Category: General

The Department of Health on Tuesday confirmed the local transmission of the Omicron BA.2.12.1 subvariant. In an online media forum, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the new subvariant cases detected are no longer related to the cases from other countries. “Ngunit makikita pa rin ang linkages ng mga detected cases. Hindi pa po ito community transmission kung saan hindi na po ma-te-trace ang mga linkages ng bawat kaso (But the linkages of the detected cases can still be seen. This is not yet a community transmission where the linkages…

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President Rodrigo Duterte has signed into law a measure promoting the rights of deserted or abandoned children with unknown parents and recognizing their status as natural-born citizens. Under Republic Act (RA) 11767 or the Foundling Recognition and Protection Act, an abandoned child found in the Philippines or in Philippine embassies, consulates, and territories abroad is presumed a natural-born Filipino citizen, regardless of the status or circumstances of birth. “As a natural-born citizen of the Philippines, a foundling is accorded with rights and protections at the moment of birth equivalent to…

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The country’s daily average of Covid-19 cases went down to 160 from May 9 to 15, or 0.30 percent lower than the previous week, the Department of Health (DOH) reported Monday. Cases averaged 161 per day from May 2 to 6. In its latest case bulletin, the DOH said there are 1,118 new Covid-19 cases and 16 verified deaths in the recent week. For the same period, 14 cases were added to the tally of severe and critical infections, now down to 588 from last week’s 611. Only 15.6 percent…

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One person was killed and four others were critically injured Sunday during a shooting at a church in Orange County, California, according to authorities. The shooting took place inside Geneva Presbyterian Church on the 24000 block of El Toro Road in Laguna Woods, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department said on Twitter. “We have detained one person and have recovered a weapon that may be involved,” said the tweet. The suspect was detained at the scene. The shooting came a day after a racially motivated mass shooting in Buffalo, New York,…

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The Court of Appeals (CA) has turned down a physician’s petition to reconsider the annulment of his marriage of 35 years as the alleged condition of psychological incapacity was not convincing. Dr. Noel Fabian’s previous annulment case was denied by the Imus, Cavite Regional Trial Court Branch 22 in 2017 and subsequently upheld by the CA on May 11. In his motion for reconsideration, Fabian said he preferred to be with his friends than to spend time with his family; indulged in extra-marital affairs; and would always be dominant and…

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Finland on Sunday officially confirmed its intention to join the NATO alliance, expressing readiness to engage in talks with Turkiye on the issues it raised on the Scandinavian country’s membership. The country’s Ministerial Committee on Foreign and Security Policy approved its application for NATO membership, Finnish President Sauli Niinisto said in a news conference alongside Prime Minister Sanna Marin. Niinisto said he is ready to meet with Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the issues that the Turkish president raised recently about Finland’s membership, particularly that the country was tolerating extremists and…

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Cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) remained low in Eastern Visayas despite overcrowding in public places during the campaign period and election day, the Department of Health (DOH) regional office here said on Monday. DOH regional information officer Jelyn Lopez-Malibago said in a phone interview election-related activities did not trigger a rise in new cases. “For now, we cannot see an increase. Although there is a slight increase, it’s not alarming. We attribute it to the high vaccination coverage in Eastern Visayas,” Malibago told the Philippine News Agency (PNA). From…

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President Rodrigo R. Duterte has signed an executive order (EO) directing government departments and agencies to utilize digital payments for government disbursements. EO 170, signed by Duterte on May 12, recognizes that the Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the benefits of utilizing digital payment services across various sectors, as it enabled a fast, convenient, secure, and transparent mode of delivering government services and transacting business. “The adoption of digital payments for government disbursements will facilitate the expedient distribution of financial assistance to beneficiaries, thereby providing a catalyst for financial inclusion for…

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Three soldiers were wounded in a clash with Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandits while on a security operation in the Sulu municipality of Indanan, military officials said Monday. Maj. Gen. Ignatius Patrimonio, Joint Task Force (JTF)-Sulu commander, said the firefight Sunday morning in Barangay Tumatangis, Indanan, broke out while the troops were checking on the reported presence of ASG bandits in the area. “While on their way to the area, they encountered an undetermined number of ASG bandits under ASG leader Radulan Sahiron,” Patrimonio said. Patrimonio was unable to release…

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Senate President Vicente Sotto III said Monday that the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) has always had a good relationship with reelected Leyte 1st District Representative Martin Romualdez. The NPC, which Sotto chairs, threw its “unconditional support” behind the Speakership bid of Romualdez “Most of our members are good old friends with Martin. As majority leader, he has always been fair with us,” Sotto told the Philippine News Agency in a Viber message. Prior to the NPC announcement on Sunday, the National Unity Party, one of the political parties accredited by…

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President Rodrigo R. Duterte has signed an executive order (EO) directing the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to create a Franchise Registry for the protection of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). EO 169, signed by Duterte on May 12, recognizes that the franchising industry plays a crucial role in sustaining the country’s economy by creating job opportunities, boosting consumption, and promoting tourism. “There is a need to intensify government efforts to strengthen the franchising industry to help businesses, especially MSMEs, by developing a transparent and business-friendly environment, and…

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Bays in Eastern Visayas have remained red tide-free in the past three months as favorable weather prevails in the region, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said on Monday. In a statement, the BFAR attributed this to the prevailing weather condition where the northern easterly wind lowered the coastal water temperature, making the blooming of algae-causing red tide episodes not conducive. After nearly five years of infestation, all bays in Eastern Visayas have been free from red tide toxins, based on BFAR’s regular monitoring of seawater. Results of…

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Authorities have started a “no vaccination, no travel” policy in Lanao del Sur as the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) began Monday its coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) special vaccination days (SVDs). “This is for the protection of everybody. I hope people will cooperate because anywhere you go, a vaccination card is required,” Dr. Alinader Minalang, Lanao del Sur provincial health officer, said in an interview. Minalang said the initiative is to help convince unvaccinated Maranaos to avail of the health services. “If you still do not cooperate or…

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The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Negros Oriental is reviving its trade fair for local micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to allow them to recoup their losses after more than two years of hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic. DTI-Negros Oriental provincial director Nimfa Virtucio said on Monday the event dubbed EXPŒrience: 6200 Pop Up Arts and Crafts Fair and Negros Oriental Food Fair, will showcase the province’s small businesses that have been affected by the pandemic. “In the more than two years of the pandemic, many…

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The Boston Celtics beat 2021 champions the Milwaukee Bucks 109-81 on Sunday to reach the NBA Eastern Conference finals. Boston won the semifinal series 4-3 to face the Miami Heat in the finals, which will start Tuesday at Miami’s home court FTX Arena. On Sunday, the Celtics were led by US power forward Grant Williams as the 23-year-old scored 27 points against the Bucks at Boston’s TD Garden. Boston star Jayson Tatum was one of the key players for his team’s big win, scoring 23 points. In addition, Tatum’s teammate…

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Presumptive Vice President Sara Z. Duterte said Monday that pushing for the mandatory Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) among the youth has nothing to do with her becoming the new Department of Education (DepEd) secretary. In January this year, Duterte said she would propose the mandatory rendering of military service for all Filipinos 18 years old and above when she gets elected as vice president. “About ROTC and DepEd, I would like to remind those ‘intelligent’ people that DepEd is all about basic education and Alternative Learning System (ALS). So…

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A rifle grenade exploded inside the residential compound of a village official in Sultan Kudarat town in Maguindanao Sunday evening but no one was hurt, police said. Lt. Col. Sabri Lakibul, the municipal police chief, said Monday no one claimed responsibility for the explosion in the residential yard of Guiaber Dalindingan, chairman of Barangay Crossing Simuay, Sultan Kudarat town. However, Dalindingan believed it was related to last week’s national and local elections. He did not elaborate. A rifle grenade is an explosive that uses a rifle-based launcher to permit a…

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Marine troops under the Naval Task Group Tawi-Tawi rescued 13 people from a small boat that caught fire off Sapa-Sapa, Tawi-Tawi, a top military official said Monday. Brig. Gen. Romeo Racadio, Joint Task Force (JTF)-Tawi-Tawi commander, said the victims were rescued around 10:40 a.m. Sunday between the islands of Mantabuan and Banaran in the municipality of Sapa-Sapa following a report from a resident. Racadio said a fire rescue team onboard Speedboat Fiber 10 (SBF-10), together with the crew from the 82nd Marine Company coordinated with the municipal government of Sapa-Sapa…

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The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) has reduced the fees for two of its certifications for seafarers by over a third on Monday. In a Facebook post, MARINA announced that the issuance, revalidation, or replacement of a Certificate of Proficiency (COP) has been reduced to PHP130 from the previous PHP200, with the fee for its expedited or onboard processing reduced to PHP330 from PHP600. The fee for the Certificate of Competency (COC) has been reduced to PHP530 from PHP1,000, with expedited or onboard processing of the certificate reduced to PHP780 from…

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Sweden will send a delegation of diplomats to Turkiye to discuss the Scandinavian country’s decision to apply for NATO membership, the government announced Sunday. Swedish Foreign Minister Ann Linde confirmed that the delegation will visit Turkiye and said it will be sent to Ankara very soon to evaluate the ruling Social Democratic Party’s decision in favor of joining NATO. Evaluating Russia’s reaction to Sweden’s application for NATO membership, Linde said Russia “violated our confluence area” and made disinformation campaigns that Swedish people are Nazis. Cyberattacks will be increased, she said,…

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Banking on defense and a big third quarter surge, the Philippine women’s basketball team started its quest for a second Southeast Asian Games gold medal Monday with a 93-77 victory over Indonesia at the Thanh Tri Gymnasium here. After a close first half, the Gilas Women went on a 32-19 tear in the third and pulled away, going into the fourth with a 72-57 lead en route to the rousing win. Using their quickness to the hilt, the Gilas Women collected 18 steals, drawing praise from coach Patrick Aquino. “They…

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Ilonggos are assured of steady supply of water in the next six months following the interim agreement of the Metro Pacific Iloilo Water (MPIW) and bulk water supplier Flo Water Resources (Iloilo), Inc. beyond the May 15 expiration of their 10-year contract. Mayor Jerry P. Treñas said in a press conference on Monday he and Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. met with executives of the Metro Iloilo Water District (MIWD), MPIW and Flo Water on Sunday and the parties involved entered into a temporary agreement for six months for a…

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The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will proclaim the 12 winning senators on Wednesday but their final ranking can’t be determined yet pending the result of the special polls in Lanao del Sur on May 24. Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco said the senators will instead be proclaimed based on the number of votes. “There will be no standing or ranking in the meantime since we will wait for the completion of Lanao del Sur [special polls],” he said in a press briefing. He sid the Commission already made a decision…

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Officials and residents in the city of Batac, Ilocos Norte are once again showing their gratitude to their farmers through a weeklong festivity that includes activities like vlogging and doing TikTok challenges. Hosted by the city government of Batac and led by reelected Mayor Albert D. Chua, the week-long farmers festival will kick off on Tuesday, May 17, with a thanksgiving mass at the Immaculate Conception Parish in Batac City. “Agriculture remains as a major source of livelihood of Batacqueños hence, it is just fitting to recognize the hardworking men…

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The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday said it noted a sharp decline in the number of election-related incidents, recording only 20 validated ones from January 9 up to May 15. PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said the numbers are much lower as compared to the national and local election years of 2010 with 166 validated election-related incidents and 133 in 2016. “Kung titingnan natin at hihimayin natin ‘yung statistics natin especially dun sa validated, wala dun halos ‘yung ating pinangangambahan na mangyayaring kaguluhan dyan sa Mindanao and this can…

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Procedural lapses allowed an alleged informant to escape a case of illegal possession of firearm during a drug buy-bust five years ago. The Court of Appeals (CA) acquitted Christopher Dave Colangoy, noting that the firearm and ammunition allegedly seized by authorities were not presented as evidence after an anti-illegal drugs operation in Sta. Maria, Bulacan on Aug. 31, 2017 “The procedural lapses that compromised the integrity and evidentiary value of the dangerous drugs allegedly seized from accused-appellant, equally compromised the integrity and evidentiary value of the firearm and ammunition seized…

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Cash incentives for medal-performing athletes will flow from the coffers of the Philippine Sports Commission after the 31st Southeast Asian Games here. With at least 20 gold medals for Team Philippines on the halfway mark of the 11-nation biennial meet plus 25 silver and 36 bronze medals as of early Monday, the PSC will be shelling out at least P18 million in cash bonuses as provided for by the law under Republic Act 10699. Otherwise known as the National Athletes and Coaches Incentives and Benefits Act, the law rewards a…

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The father of this year’s top graduate at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) said that the Philippine Navy will be the “military branch of the future” as the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) puts a focus on defending the country’s territory. In an interview on the sidelines of the PMA graduation ceremony on Sunday, Col. Nicanor Quemado Jr., father of PMA “Bagwis-Diwa” class valedictorian Ensign Krystlenn Ivany Quemado, said the country’s military operations have been transitioning from internal security to territorial as the defense of its borders has become…

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Better communication and partnership between field units of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and local leaders have effectively reduced attempts of the New People’s Army (NPA) terrorists to carry out their extortion activities during the recent election season. In a virtual press conference of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) Monday, AFP spokesperson Army Col. Ramon Zagala hailed the local leaders for their understanding of the issues and knowing that dwindling resources of the NPA mean the eventual resolve of the insurgency problem.…

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The Ilocos Norte government, through the Public Employment Service Office (PESO), is urgently in need of 55 nurses to be deployed in its public hospitals. For interested applicants, Ann Marie Lizette B. Atuan, provincial manager of PESO, announced Monday that the program is under the Ilocos Norte government’s “Sagip Nars Program.” It aims to sustain the steady employment of registered nurses and at the same time help the government contain the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic. Atuan said the filing of application started on Monday and will end on Tuesday,…

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The Dallas Mavericks won the NBA Western Conference semifinal series 4-3 against the regular season top-seeders, the Phoenix Suns, with huge 123-90 win in Game 7 on Sunday to reach the finals. Luka Doncic led Mavericks to victory with 35 points, 10 rebounds while Spencer Dinwiddie added 30 points to the blowout at Footprint Center in Phoenix. Doncic dropped 27 points in the first half of the game, matching the number of points the Suns as a whole scored against the Mavericks. “I can’t get this smile off my face.…

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Lt. Gen. Manuel Abu was named as chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Directorial Staff, the fourth-highest position in the force. In an order dated May 14 and released on Monday, Abu, former director of the Directorate for Integrated Police Operations (DIPO-Northern Luzon) is designated to head the unit. He replaced Lt. Gen. Vicente Danao, who acts as officer in charge of the PNP after Gen. Dionardo Carlos retired last May 8. Abu, a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) “Makatao” Class of 1989, will supervise the 11…

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The majority of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) members approved Monday the amendments to the environment code of South Cotabato province, particularly the provision on the lifting of the ban on open-pit mining in Tampakan town. Voting for the ban’s lifting were SP board members Glezel Trabado, who acted as presiding officer in the absence of Vice Governor Vicente de Jesus, Larry de Pedro VI, chairman of the Environment Committee, Dardanilo Dar, Noel Escobillo, Antonio Fungan, Eamon Gabriel Mati, and Henry Ladot. Also backing the move were Indigenous Peoples’ Mandatory Representative…

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Metro Manila and 85 other areas will remain under the lowest Alert Level 1 classification from May 16 to 31, Malacañang announced Sunday night. Acting presidential spokesperson Martin Andanar said the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) approved the new classification on Saturday. Also placed under Alert Level 1 during the same period are the following provinces, highly urbanized cities (HUCs) and independent component cities (ICCs): For Luzon: Abra, Apayao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, and Baguio City in the Cordillera Administrative Region; Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur,…

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A mayor who supports presumptive president Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has urged Antiqueños to cooperate with the new administration as the majority of the Filipinos have given him an overwhelming mandate. Hamtic mayor Julius Pacificador said in an interview Monday they will have to set aside their own prejudices and give the Marcos administration a “chance to do something” for the country. “I am very optimistic with the BBM administration,” he said. Pacificador said it is already time that Antiqueños unite together again with the election already over so that…

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On the heels of the recent national elections, the Department of Agriculture (DA) on Monday called on the public to set aside politics and prioritize economic advancement through agriculture. In a speech, DA Secretary William Dar urged Filipinos to support the incoming administration regardless of their political colors, ahead of the impending victory of presumptive president Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and presumptive vice president Sara Duterte-Carpio. “Sana wala nang kulay-kulay, basta agrikultura na lang ang pag-usapan (I hope there will be no more political colors, let’s just talk about the…

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Twenty-one new coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases have been detected in Caraga Region over the past week, the Department of Health in Caraga (DOH-13) said Monday. In a report, DOH-13 said the new cases were logged from May 8 to 14. At least 20 of the new cases are still in isolation in different health facilities in the region. “With the new infections, the total cumulative number of cases in the region stands at 58,893,” DOH-13 said. Eight of the new cases were recorded in Butuan City, five in Agusan…

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The Court of Appeals (CA) upheld the ruling of the Mandaluyong Regional Trial Court (RTC) that sentenced the seller of counterfeit shoes and other items to up to five years in prison. The CA affirmed the Nov. 14, 2018 decision of Mandaluyong RTC Branch 211 that found Manolo Samson guilty of violating the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines’ provisions against unfair competition. “The trial court correctly imposed the indeterminable penalty of two years as minimum to five years as maximum and a fine of PHP100,000,” read the decision dated…

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Reigning world champion Carlos Yulo scored two more stirring triumphs Sunday, leading an eight-gold medal haul as the Philippines jostled with Thailand for second overall in the 31st Vietnam Southeast Asian Games here. Returning to the Quan Ngua Sports Palace where he was crowned the all-around champion last Friday, Yulo, 22, topped the floor exercise, the event where he emerged as world champion in 2019, and followed up his electrifying performance by scoring an impressive victory in the rings. Gymnastics proved to be a gold mine as Fil-American Aleah Finnegan…

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Department of Health (DOH)–Technical Advisory Group member Dr. Edsel Salvaña said Monday the number of Covid-19 cases remains manageable and there is no indication yet of a rise due to campaign rallies and the entry of the new Omicron subvariant. “Right now, the numbers remain manageable. And even if the numbers do go up to several thousand, dahil sa mataas na antas ng pagbabakuna, iyong (because of high vaccination rate, the) number of people who actually developed severe disease remained slow,” Salvaña said in a televised Laging Handa briefing. Earlier,…

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The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Sunday said additional honoraria for teachers who served extra hours to address technical glitches and other issues during the May 9 polls will depend on the availability of funds. “First condition is the availability of funds…Second, we have to make sure that any grant of the Commission for additional honoraria will be compliant with DBM [Department of Budget and Management] rules, accounting rules, auditing rules, and COA [Commission on Audit] rules,” acting Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco said in a press briefing on Sunday.…

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The Philippine Army (PA) on Monday lauded its rowers who have won two more medals in the rowing competition in the ongoing 31st Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi, Vietnam. Pvt. Chris Nievarez clinched the bronze medal in the men’s lightweight single scull event while PFC Amelyn Pagulayan also won the bronze medal in the women’s quadruple sculls event last May 14. Nievarez earlier bagged the silver medal in the men’s lightweight double sculls event last May 11. “Your outstanding tenacity and determination have brought glory not just to the Philippine…

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Motorists can expect big-time price rollback on diesel products starting on Tuesday. This, as oil firms Caltex, Cleanfuel, Petro Gazz, Seaoil, and Shell announced that they will slash diesel prices by PHP3.10 per liter. However, the rollback for this week is lower than the PHP4.20-per-liter increase on diesel and gasoline prices by oil firms last Tuesday. The same oil players will also reduce gasoline prices by PHP0.40 per liter. Caltex, Seaoil, and Shell will also slash kerosene prices by PHP2.10 per liter. The oil price adjustments will take effect at…

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The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has deployed its newest and largest vessel, BRP Teresa Magbanua, on Monday to participate in the Regional Marine Pollution Exercise (MARPOLEX) 2022 in Indonesia next week. In a send-off ceremony, PCG Admiral Artemio Abu said BRP Teresa Magbanua will be joined by BRP Gabriela Silang, BRP Malapascua, and BRP Cape Engaño in the exercise, to assess and improve the oil spill capabilities of the Philippines and Indonesia, with Japan joining the event to “guide improvement.” “They will also enhance cooperation and capability in firefighting, rescue,…

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Troops under the Army’s 30th Infantry Battalion (30IB) overran a communist New People’s Army (NPA) lair following an encounter in the peripheries of Barangay Pungtod, in Bacuag town, Surigao del Norte, Sunday. In a statement Monday, 30IB said soldiers were deployed to check on reports about NPA harassment of civilians in the area. “The NPAs were sowing fear among the residents in the area by forcing them to provide food,” the 30IB said. Before reaching Barangay Pungtod, soldiers were fired upon by the insurgents, resulting in a 30-minute skirmish. Citing…

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The Negros Occidental provincial government launched its first tourism fair in two years on Monday as it explores other ways to attract more tourists to recover from the effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic. Dubbed the Lakbayanihan Tourism Fair 2022, the event, which runs until May 29, promotes tourism attractions across the province’s 32 city and municipal governments, including the capital city of Bacolod. Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said the participation of almost all local government units is a demonstration and affirmation of the Negrenses’ resilience. “For two…

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The spokesperson of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Monday said the recent national and local elections was one of the most successful, as he dismissed claims of electoral fraud and other forms of cheating. DILG spokesperson and Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said the allegations are not supported with data and facts on the ground. “Essentially napakaganda po ng nakaraang eleksyon (the recent election was commendable). I think this is one of the most successful conduct of elections in recent memory,’’ Malaya said during the National Task…

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The tennis top seed in men’s singles, Novak Djokovic on Sunday was crowned the 2022 Internazionali BNL d’Italia (Italian Open) champion in Rome. Serbian superstar Djokovic won against his Greek opponent Stefanos Tsitsipas with sets of 6-0, 7-6 in the men’s singles final that lasted an hour and 36 minutes in the Italian capital. Twenty-time Grand Slam winner Djokovic thus sealed his sixth Internazionali BNL d’Italia title. Meanwhile, in the women’s category, Iga Swiatek from Poland won the Internazionali BNL d’Italia to defend her title. The world no. 1 in…

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Government employees will now be receiving a night shift differential pay, according to a new law signed by President Rodrigo Duterte. Republic Act (RA) No. 11701, signed by Duterte on April 13, grants a night shift differential pay to government employees including those in government-owned or -controlled corporations (GOCCs) working between the hours of 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. “Government employees occupying position items from Division Chief and below, or their equivalent, including those in government-owned or -controlled corporations, whether the nature of their employment is permanent, contractual, temporary, or…

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The OCTA Research Group said Monday there are no threats of increase in Covid-19 cases so far to warrant a downgrade in the current alert level of Metro Manila and other areas. In a televised public briefing, OCTA Research fellow Dr. Guido David said the country’s positivity rate is 1.1 percent and reproduction rate is 0.6 percent. “Hindi pa siya tumataas to greater than one, so we’re still okay. Pati ‘yung hospitalization rate, mababa pa rin naman (It has not gone up to greater than one, so we’re still okay.…

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