Author: Jericho Zafra

MANILA, Philippines — Following the flak received by a venture capital firm where it said working from home makes an employee “dumber” various employees and data came forward to either challenge or support the claim.  Up to this day, the heat of conversation about working from home shortly after that video went viral remains high, with others saying work from home setups are beneficial given the high transportation costs and other commodities affecting consumers.  Aleia Bungcad, 27, has been working from home since 2018, even before the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, and even during that time, she said working…

MANILA, Philippines — Davao City 1st District Representative Paolo Duterte has proposed a bill that would require all elected and appointed officials, including the president, to undergo “mandatory random” drug testing every six months. House Bill (HB) 10744 proposed that all elected and appointed public officials, including the President of the Philippines, must undergo random drug testing every six months using hair follicle tests. The bill also aims to introduce voluntary random drug testing for candidates running for office within 90 days before Election Day. This would amend Republic Act 9165, known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.…

MANILA, Philippines — Amid the string of issues involving Vice President Sara Duterte, he still emerged as the top presidential bet for Filipinos in the 2028 presidential election, a non-commissioned survey from polling firm Oculum said Monday. The survey indicated that Duterte garnered a 25.4 percent voter preference, positioning her as the leading candidate for president in the 2028 presidential elections. But the voter preference for Duterte slid by nearly half compared to the 42. Percent preference in the first quarter of the year. In the preference list, Senator Raffy Tulfo secured the second spot with 18.5 percent, followed by…

MANILA, Philippines — After the hype of the 2024 Paris Olympics, the Philippine government is now calling the public to support the Philippine delegation for this year’s Paralympic games in Paris. Para athletes are “elite” sportsmen and women with physical challenges or impairments, making them eligible to compete in para-sport. After the Philippine team left the country on Sunday, the Philippine Olympic Committee appealed to the public to support the Paralympians who will compete in the quadrennial meet in Paris. “Let’s rally behind our Paralympians and show them our unwavering support as they take on the world,” the POC said…

MANILA, Philippines — Three foreign nationals who are tagged as “illegal aliens” in the country have been caught on three different occasions after they presented their new passports in the national office, the Bureau of Immigration said Monday. Commissioner Norman Tansingco disclosed that immigration regulation division officers intercepted three foreign nationals on separate occasions when they reported their newly issued passports to the bureau. According to immigration regulations, foreign nationals must report their new passports and travel documents to have their latest entry and visa details transferred from their old passport. Officers arrested a 25-year-old Chinese man, Song Tiancheng, after…

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos Jr. is “hopeful” and is planning to partner with Emirates Nuclear Energy Corp. (ENEC) as the country explores the possible use of nuclear energy for power generation. In a courtesy call with Mohamed Al Hammadi, chairman and chief executive officer of ENEC in Malacañang, Marcos said the plans for nuclear energy tie-ups have been in the pipeline “for a long time.” “This had become a very high priority topic, I hope we can find ways to help each other in this,” Marcos said. Marcos has been a known advocate of nuclear energy ever since he…

MANILA, Philippines — At least 5,000 jeepney drivers and operators are expected to join in the transport strike set this week, transport group PISTON said Monday. The transport strike is set from August 14 to 16. In a Pandesal Forum, PISTON National President Mody Floranda said that the group will hold President Marcos Jr. accountable for his refusal to suspend the Public Transport Modernization Program, despite Senate Resolution 1096 urging the temporary halting of its implementation due to concerns about its unplanned and rushed rollout. Aside from the NCR strike, Floranda said that drivers and operators in Iloilo, Baguio City,…

MANILA, Philippines — Several groups are now calling on the national government to pass laws to regulate the use and selling of tobacco and smoking products since younger Filipinos have gained access to it. At a Pandesal Forum Monday, the advocacy group Philippine Smoke-Free Movement, the Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development, and the Baguio City Epidemiology Surveillance Unit raised the alarm about the rising usage and selling of cigarettes and vapes among students below 18. “Tayo po ay nananawagan sa influencers and content creators na huwag basta-basta mag-promote ng vape dahil marami pong kabataan nanonood at naniniwala sa…

MANILA, Philippines — The alleged accomplice of the self-confessed gunman Joel Escorial in the slaying of radio broadcaster Percy Lapid allegedly killed himself during the serving of a warrant in Batangas, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said. The suspect was identified as Jake Mendoza, 40, known by the alias “Orly,” the man who Escorial about the execution of the Lapid slay. In an interview, NCRPO Director Police Major General Jose Melencio Nartatez JR said Orly locked himself in the house he was renting with his family, held them captive, and then proceeded to the bathroom before he killed…

MANILA, Philippines — The nation’s girl group BINI known for their widely-streamed hit songs has now released the ticket pricing three months prior to their “Grand BINIverse” concert in Araneta Coliseum. BINI is set to hold their concert on November 16 and 17 at the Araneta Coliseum. Ticket prices are as follows: VIP and Patron ticket holders can upgrade to include soundcheck access for an additional P1,387. Tickets will be available for purchase in stages: a presale for 88 BINI Wand holders begins on August 29, followed by a presale for BINI website members on August 30, and the general…