General

KUALA LUMPUR, The Drug Dependants (Treatment and Rehabilitation) (Amendment) Bill 2024, which was tabled for its second reading, has been deferred and will now be referred to two Parliamentary Special Select Committees (PSSC) for further engagement. Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the decision to defer the bill, which has been under discussion since last week, was made in accordance with Standing Order 62 after careful consideration of views from members of parliament, in addition to ensuring that the bill is refined and meets the highest legislative standards upon approval. ‘During this period, we will invite all relevant

ILOILO CITY: Two Ilonggo leaders rallied behind Senator Sonny Angara following his appointment as the new head of the Department of Education (DepEd), replacing Vice President Sara Duterte, who will relinquish the Cabinet post on July 19. Rep. Julienne Baronda said she had known Angara when she was still president of the Sangguniang Kabataan of Iloilo City. She said she knows how passionate and dedicated Angara is to serving the public. ‘I know very well, too, how he values education as a platform to help people uplift their lives. I have no doubt he will champion initiatives that would improve

MANILA: Operatives of the Philippine National Police-Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG) seized more than PHP1.2 million worth of kush (high-grade marijuana) and ecstasy in a buy-bust in Pasay City on Wednesday. In a report, PDEG chief Brig. Gen. Eleazar Matta said Mark Cedrick Nicolas, 26, was arrested during the operation along Service Road, Roxas Boulevard at about 5:50 a.m. Seized from Nicolas were about 700 grams of kush with an estimated street value of PHP1.05 million and 100 ecstasy tablets with an estimated drug price of PHP170,000, as well as other pieces of non-drug evidence. “I’d like to underscore to everyone

MANILA: The guidelines on the sale of semi-automatic rifles to civilians would soon be released, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Wednesday. In an interview at Camp Crame, Quezon City, PNP Civil Security Group (CSG) spokesperson Lt. Col. Eudisan Gultiano said they are in the ‘final stage’ of drafting the memorandum circular for the measure. ‘Hopefully, makakarating na ito kay Chief PNP (Gen. Rommel Marbil) within this week or the following week kasi minamadali na rin ni Chief PNP actually ito, special directive niya rin ito sa FEO (Firearms and Explosives Office) na tapusin na itong guidelines about sa pagbebenta

MANILA: The management and the labor unions of the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel in Pasay City have agreed to settle their labor dispute after the closure of the establishment amid safety concerns, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said on Wednesday. In a news release, the DOLE said the National Union of Workers in Hotel, Restaurant and Allied Industries (NUWHRAIN) – Philippine Plaza Chapter (rank-and-file Union), Philippine Plaza Supervisor’s Chapter (supervisory workers’ union) and the Philippine Plaza Holdings, Inc. (management) signed a two-page settlement agreement at the agency’s main office in Intramuros, Manila on Tuesday. Under the agreement, the