General

Laoag: This city is set to hold a victory party for its athletes on Saturday for retaining the overall championship in the recently concluded Region 1 Athletic Association (R1AA) meet in Bacnotan, La Union. According to Philippines News Agency, the city’s 507 athletes bagged 82 gold, 85 silver, and 56 bronze medals in the multi-event competition. Laoag City Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Joanne Corpuz stated that this achievement demonstrates that a small division like theirs can perform as well as, or even better than, larger ones. Dr. Corpuz attributed the success of the city’s athletes to the full support of

Malaca±ang: Malaca±ang on Tuesday endorsed the call for the Commission on Audit (COA) to initiate a fraud investigation into the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao’s (BARMM) management of its PHP6.4-billion Local Government Support Fund (LGSF). According to Philippines News Agency, the endorsement follows a recommendation from the House Committee on Public Accounts on Monday for the audit body to conduct a fraud audit on the BARMM’s allocation of LGSF to select villages in the region. Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro emphasized the importance of the investigation during a Palace press briefing. She stated, “Alam

Manila: The local stock market shed on profit-taking after a three-day rally Tuesday, while the peso closed sideways against the greenback. The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) declined by 0.34 percent to 6,284.68, while All Shares inched up by 0.007 percent to 3,723.09 points. According to Philippines News Agency, Philippine shares gave up some gains after recent trading in the green, driven by tariff uncertainties and weak consumer confidence. Retail sales rose by 0.2 percent, which was below forecasts, as noted by Regina Capital Development Corp. head of sales Luis Limlingan, referring to developments in the US. US retail sales

Manila: The Northern Samar provincial government is upbeat about attracting more investments after securing the second presidential recognition for carrying out measures to facilitate the entry of major businesses. Jhon Allen Berbon, head of the Northern Samar provincial economic development and investment promotions office (PEDIPO), said in a phone interview Tuesday that the award, conferred in Malaca±ang on March 13, is a testament to a solid investment climate and government support in the province. According to Philippines News Agency, the province was recognized for implementing the Northern Samar One-Stop Action Center for Strategic Investments (OSACSI), the first local government unit

Manila: Former executive secretary Salvador Medialdea is receiving medical treatment at a Dutch hospital after he ‘fell ill’ while visiting former president Rodrigo Duterte at the International Criminal Court (ICC) detention center, the Philippine Embassy in the Netherlands said Tuesday. A close relative of Medialdea is at the hospital with him, providing support during his treatment. According to Philippines News Agency, Medialdea was at the ICC detention center early morning on March 18 (Central European Time) for a scheduled visit to Duterte. He reportedly fell ill while registering at the reception counter at around 8:55 a.m., prompting an embassy official