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LUCENA CITY -- Exiled Communist rebel leader Jose Maria "Joma" Sison assailed the proposed P21-billion fund to address the needs of the so-called "insurgency-cleared and threatened" villages across the country. "Claims of clearing barangays with public money used as payment will only be a kind of racket for military officers who will pocket the money," Sison, Communist Party of the Philippines founder, said in a statement from his base in Utrecht in The Netherlands on Wednesday. He further claimed that the proposed budget was "like the racket of faking lists of New People's Army (NPA) surrenderers and casualties by which military officers pocketed large amounts of public money." ...

Keep on reading: Joma hits P21-B barangay budget vs NPA

MANILA, Philippines --- The Department of Transporation (DOTr), particularly its technical working group (TWG), and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), have been ordered to submit a weekly report on the operation of motorcycles-for-hire services to the House Committee on Metro Manila Development. Quezon City Rep. Anthony Peter Crisologo on Wednesday moved to require the TWG and the MMDA to submit a report containing data on apprehensions and compliances related to the three motorcycles-for-hire services participating in the government's pilot study. "May I move that the DOTr, MMDA submit, if possible, weekly data to this committee regarding the apprehensions, rega...

Keep on reading: House panel to DOTr, MMDA: Submit weekly report on motorcycles-for-hire

MANILA, Philippines --- Three Filipinos who claimed they were hired to work in Jeju, South Korea were intercepted at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) after immigration officers found they might have been duped by their recruiter. Bureau of Immigrations Travel Control and Enforcement Unit (BI-TCEU) said the three were stopped at the departure area of NAIA Terminal 1 on January 22 before they were able to board a flight to Hong Kong where they were supposed to get on a connecting flight to Jeju. According to BI-TCEU chief Ma. Timotea Barizo, the men initially claimed they had jobs here in the country and that they were going to Korea only for vacation. "But what spark...

Keep on reading: 3 Filipino Jeju-bound ‘tourists’ intercepted at NAIA

MANILA, Philippines --- Over 100,000 applications nationwide have been processed since the resumption of voter registration for the May 2022 national and local elections on Jan. 20, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said Wednesday. In just a week, from Jan. 20 to 25, the poll body processed a total of 105,676 applications for registration, transfer of registration records, change/correction of entries in the registration record, reactivation of registration record, and reinstatement of name in the list of voters. The National Capital Region recorded the highest number of applications at 19,438. Calabarzon and Central Luzon follow at 18,993 and 10,202, respectively. Nationwid...

Keep on reading: Over 100K apply as voter registration resumes

TALISAY, Batangas ---- The Philippine Coast Guard laid out about a hundred floating buoys across Taal Lake on Wednesday to mark the seven-kilometer-circumference identified as a danger zone around the restive Taal Volcano. Taal Volcano remained under Alert Level 3 even as it visibly showed fewer smoke plumes and ground activities, weeks following its phreatic eruption on Jan. 12. Coast Guard commander for Southern Luzon Artemio Abu, in a phone interview from Batangas' capital city, said several floating fish cages, especially in parts of Agoncillo and Laurel towns, fell inside the restricted area that authorities measured from the Taal volcano's main crater and down the surroun...

Keep on reading: Coast Guard lays out ‘orange’ markers across Taal Lake

MANILA, Philippines --- The Bureau of Customs (BOC) is on full alert status to prevent the entry and spread of the novel coronavirus and assured that it will keep a close eye on items shipped from countries with confirmed nCoV cases.   BOC Assistant Commissioner Vince Maronilla said Wednesday it is coordinating with the Department of Health (DOH) and Department of Agriculture (DA) in overseeing items, especially food products, arriving in the country.   "The intelligence and enforcement groups of the Bureau of Customs are now on full alert as per order of the Commissioner guarding against all items, not just food items, by which we coordinate with the DOH and the DA...

Keep on reading: Customs on the lookout for virus-tainted shipments

A recording of a 2018 dinner-- made public by Lev Parnas, the indicted associate of the President's personal attorney--offers not only a new window into a world of sycophants and operators who vie for a place at Trump's table, but also disturbing proof that the President is just as narcissistic, erratic and ill-informed in private as he is in public, writes Michael D'Antonio.

MANILA, Philippines - A measure mandating the use of body cameras by law enforcement officers during operations has been considered approved by the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs.   Committee chairman Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa wrapped up the hearings on the issue, although "minor kinks" will still be ironed out by the technical working group.   "At the committee level, it's considered approved," Dela Rosa told reporters after the hearing on Wednesday.   He said he hopes to sponsor the bill on the Senate floor before Congress goes on recess in March.   https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1202071/bato-wants-body-c...

Keep on reading: Body camera law for law enforcers advances in Senate

Heart Evangelista reunited with Kevin Kwan, author of "Crazy Rich Asians," in Paris, more than a year after they first worked together. "Thank you for the lovely catch up session dear,@kevinkwanbooks," the artist said in her Instagram post last Monday, Jan. 27. https://www.instagram.com/p/B70F25PH6jE/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link The two stayed true to their knack for fashion when they caught up with each other in the City of Love. Evangelista looked elegant in a long-sleeved white dress that ended below her knees, which she paired with a dark-blue bag. Meanwhile, Kwan was dapper in an all-black ensemble. As for Kwan, he said that "[it] wouldn't be Paris without a proper catch up wit...

Keep on reading: LOOK: Heart Evangelista, ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ author Kevin Kwan reunite in Paris

TUGUEGARAO CITY ---- A policeman was injured during an encounter between government troops and suspected members of the New People's Army in Cagayan province on Tuesday afternoon, the military said. Brig. Gen. Laurence Mina, 502nd Infantry Brigade commanding officer, said the 30-member armed men engaged a joint patrol team of the Philippine Army and the police in a running clash at the villages of Allucao and Dagupan in Santa Teresita town. Mina identified the injured policeman as Pat. Carlo Angelo Turo, who belongs to the 2nd Cagayan Provincial Mobile Force Company. Army and police teams had been deployed for security patrol in the said villages after receiving intelligence rep...

Keep on reading: Cop hurt as gov’t troops battle rebels in Cagayan province

  MANILA, Philippines --- A Senate panel is set to review the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) and other military treaties between the Philippines and the United States following the threat of President Rodrigo Duterte to terminate the VFA.   Emerging from an "urgent meeting" among members of the Senate foreign relations committee on Wednesday, panel chair Senator Aquilino Pimentel III said they will also review the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) and the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).   "Kailangan mag-formal hearing na po yung committee on the Visiting Forces Agreement or matters related to it, especially in relation to the latest pronouncement o...

Keep on reading: Pimentel: Senate panel to review VFA, other PH-US military treaties

Cement-maker Cemex Holdings Philippines Inc. has generated P12.77 billion in fresh capital from the sale of new shares to existing stockholders. Based on disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange on Wednesday, Cemex sold about 8.29 billion new shares at P1.54 per share. The stock rights offering was concluded on Jan. 24. The listing date for the offer shares on the Philippine Stock Exchange is tentatively set on March 4. The additional capital will primarily be used by Cemex to fund the expansion of its Solid Cement plant. Some of the proceeds will also be used to pay the outstanding amounts owed by subsidiaries Solid Cement Corp. and Apo Cement Corp., as well as cover ot...

Keep on reading: Cemex PH completes P12.8B capital call

Despite being severely injured recently from an onstage accident, there is still no stopping the "#bravestrong" bassist of Ben&Ben, Agnes Reoma, as the musician said that she will continue playing. Reoma assured fans that she is now recovering from the accident that occurred during a gig at Don Bosco Makati last Saturday, Jan. 25. She fell through the stage after a hole opened up while she was jumping to their performance of "Ride Home". "I just want you all to know that though I got multiple abrasions and bruises, I'm safe," she said on Twitter last Monday, Jan. 27. Reoma, however, admitted that she is still in pain and currently taking severe pain relievers. "Haha I th...

Keep on reading: Ben&Ben bassist to keep performing after onstage accident; organizers slammed for ‘negligence’

A Tennessee man was arrested after smoking marijuana while in court on a marijuana charge.

MANILA, Philippines -- An exhibit about the late basketball superstar Kobe Bryant was set-up by the House of Representatives on Wednesday. The exhibit features portraits of Bryant which include some of his most inspiring words such as: "If you are going to be a leader, you're not going to please everybody you gotta hold people accountable, even if you have that moment of being uncomfortable." Also included in the exhibit is the pair of basketball shoes that Bryant wore when he played in Manila during one of his visits to the Philippines, as well as pair of shoes that were autographed by the basketball star. Some of the items on display are owned by House Speaker Alan Peter...

Keep on reading: ‘Mamba out’: House mounts exhibit honoring Kobe Bryant

MANILA, Philippines --- A Senate panel is looking into the possibility of employees or even officials of the Bureau of Immigration conniving with sex syndicates involved in trafficking foreign women to work as prostitutes in the country. Senator Risa Hontiveros, chair of the Senate committee on women, children, family relations and gender equality, said on Wednesday that some immigration officials may be involved in the entry of foreign women being forced into prostitution throughthe BI's issuance of its visa upon arrival (VUA). Hontiveros said that syndicates prefer using VUAs for trafficking women into the country as some accredited travel agencies offer to "convert" VUAs to "any...

Keep on reading: Hontiveros hits BI for VUA misuse by foreign sex workers

BEIJING --- At a deserted restaurant in China's capital, one black-and-white sign stands out among colorful the decor and neon signs advertising braised meat dishes: "This store has been disinfected today." People in Beijing and across China were donning masks, spraying antiseptic, and staying off the streets in a battle to halt the spread of a viral outbreak that has killed more than 130 people nationwide and gripped the country with fear of getting sick. Authorities were disinfecting trains and planes while people are encouraged to stay home during the Lunar New Year holiday or wear masks if they go out. Businesses like the Hao Lu Wei braised meat restaurant, located in an eerily ...

Keep on reading: China battles virus spread with masks and disinfectant

One impeached, the other indicted, they posed as honest brokers with a common vision of a mythical Middle East peace.

Joshua Garcia has made it clear that he and Janella Salvador are not in a relationship despite the rumors surrounding them. The two starred opposite each other in the recently concluded TV drama series "The Killer Bride." Garcia addressed the speculations during his guesting on "Tonight with Boy Abunda" alongside his "Block Z" co-stars McCoy de Leon and Yves Flores, posted on the show's YouTube channel today, Jan. 29. During the program, Boy Abunda first pointed out that he had noticed teasing between the two actors. "I think there was an interview where you said kung may mamahalin ka habang buhay ay si Janella (if you were to love someone for life it would be Janella)," the talk ...

Keep on reading: Joshua Garcia on rumors with Janella Salvador: ‘Sobrang close lang namin’

The outbreak of the Wuhan coronavirus in central China has infected thousands and spread overseas, raising the specter of a potential global epidemic as authorities desperately try to contain it.