General

Manila: The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) has given the green light for the importation of 424,000 metric tons (MT) of refined sugar under Sugar Order 8. This approval marks the first instance of sugar importation for the 2024-2025 cropping year, aiming to maintain a stable sugar supply for domestic consumption and a reliable buffer stock. According to Philippines News Agency, the current supply of refined sugar in the country stood at 1.12 million MT as of June 22, as reported by the SRA. The importation initiative seeks to bolster this supply, ensuring it meets the needs of the population. The

Manila: The Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) has announced the first four official entries for this year’s festival, which will be showcased in cinemas across the nation starting December 25. According to Philippines News Agency, the MMFF revealed in a statement on Wednesday that the initial entries were selected based on their scripts, representing a broad range of genres and showcasing the “creativity and versatility of Filipino filmmakers.” The chosen films include ‘Call Me Mother,’ directed by Jun Robles and featuring Vice Ganda and Nadine Lustre; ‘Rekonek,’ directed by Jade Castro with a cast comprising Carmina Villaroel, Gloria Diaz, Alexa

Butuan city: Indigenous People (IP) leaders in the Caraga Region view the recent death of communist New People’s Army (NPA) commander Roel Tremidal Neniel as justice for the many IPs executed under his command. Neniel, commanding officer of the NPA’s North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC), was killed Monday in an encounter with troops from the Philippine Army’s 901st Infantry Brigade (901Bde) in the hinterlands of Barangay Pianing here. According to Philippines News Agency, Datu Rico Maca, the IP Mandatory Representative (IPMR) of San Miguel, Surigao del Sur, expressed that Neniel had been a source of terror in remote IP

Manila: A total of 42 private developers have committed to deliver 251,846 socialized housing units under the administration’s Expanded Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) program. In a news release on Wednesday, the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) said the commitment was formalized in a joint letter by top officials of four major developer groups. According to Philippines News Agency, these groups are the Chamber of Real Estate and Builders’ Associations, Inc., National Real Estate Association, Organization of Socialized and Economic Housing Developers of the Philippines, and the Subdivision and Housing Developers Association, Inc. The letter expressed

Manila: Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office: Chairperson and retired Regional Trial Court judge Felix Reyes on Wednesday denied allegations that he fixed cases for businessman Atong Ang in connection with the ongoing probe on the missing ‘sabungeros’ (cockfighting aficionados). According to Philippines News Agency, Reyes rejected the claims made by whistleblower Julie “Dondon” Patidongan, alias Totoy, who accused him of manipulating cases filed against Ang and allegedly traveling abroad with prosecutors and judges to do so. Reyes stated, “I categorically deny such wild accusations of Mr. Patidongan. I dare him to identify any specific case of Mr. Atong Ang or anything