April 24, 2024
Critics slam paltry Philippine share in $95-B US aid package for its allies
THE BRP SIERRA MADRE, a marooned transport ship which Philippine Marines live in as a military outpost, is pictured in the disputed Second Thomas Shoal, part of the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea. — REUTERS By Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza, Reporter SECURITY experts on Wednesday criticized the paltry share of the Philippines in […]
April 24, 2024
Filipino students return to online classes due to heat
PHILIPPINE STAR/ MIGUEL DE GUZMAN RECORD HEAT in the Philippines this month has forced schools to send children home for online classes, reviving memories of COVID lockdowns and raising fears that more extreme weather in the years to come could deepen educational inequalities. Pupils at 7,000 public schools in the Southeast Asian country were sent […]
April 24, 2024
Rene Saguisag, former senator and Erap defense lawyer, dies at 84
RENE AUGUSTO V. SAGUISAG, a former senator and human rights lawyer who was one of the key defense lawyers in the corruption trial of ex-President Joseph E. Estrada (Erap), died on Wednesday. He was 84. His family did not disclose the cause of his death. Mr. Saguisag fought the late dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr.’s […]
April 24, 2024
DMW bars deployment of Filipino seafarers to Red Sea, Gulf of Aden
By John Victor D. Ordoñez, Reporter THE DEPARTMENT of Migrant Workers (DMW) has barred the deployment of Filipino seafarers on passenger and cruise ships to the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden amid recent attacks by Houthi rebels. Department Order No. 2 issued on Wednesday requires manning agencies to sign an affirmation letter guaranteeing […]
April 24, 2024
Gov’t bucks human rights report
PHILIPPINE STAR/KRIZ JOHN ROSALES THE PHILIPPINE government urged experts producing country reports on human rights to “update their references” and “examine their methodologies,” citing discrepancies with developments on the ground under the Marcos administration. Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has expressed regret over the United States’ Department of State report, which concluded that there were […]
April 24, 2024
GSIS investment draws concern
THE GOVERNMENT should investigate a proposed investment plan of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), according to a former congressman who raised concerns on Wednesday that government workers’ pension fund will be put at risk. “We cannot allow risky ventures that jeopardize the financial security of government employees,” former party-list congressman, Ferdinand R. Gaite, said […]
April 24, 2024
Lithuania seeks business in PHL
VISITING Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said on Tuesday that industries back in his country are keen on working with the Philippine business sector, offering their technical know-how on information, communication tech-nology (ICT) and e-governance. “I think the best thing that we can offer is the experience, the experience for transformation, because other countries are […]
April 24, 2024
SC clarifies ADB immunity scope
THE PHILIPPINE Supreme Court (SC) said immunity from suit, as afforded by the country to Asian Development Bank (ADB) officials, is only limited to their official acts. In a decision penned by Justice Rodil V. Zalameda, the High Court partially granted a petition for caution from ADB officials who were sued by an applicant for […]
April 24, 2024
House to probe gap between farmgate and retail prices
THE HOUSE of Representatives is set to probe the widening gap between the cost of farmgate products and their retail prices once Congress resumes, Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez said on Wednesday. Agriculture sector representatives said they maintained the farmgate prices of rice, poultry, and pork for the past three months, indicating that there should […]
April 24, 2024
Senator says 4-year terms for local executives would improve delivery of services
EXTENDING the terms of governors and other local executives to four years would pave the way for more development projects at the grassroots level that would improve the delivery of services, Senator Francis N. Tolentino said on Wednesday. “This is inimical to public interests, the three years, and a hurdle to the continuity, stability and […]
April 24, 2024
Victory for Innovative Bites Ltd as Judges Rule Marshmallows Not Subject to VAT
<?xml encoding=”utf-8″ ?????????> In a flavorful victory, Innovative Bites Ltd, a food company, has emerged triumphant against the UK tax authorities, securing a ruling that exempts its “Mega Marshmallows” from VAT due to their classification as cooking ingredients rather than confectionery. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) had appealed a 2022 decision by the first-tier tribunal […]
April 24, 2024
TikTok Faces US Ban as Bill Set to Be Signed by Biden
<?xml encoding=”utf-8″ ?????????> The US Senate has passed a bill that could result in TikTok being banned in America due to national security concerns. Under the legislation, TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, has nine months to divest its stake, or the app will be prohibited in the United States. The bill will now be forwarded […]