Author: Jericho Zafra

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Transportation is now being pressured to revisit the implementation of the public utility modernization program after some transport cooperatives failed to pay off their debts to the Development Bank of the Philippines. “Transport coops falling behind in payment of their loans is a glaring symptom that we hope the Department of Transportation will consider in giving this program a second look,” Senator Grace Poe said Wednesday. During a Senate hearing Tuesday, DBP President and Chief Executive President Michael De Jesus said that it has stopped lending to transport cooperatives that have consolidated for failing…

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos said that he has a “very good idea” of the government official behind the escape of dismissed Bamban Tarlac mayor Alice Guo, and it is from the Bureau of Immigration. “Very, very good idea. I have a very good idea… from BI,” he said in a chance interview at the Malacañan Palace. According to Marcos, the government has now identified the employees of BI who helped escape Alice Guo, but the chief executive did not mention any names yet. He said that the Department of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, is “almost finished with a…

MANILA, Philippines — The Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has called for the de-escalation of tensions in the West Philippine Sea after the string of incidents that happened in one week. The Japanese ministry expressed “serious concern” over the repeated actions made by China to Philippine-flagged vessels in the disputed waters and is urging Beijing to de-escalate tensions in the area. “Japan opposes any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force as well as any actions that increase tensions in the South China Sea, including obstruction of freedom of navigation and overflight,” Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.…

MANILA, Philippines — Fisherfolk affected by the Bataan oil spill can now resume their livelihoods, President Marcos said Wednesday. This was the chief executive’s declaration during the aid distribution for the Bataan oil spill that affected residents in Cavite. “Nasabihan lang ako ni ating Secretary, Sec. Kiko Laurel ng DA (Department of Agriculture) na mula ngayon ay maaari nang mangisda. Wala ng oil spill. Puwede nang ituloy ang inyong hanapbuhay,” Marcos said. The government has distributed P363,050,000 in financial assistance and standby funds to over 33,000 fisherfolk and their families affected by the oil spill in Cavite. “Masaya akong ibalita…

MANILA, Philippines — The number of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who fell victim to human trafficking in Laos rose to 75, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said Wednesday. The department also said that a total of 52 Filipinos have been repatriated to the Philippines following the incident. “We are currently identifying those who contacted, encouraged, and facilitated the arrival of these individuals to that country. This is our first step, in addition to providing various forms of assistance to the 52 of our fellow countrymen who were victims of human trafficking,” DMW Undersecretary Bernard Olalia said in Filipino during…

MANILA, Philippines — For the first time, President Marcos Jr. has reported higher trust and performance ratings than Vice President Sara Duterte, a survey by research firm Octa Research showed Tuesday. Octa Research’s second quarter Tugon ng Masa (TNM) Survey revealed that 71 percent of adult Filipinos now trust Marcos, marking a notable two percent increase from the 69 percent reported in the first quarter. In contrast, Duterte’s trust rating has dropped to 65 percent, a three percent decline from 68 percent. About 68 percent of adult Filipinos remain satisfied with Marcos’ performance, a three percent increase from the previous…

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Tourism (DOT) is eyeing the establishment of courts for tourists that are open every day for 24 hours to cater to their concerns, Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco said. According to Frasco, during a recent meeting with President Marcos, Jr., the President agreed that the Philippine National Police, the Department of Interior and Local Government, and the Department of Justice would team up with the DOT to investigate and handle crimes involving tourists. “We are now working with the DOJ, and we will be collaborating with the judiciary department for the establishment of a…

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard vessels that are supposed to deliver food and supplies have been unable to reach the BRP Teresa Magbanua after 40 ships surrounded the BRP Cabra and BRP Cape Engaño, the National Task Force for West Philippine Sea said late Monday night. In a statement, West Philippine Sea spokesperson Jay Tarriela said that the PCG sent the BRP Cabra and BRP Cape Engaño on a mission to deliver essential food and supplies to our team on the BRP Teresa Magbanua, which is on an extended patrol at Escoda Shoal but China deployed several Chinese-flagged…

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Imee Marcos slammed the Department of Agriculture on Tuesday for not lowering the prices of rice despite reducing tariff cuts on imported rice. The senator also rebuked the Department of Trade and Industry and the National Economic Development Authority aside from the DA. “Matapos ibaba ang taripa sa bigas ng 15 percent noong July 5, P60 mahigit pa rin ang kilo sa mga pamilihan. Anyare DA, DTI, NEDA? Sabi n’yo babagsak sa Agosto, eh mag-Setyembre na ganun pa rin?” Marcos said in a statement. Despite implementing a low 15 percent tariff on imported rice, market prices…

MANILA, Philippines — Individuals posing as lawyers even if they are not will soon be penalized with the House of Representatives approving on third and final reading a bill that seeks to punish people who misrepresent themselves as lawyers. By a unanimous vote of 202-0, the chamber approved House Bill (HB) No. 10691, a bill that penalizes people who misrepresent themselves as lawyers. HB 10691 defines the unauthorized practice of law as falsely representing oneself as a member of the Philippine Bar, whether for profit or any other reason. The bill proposes penalties ranging from imprisonment of up to six…