Day: November 25, 2024

BAGUIO CITY: Mayor Benjamin Magalong is calling on the public to break the silence and actively speak out against violence as the nation observes the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW). Speaking during the campaign launch here on Monday, Magalong stressed the importance of community involvement in addressing VAW. ‘Iniisip ng perpetrator nila it is a private matter kaya wala tayong pakialam (Perpetrators think it is a private matter, and we do not care), making the violators emboldened because the victim keeps silent, and we are also silent,’ he said. According to Philippines News Agency, Magalong cited the

LEGAZPI CITY: Operatives seized at least PHP21.6 million worth of smuggled cigarettes and arrested nine suspects during a recent joint operation in the waters of Barangay Marigondon in Pio Duran, Albay. According to Philippines News Agency, Lt. Col. Malu Calubaquib, spokesperson for Police Regional Office (PRO) 5 (Bicol), reported that the operation on November 21 led to the confiscation of 18,850 reams or 377 boxes of assorted imported cigarettes valued at PHP21.2 million. The operation also included the seizure of a motorized banca named ‘Susie’, equipped with a Mitsubishi 4D31 engine, estimated to be worth PHP400,000. The seized items were

MANILA: The House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability has extended the detention period of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) chief of staff and undersecretary, Zuleika Lopez, to 10 days from the original five. This action was taken due to her alleged “evasive” behavior in an ongoing investigation. According to Philippines News Agency, the committee’s decision followed a motion by ACT Teachers Party-list Representative France Castro during the resumption of its probe into allegations against Vice President Sara Duterte regarding the misuse of PHP612.5 million in confidential funds. Lopez, who was initially cited in contempt on November

Manila: The Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) fully awarded bids for Treasury bills (T-bills) at slightly elevated rates during Monday’s auction. The 91-day, 182-day, and 364-day T-bills recorded average rates of 5.647 percent, 5.882 percent, and 5.905 percent, respectively. According to Philippines News Agency, these rates represent a slight increase from last week’s rates of 5.631 percent for the 91-day, 5.862 percent for the 182-day, and 5.871 percent for the 364-day T-bills. Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation chief economist Michael Ricafort noted that the T-bill auction yields rose for the eighth consecutive week. The increase is attributed to a potential rise

MANILA: The Philippines and Sweden have formalized a government-to-government financial and development cooperation agreement, which will enable Manila to access grants aligned with Stockholm’s priority programs. The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Financial and Development Cooperation was signed by Finance Secretary Ralph Recto and Minister for Infrastructure and Housing Andreas Carlson at the Department of Finance (DOF) office in Manila on November 22. According to Philippines News Agency, this agreement provides a framework for the Philippine government to secure technical assistance, concessional official development assistance, and/or blended financing from the Swedish government for its priority programs and projects. Among the