Baguio: First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos on Wednesday led the lighting of the giant Christmas tree at The Mansion here, an added tourism feature of the place after it was opened to the public last September. According to Philippines News Agency, Dina Tantoco, Deputy Social Secretary at the Office of the President, mentioned in a media interview before the event that this is the first time such an event is being held at The Mansion as an additional attraction. The Mansion’s public opening was an initiative of the First Lady, which included the establishment of the Presidential Museum offering guided

Manila: The commemoration of Bonifacio Day will remain on November 30, as confirmed by Malacañang on Wednesday. Responding to inquiries about possibly moving the observance to November 29, the Office of the Executive Secretary assured Palace reporters that there would be “no movement of the holiday.” According to Philippines News Agency, November 30, 2024, is officially recognized as a regular holiday to mark Bonifacio Day, as stipulated by Proclamation 368 issued by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in October. This announcement upholds the historical tradition of celebrating Bonifacio Day on its original date. In contrast, last year saw the holiday

Jakarta: Indonesian authorities will repatriate Philippine national Hector Aldwin Pantollana (HAP), who is on the Interpol wanted list for fleeing prosecution. Pantollana, who is suspected of committing fraud and casino crimes back home, is scheduled to return to the Philippines on Nov. 27 to continue the legal process. According to Philippines News Agency, Pantollana was arrested based on information about his travel to Indonesia from the Philippines’ National Bureau of Investigation on Oct. 31. He entered Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport on Oct. 10. On Nov. 9, he was detected leaving for Hong Kong via Ngurah Rai Airport and was

Albay: Albay 2nd District Representative and House Ways and Means Chair Joey Sarte Salceda, who is also the chair of the newly established Quinta Committee (Murang Pagkain Super Committee), disclosed on Wednesday that the committee is poised to present initial recommendations to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. These recommendations aim to tackle the alleged rice price manipulation in the country. According to Philippines News Agency, Salceda explained that the committee is scrutinizing trends in rice price manipulation over the past decade, focusing on price spikes from 2012-2013 and 2016-2018. This investigation seeks to determine whether the same network of smugglers

Manila: The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) revealed an intricate network of criminal activities involving Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), drug syndicates, and corporate fraud during a recent public hearing by the House of Representatives quad committee. PDEA Deputy Director General Renato Gumban presented a detailed matrix illustrating how transnational syndicates exploit legal loopholes and corporate structures to facilitate illicit activities such as drug trafficking, money laundering, and questionable land deals involving foreign nationals. According to Philippines News Agency, the investigation was initiated following a joint operation on September 24, 2023, which resulted in the seizure of 560 kilograms of

Camarines Sur: The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) 5 (Bicol) has disbursed more than PHP14.5 million for the wages and personal protective equipment of Camarines Sur residents through its Tulong Panghanapbuhay Para sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) program. In a media release on Wednesday, DOLE-5 Regional Director Imelda Gatinao stated that the payout benefited 3,463 typhoon-affected workers across various municipalities in a series of payouts within this month. According to Philippines News Agency, the beneficiaries were from the towns of Lupi (603 beneficiaries); Milaor (719); Pasacao (271); San Fernando (204); Bombon (107); Canaman (662); Sangay (271), and San Jose