2 dead, 2 hurt in biogas explosion in Masbate

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Former Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate is demanding the immediate prosecution of “opportunistic” oil companies for allegedly shortchanging consumers by withholding more than P4 from this week’s massive fuel price rollback. The demand came after the Department of Energy (DOE) caught several fuel stations staggering the double-digit price cuts

LEGAZPI CITY — The Bicol State College of Applied Sciences and Technology (BISCAST) in Naga City, Camarines Sur, suspended in-person classes and halted office operations following an unverified bomb threat reportedly received by its administration on Saturday, Nov. 14. In an advisory, the college said the measures were implemented upon the recommendation and guidance of

MANILA< Philippines — House Deputy Speaker Janette Garin of Iloilo on Saturday defended the House of Representatives’ realignment of P9 billion from the Department of Health’s (DOH) proposed 2027 budget, citing the agency’s slow utilization of existing funds. Speaking at the Saturday News Forum at Dapo Restaurant in Quezon City, Garin, a former health secretary,

MANILA, Philippines — House Deputy Speaker Janette Garin on Saturday defended the realignment of health funds toward patient assistance under the proposed 2027 national budget, citing unspent vaccine allocations and a sluggish 11-percent utilization rate for the government’s health facility program. Speaking at the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City, the former health secretary welcomed

MANILA, Philippines — Deputy Speaker and Iloilo Rep. Janette Garin on Saturday said that the House of Representatives is ready to address and discuss concerns raised by budget watchdogs on the General Appropriations Bill (GAB) for fiscal year 2027.   Garin made the response as the proposed P7.2-trillion 2027 national budget is under Senate review.

MANILA, Philippines — Senate Finance Committee Chairperson Sen. JV Ejercito is enforcing a strict line-by-line review of 6,271 newly introduced infrastructure projects in the proposed 2027 national budget, warning that proposals lacking complete documentation and proof of readiness will be stripped of funding. A dedicated team from Ejercito’s office is currently auditing the 6,271 infrastructure

MANILA, Philippines — Lead House prosecutor Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro on Friday urged Vice President Sara Duterte’s defense team to present only “competent” witnesses when the impeachment trial resumes on Nov. 19 following next week’s holiday break. Luistro made the call in response to lead defense counsel Sheila Sison’s earlier statement that the defense panel

MANILA, Philippines — House lead prosecutor and Batangas Rep. Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” Luistro on Friday expressed disappointment over the defense strategy of Vice President Sara Duterte, saying her lawyers have so far focused on minor expenditures rather than directly addressing the core allegations of unexplained wealth. Speaking after the first week of the defense’s presentation

MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian on Saturday said that the Senate Finance Committee asked for more time to ensure agencies complete its documentation before the 2027 General Appropriations Bill (GAB) is sponsored on the Senate floor. According to Gatchalian, Sen. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito, chair of the Senate finance panel, requested for an

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has signed Executive Order No. 131, adopting the artificial intelligence (AI) governance framework and creating the National AI Council, Palace press officer Claire Castro announced on Saturday. Signed on Nov. 12, the order seeks to establish a unified direction and clear governance framework for the use and development of

Malay unity wave propelling BN-PN still going strong.

MANILA, Philippines — House Deputy Speaker Janette L. Garin of Iloilo said on Saturday that defense witnesses in the proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte have inadvertently strengthened the prosecution’s case. Speaking at the Saturday News Forum at Dapo Restaurant in Quezon City, Garin argued that testimonies presented during the first week of the defense’s