "summer heat", according to a survey conducted by the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT). According to the poll, 87% of teachers said children are having difficulty focusing on their lessons while 37% said the summer heat triggered their See more...

Fishermen struggle as Mindoro oil spill keeps them ashore

POLA, Oriental Mindoro — A crab covered in oil creeps across the sand as fishermen wearing white protective suits, rubber gloves, and respirator masks scrape toxic sludge from the rocks along the shore. Four weeks after a tanker loaded with at least 800,000 liters of thick oil sank off the central island of Mindoro, the vessel is still leaking. More See more...

Over 300,000 liters of oil still in sunken MT Princess Empress —PCG

More than 300,000 liters of oil were still left in the sunken motor tanker Princess Empress, which has caused an oil pill in Oriental Mindoro, Unang Balita reported on Wednesday, quoting the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). According to the report, the PCG has collected more than 10,000 liters of oily water mixture from the area where the tanker sank. Tons See more...

Tolentino to lawyer for Dela Rosa in ICC drug war probe

MANILA — Sen. Francis Tolentino will serve as Sen. Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa's legal counsel in the International Criminal Court's (ICC) investigation into the war on drugs of the Duterte administration. Tolentino disclosed this to journalists Wednesday, a day after the ICC junked the Philippine government's appeal for the body to suspend its drug war and alleged Davao Death Squad See more...

Amazing Women: Kim Chiu reflects on setbacks, triumphs

MANILA – Kapamilya star Kim Chiu's longevity and triumphs as an actress, host, and performer can serve as an inspiration to many, especially young Filipino women who aspire to excel in their chosen field. From a simple probinsyana who grew up in Cebu, Chiu has become one of the most visible and influential women figures in the Philippines. After a See more...

PAGCOR targets P244.84B in gaming industry revenues for 2023

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) is targeting P244.84 billion in gross gaming revenues for the entire industry this year as it banks on the growth momentum of the local gaming sector. Citing its 2023 Performance Scorecard submitted to the Governance Commission for GOCCs (GCG), PAGCOR said its gross gaming revenues (GGR) target in 2023 is 33.13%, or P60.934 See more...

CAAP expects over 2M passengers in April amid Holy Week break

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) is expecting over two million passengers to flock to the airports next month amid the Holy Week break. In an advisory, the CAAP said it will be on heightened alert from April 2 to April 10 in accordance with the directive of Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista's “Oplan Biyaheng Ayos: Semana Santa 2023.” See more...

New 'Up' related short film explores Carl's dating life

A new short film related to the hit animated movie "Up" will be exploring the dating life of Carl after the death of her wife, Ellie. In "Carl's Date," the lead character ventures on a romantic relationship, however, it is yet unclear if it will be happening during, prior or after the events of the original film. "New adventure. Same See more...

DOJ dismisses P89M tax evasion case vs. agri-businessman Calata

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has dismissed the P89 million tax evasion case filed by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) against businessman Joseph Calata, president of agriculture products retailer Agri Phil Corp. In a resolution dated February 27, the DOJ dismissed the three counts of violation of the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) filed by the BIR against Calata See more...

'Not permanent': Vicki Belo debunks Botox myths

MANILA -- Vicki Belo took to social media on Tuesday to debunk myths about a popular cosmetic procedure. In an Instagram post, the beauty doctor to the stars talked about Botox, or injections that temporarily relax facial muscles that cause facial lines and other wrinkles. She made it clear that Botox does not always make a person look "frozen and See more...

D&L posts record P3.3B net income in 2022

Lao family-led chemicals and food ingredients manufacturer D&L Industries Inc. saw its bottom line hit a new record high last year, demonstrating the company’s full recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. In a virtual briefing on Wednesday, D&L president and CEO Alvin Lao said the company posted a net income of P3.3 billion, up 26% year-on-year. Last year’s bottom line also See more...

'Grey's Anatomy' renewed for 20th season

The long-running medical drama "Grey's Anatomy" has been renewed for its milestone 20th season, a report confirmed. According to an article by Variety, the renewal extends the show's run as the "longest running primetime medical drama in TV history." It added that series executive producer Meg Marinis will serve as showrunner on Season 20 and will take over from See more...

DOH logs 184 new COVID-19 cases; active tally rises to 8,626

The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday logged 184 new COVID-19 cases, while the tally of active cases increased to 8,626. The nationwide caseload is currently at 4,080,732, while the active cases rose from 8,615 on Tuesday, according to the DOH’s latest figures. The Health department reported that the country’s recovery tally climbed to 4,005,747, while the death tally also See more...

MMDA to deploy over 2,000 personnel for Holy Week

More than 2,000 personnel will be deployed to major thoroughfares and transportation hubs during the Holy Week, an official of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said Wednesday. “Handa na po kami mag-deploy ng 2,104 personnel para bantayan ang mga pangunahing lansangan sa Metro Manila, lalo na po sa mga lugar na malapit sa bus terminals, airports, at sea ports,” See more...

Style icon Maria 'Baby' Araneta Fores passes away at 84

MANILA -- Filipino style icon Maria "Baby" Araneta Fores passed away last March 25 at the age of 84. The sad news was shared by her daughter, Asia's Best Female Chef 2016 Margarita Fores, earlier this week. "My mother. My rock. My everything," the renowned chef and owner of the restaurant chain Cibo said in an Instagram post, not disclosing See more...

3 arrested in Teves compound raid claim police pressure, eye complaint

Three people arrested during the raid on a compound allegedly owned by former Negros Oriental Governor Pryde Henry Teves are set to file a complaint before the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), a lawyer said Wednesday. Atty. Michael Mella said Nigel Electona, Jeson Tintin, and Dionilo Mayagua Jr. told him they were being pressured by policemen to point to suspended See more...

WATCH: Lea Salonga tours Broadway theater for 'Here Lies Love'

Lea Salonga toured the set for this year's run of "Here Lies Love" on Broadway. The Tony Award winner joined the musical's scenic designer, David Korins, in a video released on YouTube on Tuesday. The clip showed the immersive design of the set of "Here Lies Love," with both Salonga and Korins saying that all members of the audience will See more...

'Baby Giant' Renz Baña, muntik nang hindi makasama sa 'Batang Quiapo'

MAYNILA — Binunyag ni Renz Joshua Baña o mas kilala bilang "Baby Giant" na muntik na siyang hindi mapasama sa "FPJ's Batang Quiapo." Sa vlog ni Bernadette Sembrano, inamin ni Baña na hindi siya ang orihinal na napili para sa karakter na Oweng sa serye pero kalaunan ay tinawagan siya para sa role. "Napunta po sa 'kin 'yung opportunity po," See more...

Ina Raymundo, inilahad na nakaranas ng exploitation noong gumagawa ng sexy film

Inihayag ni Ina Raymundo na nakaranas siya ng exploitation o pananamantala noong minsang gumawa siya ng isang sexy movie. Sa “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda” nitong Miyerkoles, inilahad ni Ina na mayroon din siyang pagsisisi noong gumawa siya ng daring films. "Of course. Kung maibabalik ko lang ayokong gawin 'yun kasi sa totoo lang... Ayokong pag-usapan ito but, na-force ako, See more...

'Personally witnessed by LTO chief': Authorities nab 5 'fixers' outside district office

MANILA - The Land Transportation Office (LTO) and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) have arrested 5 alleged "fixers" outside its branch in Novaliches, the agency said on Wednesday. In a statement, the agency said LTO chief Jay Art Tugade "personally witnessed the offering of services by the supposed 'fixers'" outside the district branch. The suspects, now See more...

SC affirms junking of vote-buying raps vs. QC mayor Belmonte, others

The Supreme Court has affirmed a Commission on Elections (Comelec) ruling dismissing the vote-buying complaint filed against Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte and others in the 2019 elections. In an 18-page decision promulgated on January 10 but released only on Monday, the Supreme Court En Banc cleared Belmonte, Quezon City Vice Mayor Gian Carlo Sotto, then councilor Elizabeth Delarmente, and See more...

8,000 steps once or twice a week cuts mortality risk — study

WASHINGTON - Walking 8,000 steps -- about four miles (6.4 kilometers) -- one or two days a week may significantly reduce the risk of an early death, according to a study released on Tuesday. While regular exercise is known to lower mortality risk, the study published in the journal JAMA Network Open looked at the health benefits of walking intensively See more...

DOH: 29.5% of Filipino kids under 5 stunted

The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday reported at least 29.5% of Filipino children under 5 years old are stunted. “29.5% of Filipino children under 5 are stunted. Our issues with nutrition go beyond access to food, these are affected by interplay of various factors such as health education, livelihood, social welfare, and governance,” DOH officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire said See more...

MMDA allows personnel to have 30-minute 'heat stroke break' amid hot weather

To avoid heat stroke amid rising temperatures, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will give its field personnel short 30-minute breaks while on duty starting April 1 until May 31. MMDA acting chairman Romando Artes signed a memorandum circular reimplementing the "heat stroke break" to protect field personnel from heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and heat cramps due to severe heat See more...

Five alleged ‘fixers’ nabbed in LTO Novaliches office

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) on Wednesday said five alleged fixers were arrested in an entrapment operation conducted with the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) outside the agency’s Novaliches District Office in Quezon City. In a statement, the LTO said its chief Assistant Secretary Jay Art Tugade led the operation and personally witnessed the offering of services by the See more...

Pelikulang 'Senakulo 2023,' mapapanood sa TeleRadyo

MAYNILA -- Higit 50 taon nang isinasagawa ang Senakulo ng St. John Bosco Parish - Tondo. Mula sa teatro, ngayon ay isinapelikula na ang paglalahad sa buhay ni Hesu Kristo. Ngayong panahon ng Kuwaresma, ang pelikulang "Senakulo 2023," ang modernong pagsasadula ng buhay ni Kristo tampok ang mga kabataan ng parokya ng San Juan Bosco, ay mapapanood online. Si See more...