General

Manila: The Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) raised PHP28 billion from the Treasury bills (T-bills) auction on Monday, surpassing the original PHP22-billion offering. According to Philippines News Agency, the auction was 3.1 times oversubscribed, with total bids reaching PHP67.2 billion. This oversubscription led the Auction Committee to double the accepted non-competitive bids for the 182-day securities to PHP5.6 billion for the 364-day T-bills. Total tenders for the 91-day T-bills amounted to PHP18.82 billion, and the Auction Committee accepted PHP7 billion, with the yield settling at 5.157 percent. The BTr successfully raised PHP9.8 billion from the 182-day Treasury bills, which was

Bicol: A total of 100,414 minimum wage earners in the Bicol Region will receive an additional PHP40 in their daily wages following the approval of the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB). Wage Order No. RBV-22 has increased the daily minimum wage in the region from PHP395 to PHP435 for all sectors and industries, according to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in a news release on Monday. According to Philippines News Agency, the wage adjustment will be implemented in two tranches, with the first on April 5 and the second on December 1. Retail and service establishments

Midsayap: Civilians in three towns within the Special Geographic Area of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (SGA-BARMM) have surrendered 41 unlicensed firearms to support peace and development efforts, a military official announced. Lt. Col. Edgardo Batinay, commander of the Army’s 34th Infantry Battalion (34IB), confirmed that the firearms were turned over by residents of Nabalawag, Kadayangan, and Pahamuddin. According to Philippines News Agency, on Sunday, Batinay presented the weapons to Brig. Gen. Ricky Bunayog, commander of the 602nd Army Brigade, during a ceremony held at the 34IB headquarters in Midsayap, North Cotabato. Batinay highlighted the significance of the

Manila: The Supreme Court (SC) has upheld the life imprisonment sentence of an Australian national and a Filipina found guilty of recruiting minors for prostitution, pornography, and sexual exploitation. According to Philippines News Agency, the SC’s Second Division affirmed the conviction of Peter Gerald Scully and Carme Ann Alvarez for qualified trafficking under Republic Act (RA) 9208, also known as the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003. The case stemmed from an incident on September 19, 2014, when Alvarez lured two young girls, aged nine and 12, from a mall by offering them food and promising more if they accompanied

Manila: Drainage rehabilitation activities along Laong Laan Street in Sampaloc, Manila started on Monday, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) reported. The project, aimed at improving infrastructure in the area, has commenced amid expectations of completion by April 7. According to Philippines News Agency, the DPWH-North Manila District Engineering Office is overseeing the repair works, which include the first phase of rehabilitation spanning 20 linear meters in length and three meters in width. This section of Laong Laan Street, located between Vicente Cruz and Miguelin Streets, will see significant improvements as part of the ongoing efforts. The project