The country’s balance of payments (BoP) swung to a deficit of $2.02 billion in February after the government paid off more foreign loans, central bank data showed. “The BOP deficit in February 2021 reflected outflows, arising mainly from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’s (BSP) reserve management operations and the foreign currency withdrawals of the National […]
Category: Hot News
Daily COVID-19 tally hits record
The Department of Health (DoH) reported 9,838 coronavirus infections on Friday, the highest daily tally since the start of the pandemic last year. Friday’s tally surpassed the number on Thursday at 8,773, bringing the total to 702,856, it said in a bulletin. The death toll rose by 54 to 13,149, while recoveries increased by 663 […]
‘Cha-cha’ proposal good as dead
A House of Representatives proposal to relax economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution was “virtually dead” after congressmen failed to approve it before going on a Lenten break, according to a congressman. The Charter change proposal “is now virtually dead and is headed to the graveyard,” party-list Rep. Michael T. Defensor said in a statement […]
Another magistrate files for early retirement
Another Supreme Court justice has filed for early retirement for health reasons, according to its spokesman. Associate Justice Edgardo L. Delos Santos wanted to retire before his retirement date on June 12, just a year and three months after his appointment, court spokesman Brian Keith F. Hosaka said in a Viber group message on Friday. […]
Baguio police told to stop red tagging
A Baguio trial court has ordered law enforcers in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) to stop tagging four young activists and their groups on social media as communists pending a case filed against the police. The court issued the order after a hearing on the case on March 24. It will hold another hearing on […]
NFT artwork by humanoid robot sells at auction for nearly $700,000
FACEBOOK.COM/REALSOPHIAROBOT HONG KONG — A digital artwork by humanoid robot Sophia was sold at auction on Thursday for $688,888 in the form of a Non-Fungible Token (NFT). NFTs, a digital signature saved on blockchain ledgers that allows anyone to verify the ownership and authenticity of items, have become the latest investment craze, with one artwork […]
Basic Energy secures contract for 50-MW wind project in Mabini
LISTED firm Basic Energy Corp. said that it had received from the Energy department a service contract for its planned 50-megawatt (MW) wind project in Mabini, Batangas. In a disclosure to the local bourse on Thursday, Basic Energy said that the wind energy service contract (WESC) provides for a non-extendible, five-year, pre-development stage and a […]
DBP net profit down by 30.4%
THE Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) posted a lower net profit of P3.9 billion in 2020 on higher credit loss provisions and operating expenses. The state lender’s net income decreased by 30.4% last year from P5.6 billion recorded in 2019, DBP Executive Vice-President for Corporate Services and Concurrent Head of Operations Marietta M. Fondevilla […]
‘No Zoom’ Oscars causes backlash, Hollywood media reports
LOS ANGELES — The “No Zoom” policy for this year’s Oscars ceremony is proving a headache for multiple nominees who live outside the United States and who are still under pandemic restrictions, according to Hollywood publications. Variety and Deadline Hollywood reported on Wednesday that publicists and some studio executives have complained to the film academy […]
Globe to also launch 5G in North America, Europe
GLOBE TELECOM, Inc. said on Thursday it would also be launching fifth-generation (5G) roaming services in North America and Europe. To recall, the Ayala-led telco announced on March 10 that it would be launching 5G in more parts of Asia and the Middle East for its customers traveling abroad, especially overseas Filipino workers. On Thursday, […]
House OK’s PDIC charter amendments
THE HOUSE of Representatives has approved a bill on the revised charter of the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. (PDIC), which will include allowing the agency to adjust its insurance limit per depositor. Lawmakers on Thursday voted 185 affirmative to six negative and one abstention for the approval of House Bill 8818 or the proposed law […]
House OK’s bill setting freelance payment deadlines
A PROPOSED LAW that will require freelance workers in the gig economy to work under contract with specific payment deadlines was unanimously approved by the House of Representatives, sitting as a plenary body. House Bill 8817 or the proposed Freelance Workers Protection Act was designed to increase the legal protections available to freelancers, and will […]
Stuff to do (03/26/21)
1 of 2 Muni-Muni Stories recaps season FILIPINAS Heritage Library and the OPM Archive present the 12th episode of Muni-Muni Stories: A Podcast on Filipino Music on Mar. 26, 6 p.m. The episode is a Recap Finale with Moy Ortiz and Krina Cayabyab. This recap episode of Muni-Muni Stories contemplates the nature of the OPM […]
House approves FICTAP franchise
PHILIPPINE STAR/MICHAEL VARCAS LAWMAKERS on Thursday approved the proposed congressional franchise of newly organized corporation FICTAP Telecommunications, Inc. In a plenary session, the House of Representatives approved House Bill 8972 or an act that will grant new player FICTAP a telecommunication franchise valid for 25 years. If signed into law, FICTAP will be granted the […]
Cebuana Lhuillier’s rural bank records increase in savings account openings
CEBUANA LHUILLIER Rural Bank, Inc. saw its Micro Savings accountholders jump to more than five million Filipinos since its launch in 2019 after it added features for digital transactions. The banking arm of microfinancial services giant Cebuana Lhuillier said more clients applied for its Micro Savings account in December last year after features such as […]
RCBC virtual bank app to offer loans
RIZAL COMMERCIAL BANKING CORP.’s (RCBC) virtual bank Diskartech would target micro, small and medium enterprises and individuals. RIZAL COMMERCIAL Banking Corp.’s (RCBC) virtual bank app Diskartech will soon allow users to apply for loans, according to a company official. The loan feature would become available next month, with about 10 types of credit offerings, Angelito […]
Microsoft in talks to buy Discord for more than $10 billion
MICROSOFT CORP. is in talks to acquire Discord, Inc., a video game chat community, for more than $10 billion, according to people familiar with the matter. Discord has been talking to potential buyers and software giant Microsoft is in the running, but no deal is imminent, said the people, who asked not to be identified […]
DIning In/Out (03/25/21)
1 of 7 The Pen’s Easter goodies THE PENINSULA Manila celebrates Easter with a bunch of sweet goodies. Hop on over to The Peninsula Boutique and get one of Executive Sous Chef Xavier Castello’s and Senior Sous Chef Annalyn Solano’s Easter-themed confections and pastries. The confections include an Upside Down Bunny (P1,190) which contains six […]
Total COVID-19 cases and vaccine regional breakdown (as of March 23)
How PSEi member stocks performed — March 24, 2021
Here’s a quick glance at how PSEi stocks fared on Wednesday, March 24, 2021.