Category: General

Manila: Former United Coconut Planters Bank president and CEO Jose Querubin has taken his oath of office as a Monetary Board member (MBM) of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). In a statement on Friday, the BSP said Querubin took his oath of office on Thursday at the BSP head office in Manila. Querubin will serve as a member of the Monetary Board until July 2, 2026. Before joining the BSP’s highest policy-making body, Querubin served as the United Coconut Planters Bank president and CEO from 2003 to 2007. He was also a board member of the ASEAN Finance Corporation

Washington: The United States on Thursday said it is seeking new export controls on quantum computing, advanced semiconductor manufacturing equipment and other technologies, in what it called a national security measure that observers said would have limited ramifications on South Korean firms. The Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security released an interim final rule on the export controls as the U.S. has been working in tandem with allies and partners to tighten such controls on critical technologies amid its intensifying rivalry with China over security and technological leadership. The rule establishes new “License Exception Implemented Export Controls” under which

Manila: Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Friday issued a stern warning to agricultural cartels, vowing that those involved in price manipulation and the smuggling of essential goods — acts considered economic sabotage — will face not only massive fines but will also be thrown behind bars. “Economic sabotage is a crime of the highest order. The law demands life imprisonment for large-scale agricultural smuggling, and we will make sure those responsible face the full force of justice. These cartels are not just committing fraud, they are endangering our food security and destroying the livelihoods of our farmers,” Romualdez said

Jakarta: Pope Francis presided over a grand Mass at Gelora Karno (GBK) Stadium in Jakarta, late Thursday afternoon, where he was received by over 87,000 Catholics. The Mass which was attended by Catholics from several regions across Indonesia, began around 5 p.m. local time. Pope Francis arrived at the GBK complex at 4 p.m. and was greeted by President Joko Widodo and his aides who had arrived earlier. After shaking hands and having a brief conversation with Widodo, the Holy See leader proceeded to ride a modified Indonesia-made Maung MV3 car with an open roof to greet the people who

Manila: A party-list lawmaker on Friday urged the Land Registration Authority (LRA) to initiate forfeiture proceedings on the real estate assets held by illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), as well as the family of dismissed Bamban mayor Alice Guo. In a statement, Puwersa ng Bayaning Atleta (PBA) Rep. Margarita Nograles said these landholdings are in direct violation of the Philippine Constitution, which prohibits foreigners from owning land in the country. She said foreign entities and individuals, including those involved in POGO operations, have been exploiting legal loopholes to acquire property. Guo is facing complaints about her alleged involvement in