Category: General

Manila: The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Monday announced that numerous markets in Metro Manila are complying with the maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) of PHP58 per kilogram for imported rice on the first day of its implementation. According to Philippines News Agency, the MSRP initiative aims to curb profiteering and stabilize rising rice prices, specifically targeting 5 percent broken imported rice. DA spokesperson Arnel De Mesa expressed satisfaction with the compliance observed in many Metro Manila markets during a morning inspection. He noted that most markets are selling 5 percent broken rice at or below the MSRP, with prices

Manila: The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is considering pushing to an earlier schedule the filing of the certificates of candidacy (COC) for the 2028 elections. In an interview on Monday, Comelec Chairperson George Garcia stated that instead of the usual October 2027 timeframe, they are planning to conduct the filing period in July of that year. According to Philippines News Agency, Garcia explained that holding the COC filing in July would allow sufficient time to resolve potential cases. He emphasized that candidates are only officially recognized during the campaign period. By filing in July, there would be ample time to

Caraga: The Police Regional Office in Caraga (PRO-13) has successfully arrested 15 of the most wanted individuals linked to gender-based crimes through a series of manhunt operations conducted last week. According to Philippines News Agency, the arrests comprised seven regional-level most wanted persons (MWPs), one provincial-level MWP, and seven municipal-level MWPs. The operations were executed through arrest warrants issued by local courts, underscoring the collaborative efforts between law enforcement and judicial authorities. Among those apprehended was a suspect identified as ‘Jef’, aged 39, who is ranked third on the regional MWP list. He is facing charges for allegedly raping a

Iloilo City: Taxi driver Anthony Aguirre, 52, from Pavia town earned the admiration of the city government after returning a backpack containing PHP2.4 million in cash left behind by a passenger. Aguirre will be conferred the title Honorary Citizen of Iloilo City and rewarded with PHP20,000 cash. ‘His actions reflect the integrity and compassion of Ilonggos,’ Mayor Jerry Tre±as said in a statement on Monday. According to Philippines News Agency, Aguirre transported the passenger on January 17 from a hotel to the Lapuz roll-on, roll-off wharf bound for Palawan province. The following day, his operator received a call from the

Butuan City: The Department of Agrarian Reform in Caraga (DAR-13) awarded certificates of land ownership award (CLOAs) to 5,898 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) across the region in 2024, covering a total of 10,073.672 hectares of farmland. According to Philippines News Agency, DAR-13 Regional Director Merlinda Capinpuyan highlighted the key land title distribution events last year, including one on Feb. 16, led by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III. Two additional distribution ceremonies were held on Nov. 12 and Nov. 23. Of the total CLOA recipients, 5,487 received e-titles under the Support to Parcelization of