Category: General

Manila: The Sandiganbayan has found former Maguindanao governor Datu Sajid Ampatuan guilty beyond reasonable doubt of graft and malversation of public funds involving PHP400 million intended for the construction and rehabilitation of 22 farm-to-market roads (FMRs) in 2009. In its 66-page decision promulgated on Oct. 18 and shared Monday, the Sandiganbayan sentenced Ampatuan to up to 40 years in the malversation charge and ordered a fine and restitution totaling PHP786 million. He was sentenced to up to 12 years for the separate charge of violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. Two of Ampatuan’s co-accused, provincial treasurer Oscar Bandila

Manila: The country’s agricultural production will be continually boosted with the strengthened cooperation with Italy, according to Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. In a statement on Monday, the Department of Agriculture (DA) reported an agreement on a draft memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Philippines and Italy during the World Food Day celebrations last Oct. 16 in Rome. ‘Italy’s agricultural machinery industry is world-class, and the Philippines can greatly benefit from this expertise as we modernize our agricultural sector,’ Tiu Laurel said. The draft partnership, which was presented during the meeting with Italian Minister of Agriculture Francesco Lollobrigida, aims

Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s satisfaction and trust ratings saw a slight increase in October, a survey by polling firm Tangere showed on Monday. The Tangere survey, conducted from Oct. 16 to 19, bared that Marcos’ satisfaction rating increased to 46.9 percent, up from 46.4 percent in the previous month, while his trust rating rose to 59.3 percent from 58.8 percent. The pollster noted that support for Marcos was strongest in Northern and Central Luzon. The highest levels of satisfaction and trust were reported among younger respondents aged 18 to 35. The highest levels of dissatisfaction and distrust towards

Manila: The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) said a giant transport hub to rival the size of the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) will be built on its three-hectare property in Quezon City. In a statement on Monday, GSIS said the transport hub dubbed as ‘Project Hub’, will be located at the corner of the Elliptical Road and Commonwealth Avenue. The project is expected to provide much needed augmentation to several major transport lines already plying through the area. By 2027, the hub is expected to enhance access to the neighboring Philcoa Station of the Metro Rail Transit-7 (MRT-7) when

LEGAZPI CITY – The Police Regional Office (PRO) 5 (Bicol) confiscated nearly PHP3 million worth of illegal drugs and arrested 53 drug suspects in various anti-drug operations from Oct. 14 to 20. In a report on Monday, PRO-5 director Brig. Gen. Andre Dizon said the 48 successful anti-drug operations in the six provinces of the region and one component city resulted in the seizure of 408.6540 grams of shabu worth PHP2.7 million. Camarines Norte recorded the highest amount of drugs seized with PHP1.59 million; followed by Camarines Sur –PHP825,411.20; Albay –PHP213,520; Naga City –PHP81,260; Masbate –PHP56,440; and Sorsogon –PHP2,380. Catanduanes