Philippines

METRO MANILA – The House of Representatives has approved the 25-year franchise bid of DITO Telecommunity Corp, the third and new player in the country. Lawmakers with total of 240 voted yes while 7 negative votes. The House Bill No. 7332 has been enacted which renewed the Mindanao Islamic Telephone Company Inc.’s or presently known as DITO Telecommunity Corporation with …

METRO MANILA – Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro “Teddy Boy” Locsin, Jr. that he will be endorsing the termination of government contracts with Chinese firms that involved in China’s reclamation activities in the South China Sea (SCS). Locsin made that statements after United States announced that they will imposing sanctions and restrictions for around two dozens of Chinese firms that were …

METRO MANILA – The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has issued a P19 million fine against Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) on contentious power bills during the lockdown period. Energy Regulatory Commission Chairman Agnes Devanadera said in a statement that Meralco has failed to provide accurate and timely information to users that created chaos, anxiety and confusion. Devanadera added that this is …

METRO MANILA – Defying China’s call to stop ‘illegal provocative activities’ in the area,  The Philippines continues to patrol the Spratlys Island in South China Sea. According to Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr., He needs to reiterate that China has already lost the South China Sea arbitration which also invalidated the nine-dash line Beijing is claiming over the South …

MANILA – China’s “nine-dash line” claim by China in the South China Sea is nothing but there imagination, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said on Sunday, as he condemns illegally occupying Filipino maritime territory. Lorenzana said that China’s historical rights inside their nine-dash line don’t exist except in their imagination. The statement came after Manila and Beijing clash over the disputed …

MANILA – Malacañang confirmed on Thursday that President Duterte has accepted Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) president Ricardo Morales’ resignation. According to presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, Duterte has accepted his resignation and already looking for a new head for the state insurance. The resignation came in when the President asked Morales to step down from his post due to health …

METRO MANILA – Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) and AirAsia are offering low rates for local flight in a bid to help the ailing travel industry in the country. The promo fares for domestic flights are the company’s efforts to help the economy and stimulate demand for air travel after being hit with the Covid-19 pandemic. According to the Philippine …

METRO MANILA – Around 440 private elementary and high schools nationwide are expected to be suspending operations this school year amid the low enrollment of students due to the Covid-19 pandemic, says the Department of Education (DepEd). Out of the 14,435 private schools, 440 has notified DepEd the decision not to push through with the operation for the 2020-2021 School …

METRO MANILA – The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has granted the Philippines another $125-million loan for the country’s coronavirus pandemic response. The funds will specifically aims to purchase medical equipment critical on the government’s fight against the pandemic. According to ADB, the loan was approved under the HEAL COVID-19 or Health System Enhancement to Address and Limit Project by the …

MANILA – At least 15 people have been killed and several others were wounded after explosions rocked the southern Philippine town of Jolo. READ: Statement of PCOO @SecAndanar on the twin blasts in Jolo, Sulu pic.twitter.com/EH1iL2jVVa— Presidential Comm (@pcoogov) August 24, 2020 Commander of Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) Major Gen. Corleto Vinluan said that 5 soldiers and 4 civilians were …