PHILIPPINE shares declined on Wednesday after the International Monetary Fund (IMF) lowered its economic growth outlook for the country and as investors remained cautious ahead of the announcement of new quarantine restrictions. The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) lost 38.90 points or 0.54% to close at 7,068.92 on Wednesday, while the broader all shares index […]
Category: Hot News
Peso strengthens vs dollar as US Congress passes bill hiking debt ceiling
THE PESO appreciated versus the greenback on Wednesday after US legislators approved a measure that will temporarily increase the government’s borrowing limit. The local unit ended trading at P50.655 per dollar on Wednesday, appreciating by 19.5 centavos from its close of P50.85 on Tuesday, data from the Bankers Association of the Philippines showed. The peso […]
Metro lockdown eased on decreasing infections
AN INTER-AGENCY task force wants to ease the lockdown in Manila, the capital and nearby cities to Alert Level 3 starting Oct. 16 amid decreasing coronavirus infections, according to the presidential palace. The task force had also agreed to put Apayao, Kalinga, Batanes, Bulacan, Bataan, Cavite, Rizal, Laguna, Naga City, Zamboanga City and Zamboanga del […]
Duterte names new chiefs of MMDA and Public Works dep’t
PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte has appointed a congressman from the Visayas as acting secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways, according to the presidential palace. The President signed Southern Leyte Rep. Roger G. Mercado’s appointment paper on Oct. 12, a copy of which was sent to the Viber group of palace journalists. Mr. […]
Philippine crime rate fell by 63% under Duterte, police say
THE CRIME rate in the Philippines fell by 63% to 170,168 under the government of President Rodrigo R. Duterte, police said on Wednesday. Police also solved 49% of murder, physical injury, rape, robbery and theft cases from July 2016 to June 2021, compared with 26% from July 2010 to June 2015 under the previous government, […]
Death toll up to 13, agri damage at P692M in storm Maring’s aftermath
THE DEATH toll from severe tropical storm Maring, with international name Kompasu, climbed to 13 as of Wednesday with 11 others missing and three injured, the national disaster management council reported. The disaster agency said it was still validating reports but local authorities have confirmed at least 11 deaths with four in Palawan, four in Benguet, two in […]
Candidate’s admission of being a placeholder not enough to be declared a nuisance — Comelec
A CANDIDATE’S admission or inference of being a placeholder for an elective position is not enough grounds for being declared a nuisance, according to Commission on Elections (Comelec) Spokesperson James B. Jimenez. “A mere declaration to the contrary wouldn’t, in my opinion, be sufficient to overcome the intention to run which is manifested in the […]
DoLE recommends no quarantine for OFWs from green list countries
THE LABOR department has recommended to remove the quarantine period for returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from countries under the green list who will test negative for coronavirus upon arrival. The Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) also suggested to cut the quarantine period to five days for OFWs coming from yellow list countries who will test negative for […]
Bill filed limiting authority of OICs in gov’t posts
A SENATOR filed a bill on Monday that seeks to limit the powers of government officials designated as officer-in-charge (OIC), after questionable billions-worth of pandemic contracts were signed last year and prompted a lengthy probe in the upper chamber. Senator Francis N. Tolentino’s Senate bill no. 2434 will amend provisions of Executive Order 292 or the Administrative Code of 1987 on OICs. If enacted, the proposed law will inhibit OICs […]
House panel approves bill regulating operation of motorcycle-for-hire
THE HOUSE of Representatives’ transport committee approved Wednesday a measure that would allow and regulate the use of motorcycles as public utility vehicles. In a hearing, the panel approved an unnumbered substitute bill and committee report known as the proposed Motorcycles-for-Hire Regulation Act. The bill, if signed into law, will amend Republic Act 4136 or the Land Transportation and […]
Faberco, RiteMed bring Merck’s anti-COVID oral drug to PHL
MOLNUPIRAVIR, an oral antiviral drug clinically proven to reduce by half the risk of hospitalization or death from known variants of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 [COVID-19]), may be available in the country by next month. The pill can be accessed initially through hospitals and other healthcare facilities. Faberco Life Sciences, Inc. (Faberco), appointed […]
Jollibee opens new stores in United States, Canada
JOLLIBEE Foods Corp. (JFC) continues its expansiona plans in North America, launching its 53rd store in the United States and its 22nd in Canada, the listed company said in a statement on Tuesday. JFC opened a Jollibee branch in Pembroke Pines in Florida. The company said it is its first location in the south of […]
BTr fully awards reissued bonds at higher rate on inflation fears
THE GOVERNMENT made a full award of the reissued Treasury bonds (T-bonds) it offered on Tuesday, even as its average rate was higher than expected on inflation concerns. The Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) on Tuesday borrowed P35 billion as planned via the reissued five-year Treasury bonds (T-bonds) with a remaining life of four years […]
Italy launches cultural rescue project at Dubai’s Expo 2020
DUBAI — Italy, renowned for its centuries of experience trying to preserve its rich artistic culture, has used its presence at a world fair in Dubai to launch a project to help other nations around the Mediterranean rescue heritage at risk. Italy has already hit the headlines with its pavilion at Expo 2020, which opened […]
Essilor launches campaign for better vision
ESSILOR Manufacturing Philippines, Inc., provider of ophthalmic goods, will kick off World Sight Day on Oct. 14 with a virtual concert featuring bespectacled folk pop band Ben&Ben. The event, which aims to raise awareness about taking care of one’s eyesight, will be aired live on Essilor’s Facebook page. “Our sense of sight is essential to our day to […]
Synergy Grid gets approval for P1.15-B offering
THE corporate regulator has given the green light for listed holdings firm Synergy Grid & Development Philippines., Inc.’s follow-on public offering of up to P1.15 billion. “In a letter dated Oct. 7… the Securities and Exchange Commission favorably considered the registration statement filed by the company covering the registration of securities of up to 1.15 […]
CA upholds MB decision to charge former RCBC Bacolod branch manager
THE COURT of Appeals (CA) Manila 11th Division upheld an administrative indictment against a former Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) Bacolod branch manager for unsound banking practices, the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. (PDIC) said. The court upheld the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ Monetary Board’s (MB) resolution directing the filing of a formal charge against Andrew […]
Bolshoi Theater performer killed in accident on stage during opera
MOSCOW — A performer at Moscow’s renowned Bolshoi Theater was killed on Saturday in an accident on stage during an opera, the theater said. The Bolshoi, one of Russia’s most prestigious theaters, said the incident occurred during a set change in Sadko, an opera by Russian composer Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. “The opera was immediately stopped and […]
Fitbit launches workouts curated by rapper Will Smith
RAPPER and actor Will Smith curated six workouts and mindfulness sessions for a Fitbit Premium-exclusive collection dubbed “Will Smith: StrongWill.” Premium members can virtually work out with Mr. Smith and his trainers in sessions that focus on strength building techniques; core engagement; deep breathing exercises and meditation; mobility yoga; cardio-intensive exercises; and upper body HIIT (high-intensity interval […]
Non-communicable diseases, COVID-19, and the elderly
In 1960, life expectancy in the Philippines was 62 years. By 2019, the average Filipino living in the country could expect to live up to 71. Worldwide, 900 million people are aged 60 years and older; seniors now outnumber children younger than 5 years. By 2050, one in five people will be 60 years and […]