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By Tracy Cabrera  MALATE, Manila — Amidst reports of a ‘money-making scheme’ involving the issuance of audit documents, the Department of Finance (DoF) has ordered the suspension of all Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) field audits as a necessary step toward a systemic overhaul of the agency’s audit operations. In an official announcement, finance secretary Frederick Go disclosed that the halt on …

By Tracy Cabrera  DILIMAN, Quezon City – The University of the Philippines (UP) and provincial government of Northern Samar have teamed up to advance geological heritage conservation, research collaboration and sustainable development initiatives in the province. The meeting and signing of the memorandum of agreement was held recently at the UP National Institute of Geological Sciences in Quezon City with Northern …

By Tracy Cabrera  ERMITA, Manila — In denying with finality his appeal that the Ombudsman gravely erred in imposing extreme penalties that were not commensurate with his alleged acts, the Court of Appeals (CA) has upheld the dismissal of Silang, Cavite municipal engineer Robert Marquina over the ‘simulated’ bidding for flowers and string lights used in a ball celebrating the Feast of …

By Tracy Cabrera  MALATE, Manila — Reminding the nation that truth does not rely on theatrics but simply stands firm, civic leader Dr. Jose Antonio Goitia offers a clear message to the Filipino people during a time when rumors attempt to overwhelm reason and noise tries to outshout reality.  Reacting to widespread criticism against the administration, the chairman emeritus of …

CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City — China’s escalating aggression in the West Philippine Sea (WPS)—from shadowing and ramming vessels to using military-grade lasers and spreading disinformation—has pushed the Philippines to strengthen its defensive posture and in response, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has launched a four-pillar strategy to safeguard the nation’s sovereignty, protect maritime rights, and uphold a rules-based international …

Arrest warrants have been issued by the Sandiganbayan for former congressman Zaldy Co and 17 others after the Office of the Ombudsman (OMB) directed law enforcement agencies, led by the Philippine National Police (PNP), to effect their arrests. Co and several Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials as well as directors of Sunwest Corporation have been formally charged …

Former House Speaker Martin Romualdez strongly denied any involvement in alleged national budget manipulations as well as the controversial flood control projects, insisting “my conscience remains clear”. Romualdez is willing to undergo investigation by the Office of the Ombudsman as recommended by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), according to his lawyer Atty. Ade Fajardo. In a statement read by …

The Bureau of Customs (BoC) held a public auction on seven of the confiscated luxury vehicles owned by contractor Pacifico ‘Curlee’ Discaya and wife Cezarah ‘Sarah’ Discaya but only three were sold. The auction, held at the South Harbor just a week after the vehicles were opened for public viewing, generated only P38.21 million for government The three sold vehicles …

Real estate magnate and former senator Manuel ‘Manny’ Villar lost his title as the Philippines’ richest man after losing billions of pesos on the revaluation of his properties in southern Manila. More than 360 hectares of land, tagged as Villar City and owned by the Villar Land Holdings Corporation, was reappraised at below its original purchase price, wiping out a …

Manila Electric Company (Meralco) recently collaborated with the Manila local government in its wire-clearing operations, boosting the power distributor’s anti-urban blight campaign. With strong support from the Manila local government unit, Manila Electric Company is gaining headway in its anti-urban blight campaign with wire-clearing operations throughout the city.  Agapito Jose ‘Joe’ Zaldarriaga, Meralco vice president and Corporate Communications head emphasized …