Philippines

President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the creation of a “high-level” task force to investigate the suspected corruption at the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation. Duterte released a one-page memorandum directing Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra to assemble a panel on the suspected irregularities and corruption involving the state insurer to conduct a investigation. The panel will also conduct audits of the finances …

METRO MANILA – In an effort meant to not further escalate the tension, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the military not participate in the South China Sea drills being conducted by several nations. According to Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Duterte gave a standing order that Philippine navy should not get involved in the South China Sea exercises except the 12 mile …

METRO MANILA – Despite implementing the longest, strictest lockdown in Southeast Asia, the Philippines now has the most coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in the region with more than 119,000 cases. The Department of Health (DOH) reported 3,561 new cases that overtakes Indonesia in terms of total COVID-19 cases in the region. With Metro Manila now being the epicenter of …

METRO MANILA – Jollibee Foods Corp. (JFC) has suffered a net loss of P12 billion, a contrast to the Php 2.5 billion earned last year. JFC net loss in the second quarter was P10 bil compare to the P1 billion income. The countrywide sale for both franchise and company owned were also down by 24.5% to P85.8 billion and 48.4% …

BEIRUT – Two Filipinos were killed while eight others were injures in the massive explosions in Beirut, Lebanon on Tuesday, the Department of Foreign Affairs said. According to Affairs Assistant Secretary Ed Menez the latest report from the Philippine embassy confirmed that the two have been killed were in their employer’s house during the explosion. DFA Condoles with Families of …

METRO MANILA – Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said that the country can’t afford to extend the imposed restrictions anymore as the economy can no longer sustain the extended lockdown beyond August 18. Roque claim that the next two weeks modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) will have a negative impact to the economy as 67% of our Gross Domestic Product comes …

METRO MANILA – Officials of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. have pocketed around P15 billion in funds through alleged corruption in the agency, a whistleblower revealed during a Senate hearing yesterday. Thorrsson Montes Keith who resigned as Philhealth’s anti-fraud legal officer revealed the widespread corruption happening inside the agency and that a “mafia” was behind the fraudulent schemes he called  …

MANILA – Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Fortunato dela Peña has confirmed on Tuesday that the country has commited to reserve 3M vaccines worth P1.5B via the Gavi COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX) facility. During the press briefing, the country has reserved vaccine volume equivalent to a minimum of 3% of the population and additional 20% will be …

METRO MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday approved a Cabinet recommendation to again place Metro Manila, Laguna, Cavite, Rizal, and Bulacan under a more stricter modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) until August 18. kung kaya’t kinonsidera ng Pangulo ang kanilang pakiusap na ibalik ang ilang highly urbanized cities sa Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine upang makontrol ang pagkalat ng virus. …

MANILA – Morissette Amon will be teaming up with the legendary singer Michael Bolton on the new reality singing competition title “Asian Dream”. For its first season, the singing competition will showcase six singers from across the globe and will compete for the spot on the upcoming Bolton’s Asian Dream tour. The lucky winner will also get the chance to …