General

Manila: Filipinos continue to pay their last respects to the late Pope Francis as they lined up at the Embassy of the Holy See-Apostolic Nunciature situated along Taft Avenue, Manila. “It is really a joy to witness the outpouring of affection for Pope Francis that we’re seeing today. Not only today, but in these last several days after the departure from this earth of Pope Francis on Easter Monday,” Papal Nuncio to the Philippines Archbishop Charles Brown said in an interview on Tuesday. According to Philippines News Agency, people from all walks of life have trooped to the Apostolic Nunciature

Binalonan: The Land Transportation Office (LTO) is set to open 20 additional offices following the recent inauguration of the Binalonan District Office in Pangasinan. This move is part of a broader initiative to enhance the LTO’s operational capacity and efficiency. According to Philippines News Agency, LTO Chief, Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II, announced the expansion and improvement plans after President Ferdinand R. Marcos signed 20 legislative measures aimed at boosting LTO operations. These developments are expected to reduce the time, effort, and financial burden for the public when dealing with the LTO. Mendoza emphasized the commitment to making government services

Manila: The Union Bank of the Philippines (Unionbank) announced on Monday that its digitalization investments have adequately prepared it for the implementation of the central bank’s open finance strategy in 2021. Unionbank President and CEO Ana Aboitiz-Delgado emphasized their collaboration with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to advance the open finance system. According to Philippines News Agency, Delgado made these remarks during an online briefing hosted by publicly-listed Aboitiz Equity Ventures (AEV). She highlighted the industry’s nascent stage of open finance, noting that cooperation among industry players is crucial. “Open finance is in very early days in the industry

Manila: Governor Peter Unabia affirmed on Tuesday that he continues to be an official candidate in the upcoming May 12 elections, despite facing a disqualification petition filed by the Commission on Elections (Comelec). According to Philippines News Agency, Unabia clarified in a statement that his camp has not received an official copy of Comelec’s disqualification complaint, which started circulating online earlier this week. Unabia, who is running for a second term, emphasized that the ultimate decision rests with the people of Misamis Oriental, who he believes are the best judges of who can serve them most effectively. The disqualification petition

Quezon City: Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. on Tuesday called for support for the upcoming launch of the PHP20 per kilogram rice program in Visayas and Metro Manila. In a press conference at the DA central office, he emphasized that the program is not affiliated with any political efforts amid the upcoming May 12 midterm elections. According to Philippines News Agency, Tiu Laurel urged the public to support the smooth implementation of the program, highlighting its potential benefits for all citizens regardless of political affiliation. “I’m not a politician so I don’t really care,” he stated,