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The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) in the Philippines has ordered its armed personnel to strictly secure firearms and ammunition, prohibiting unattended weapons in areas accessible to minors. This directive follows recent shooting incidents, reinforcing responsible gun ownership among staff.
The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) in the Philippines has filed a complaint against Hongsheng Gaming Technology Inc., an offshore gaming firm, for alleged tax evasion amounting to over P2.228 billion in income tax, value-added tax (VAT), and final withholding taxes from 2021 to 2023. The company is accused of underdeclaring income and failing to report correct VAT.
Concerned residents of Mindoro have submitted a position paper urging Puerto Galera to reinstate environmental user's fee exemptions for local inhabitants. The municipality faces a balancing act between tourism revenue and alleviating the financial burden on its own citizens.
In observance of Ninoy Aquino Day, a special non-working holiday on August 21, the Light Rail Transit 1 (LRT-1) has announced adjusted operating hours, impacting public transportation users.
A Philippine congressman stated that if the Vice President skips her office's budget deliberations, it would demonstrate a consistent stance of disregarding government processes. He noted similar tendencies from past instances.
The Philippines' House of Representatives intends to maintain funding for child protection and mental health support programs in its 2027 budget, a lawmaker stated following a school shooting incident in Zamboanga City. As budget deliberations proceed, representatives are emphasizing the necessity of continued investment in these critical areas.
A Philippine congressman suggests that prosecutor Lorna Kapunan is being targeted by allies of former President Duterte due to her effectiveness in direct examinations during the Vice President's impeachment trial. Representative Adiong stated that the focus on Kapunan stems from her successful witness interrogations.
Tropical Depression Neneng weakened into a low-pressure area (LPA) and exited the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) on Thursday afternoon, according to the state weather bureau Pagasa. This means Neneng no longer poses a direct threat to the Philippines.
A motorcyclist was apprehended at a checkpoint in Quezon province, Philippines, for carrying an illegal firearm and methamphetamine (shabu). Police are conducting further investigations.
The Philippine House prosecution panel expressed support for Vice President Sara Duterte's call for a speedy impeachment trial, while emphasizing the importance of due process in all proceedings and decisions.
Romblon province's most wanted fugitive, a 36-year-old man facing statutory rape charges, was apprehended during a coordinated manhunt operation. Regional police highlighted the swift arrest as a contribution to maintaining public safety.
Senator Loren Legarda has proposed a bill to limit class sizes in Philippine public schools to a standard of 35 students and a maximum of 50. The initiative aims to improve teaching and learning conditions by reducing teacher workload and enabling more individualized instruction.
Fifty-nine tourists and island visitors are stranded in the province of Batanes, Philippines, due to continuous bad weather from the southwest monsoon. The provincial government has requested mercy flights to rescue those affected.
Philippine stocks rebounded on Thursday as bargain hunters emerged after the previous session's losses. However, foreign investors continued to sell, indicating a cautious stance on Philippine equities.
The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) in the Philippines has announced application dates for emergency loans for members and pensioners in areas declared under a state of calamity due to the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) and tropical cyclones. Loans up to PHP 40,000 are available.
The Philippines convened the ASEAN Space Forum to advance dialogue on space diplomacy, regional cooperation, and the responsible use of outer space. This marks a significant step towards the adoption of the proposed ASEAN Declaration on Space Cooperation.
The Department of Health reported over 72,000 influenza-like illness (ILI) cases in the Philippines from January to August. While the numbers are down from last year, a recent upward trend in cases has prompted a call for vigilance.
Philippine Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. accused the Chinese embassy of engaging in public relations for Chinese businesses and individuals involved in illegal activities within the country, specifically citing businessman Tony Yang. He urged Filipinos to condemn China's "abusive behavior."
Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) maintains system loss rates around 5%, significantly below the Energy Regulatory Commission's cap, contributing to stable electricity costs. The power giant is seeking partnerships with electric cooperatives, offering capital and expertise to improve efficiency and lower rates, especially for those with double-digit losses.
The Office of the Ombudsman dismissed a witness's recantation in the corruption probe against former House Speaker Martin Romualdez as a "classic pressure tactic," stating the investigation does not hinge on a single individual. The office confirmed 28 active uniformed personnel are prepared to testify.
The camp of Leyte Congressman and former Speaker Martin Romualdez has submitted a supplemental counter-affidavit to the Ombudsman, including sworn statements from 25 former employees of fugitive lawmaker Zaldy Co and a recantation from key witness Orly Guteza, disputing bribery allegations.
Philippine government officials will meet with regional executives from Meta, the parent company of social media giants, in Singapore to discuss measures against child violence following a shooting incident at Ateneo de Zamboanga University. The meeting highlights the Philippines' limited jurisdiction over Meta.
Self-reported poverty and hunger rates in the Philippines rose in the second quarter, according to an OCTA Research survey. Poverty was highest in Mindanao, while hunger incidence was most pronounced in balance Luzon.
The Office of the Ombudsman in the Philippines will continue its investigation into the flood control scandal despite some witnesses retracting their testimonies. The ombudsman stated that witness recantations are a "classic pressure tactic" and vowed to pursue the truth with 28 other witnesses still available, some of whom are active uniformed personnel.
The Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) of the Philippines and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) have strengthened their partnership for modernizing the country's water districts. Key initiatives include a master plan study for comprehensive sewerage system development in Metro Cebu, aiming for sustainable and reliable water services.
Philippine consumer finance platform Billease has secured a P1-billion credit facility from Philippine National Bank (PNB), bolstering its local funding base as it scales its loan portfolio and expands into traditional banking.
Mobile data costs in the Philippines have plummeted to approximately P7 per GB, following the government's adoption of real-time analytics to monitor telco performance. This has coincided with improvements in connectivity, speed, and 5G coverage, enhancing digital access for Filipinos.
HSBC Philippines CEO suggests focusing on semiconductor manufacturing over data centers to accelerate economic growth amid the AI boom. He emphasized leveraging existing infrastructure and improving execution speed.
Dominion Holdings Inc. (DHI) is set to become the Philippines' largest mining firm with plans to acquire control of the Tampakan copper-gold project and a significant capital increase, potentially boosting the national economy.
The Philippines has signed its first Air Service Agreement (ASA) with Iceland, opening the possibility for seven weekly direct and connecting flights between the two nations. This move is expected to boost trade and tourism.
The Philippine stock market rebounded as investors bought shares at lower prices following the previous day's selloff. The main index rose 1.30 percent to close the trading week. The mining and oil sector led the gains, though foreign investors remained net sellers.
The Philippines' balance of payments (BOP) position shifted to a deficit of $1.47 billion in July due to increased foreign exchange outflows, including debt payments and import-related dollar demand. This marks a nearly nine-fold wider deficit compared to the same month last year. While the year-to-date deficit narrowed, gross international reserves also declined.
Foreign business groups in the Philippines are strongly advocating for tax certainty to improve the investment climate and competitiveness. They emphasize the need for clear implementation of tax guidelines on cross-border services (RMC 5-2024) to enhance predictability in corporate operations.
A migratory Pied heron has been spotted at the Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary, potentially marking the first documented record of the species in the Philippines. A team of biodiversity experts successfully photographed the bird.
The Bureau of Customs seized approximately P292.4 million worth of suspected shabu in a shipment container originating from Afghanistan at the Manila International Container Port. About 43 kilograms of methamphetamine were discovered hidden in containers falsely declared as "talc stones."
Three individuals were killed in separate shooting incidents across the Calabarzon region this week. The perpetrators remain unidentified, and motives are currently unknown, raising concerns about local security.