House approves federalism bill on second reading
The House of Representatives on Tuesday, December 4, approved the Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) 15, a proposal to shift to a federal government, on its second reading. “Many provisions…
Category: Metro-Manila
Covering the week’s most noteworthy news stories in Metro-Manila for the Filipino-American and Global Filipino community.
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Robredo tells lawmakers: Focus on lowering prices, not Charter change
Vice President Leni Robredo urged the House of Representatives to find ways to bring down prices and give more jobs to Filipinos rather than change the Constitution. “Imbes na maghain ng…
Palace: ‘Everybody is entitled to a joke’
Malacañang defended President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday, December 4, stating that the leader can make jokes in public speeches just like everyone else. “Everybody is entitled to a joke,” Presidential…
‘Physically impossible’ to sign 2019 budget by December 15 – Sotto
Senate President Vicente Sotto III on Monday, December 3, said that it is not physically possible to approve the P3.757-trillion budget for 2019 by mid-December due to time constraints. “Not…
Duterte ‘jokes’ about cannabis use to keep up with grueling schedule
President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday, December 3, said he uses marijuana to stay awake and keep up with the tight schedules along with the other heads of states. “It’s a…
Duterte dismisses possibility of nationwide martial law
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday, November 27, dismissed the public’s fears that he would declare martial law nationwide after he ordered the deployment of troops in several areas in…
Locsin wants tighter coordination between PH, China coastguards
According to Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr., there is a need to tighten coordination between the coast guards of the Philippines and China. This is…
House passes P3.75 trillion 2019 budget bill
THE proposed General Appropriations Act or the P3.757-trillion budget for 2019 has been passed on its third and final reading by the House of Representatives. The P3.757 trillion budget is…
Palace: Duterte is ‘physically fit’
Malacañang on Tuesday, November 27, said President Rodrigo Duterte is in good physical condition amid health issues critics have raised because he had skipped a number of Association of Southeast…
DOT Accredits Deaf Tour Guides
Manila, Philippines — The Department of Tourism (DOT) has accredited at least 13 tour guides whose first assignment was to shepherd 30 students from the Philippine School for the Deaf…
Business Innovation Congress Manila 2018 calls to take advantage of technology to meet evolving consumer needs
Pasay City, November 25, 2018—Following its success in China, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Thailand, the Business Innovation Congress opened its first congress in the Philippines at Conrad Manila with the theme:…
Palace: Details of PH and China deals to be released
Amid critics calling for transparency, Malacañang has promised it will issue the details concerning the deals signed during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s official two-day visit to the Philippines earlier this…
China, PH sign 29 deals
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday, November 20, signed 29 agreements signifying a “milestone in the history of exchange” between the two countries. “Thanks to…
Chinese President Xi visits Manila, declares friendship with PH
Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in the Philippines on Tuesday, November 20, for a two-day state visit to address the issues that tie the two countries together including the West…
Sandiganbayan lets Imelda Marcos post P150K bail
The Sandiganbayan on Friday, November 16, granted former first lady Imelda Marcos’ plea to post bail amounting to a total of P150,000 while the anti-graft court assessed her motion to…
PNP against the release of narco list
THE Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday, November 13, expressed its disapproval of releasing the “narco list” of politicians allegedly involved in the illegal drug trade. They echoed the sentiments…
DOJ insists on the validity of Trillanes’ amnesty revocation
The Department of Justice (DOJ) insisted on Tuesday, November 13, that President Rodrigo Duterte’s order regarding the amnesty revocation granted to Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV by former President Benigno “Noynoy”…
Customs eases rules on balikbayan boxes
THE Bureau of Customs (BoC) has eased the guidelines for qualified Filipinos availing themselves of the duty- and tax-free privilege of consolidated balikbayan boxes. Customs Memorandum Order (CMO) No. 18-2018,…
Miss Earth 2018 bets accuse Filipino sponsor of sexual harassment
THREE contestants from Miss Earth have come forward about the sexual harassment they allegedly experienced in the Philippines throughout the competition. Miss Earth bets Jaime VandenBerg of Canada, Abbey-Anne Gyles-Brown…
Philippine court affirms Jeane Napoles P40-M tax deficiency
THE Philippine Court of Tax Appeals (CTA) on Thursday, November 8, affirmed the P40.028 million tax deficiency of Jeane Catherine Napoles, the youngest daughter of alleged pork barrel scam mastermind…
Inflation flat at 6.7%
According to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) on Tuesday, November 6, the unchanged inflation print for the month — despite the growth of consumer goods’ prices remaining elevated in…
CAAP clarifies issue on OFW terminal fee, travel tax refunds
Clarification on the issue regarding Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello’s call for the agency to return the terminal fees and travel taxes collected from overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) has been made…
Duterte denies military takeover of BOC
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday, November 6, personally denied that he ordered the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to take over the functions of Bureau of Customs (BOC)…
Duterte intensifies illegal drug campaign
Plans to form task force to curb illegal drug trade Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Tuesday, November 6, revealed that a move to intensify the anti-drug campaigns especially on illegal…
Duterte orders military takeover of Customs
President Rodrigo Duterte announced the takeover of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on the Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Sunday, October 28, days after he fired BOC officials…
Pres. Duterte dismisses Customs officials amid drug scandal
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday, October 25 fired all commissioners and department heads of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) amid controversy that P6.8 billion worth of shabu was uncovered….
Facebook purges 95 pages and 39 accounts in the Philippines
SOCIAL networking site Facebook on Tuesday, October 23, has shut down a total of 95 pages and 39 accounts linked to President Rodrigo Duterte and Imee Marcos, daughter of the…
PAL gears up for nonstop flights to New York!
ON October 29, 2018, 4-Star carrier Philippine Airlines will mark another milestone in aviation history as the first airline to mount a direct nonstop service to the Big Apple from…
House restores VP in line of succession in draft charter
A Philippine lawmaker on Thursday, October 11, revealed that House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has “readily agreed” to bring back the vice president as the first successor to the presidency in…
NBI arrests ‘notorious forger’ over fake US visa application
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has arrested a previously convicted master forger for allegedly falsifying documents once again. Dubbed as the “golden hand,” Manuel Bala has already served time…