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By Tracy Cabrera  DILIMAN, Quezon City — With valued contributions from the vibrant food sector, domestic manufacturing output turned positive both in terms of volume and value in August, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).  Based on official data, the volume of production (VoPI) and value of production (VaPI) indices respectively rebounded to 1.4 percent and 2.0 percent from …

By Tracy Cabrera  DILIMAN, Quezon City — In its bid to enhance digital connection as advocated by President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr., the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is targeting to complete the transfer of fiber optic telecommunications lines underground before the end of the President’s term in 2028. In a statement, information and communication technology secretary Henry …

By Tracy Cabrera  CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City — Pointing to the threat posed by China’s increased activities in the area surrounding Palawan, defense secretary Gilbert ‘Gibo’ Teodoro cited the need to put ample defense facilities on the island as it is a vital part of the country’s territorial integrity.  Speaking before the Senate’s finance committee chaired by senator Sherwin ‘Win’ …

By Tracy Cabrera  INTRAMUROS, Manila  — The Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) has asked the Department of Justice (DoJ) to issue ‘lookout’ bulletin orders against former House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, ex-Senate President Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero, Senator Jose ‘Jinggoy Estrada’ Ejercito Jr. and others linked in the flood control scandal.  Among the others the ICI requested for a similar order …

By Tracy Cabrera  Several civic groups have lauded President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. (PBBM) for taking the fearless stand of fighting corruption and inefficiency, calling the president’s firm decision to make a stand a “renewal of moral governance” that restores confidence in our public institutions. “The President’s message is simple but powerful,” enthused civic leader Dr. Jose Antonio Goitia who …

By Tracy Cabrera After months of delay, public school teachers and non-teaching personnel in Manila will finally receive their long-overdue allowances, Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso announced on Monday. The city government began releasing the first tranche of payments — equivalent to April’s allowance — on October 7, benefiting more than 11,000 public school teachers and staff who have not …

By Tracy Cabrera Amid persistent destabilization rumors and murmurs of unrest over alleged government corruption, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to the Constitution and the Filipino people — a stance that has earned praise from civic leader Dr. Jose Antonio Goitia. Goitia, chairman emeritus of the Alyansa ng Bantay sa Kapayapaan at Demokrasya (ABKD), People’s …

Construction magnates Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya and Cezarah Rowena “Sarah” Discaya could face up to ₱300 billion in fines for allegedly rigging more than 1,200 flood-control contracts since 2016, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) announced Friday. DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon said firms owned by the couple, including St. Timothy Construction Corp., cornered 1,214 contracts worth ₱77.934 billion. If …

Public Works Secretary Vivencio “Vince” Dizon on Friday announced new budget guidelines for project consultancy contracts of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), starting with a policy that sets stricter limits on proposed budgets for consultants. Under Department Order No. 184, released last week, the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) will now strictly serve as the ceiling …

Amid controversies over alleged insertions in the national budget, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has thrown its support behind a multisectoral initiative to put the government’s budget on the blockchain. Information Secretary Henry Rhoel Aguda said the DICT is backing the project being developed with New York-based blockchain firm Polygon Labs and local tech partner Bayani Chain. …