PhilHealth has P311B in unreleased funds – lawmaker

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is withholding ₱14 million in retention funds from contractor Sunwest over an allegedly substandard ₱289 million flood control project in Oriental Mindoro. The project led to a malversation case against former Ako Bicol Representative Zaldy Co and nine others. DPWH Finance Division chief Cecilia Vicquerra,

LAKE SEBU, South Cotabato — Heavy rains poured over this upland town on Thursday afternoon as Tropical Storm Queenie began affecting weather conditions in parts of Mindanao after entering the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR). The downpour was among the strongest in the area in recent days as Queenie’s trough affected portions of Mindanao, according

MANILA, Philippines — It seems that Vice President Sara Duterte’s office has been consistent in getting flagged by the Commission on Audit (COA) for questionable transactions, Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro said on Thursday. Luistro, along with other lawmakers, was asked in a press briefing about a COA report on the 2025 Disaster Risk Reduction and Management

More than 4,000 runners gathered at Vermosa Sports Hub in Imus, Cavite, for the South Luzon leg of Puregold’s Hakot Relay, which introduced a new 8K Individual Challenge alongside the event’s signature grocery-themed relay.  The South Luzon leg marked the first time the Hakot Relay featured an individual 8-km race, giving solo runners a chance to take on a longer course while maintaining the event’s signature grocery “hakot” concept.  About 500 participants joined the 8K Individual Challenge, while the rest competed in the traditional Hakot Relay, where runners formed teams and raced through the course while collecting grocery items along the way.  Unlike the relay, which required teamwork and strategy, the 8K challenge tested participants individually as they completed the full distance on their own.   “We wanted to offer runners a fresh and enjoyable way to challenge themselves, with the ‘hakot’ mechanic adding a playful and uniquely Puregold twist to the race. Being part of the running community is meaningful to us, and it is a privilege for Puregold to bring people together for a shared panalo experience,” said Ivy Hayagan-Piedad, Puregold senior marketing manager.  The event began with a pre-race warm-up before participants headed to the starting line. Runners then completed their respective courses within the prescribed cut-off times.  After crossing the finish line, participants received their race-day rewards and visited sampling booths featuring participating brands. Sponsor-led activities and an awarding ceremony followed the races.  The team relay participants received a Grocery Sling Bag and a Finisher’s Grocery Bag. Meanwhile, 8K Individual Challenge finishers received a distinct reward that matched the event’s grocery-themed concept: a finisher’s grocery cart wagon to carry their loot home.  “We’re always looking for ways to level up the Hakot Relay and give Filipinos something new to look forward to. This year, it meant introducing our first-ever 8K challenge and bringing the experience to an even bigger scale,” Piedad said.   With more than 4,000 runners participating as teams or individual competitors, the South Luzon leg expanded the Hakot Relay format while retaining its signature reward, allowing participants to race to the finish line and take home groceries.

MANILA, Philippines – The bill that fixes the term of barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials to five years has already been transmitted to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian gave the information on Thursday. The measure – Senate Bill No. 2397 – effectively postpones the upcoming polls in November. The House of

MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian said on Thursday that Sen. Mark Villar’s vote to make the voting base to convict Vice President Sara Duterte more flexible does not indicate he is joining the Senate majority. The senator clarified that after Villar, the sole minority bloc member to do so, voted to let the

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur – The Department of Education (DepEd) Pagadian City Division has ordered a permanent tightening of campus security across the locality following an alleged online threat against local schools.  Dr. Danny Cordova, DepEd Pagadian City Schools Division Superintendent, confirmed that on Wednesday evening, he received a report regarding a threat posted

MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian on Thursday said the 13-1 vote to overturn the 16-vote conviction threshold does not indicate how senator-judges will vote on whether to convict or acquit Vice President Sara Duterte in her impeachment trial. “No, that’s far off. Because when it comes to the verdict, it’s about the evidence,

The Department of Information and Communications Technology"s (DICT) Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) apologized Thursday for the inconvenience caused by its order that temporarily banned media sharing and messaging platform Discord in the Philippines.

DAVAO CITY — The Department of Agriculture (DA)–Davao Region has begun discussions with a Malaysian company about potential market opportunities for coconut shells as an alternative energy resource. Through its Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD), DA-Davao Region officials recently met with Borneo New Energy representatives to assess the availability and volume of coconut shells. The

MANILA, Philippines — The ban on Discord was lifted on Thursday, Sept. 24 after its representatives talked with officials of the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT). CICC is an attached agency of the DICT. DICT chief Henry Aguda and CICC Executive Director Undersecretary Renato “Aboy”

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Francis Pangilinan did not discount the possibility that the recent school shootings in the country could be tied to efforts to instill fear and instability and “make the government look weak.” While scrutinizing the Department of Justice’s proposed P46.44-billion budget for 2027 on Thursday, Pangilinan aired his concerns about the series