Retailers urge end to tax exemptions for online purchases
MANILA, Philippines — The government should scrap the tax-free threshold for international online purchases instead of revising levies on luxury goods, the head of the national retailers group said on Wednesday, warning that the current e-commerce regime creates an uncompetitive environment for local businesses. Bobby Claudio, chairman of the Philippine Retailers Association, said removing tax
Read full articleMORE NEWS
Zubiri backs call for return of Naia turboprop flights to boost tourism
MANILA, Philippines — Senate majority leader Juan Miguel Zubiri on Wednesday is supporting calls to lift the ban on turboprop aircraft at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) as he warned that forcing the transfer of flights to other regional airports would make domestic travel more expensive for ordinary Filipinos. READ: DOT seeks return of
Mark Villar files Pamper bill to ensure dignified farewell for pets
MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Mark Villar has filed a bill seeking stronger regulation of pet aftercare services to protect Filipino pet owners and ensure the proper, sanitary, and dignified handling of deceased companion animals following the discovery of dumped pet remains in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan. According ot statement on Wednesday, Villar filed Senate
PNP-HPG to deploy 716 personnel for Asean Summit escorts
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) will deploy 716 personnel to provide escorts for visiting leaders and other delegates during the 49th Asean Summit and related gatherings. The agency announced its preparations during a joint press conference with the Department of Transportation and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Wednesday.
Several ‘boxes’ delivered to Jinggoy Estrada for 4 times – witness
MANILA, Philippines — Former Public Works and Highways Undersecretary Roberto Benardo’s former aide on Wednesday testified that he delivered several “boxes” to Sen. Jinggoy Estrada four times from 2024 to 2025. These trips reportedly ended up at a building in San Juan City. Francisco dela Fuente, Bernardo’s former driver, disclosed these information as he testified
Study suggests not all obesity means ill-health
LONDON, United Kingdom - Only between a quarter and a third of people currently diagnosed with obesity should be considered as in poor health, according to a new study that joins calls to overhaul how the condition is diagnosed.
High-tech mill to boost Bukidnon rice yields
VALENCIA CITY, Bukidnon — Local rice farming received a big modernization boost as the Department of Agriculture in Northern Mindanao (DA-10) officially commissioned a P68-million rice milling facility. Built for the provincial government under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) mechanization program, which is implemented by the DA’s Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization,
Records show Sara Duterte-linked GenCorp had zero to 2 employees
MANILA, Philippines — The General Information Sheets (GIS) of Gencorp Industries Inc. tied to Vice President Sara Duterte indicated that it had no rank-and-file employees in 2025, according to Senator-judge Joel Villanueva. In 2023 and 2024, the company only listed two rank-and-file employees, added Villanueva during the 42nd day of the impeachment trial of the vice president. “I
Raffy Tulfo: Witness not ready to explain VP Duterte’s GenCorp earnings
MANILA, Philippines — The witness was either “not ready” or “nagmamaang-maangan” (playing dumb) for failing to fully explain the P2 million allegedly received by Vice President Sara Duterte from GenCorp Industries Inc., Senator-judge Raffy Tulfo said on Wednesday. Tulfo made the remark during the Senate impeachment trial after defense witness and lawyer Suzette Balucanag-Punay revealed
Cayetano: Set aside differences, address PH problems now, not in 2028
MANILA, Philippines — Senate minority leader Alan Peter Cayetano on Wednesday appealed to fellow politicians to set aside political differences to address the country’s economic difficulties instead of waiting for the 2028 elections. Cayetano, in another Facebook live, issued his call as he stressed how constant bickering between different political sides are exacerbating the struggles
MMDA gearing up for Asean Summit, deploying over 2,600 personnel
MANILA, Philippines—The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will deploy 2,637 personnel from Nov. 13 to 18 to help manage traffic during the 49th Asean Summit and related gatherings. The agency announced its preparations during a joint press conference with the Department of Transportation and Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group on Wednesday. Atty. Victor Nuñez, director
LIVE UPDATES: Impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte
Bookmark this page for Rappler's comprehensive coverage of Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial at the Senate
Calapan City bomb threat declared a hoax
CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro – A bomb threat rocked the Calapan City Hall Complex on Wednesday at 1:20 p.m., prompting a complete shutdown of a nearby campus. The threat was posted on the Facebook community page Calapan Barter/Buy and Sell Community by an anonymous participant who said, “May bomba ako nilagay ko sa may city