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The Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 12 on Thursday entered a “not guilty” plea for former Negros Oriental lawmaker Arnolfo Teves Jr. in connection with charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives. Judge Renato Enciso entered the plea after Teves chose to invoke his right to remain silent during his arraignment. The case involves firearms, explosives, and ammunition …

The Bureau of Customs–Ninoy Aquino International Airport (BOC-NAIA) has intercepted a shipment containing nearly P6.72 million worth of methamphetamine hydrochloride, or shabu, during an inspection earlier this week. BOC Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio said on Thursday that the illegal drugs, weighing 988.5 grams, were discovered early last week at the Central Mail Exchange Center (CMEC) in Pasay City. The package had …

To further support the livelihood of Filipino fishers in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) is preparing to launch a dedicated “food boat” that will serve both as a logistics hub and market link for freshly caught seafood. BFAR spokesperson Nazario Briguera said in a phone interview Thursday that the initiative aligns with …

Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero’s decision to delay by four months the possible Senate trial of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment case raises troubling questions about the independence of our institutions and the rule of law. By deferring action until after the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections, Escudero says he wants to avoid politicizing the local polls. But the impeachment …

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) ordered the closure of an online airline booking platform for charging unreasonably high-ticket prices. Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said he was alerted by Rep. Richard Gomez (Leyte, 4th District) about unusually high airfare prices on the booking platform AirAsia Move. A Philippine Airlines ticket from Tacloban to Manila for two passengers was listed on AirAsia Move …

By Tracy Cabrera Former President Rodrigo Duterte may have won the mayoralty race in Davao City despite being detained in the Netherlands, but he cannot serve remotely from prison, according to Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla Jr. Remulla made the statement after Duterte clinched a landslide victory in the May 12 midterm …

The Duterte Youth Party-list (DYPL) slammed what it called the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) “deafening silence” on the disqualification cases filed against its left-leaning rivals, Gabriela Youth and Kabataan, while it continues to face scrutiny over its own legitimacy. In a Facebook post, DYPL lashed out at critics who have branded them as “fraudulent” and questioned why Comelec has yet …

The recent return of former Negros Oriental Representative Arnulfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. to the Philippines was a lawful operation based on valid arrest warrants, not an abduction, according to Malacañang. Presidential Communications Office Assistant Secretary Erel Cabatbat, who was part of the government’s extraction team, addressed claims by Teves’ son, Axl, who alleged on social media that his father had …

Government employees burdened by high-interest loans can now look forward to financial relief through the enhanced Ginhawa Max Loan Buyout program of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS). GSIS President and General Manager Jose Arnulfo “Wick” Veloso announced that the upgraded initiative offers a lifeline to qualified borrowers by completely buying out their existing loans from predatory lenders and replacing …

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has partnered with private logistics companies to deliver nearly 3,000 abandoned balikbayan boxes to the families of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) across the country. BOC Assistant Commissioner and spokesperson Vincent Philip Maronilla announced on Friday that the agency has coordinated with the Door-to-Door Consolidators Association of the Philippines (DDCAP) to ensure that the packages, turned …