Day: November 26, 2025

Manila: Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian on Wednesday emphasized the necessity of the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s (BIR) decision to halt the issuance of Letters of Authority (LOAs) to protect businesses from harassment and address corruption concerns within the agency. According to Philippines News Agency, Gatchalian stated that the suspension provides the BIR with an opportunity to review its procedures and conduct an internal investigation following complaints of intimidation during audits. He underscored the need for the BIR to maintain zero tolerance for corruption and uphold the highest standards of integrity in tax administration. Gatchalian further urged public officials to remain honest

Pasay city: An engineer of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), who was among the accused in an alleged anomalous flood control project in Oriental Mindoro, has been arrested at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3. The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) reported the arrest on Wednesday. According to Philippines News Agency, the CIDG identified the accused as DPWH Mimaropa (4B) Planning and Design Division officer-in-charge Montrexis Tamayo. He was detained shortly after his arrival via an Emirates Airline flight on Tuesday afternoon. The arresting personnel approached Tamayo for verification using an identification card and informed

Manila: The regular information drives conducted at the community level are the main factor in the reduction of Violence Against Women (VAW) cases in the Caraga Region. During the ‘Kapihan sa SM Butuan’ hosted by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) 13 (Caraga), Maj. Arlene Ga, the women and children protection officer of the regional police, reported that their office recorded 594 VAW cases in the region from January to November this year. According to Philippines News Agency, this figure represents an 8 percent decrease compared to the 651 VAW cases recorded in the region last year. Ga attributed the drop

Manila: The Political Finance and Affairs Department (PFAD) of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has cleared Senator Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero and a campaign donor of any violations of the Omnibus Election Code concerning the PHP30-million contributions received by the lawmaker during the May 2022 elections. According to Philippines News Agency, the PFAD, in a nine-page resolution, decided to terminate the investigation against Escudero and Lawrence Lubiano, president of Centerways Construction and Development Inc. The resolution, promulgated on November 26, concluded that there was no evidence to support allegations that Section 95(c) of the Omnibus Election Code was breached by either

Manila: The Department of Agriculture (DA) announced Wednesday that the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) is extending its moratorium on molasses importation until March 2026. The extension came after SRA’s assessment showing that current local stocks are adequate to meet domestic requirements. According to Philippines News Agency, local and imported molasses are used for ‘baking, confectionery, cooking, and beverages, production of animal feeds, vinegar, citric acid, potable and sanitary alcohol,’ while only local molasses is used for bio-ethanol production. DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. stated that the decision would help protect local farmers by preventing a further drop in farmgate