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By Tracy Cabrera   VATICAN CITY, Rome — Meeting with the pontifical foundation known as the Fondazione Centesimus Annus–Pro Pontifice that is tasked to promote the goals of the Apostolic See, Pope Leo XIV has issued the challenge on helping develop the Church’s Social Doctrine with the “people of God, in this time of great social upheaval.” The Centesimus Annus Pro Pontifice …

TRACES OF TRUTH By Tracy Cabrera  A man is not finished when he is defeated. He is finished when he quits. — US president Richard Nixon MAYPAJO, Caloocan City — Midway his term as the country’s chief executive, President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. (PBBM) has begun a new battlecry: “Alyansa, all the way!” But none of the candidates of the …

By Tracy Cabrera  AYALA, Makati City — Three firms owned by multi-billionaire Manuel ‘Manny’ Bamba Villar and six other companies were slapped with trading suspensions by the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) due to late filing of financial reports for the year 2024. Suspended were Villar’s Vistamalls, Vista Land and Golden MV Holdings as well as AgriNurture Incorporated (ANI), Waterfront Philippines Incorporated …

By Tracy Cabrera Vote buying remains a deeply rooted problem in Philippine elections, according to a foreign observation team mostly composed of representatives from European Union (EU) member countries. In a preliminary report, the EU Election Observation Mission (EU-EOM) criticized the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for failing to effectively curb the illegal practice during the recent midterm polls, calling it …

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has temporarily lifted the maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) policy for pork sold in wet markets due to low compliance among vendors, while maintaining a ban on pork imports from China and several European countries amid ongoing efforts to contain African swine fever (ASF). The ban on pork and pork-based products remains in effect for …

San Miguel Corporation (SMC) posted first-quarter earnings of P43.4 billion, rising sharply from P8.9 billion a year earlier, supported by one-time gains from the partial sale of power assets and foreign exchange gains.  Core net income, excluding these non-recurring items, grew 31% to P19.0 billion, driven by disciplined cost management and solid performance in most of its core businesses. Revenues …

An Angeles City Regional Trial Court (RTC) in Pampanga has issued arrest warrants against former presidential spokesperson Atty. Herminio “Harry” Roque Jr., businesswoman Cassandra “Cassie Li” Ong, and 48 other individuals in connection with qualified human trafficking charges linked to the controversial Lucky South 99 Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub in Porac, Pampanga. Judge Rene Estrada Reyes of RTC …

Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero has assured the public that the impending impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio will be handled with utmost seriousness and respect for due process, amid concerns that it could devolve into a political spectacle following the recent midterm elections. Speaking at the Kapihan sa Senado media forum, Escudero downplayed fears that the entry of …

Defense Secretary Gilberto Eduardo Gerardo “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. has reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to global peacekeeping efforts, announcing new pledges during his address at the United Nations (UN) Peacekeeping Ministerial in Berlin. Speaking before international dignitaries at the pledging session, Teodoro committed the deployment of Filipino military and police personnel as field military observers and officers in various UN-mandated missions …

The Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) is exploring ways to support the logistics and e-commerce operations of the Kadiwa ng Pangulo program to help ensure the regular availability of affordable and fresh agricultural products for consumers. PHLPost Postmaster General Luis Carlos, in a news release issued Friday, said the effort is in line with the agency’s mission to assist local farmers …