Day: December 2, 2024

CEBU CITY: The chief of the Visayas Command on Monday awarded an achievement medal to a K9 dog named ‘Itum’ for its significant role in combat operations. The Aspin, a local breed tracking dog, was instrumental in a series of encounters that led soldiers to discover the remains of a New People’s Army (NPA) member and a firearm. According to Philippines News Agency, Lt. Gen. Fernando Reyeg, the Viscom chief, conferred the Military Working Dog Achievement Medal to Itum for its exemplary performance during a four-day pursuit operation from November 21 to 24 against NPA members in Barangay Gatuslao, Candoni

Manila: The Sandiganbayan has reaffirmed its previous decision acquitting Senator Jinggoy Estrada of charges related to the alleged misuse of PHP183 million in Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) allocations. In an eight-page ruling dated November 27, the anti-graft court dismissed the prosecution’s motion for reconsideration, which sought to reinstate Estrada’s conviction on charges of direct and indirect bribery due to concerns of ‘double jeopardy.’ According to Philippines News Agency, the court emphasized that revisiting the factual findings of Estrada’s acquittal would subject him to double jeopardy. The ruling stated, “His acquittal cannot be assailed under the guise of a motion

LAOAG CITY: Tobacco farmers here received Monday agricultural inputs to help boost production and encourage others to take part in the city government’s bid to increase to 20 hectares the area being planted with Virginia tobacco this year. Among those distributed are water pumps, irrigation hoses, shedder machines, and hand tractors. According to Philippines News Agency, Mayor Michael Keon emphasized in a media interview that agriculture remains the bedrock of the city’s economy, with 50 out of its 80 villages considered as rural, thus putting premium on the agriculture sector. In addition to distributing farm machinery and agricultural inputs, Keon

Pasay City: The Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Project LAWA (Local Adaptation to Water Access) and BINHI (Breaking Insufficiency through Nutritious Harvest for the Impoverished) have provided assistance to over 137,654 beneficiaries from 310 localities across the Philippines this year. According to Philippines News Agency, the announcement was made during the opening ceremonies of the project’s national convention in Pasay City, where Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG) Undersecretary Diana Rose Cajipe delivered a message on behalf of DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian. The risk resiliency initiative is designed to strengthen the capabilities of Filipino communities through cash-for-work (CFW) and

Manila: The Philippines is unlikely to be a target of the planned tariff hikes under the incoming administration of United States President-elect Donald Trump, according to Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo. He emphasized the balanced and healthy trade relationship between the two countries as a significant factor in this assessment. According to Philippines News Agency, Rodolfo noted that the Philippines’ trade deficit with the US is considerably smaller compared to other Asian countries. In 2023, the trade deficit stood at USD4 billion, a stark contrast to China’s USD300 billion, Vietnam’s USD109 billion, Japan’s USD75 billion, South