Day: August 7, 2025

Quezon city: Philippine economic growth slightly picked up to 5.5 percent in the second quarter of the year, making the country one of the fastest-growing in emerging Asia. In a briefing at the Philippine Statistics Authority office, National Statistician Dennis Mapa highlighted that the economic growth during the quarter was slightly higher than the 5.4 percent expansion recorded in the first quarter of this year. According to Philippines News Agency, while growth slowed from 6.5 percent in the second quarter of 2024, Department of Economy, Planning, and Development Secretary Arsenio Balisacan stated that the Philippine economy continued to show resilience

Manila: The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) on Thursday filed fresh tax evasion charges involving an estimated PHP1.41 billion before the Department of Justice. BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. filed multiple criminal complaints against 23 corporations, 56 corporate officers, and 17 certified public accountants allegedly involved in fraudulent transactions to evade the proper payment of taxes through the use of ‘ghost receipts.’ According to Philippines News Agency, the criminal complaints filed involved multiple violations of tax evasion, failure to supply correct and accurate information, perjury, and false reporting relative to ghost receipts. The said corporations and individuals belonged to various

Tokyo: A Japanese health ministry panel has approved a plan to reduce the price of Lecanemab, an Alzheimer’s drug co-developed by Japanese drugmaker Eisai Co. and US company Biogen Inc., by 15 percent in Japan starting November 1. According to Philippines News Agency, the decision follows an assessment by the Central Social Insurance Medical Council, which highlighted the drug’s low cost-effectiveness for treating dementia caused by Alzheimer’s disease. The price adjustment will see the cost of a 500-milligram bottle lowered to 97,277 yen. Dosages are determined based on a patient’s weight. For instance, a patient weighing 50 kilograms would experience

Quezon city: The Quezon City government raised serious concern over the continuous rise in leptospirosis cases due to persistent rains resulting in flooding. In a statement on Thursday, the city government said 207 leptospirosis cases and 24 deaths were recorded from Jan. 1 to Aug. 3, according to the QC Health Department – Epidemiology and Surveillance Division (QCESD). According to Philippines News Agency, the city government noted that although the current number of cases is 15 percent lower than the same period in 2024, when there were 243 cases, the public is being urged to remain vigilant due to the

Manila: Four ranking police officials have been included in the latest reorganization of the Philippine National Police (PNP). In an order dated August 6 and made public Thursday, PNP chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III designated new roles for these officials. According to Philippines News Agency, Brig. Gen. Jovencio Badua Jr. has been appointed as the director of the Maritime Group, taking over from Brig. Gen. Christopher Abecia. Brig. Gen. Abecia will now head the Police Regional Office (PRO) 1, located in Ilocos. Furthermore, Brig. Gen. Jason Capoy, previously the Director of the Aviation Security Group (AVSEGROUP), will now serve as