Philippines

MANILA – Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque on Wednesday claimed that the case of Rappler CEO Maria Ressa was not about the suppression of press freedom, but rather  a case of “bad journalism.” According to Roque, The Rappler article on businessman Wilfredo Keng who had filed the cyber libel case has no basis and there was no fact-checking made. The Presidential …

MANILA – Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles and Former Philippine Team head coach Tab Baldwin apologized on Monday for the unfiltered remarks that he made regarding the league and its coaches last weekend. The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) said in a statement that Baldwin was apologetic and claimed that his comments were taken out of context. Baldwin issued his …

MANILA – Food prices in Metro Manila fell after shooting up in the month of March as much as 45% during the government imposed lockdown. According to Department of Agriculture’s (DA) price monitoring reports, the prices of some basic agricultural commodities decreased by as much as 71%. The retail prices of meat, fish and vegetables in the public market have …

MANILA – As the government tries to recover the ailing economy, The president may have to choose to extend for another two weeks the general community quarantine (GCQ) or further eased the quarantine to modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) in Metro Manila and several areas. Reviving the economy will provide the government to revenues it needed to fund the projects …

MANILA – Rappler CEO Maria Ressa and a former researcher has been convicted by the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 46 of violating Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act specifically for cyber libel. The CEO and Executive Editor and former researcher Reynaldo Santos Jr. was found guilty of cyber libel and sentenced them to six months and …

MANILA – June 12, 2020 will mark the 122nd Anniversary of the Philippine Independence. Instead of the annual in-person celebration and festivities, “Araw ng Kalayaan” will go virtual and online this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. Organizer of the festivals from different part of the world will be hosting different online events throughout the month of June. This year’s …

MANILA – Malacañang on Thursday, claried that only online sellers earning above Php 250,000 will need to pay taxes, but all online business should still register their records with the Bureau of Internal Revenue. “If your online business net income does not exceed P250,000, then you don’t have to pay.” Roque said. “If your online business net income does not …

MANILA – The Department of Tourism (DOT) is eyeing on implementing the so-called “travel bubble” between Covid-free areas in the country and abroad. Department of Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo Puyat said that these corridors would allow the resumption of tourism in Philippine destinations with zero cases of Covid-19 to foreign tourists from infection-free nations. Puyat added that it’s hard to …

MANILA – The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) are now requiring the online sellers and digital shops to register their businesses and declare their previous transaction and settle the taxes before July 31. According to the memorandum, The government are requiring all persons doing and earning money online to registervpursuant to the provisions of Section 236 of the Tax Code. …

MANILA – Catholics who plans to attend church must fill up personal information forms that will be used for contact tracing to fight the spread of the virus. The Diocese of Pasig, In an administrative decree, said that the requirement would be part of the “new normal” when the church reopens for the celebration of mass. Under the GCQ, government …