Author: Jericho Zafra

MANILA, Philippines — The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) has overturned its X rating decision on the documentary *Alipato at Muog* and has instead given the film an R-16 rating. This means the documentary film can now be screened in cinemas nationwide. “Kung hindi nag-ingay at nagsubmit ng second review sina JL Burgos, maaaring nanaig ang Marcosian provisions ng PD 1986. Natutuwa tayo na binaligtad ng MTRCB ang naunang X-rating. Pero laging panganib sa freedom of expression ang PD 1986. Dapat na itong ibasura at palitan,” Renato Reyes said in an X (formerly Twitter) post. The news…

MANILA, Philippines — The Chamber of Real Estate and Builders’ Associations Inc. (CREBA) has asked the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) how they can build over 2,000 housing units per day, given the numerous constraints within the bureau’s management. In a forum, the real estate group highlighted the bureau’s restrictive policies that tend to target the private sector in the housing industry. They argued that these policies could prevent developers from providing quality housing to the public, given the housing backlog in the country. “Do you think NHA (National Housing Authority) can produce 2,000 units a day?…

MANILA, Philippines — Ahtisa Manalo is currently leading the board for the Miss Cosmo pageant with over 1 million votes. Less than a week ago, the pageant frontrunner requested support to be voted for the “Cosmo Social Ambassador” award, which would automatically secure her a spot in the Top 21 if she wins. Manalo is now considered a frontrunner for this year’s Miss Cosmo pageant by global pageant observers. As of 5:36 p.m. yesterday, Manalo reported holding the lead in the challenge with a total of 1,000,500 votes. To vote, fans need to like and follow the Miss Cosmo Facebook…

MANILA, Philippines — At least for now, Filipino consumers can feel more at ease with the rising prices of basic commodities as the country’s headline inflation rate dropped to 3.3 percent in August, down from 4.4 percent in July, due to a slower increase in food and non-alcoholic beverages, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said Thursday. The national average inflation from January to August 2024 is 3.6 percent. In August 2023, inflation was higher at 5.3 percent. According to the statistics bureau, the main contributors to August 2024 inflation were food and non-alcoholic drinks, which made up 44.3 percent or…

MANILA, Philippines — The death toll due to severe tropical storm Enteng has climbed to 15 while 21 remain missing, the Office of Civil Defense said Wednesday. In a report, the OCD aside from the 15 deaths and 21 missing, there 15 individuals who were confirmed injured. The partial reported deaths came from the following areas: More injured, missing Filipinos Fifteen fisherfolk are missing in Camarines Norte, three in Samar, two in Northern Samar, and one in Biliran. In Cebu City, ten people were injured due to a collapsed riprap and rain-induced landslides. Northern Samar reported four injuries, and one…

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education has faced scrutiny during its 2025 budget hearing after it was revealed that nearly P9 billion worth of laptop and e-learning equipment remain undelivered. House Appropriations Senior Vice Chair Rep. Stella Quimbo also voiced frustration over the sluggish use of regular DepEd funds during Duterte’s administration, contrasting it with the rapid allocation of confidential funds. Quimbo said that, according to the 2023 Commission on Audit report, P37.7 billion in funds were either delayed or left unutilized across various programs of the department. “This is a big crisis; we cannot waste funds, we cannot…

MANILA, Philippines — All the conditions demanded by Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Pastor Apollo Quiboloy for his surrender are “immaterial,” President Marcos said on Wednesday. “It seems like he (Quiboloy) doesn’t fully understand the process … once the court issues a bench warrant or warrant for arrest, it’s no longer in our hands. It’s in the court’s hands,” Marcos said in mixed English and Filipino during a media interview. The President said that the fugitive evangelist should address his concerns directly to the courts. “He needs to talk to the court. Our role in the executive branch now…

MANILA, Philippines — Minimum wage earners outside the National Capital Region are likely to get an increase of their daily wage within this year, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said. The NCR saw a P35 wage increase in July after the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board in Metro Manila signed Wage Order No. NCR—25 increasing the minimum wage to P645 from P610. Aside from NCR, Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma said that the Calabarzon region is next to release a wage order increasing the daily minimum wage. Laguesma said that other regions have also begun their process for…

MANILA, Philippines — A bill giving more teeth to the Safe Spaces Act by imposing stiffer fines sought in the Senate Wednesday following the case of Sandro Muhlach. Senator Robin Padilla, who has made viral over his comments on matters involving consent, filed Senate Bill 2810 which increases the prescriptive period for filing a complaint from five years to 10 years. He said that recent public hearings by the Senate Committee on Public Information and Mass Media have shown that sexual harassment in the workplace is still widespread and ongoing. In his new bill, Padilla proposed tougher penalties of up…

MANILA, Philippines — Following the arrest of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, President Marcos personally thanked the Indonesian government for their “assistance” in arresting the mayor. Marcos said that Guo’s arrest should serve as a warning to those who would attempt to “evade” justice, saying that “the long arm of the law will reach them.” “The public may not know the intricate details of this mission that you have successfully accomplished. But on their behalf, accept my thanks. The Philippines also thanks the Indonesian Government for their assistance on this matter. The close cooperation between our two governments has…