General

Manila: Malaca±ang on Thursday challenged Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong to substantiate his claim that the 2025 national budget was being used as an “election fund.” According to Philippines News Agency, in a Palace press briefing, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro stated that it would be beneficial for Magalong to provide evidence so that the issues surrounding the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA) could be thoroughly examined. Castro emphasized the importance of presenting evidence to clarify the validity of Magalong’s claims. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed the 2025 GAA on December 30, 2024.

Manila: JG Summit Holdings, Inc., the Gokongwei family’s listed holding company, is banking on the expected easing of inflation to drive revenue growth this year. JG Summit reported Thursday that its revenues grew 11 percent, reaching PHP379.7 billion in 2024, with core profits increasing by 29 percent to PHP24.9 billion year-on-year. According to Philippines News Agency, the company attributed its strong bottom line last year to a PHP7.9-billion gain following the merger of its banking subsidiary, Robinsons Bank, with Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) on January 1, 2024. This gain offset losses in other business segments, such as lower

Manila: The Bureau of Immigration’s (BI) decision to relieve personnel suspected of facilitating the trafficking of Filipinos was lauded by Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, calling it a positive step in the government’s fight against transnational crime. ‘The BI’s move shows resolve in addressing human trafficking. The alarming rise in cases involving Filipinos seeking jobs abroad demands an urgent and unified government response,’ Gatchalian said in a statement. According to Philippines News Agency, BI Commissioner Joel Viado announced that several officers assigned at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) were relieved of their posts. These officers were allegedly assisting Filipinos in traveling to

Ilocos Norte: The number of rabies cases in Ilocos Norte has been decreasing, with the provincial government attributing it to the continuous anti-rabies vaccination at the barangay level as well as massive information and education drives. According to Philippines News Agency, Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) chief Dr. Loida Valenzuela noted that the positivity rate dropped from 85.78 percent in 2023 to 74.44 percent in 2024, marking a difference of 11.34 percent. This data is based on 181 confirmed cases in 2023 compared to 68 confirmed cases in 2024. In a positive trend, the Provincial Health Office (PHO) reported no rabies

Agusan del Norte: Environment officials in Agusan del Norte will donate 16,494 board feet of confiscated lumber to support a housing project for former communist rebels, authorities announced Thursday. The Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) in Nasipit said the materials, seized during 2023 anti-illegal logging operations, would help construct homes in Sitio Talaganahaw, Barangay Talo-ao, Buenavista town. The project aims to provide 123 housing units through a partnership between provincial and municipal governments. According to Philippines News Agency, the Office of the Presidential Adviser for Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) has allocated PHP10 million (USD180,000) for the initial