PHILIPPINE STAR/ MICHAEL VARCAS PHILIPPINE Health authorities on Tuesday night countered a research-based claim that Metro Manila was experiencing a surge in coronavirus infections. “While there is an observed increase in cases, there is no definitive evidence of a surge in the National Capital Region,” the Department of Health (DoH) said in a statement. The […]Read More

A PHILIPPINE deal on human rights with the United Nations won’t address the key problem of President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s refusal to hold abusive officials in connection with his deadly drug war to account, according to Human Rights Watch (HRW). “The Philippine government has extolled a new United Nations program as a clear indication of […]Read More

SENATOR RICHARD J. GORDON — PHILSTAR/MICHAEL VARCAS SENATOR Richard J. Gordon has tested positive for the coronavirus, he said in a statement on Wednesday. The lawmaker, who had been vaccinated and showed no symptoms, said the tracing process for people he had contact with in the past week had begun. His doctor recommended rest and […]Read More

BW FILE PHOTO/ TSBASMAN INTERIOR and Local Government Minister Naguib G. Sinarimbo of the Bangsamoro region shrugged off President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s last State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, where two pending bills vital to the new autonomous area were not mentioned. “We will act and not merely react. This has been the […]Read More

DA-DRRM DAMAGE to agricultural production resulting from the southwest monsoon enhanced by typhoon Fabian (international name: In-Fa) has increased to P533.54 million from the previous estimate of P285.73 million, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said on Wednesday. The DA’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Operations Center said the volume of production loss is currently estimated […]Read More

DPWH THE DEPARTMENT of Public Works and Highways (DWPH) said Wednesday the China-funded Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge project, which connects the cities of Makati and Mandaluyong, will be opened to motorists this week. “Despite the challenges, DPWH delivered its commitment for the July opening of the modern Estrella Pantaleon Bridge,” the department said in a statement. The […]Read More

NIA THE NATIONAL Irrigation Administration (NIA) inaugurated two solar-powered pump irrigation projects worth P38.24 million in Nueva Ecija on July 27. One of the two is worth P20.46 million, installed in the town of Penaranda. It will serve 228.88 hectares of farms in several communities in Penaranda as well as in Gapan City. The other […]Read More

THE SUPREME COURT “strongly reminded” special commercial courts to act fast on cases, citing the one-year maximum period for deciding on rehabilitation plans after Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez sent a letter of concern. In a circular dated July 27 and sent to the media on Wednesday, Court Administrator Jose Midas P. Marquez said “all […]Read More

PHILIPPINE STAR/ MICHAEL VARCAS THE AUTHOR of a bill seeking the creation of a Department of Sports, filed in 2018, is now pushing for the law’s passage following the gold medal win of weightlifter Hidilyn F. Diaz and guaranteed medal for boxer Nesthy A. Petecio at the ongoing 2020 Tokyo Olympics. “With the creation of […]Read More

PHILIPPINE STAR SENATOR JUAN Edgardo E. Angara, chair of the ways and means committee, said on Wednesday that the 2022 budget must reflect the government’s concrete plans for the country’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic. In a statement, he said the 2022 expenditure plan serves as “the major downpayment we will be making for our […]Read More