Here are the latest news and events that happened today, Wednesday, April 12, 2023.
Lalaki, nabulag ang isang mata matapos umanong matalsikan ng bagoongNagsusuot na ng salamin ang isang 22-anyos na lalaki sa tuwing lalabas ng kaniyang bahay sa Lingayen, Pangasinan para maikubli ang isa niyang mata na nabulag matapos umanong matalsikan ng bagoong. Sa ulat ni Russel Simorio sa GMA Regional TV "One North Central Luzon" nitong Martes, sinabi ni Jerry Caguioa, na nangyari ang insidente noong nakaraang Marso sa pinapasukan niyang See more...
700 NBP prison guards relieved — CatapangThe Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) has relieved 700 prison guards of the New Bilibid Prison Maximum Security Compound, BuCor chief Gregorio Catapang Jr. announced Wednesday. Catapang said the relieved guards will undergo a month-long refresher or retraining program before being assigned elsewhere. “Actually, matagal ko nang balak yan kasi gusto ko i-retrain lahat ito, i-repress, kasi yung ugali na na See more...
COVID-19 cases may hit over 600 daily by May 15 - DOHMANILA — The country's daily COVID-19 cases may reach over 600 next month, the Department of Health said Wednesday. According to DOH officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire, their latest projection is based on the current transmission rate of the virus, vaccination coverage and compliance to minimum public health standards. "Dun sa national daily cases as of April 11 projection, pinapakita that See more...
'Serial killer' sa Tondo? 'Fake news' sabi ng alkaldeMAYNILA — Nilinaw ni Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna nitong Miyerkoles na walang katotohanan ang kumakalat sa social media na may gumagalang serial killer umano sa mga barangay sa Balut, Tondo. Sa press conference na ipinatawag ng alkalde, nilinaw nito na "fake news" ang mga lumalabas sa Facebook na may mga serye ng pagpatay sa ilang barangay sa Tondo. May larawan See more...
OCD: 1,560 Bicol port passengers stranded due to AmangMore than a thousand passengers were left stranded in various ports in the Bicol Region due to the effects of Tropical Depression Amang, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Region 5 said Wednesday. OCD Region 5 public information office chief Gremil Nas said that moderate to heavy rains were experienced in Albay this morning, while the National Disaster Risk Reduction See more...
Michael Jordan sneakers fetch auction record $2.2 millionNEW YORK — A pair of sneakers worn by NBA superstar Michael Jordan sold for $2.2 million on Tuesday, setting a record price at auction for game-worn sports footwear, Sotheby's announced. The basketball great wore the "Bred" Air Jordan 13s during Game 2 of the 1998 NBA Finals on the way to his sixth and last NBA championship title. The See more...
Driver ng pick-up ipina-blotter matapos daw manigaw, manakit ng riderNagngingitngit sa galit ang isang driver ng pickup na kinompronta ang isang rider matapos itong mag-overtake umano sa gitna ng biyahe sa Guimbal, Iloilo. Sa ulat ng GMA Regional TV One Western Visayas, na mapapanood din sa GMA News Feed, makikita ang paninigaw, panduduro at pananakit umano ng pickup driver sa rider. Sinubukang awatin ng kasama niyang babae ang driver See more...
Metro Retail Stores exceeds pre-pandemic net income in 2022Metro Retail Stores Group Inc. (MRSGI) saw its bottom line exceed pre-pandemic levels in 2022, driven mainly by the resumption of economic activity as the government eased COVID-19 restrictions put in place the year before. In a regulatory filing, MRSGI reported a net income of P917.3 million, reflecting a turnaround of P318.1-million loss in 2021. It is also 18.3% higher See more...
PCG: Over 4K passengers stranded in several regions due to AmangThe Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Wednesday recorded more than 4,000 passengers stranded in several regions due to Tropical Depression Amang. From 8 a.m. to noon, the PCG said 4,523 passengers, truck drivers, and cargo helpers were stranded in Bicol, Eastern Visayas, and Southern Tagalog regions. Eleven vessels, four motorbancas, and 732 rolling cargoes were also stranded. Forty-two vessels and See more...
Comelec creates permanent committee vs. vote-buyingThe Commission on Elections (Comelec) has created a formal committee tasked to coordinate with law enforcement agencies to address vote-buying and vote-selling in the country, Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco said Wednesday. “Dati po nadinig niyo na ‘yung Task force Kontra Bigay. Nasimulan po ‘yan nung 2019, itinuloy nung 2022. Ito po ay isang ad hoc task force. Ngayon po See more...
ROTC hindi na dapat i-alok sa mga unibersidad: CarlosMAYNILA - Hindi na dapat i-alok sa mga unibersidad ang Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC), ayon sa isang dating National Security Adviser, sa gitna ng pagtutulak nito ng ilang mga opisyal. Ayon kay Dr. Clarita Carlos, kumplikado ang pag-aalok ng ROTC at nakadagdag sa mandato ng militar sa bansa. Iba umano ang training nito, at hindi pang military training. Aniya, See more...
Over $100M allotted for EDCA sites in PH for 2023 —US Defense chief AustinUS Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila) said they are expecting to allocate a total of $100 million for the infrastructures at the EDCA sites in the Philippines by the end of the year. “We're proud of investments we're making. And by the end of [Fiscal Year 2023], we expect to have allocated more than $100 million See more...
Marcos admin scores lowest on fighting inflation: surveyMANILA - More than half of Filipino adults do not approve of how the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr has handled inflation, according to a survey released on Wednesday. While Marcos had a high approval rating in the latest Pulse Asia Awareness and Performance Ratings, his administration received its lowest score on inflation on selected national issues. See more...
Comelec wants to redefine vote buying to include online cash transferMANILA -- The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is advocating the redefinition of vote buying and vote selling to allow the agency to crack down on the use of online cash transfers for those activities, its spokesperson told the Kapihan sa Manila Bay on Wednesday. Director John Rex Laudiangco said that online cash transfer platforms have informed him that bank secrecy See more...
Ticket prices, seat plan for IVE's PH fan concert releasedPrepare your wallets, DIVEs! Local promoter DNM Entertainment dropped Wednesday the ticket prices and seat plan for the upcoming Philippine fan concert of K-pop girl group IVE. The six-member group will play at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City on June 17 for its "The Prom Queens" tour. In a Twitter post, DNM posted a photo of the seat map, See more...
Emperador nets P10.1B in 2022Andrew Tan-led brandy and whisky conglomerate Emperador Inc. saw its bottom line stand flat in 2022 amid global logistics disruptions and a high inflation environment. In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange on Wednesday, Emperado reported a net income of P10.1 billion, relatively flat from the P10.8 billion earnings booked in 2021. The company said it still managed to See more...
Pagdami ng mental health patients sa Pilipinas nakakabahala: ekspertoMAYNILA - Nababahal ang ilang health experts sa pagtaas ng kaso na may kaugnay sa mental health sa Pilipinas. Ayon kay Dr. Bernadette "Babes" Manalo, isang professor at psychiatrist sa St. Luke's Medical Center, malaki ang naging epekto ng pandemya sa mental health. Ang karaniwang nagkakaroon ng problema sa mental health umano ay ang mas nakakabata at mas matatanda. Ani See more...
Inevitable for China to look at PH-US military cooperation 'provocatively' - expertMANILA — The expansion of Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement between the Philippines and US will be seen by China as a provocation, an expert said Wednesday. But geopolitical analyst Don Mclain Gill added that should not stop Manila from strengthening its alliance with traditional partner Washington. "It is thus inevitable for China to look at it provocatively given of course See more...
US expects to invest $100 million for infrastructure in 9 EDCA sitesMANILA — The United States is expecting to allocate at least $100 million for the development of infrastructure in the 9 Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites in the Philippines, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Wednesday. Austin gave the remark during a press conference in Washington after the Philippines and the US held its 2+2 Ministerial meeting for See more...
11 areas under Signal No. 1 as Amang threatens Camarines, QuezonState weather bureau PAGASA on Wednesday said 11 areas are under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 due to Tropical Depression Amang. In its 8 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA said TCWS No. 1 was hoisted over the following areas: Amang was estimated to be located over the coastal waters of Virac, Catanduanes with maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometer per See more...
National Artist Agnes Locsin's 'Encantada' set to return to stageMANILA — An award-winning dance masterpiece that seeks to raise awareness on environmental issues is returning to the stage this April, in time for the celebration of Earth Month. "Encantada," a ballet by National Artist for Dance Agnes Locsin, will be shown at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater on April 14 and 15, and the Metropolitan Theater on April 21 See more...
Customs: Most of smuggling complaints in Q1 involved agri productsThe Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Wednesday said it is doubling down on its efforts to curb smuggling in the first quarter of 2023 as it filed 65 criminal complaints with the Department of Justice (DOJ). In a statement, Customs said 49 of the complaints it filed involved agricultural products. The remaining complaints involve fuel, food, cigarettes, general merchandise, and See more...
Fratmen linked to Salilig hazing case plead not guiltyAll of the accused in the death of Adamson University student John Matthew Salilig on Wednesday pleaded not guilty to hazing charges before the Biñan Regional Trial Court. This was confirmed by the panel of prosecutors to GMA News Online. Prosecutors said the accused attended the hearing through videoconferencing. The panel also confirmed that one of the accused filed a See more...
ICC Prosecutor opposes PH’s grounds in ICC appeal over drug war probeMANILA — International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor Karim Khan has rejected the grounds raised by the Philippine government in its appeal before the ICC Appeals Chamber, opposing the country’s move to halt the ICC probe. In a 59-page submission dated April 4, Khan said the Philippines "failed to show any error in the Decision" of the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber authorizing See more...
Senate probe vs. cops allegedly involved in P6.7-M shabu haul in Manila soughtSenator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. has filed a resolution seeking a Senate investigation into the alleged involvement of ranking Philippine National Police officers in the P6.7 billion drug haul in Manila late last year. The inquiry is sought “with the end in view of laying down a system that would not only prevent circumvention of rules in order to evade See more...
Dengue cases up by 94% in first quarter of 2023 vs. same period in 2022The number of dengue cases in the first quarter of 2023 rose by 94% over the same period in 2022, data from the Department of Health (DOH) showed. From January 1 to March 18, 2023, dengue cases totaled 27,670, according to a report by Mai Bermudez on Saksi on Tuesday. During the same period last year, the number of dengue See more...
Mt. Inayawan Range to be declared ASEAN Heritage Park — mayorThe Mount Inayawan Range Natural Park located in Lanao del Norte will be declared an ASEAN Heritage Park on June 28, according to a local government official on Wednesday. “I would like to take this opportunity na i-invite ang lahat. ‘Yung sampung countries pupunta ng Nunungan. Invited mula President, Vice President, senator, at mga national agencies pupunta ng Nunungan by See more...
Amang now in vicinity of Camarines Sur, Signal No. 1 over 11 areasThe center of Amang continues to move westward and is now over Northeastern Camarines Sur early Wednesday morning, PAGASA reported in its latest Cyclone Bulletin. The center of Tropical Depression Amang was estimated to be in the vicinity of Presentacion, Camarines Sur packing maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour near the center, gustiness of up to 60 kmh, See more...
Ayala-led Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) is open to reducing its interbank transfer fees, but said that it would be difficult to totally remove them as transactions come with costs. BPI president Jose Teodoro “TG” Limcaoco said the bank is open to cutting the interbank transfer fees for small value fund transfers, with the central bank looking at ways See more...
Fitch sees BSP hiking rates again by 25 basis pointsMANILA - Fitch Solutions said it sees the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas hiking interest rates by another 25 basis points this year due to "sticky" inflation. Discussing its latest macroeconomic update, Fitch Solutions’ Country Risk Analyst Shi Cheng Low said that hike will come in the BSP's next policy-setting meeting in May. "Our forecast for BSP is that See more...
13 areas under Signal No. 1 due to Amang —PAGASAThirteen areas were placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 as Tropical Depression Amang continued to meander near Catanduanes, state weather bureau PAGASA said Wednesday. In its 11 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA said the following areas are under TCWS No. 1: Moving slowly, Amang was estimated to be located over the coastal waters of Caramoan, Camarines See more...
Manuel questions poll showing majority support for mandatory ROTCKabataan party-list lawmaker Raoul Manuel on Wednesday cast doubt on a poll showing that 78% of Filipino adults want mandatory ROTC restored, pointing to the poll's wording and saying students should have been the majority surveyed. The Pulse Asia poll was commissioned by Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, the chairperson of the Senate basic education panel and an advocate for the return See more...
IMF warns of growing global debt fueled by US, ChinaWASHINGTON, United States - Global government debt is on track to reach levels not seen since the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) warned on Wednesday. China and the United States are responsible for the vast majority of the expected debt increase over the next five years, the head of the IMF's Fiscal Affairs department, Vitor See more...
COA: Nayong Pilipino funding to dry up in 5 or 6 yearsThe funding for state-run Nayong Pilipino Foundation (NPF)—an agency established primarily for the promotion of research development projects for the social sciences, humanities and other related fields—will be fully depleted in five or six years, the Commission on Audit (COA) said. Based on COA’s Annual Audit Report on the NPF for 2022, the foundation's fund balance is only at P646.928 See more...
NDRRMC activates ‘high-risk’ emergency preparedness protocol for AmangThe National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Wednesday has activated its “high-risk” emergency preparedness protocol for the possible impact of Tropical Depression Amang. In a statement, NDRRMC spokesperson Assistant Secretary Raffy Alejandro said their emergency preparedness protocol has been activated to Charlie Protocol. The Charlie or high-risk protocol includes activating emergency operations centers to red alert, recommending See more...
Prosecutor orders release of students arrested in US Embassy protestMANILA - The Manila City Prosecutor’s Office on Wednesday ordered the release of the two student activists who were arrested on Tuesday morning after staging a protest in front of the US embassy in Manila to oppose the conduct of the Philippines-United States Balikatan Exercises. John Gabriel Magtibay and Joanne Pagkaliwangan were taken by the Manila Police for illegal assembly, See more...
Prosecutor orders release of activists arrested at US Embassy protestThe Office of the City Prosecutor of Manila has ordered the release of two student activists who were arrested on Tuesday following a rally before the US Embassy. According to the release order, students John Gabriel Magtibay and Joanne Pagkaliwangan were arrested for violation of Batas Pamabnsa 880 and Article 151 of the Revised Penal Code. However, inquest prosecutor William See more...
Marcos approves creation of single operating system for all gov’t transactionsPresident Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has approved the creation of a single operating system for all government transactions to ensure ease of doing business in the country, Malacañang has announced. At a sectoral meeting on improving efficiency in the bureaucracy, Marcos said agencies working on policies must consider the differences between the national government and the local government units (LGUs). See more...
BPI calls on mobile users to move to new appAyala-led Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) is calling on close to six million of its mobile banking users to move to its new application, as the earlier version is set to be phased out by the end of the year. Formally launched in Makati City on Wednesday, the new BPI application is said to have a refreshed technology stack, See more...
Amang over Lagonoy Gulf, Signal No. 1 remains over 11 areasTropical Depression Amang slowed down and is currently over the Lagonoy Gulf but Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 remains over 11 areas, PAGASA reported in its latest bulletin on Wednesday. The center of Tropical Depression Amang was estimated to be over the coastal waters of San Andres, Catanduanes packing maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour near See more...
Marcos showed 'great interest' in watching Balikatan live fire exercise, says AFP spoxPresident Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has shown interest in watching the live fire exercises that will transpire during this year's Balikatan military exercises, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said on Wednesday. At a public briefing, AFP spokesperson Colonel Medel Aguilar said Marcos has been invited to witness the military exercises, particularly the training between Filipino and American troops See more...
Chef Aracama breaks hiatus for Negros regional food seriesMANILA -- “A Taste of Negros” featuring celebrated chef Fernando Aracama’s take on Negrense cuisine kicked off Sawsaw by Sau’s regional food series. This regional food series is an initiative by chef Sau Del Rosario to highlight unsung LuzViMinda flavors and food culture. The food for this and upcoming featured menus is based on heirloom recipes that can be modernized See more...
MPD denies reports of alleged 'serial killer' in TondoThe Manila Police District (MPD) on Wednesday denied reports of on an alleged "serial killer" in Tondo following a string of fatal shooting incidents in the area. “Fake news yung allegation na may serial killer sa Tondo (The allegation that there was a serial killer in Tondo is fake news),” MPD spokesperson Police Major Phillip Ines told GMA News Online. See more...
Food shorts: Macallan pop-up, summer menu, and moreMANILA -- Check out some of the latest news in the local food scene. MACALLAN HARMONY INTENSE ARABICA POP-UP Speyside whisky distillery The Macallan pops up an info booth at The Podium to introduce the new expression in its Harmony Collection Inspired by Intense Arabica. This new expression fuses the worlds of Scotch whisky and Ethiopian coffee beans. The Macallan See more...
Summer MMFF review: Bela Padilla levels up with 'Yung Libro sa Napanood Ko'Lisa Villamor (Bela Padilla) is a 20-something young woman, who was a loner and an introvert. She would rather curl up at home to watch the latest K-dramas streaming online than go out with her officemates. She was very obsessed with the last K-drama she finished, "To Room Nineteen," watching it while at work and crying her heart out the See more...
Signal No. 1 up in 11 areas as Amang maintains strength —PAGASAEleven areas in Luzon remained under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 as Tropical Depression Amang maintained its strength on Wednesday afternoon, according to state weather bureau PAGASA. In its 2 p.m. bulletin, PAGASA said TCWS No. 1 was hoisted over the following areas: Amang was last spotted over the waters off Caramoan, Camarines Sur as of 1 p.m. See more...
Globe, Smart call for extension of SIM registration deadlineDominant telecommunications players Globe Telecom Inc. and Smart Communications Inc. are calling on the government to extend the April 26, 2023 deadline for SIM registration. With less than two weeks before the SIM registration deadline expires, Globe said it has seen a low registration count primarily due to the lack of valid government IDs and challenged digital literacy. “Given these See more...
Employers group thumbs down proposed P750 minimum wageMANILA — The Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) on Wednesday thumbed down proposals to raise the minimum wage to P750, saying only a few workers will benefit from this in the long run. At present, the daily minimum wage in Metro Manila is between P533 and P570 but the Makabayan bloc had filed a measure seeking to raise See more...
Marcos Jr. has 'great interest' in attending Balikatan live-fire drills: AFPMANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. has shown "great interest" in watching the live-fire drills in this year's "Balikatan" exercises with the United States, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said on Wednesday. AFP Spokesperson Col. Medel Aguilar said Marcos was invited in this year's Balikatan, which is considered the largest-ever joint combat military drills of Manila and See more...
Poe eyes review of K-12, higher education curriculumMANILA — Senator Grace Poe has urged the government to review the country’s educational system, from K-12 up to higher and technical education. Poe, member of the Senate committees on basic education as well as higher, technical and vocational education, made the recommendation in response to the Commission on Human Right’s report that majority of new college graduates today See more...
Elon Musk says ‘many mistakes’ made since Twitter takeoverSAN FRANCISCO — Twitter boss Elon Musk said running the social media network has been "quite a rollercoaster" and acknowledged "many mistakes" along the way, six months after he bought the company for $44 billion. In a live interview with the BBC after agreeing to a last-minute invitation for the "spontaneity" of it, Musk appeared to tacitly acknowledge that one See more...
Amang makes landfall in Catanduanes town, Signal No. 1 up over 18 areasStorm Signal No. 1 has been hoisted over 17 areas in Luzon and one in the Visayas after Tropical Depression Amang made landfall in the vicinity of Panganiban, Catanduanes. According to the severe weather bulletin PAGASA issued at 11 p.m. on Tuesday, Amang was last spotted at 10 p.m. in Panganiban. It is moving westward at 15 kilometers per hour See more...
Henry Teves submits affidavit; denies ownership of guns, explosivesFormer Negros Oriental Governor Pryde Henry Teves has submitted a counter affidavit denying ownership of guns and explosives retrieved from the HDJ compound he allegedly owned. This stemmed from the raid conducted by the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group at the compound in Barangay Caranoche in Sta. Catalina, Negros Oriental in March. In an 89-page counter affidavit, Teves See more...
Twitter working on AI despite Musk call for global pause —reportSAN FRANCISCO — Elon Musk is advancing an artificial intelligence project at Twitter despite recently calling for an overall pause in developing such technology, US media reports said Tuesday. Musk has bought thousands of powerful, costly computing processors and hired AI engineering talent, Insider reported, while another tech-focused outlet, the Information, said the entrepreneur has floated the idea of starting See more...
MMA: Belingon ups grappling game, gets blue belt in BJJMANILA -- Kevin “The Silencer” Belingon appears to be working on his ground game extensively during his offseason as he received a blue belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. The 35-year-old spitfire from Kiangan, Ifugao was promoted by Prof. Gibran Langbayan, who possesses a stellar credential as a submission grappler and a black belt under Prof. Leonardo Fernandes. Langbayan, who earned the See more...
Opening of common station for train lines postponed anewMANILA -- The Department of Transportation (DOTr) confirmed Wednesday that they will again postpone the opening of the common station that would interconnect 4 train lines in Metro Manila. Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said there are technical issues that have yet to be resolved. Located in North Edsa, Quezon City, the Unified Grand Central Station will feature a 13,700-square See more...
Eleven areas in Luzon are under Signal No. 1 after Tropical Depression Amang made landfall in Lagonoy, Camarines Sur, the weather bureau PAGASA said late Wednesday afternoon. According to its 5 p.m. forecast, PAGASA said the center of Amang was estimated in the vicinity of Lagonoy, Camarines Sur as of 4 p.m. It is moving slowly northwestward, with strong winds See more...
Marcos OKs single system streamlining gov't transactionsMANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. has approved the creation of a single system that would streamline government transactions at the national and local level, Malacañang said on Wednesday. Marcos approved this on Tuesday during a sectoral meeting in the Palace, the Presidential Communications Office said, citing the need to further improve doing business in the country. Government See more...
Ben Affleck returns to director's chair in new film 'Air'A decade after winning Oscar Best Picture for "Argo," Ben Affleck returned to his actor-director's chair to tell another story inspired by real events. He’s the director of “Air” and also plays Phil Knight, Nike’s founder, and the person who green lighted the then-impossible pursuit of creating a sneaker brand tied with basketball legend Michael Jordan. "I think it parallels See more...
Anji Salvacion is bolder in new single 'Paraiso'MANILA -- Kapamilya artist Anji Salvacion has shifted to a bolder and more alluring sound through her single "Paraiso," which will be available on various music streaming platforms on Friday, April 14. Under Tarsier Records, the upbeat track which shows off Salvacion's evolving musical style, vocal prowess, and growth as an artist is composed by Annie Lux and produced by See more...
DOH to transfer patients to new NCMH building amid overcrowdingMANILA — The Department of Health is set to transfer dozens of patients to a new building at the National Center for Mental Health amid overcrowding in the facility's forensic ward. The NCMH's forensic ward or Pavilion 4 currently houses 600 patients with pending cases, way beyond its capacity of 300. "Nagawan na itong building na pinatatayo natin," DOH officer-in-charge See more...
Marcos, VP Sara get high approval, trust ratings in latest Pulse Asia pollPresident Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte both garnered high approval and trust ratings in March, according to the results of a Pulse Asia survey released on Wednesday. Conducted from March 15 to 19, the survey showed that Marcos enjoyed a 78% approval rating while Duterte, his running mate in the 2022 elections, had 83%. As for See more...
Kicking off Balikatan drills in PH, US vows defense in South China SeaWASHINGTON - The United States on Tuesday promised to defend the Philippines in the dispute-rife South China Sea as the allies launched their largest-ever joint exercises in the face of Beijing's growing assertiveness in the region. Nearly 18,000 troops are taking part in the annual exercises dubbed Balikatan, or "shoulder to shoulder" in Filipino, which for the first time will See more...
2nd COVID-19 boosters to be made available to general population — DOHDepartment of Health (DOH) officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire on Wednesday announced that the general population would now be allowed to receive the second COVID-19 booster shots. At a press conference, Vergeire said the DOH is only waiting for the release of implementing guidelines before the rollout of the second boosters for the healthy adults aged 18 and above starts. “Base See more...
237 new COVID-19 cases logged; active tally climbs to 9,354The Philippines on Wednesday logged 237 new COVID-19 cases, while the tally of active infections climbed to 9,354, according to the Department of Health (DOH). Based on the DOH’s latest figures, new cases pushed the nationwide case count to 4,084,255, while the active tally rose to 9,354 from 9,321 on Wednesday. The DOH said the nationwide recovery tally reached 4,008,470, See more...
3,000 'high level' cyberattacks in PH from 2020 to 2022: DICTMANILA — At least 3,000 "high level" cyberattacks were recorded in the Philippines from 2020 to 2022, the Department of Information and Communications Technology said on Wednesday. Almost half of the total attacked were systems and networks of government agencies and emergency response teams, DICT Asec. Jeffrey Ian Dy said during the DICT's "Hack for Gov" competition for college See more...
AFP vows help for Zambales fishermen who will be affected by Balikatan 2023Assistance will be given to fishermen who will be affected by the conduct of Balikatan exercises of Filipino and United States troops, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said on Wednesday. Balikatan Exercise executive agent for the Philippines Colonel Michael Logico said the military already coordinated with the provincial government regarding the two-day activity in Zambales. “They will be See more...
PPA board to review anew container policy in portsThe Philippine Port Authority’s (PPA) board members have yet to see clear benefits from its new order seeking to implement an additional container monitoring system. Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said this as he told the Senate public services committee that they will conduct another round of review of PPA’s Administrative Order No. 04-2021, whose implementation is currently suspended. The order See more...
BPI says new app allows opening bank account in 5 minsMANILA - Bank of the Philippine Islands on Wednesday unveiled its new "future-ready" AI-powered mobile app which will soon replace the current BPI mobile banking app. With the new app, consumers can open savings accounts online within 5 minutes and using just 1 ID, BPI said. It also features an improved user experience, making transactions easier, it added. “We’re proud See more...
MAP launches campaign vs. malnutrition, warns of impact on workforceThe Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) on Wednesday launched a campaign against malnutrition and stunting among Filipino children as it warned of their effects on the country’s workforce in the future. At a press conference in Taguig City, MAP governor-in-charge for resilience and recovery cluster Cielito Habito said children malnutrition and stunting can be compared to climate change as See more...
Kylie Padilla thanks 'Unravel' crew following Summer MMFF Gabi ng ParangalKylie Padilla paid tribute to the whole team behind “Unravel” following the Summer Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) Gabi ng Parangal. The Kapuso actress posted a photo with Molly Monique Lasic and Vic Del Rosario, followed by a photo with the film crew during the shoot in Switzerland. Kylie was among the nominees for Best Actress alongside Bela Padilla and See more...
US eyes civil nuclear cooperation deal with PHMANILA — The United States is looking to forge a civil nuclear cooperation deal with the Philippines as the Southeast Asian country pushes to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday. The US will be “providing technical assistance and regulatory guidance to support the growth of the Philippines’ civil nuclear energy program,” Blinken See more...
These areas under Signal no. 1 as Amang maintains strength over Camarines SurMANILA — Tropical depression Amang maintained its strength as it traversed Camarines Sur, state weather bureau PAGASA said Wednesday night. In its 8 p.m. bulletin, PAGASA said Amang was last located over the coastal waters of Sipocot, Camarines Sur. It was packing maximum sustained winds of up to 45 kilometers per hour near the center, with gusts of up to See more...
BFAR estimates P388M in income loss due to Oriental Mindoro oil spillThe Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) on Wednesday said there is an estimated income loss amounting to P388 million in Oriental Mindoro due to the oil spill. "As of April 3, ‘yung sa estimated income losses is around P388.7 million for Oriental Mindoro," Marc Lawrence Romero of BFAR said during the oil spill inter-agency committee meeting at the See more...
SC approves Code of Professional Responsibility, AccountabilityThe Supreme Court on Wednesday announced that it has unanimously approved the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability (CPRA), which updates the 34-year-old Code of Professional Responsibility. In a statement, the high court said it unanimously approved the CPRA during its en banc session in Baguio City on Tuesday. “The CPRA… is part of the Supreme Court’s plan to update See more...
Shortage sa ilang gulay posible ngayong taon: DAMAYNILA - May nakikita ang Department of Agriculture (DA) na posibleng shortage o kakulangan sa ibang gulay ngayong taon. Sa vegetable supply outlook ng ahensiya lumalabas na mas malaki ang tinatayang demand sa lowland vegetables o gulay-Tagalog gaya ng ampalaya, sitaw, kalabasa, at talong kumpara sa suplay nito. "Meron tayong mga magsasaka na nag-shift ng commodity, meron ding See more...
IMF issues growth warning as it lowers 2023 forecastWASHINGTON - The International Monetary Fund (IMF) slightly lowered its outlook for the global economy on Tuesday, while predicting that most countries will avoid a recession this year despite economic worries and geopolitical strains. Concerns over high inflation, rising geopolitical tensions and financial stability hang over the updated forecasts, with the impact of war in Ukraine continuing to dampen growth See more...
Magnitude 5.4 quake jolts Davao OccidentalA magnitude 5.4 earthquake hit Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental on Wednesday morning, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS). The earthquake, which was tectonic in origin, occurred at 10:02 a.m. It was recorded at 05.80°N, 126.55°E - 101 km S 83° E of Jose Abad Santos in Davao Occidental. The quake also had a depth of See more...
1 in 5 Americans have a family member killed by guns — surveyWASHINGTON - One in five American adults have a family member who was killed by a gun -- including by suicide -- and a similar percentage said they've been threatened with one, according to a survey released Tuesday. Gun-related violence -- including mass shootings, suicides and accidents -- has become so common in the United States that 84 percent See more...
BFAR to keep fishing bans in oil spill-hit municipalities in Oriental MindoroThe Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) recommended keeping fishing bans in oil spill-hit municipalities in Oriental Mindoro after finding low-level contaminants or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in the fish samples. In a press release on Wednesday, the Bureau said the fish samples were collected and analyzed on March 10. Likewise, seaweeds collected and analyzed from select See more...
WATCH: KD Estrada reveals insecurities about his looksMANILA -- KD Estrada has become one of the most popular actors of his generation after joining "Pinoy Big Brother" in 2021. But before he became known in the industry, Estrada struggled with insecurities, particularly about his looks. "Actually I'm a bit shy to say it, [but] one of my insecurities is my looks, my face," he told Star Magic See more...
Philippine vehicle sales up 24.2% in MarchVehicle sales continued to post double-digit growth in March with the automotive industry eyeing to surpass pre-pandemic sales levels this year, data released by the manufacturers on Wednesday showed. A joint report by the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (CAMPI) and the Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA) showed that total new motor vehicle sales for the month hit See more...
What Lee Sung-kyung, Kim Young-kwang learned about love from ‘Call It Love’MANILA — For actors, new roles often open up new points of view. And such was the case for Lee Sung-kyung and Kim Young-kwang, who gained fresh perspectives on love through their latest K-drama “Call It Love.” Streaming on Disney+, the series follows Sim Woo-joo (Sung-kyung), whose family is kicked out of their house by her late father’s mistress. Angered See more...
Italian food with a side of musical theater at CarusoSince it opened in 2002, Caruso Ristorante Italiano has been spoken of with hushed aspirational tones among foodies. It is that restaurant that ardent Italian food lovers keep to themselves to enjoy classic authentic Italian antipasti, pasta, brick oven pizzas, and desserts with a carafe or two of Italian red wine on the side in peace. But even with See more...