General

Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. wants an intensified campaign against misinformation and disinformation, as he is ‘slightly affected’ by the alarming surge in fake news on social media platforms, Malaca±ang said Tuesday. Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Marcos is seeking the PCO’s help in combatting fake news, considering that the First Family is being targeted by persons who are purveying false information. According to Philippines News Agency, Castro mentioned that Marcos is dismayed over the proliferation of fake news on the internet and social media. ‘Kaya po tayo nandito ay para labanan

Legazpi City: Workers in the Bicol Region have expressed their gratitude towards the government, particularly the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE-5), following the approval of a PHP40 wage increase by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB). This increase is set to benefit over 100,000 minimum wage earners across the region. According to Philippines News Agency, DOLE-5 Director and RTWPB Chair Imelda Gatinao announced during a press conference that the wage adjustment will be implemented in two phases: an initial PHP20 increase effective April 5, followed by an additional PHP20 increase on December 1. Gatinao emphasized that the

Gyeongju: Iloilo’s Dinagyang Festival received two awards from the International Festivals and Events Association (IFEA) Asia during the 2025 Global Festival Summit in Gyeongju, Republic of Korea on March 21. According to Philippines News Agency, the Dinagyang Festival was named Best Overall Entertainment Program for the Pinnacle Awards Asia 2025 and Asia Dynamic Festival (Dancing Festival) of 2025 for the Asia Festival Awards. Joyce Clavecillas, executive director of the Iloilo Festival Foundation, Inc. (IFFI), mentioned in an interview that they were the sole contingent from the Philippines to receive these honors. Clavecillas was uncertain if other groups from the Philippines

Quezon City: The Department of Science and Technology – National Capital Region (DOST-NCR) is urging returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to leverage its iFWDPH (Innovations for Filipino Workers and their Families) program to bring their business concepts to life. According to Philippines News Agency, during the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas event organized by the Philippine Information Agency in Quezon City, DOST-NCR Director Romelen Tresvalles highlighted that the program provides OFWs with business training, technical support, and funding assistance. Tresvalles expressed the program’s aim for OFWs to establish technology-based businesses upon their return to the Philippines. The program includes capacity-building activities

Manila: The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) said Tuesday that detained Chinese businessman Tony Yang has been hospitalized after a medical emergency. Yang, whose real name is Yang Jian Xin, is facing charges in connection with Philippine offshore gaming operations (POGOs). According to Philippines News Agency, in a statement sent to reporters, PAOCC spokesperson Winston Casio said Yang was rushed to the St. Luke’s Medical Center in Taguig City on Monday afternoon after complaining of congested chest pains and showing the on-duty PAOCC personnel his blood-covered handkerchief. “He has been diagnosed with suspected tuberculosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease by