CATEGORIES

DA: No control over lechon prices

The Department of Agriculture has no jurisdiction over the selling price of roast pig or lechon following reports that the retail price had increased by 30 percent amid higher demand during the holidays, a ranking DA official said yesterday.

Bicam OKs higher soldiers' allowance

Soldiers' subsistence allowance has been increased to P350 from P150.

Sara mum on secret fund recipients

Vice President Sara Duterte refused to give the House of Representatives any explanation regarding the identities of \"Mary Grace Piattos,\" \"Chippy McDonalds\" and other names that appeared in the acknowledgment receipts (ARs) as supposed recipients of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and Department of Education (DepEd)'s confidential funds in 2022 and 2023.

BBM: Avoid provocative WPS statements

Officials are under orders from President Marcos not to engage in acts or take positions that may escalate tensions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

It's final: 66 to vie for Senate in 2025

The list has been finalized: 66 senatorial aspirants will compete for the 12 seats available in the May 2025 midterm polls, the Commission on Elections announced.

Metro water rate hike gets MWSS nod

Households in the Greater Manila Area will face higher water bills starting next year after the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System-Regulatory Office (MWSS-RO) approved the rate hikes for Maynilad Water Services and Manila Water.

Nationwide crackdown set vs fake PWD IDs

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) will launch a nationwide crackdown on the sale and use of fake identification cards for persons with disabilities, labeling the practice as a tax evasion scheme.

Ex-PDEA chief Villanueva cited in contempt by quad comm

The quad committee of the House of Representatives yesterday cited former Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) director general Wilkins Villanueva in contempt for lying under oath.

Gov't to run down all underground POGOS

BBM: They will face full force of the law

Palace: Budget to be reviewed, signed before Christmas

President Marcos is slated to sign into law the P6.532-trillion national budget for 2025 before Christmas.

Unprogrammed funds: Koko seeks SC intervention

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III is preparing to challenge before the Supreme Court the constitutionality of the bicameral conference committee's move to increase to P531.6 billion the unprogrammed funds in the 2025 national budget.

SOFRONIO VASQUEZ'S PASSION AND DETERMINATION LEAD TO HISTORIC 'THE VOICE USA' VICTORY

DREAMS DO COME TRUE. However, there's a caveat or condition for one to make it happen.

OPM icons take pride in Sofronio Vasquez's big win

Sofronio Vasquez became the first-ever Filipino and Asian to win the hit US talent search \"The Voice USA.\"

Ricky Lee: Direk Ishmael Bernal will be happy and amused with 'Isang Himala'

Essaying the role of Elsa, the barrio lass who witnessed the apparition of the Virgin Mary that changed her life in director Ishmael Bernal's \"Himala\" (1982), is a huge challenge for any actress who will portray it, especially since it was originated by Nora Aunor.

ATE VI AS A GATECRASHER AND HER DREAM GUEST LIST

After six decades (and counting) in the biz, Vilma Santos practices quality control in the movies she puts her full emotional investment into.

All the Light Rail we can see

The Light Rail Transit 1 (LRT-1) Cavite Extension Project will increase the total number of LRT-1 stations from 20 to 28, covering several major cities including Quezon City, Caloocan, Manila, Pasay, and Parañaque, all the way to Bacoor, Cavite.

RUPERT JACINTO'S 'FAAABULOUS XII' GALA NIGHT

Rupert Jacinto's \"Faaabulous XII,\" a photo exhibit, book launch and fabulousity gala night, was held recently at the Marriott Grand Ballroom.

Lunches with Cedie

It was November of 1986, and Mom and I had gotten home from an extended trip visiting relatives in the States.

NGCP's P2.6-B Capas project gets ERC nod

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has given the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) the green light to develop a P2.59-billion transmission project in Capas, Tarlac.

Easing inflation, policy rates to support residential market

Softer inflation and lower policy rates would be favorable for the residential market, according to a professional services and investment management company.

Visa simplifies money transfers for OFWs, SMEs

Global payments platform Visa is strengthening its commitment to simplifying and securing digital money transfers for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), digital workers, and small and medium enterprises (SME) owners especially this holiday season when remittances peak.

SPNEC seeks ERC OK for MTerra Solar integration

SP New Energy Corp. (SPNEC), chaired by tycoon Manuel V. Pangilinan, is seeking regulatory approval to build a transmission system that will connect the $4-billion MTerra Solar project into the national grid.

Rice self-sufficiency ratio recovers to 78.5% in 2023

The country's rice self-sufficiency ratio (SSR) recovered to 78.5 percent last year, following a 24-year low of 77 percent in 2022, as a result of lower imports and higher domestic output.

Gas power in Asia and Pacific Light

In Part 1 of this topic last Nov. 28, I discussed the countries with the highest natural gas power generation/total power generation ratio. The top three are Singapore, Iran, and Egypt.

Group pushes for health technology assessment

The Philippine Alliance of Patient Organizations (PAPO) emphasized the vital role of health technology assessment (HTA) in advancing universal health care (UHC), highlighting its impact on equitable access to healthcare.

Robinsons Malls scores win at QC Green Awards

Robinsons Novaliches is now a Certified Green Mall Awardee after winning the \"Excellence in Climate Action\" award presented by Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte during the recent Quezon City Green Awards ceremonies held at the Quezon City MICE Center.

UnionBank to dissolve dormant subsidiary

Union Bank of the Philippines (UnionBank) has announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Union Data Corp. (UDC), would be dissolved after receiving regulatory approval to amend its corporate term.

No plan to regulate imports of sugar alternatives - SRA

The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) clarified that its plan to impose clearance fees on imported sugar alternatives is intended to monitor the volume of shipments and not to regulate the importation of so-called \"other sugar\" products.

Phl trails Asean neighbors in capital market viability

The Philippines may be one of the fastest-growing economies in Asia, but the country is lagging behind regional peers in terms of overall viability of its capital market, according to a report.

Paskong Pinoy

The Filipino Christmas celebration is truly one of a kind. We are known for having the longest holiday season in the world, with the festivities beginning as early as September.