REUTERSBy Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio, ReporterPHILIPPINE lawmakers should allot enough defense budget and legislate reforms within security agencies to advance the military’s modernization program amid worsening tensions with China, according to a congressional think-tank.Lawmakers should also exercise their oversight powers over the Armed Forces of

SCREENSHOT FROM HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FACEBOOKBy John Victor D. Ordoñez, ReporterTHE CHIEF of the Philippine police’s investigation arm has filed a complaint for inciting to sedition against former President Rodrigo R. Duterte over his kill remarks against sitting senators.Brigadier General Nicolas D. Torre III, head

PUBLIC HEALTH IMAGE LIBRARY/US CENTERS DISEASE FOR CONTROL AND PREVENTIONPHILIPPINE health authorities on Monday flagged a “concerning rise” in dengue cases in Luzon, with eight more local governments there likely to declare an outbreak after Quezon City.In a statement, the Department of Health (DoH) cited

PHILIPPINE STAR/ MIGUEL DE GUZMANAROUND 70-80% of crimes in Southeast Asia are linked to drugs, Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director General Gregorio Pio P. Catapang, Jr. said on Monday, following the conclusion of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Regional Correctional Conference (ARCC).Drugs emerged

PHILIPPINE STAR/WALTER BOLLOZOSTHE Commission on Elections (Comelec) should release documents connected to the election contract it awarded to a South Korean company for this year’s midterm poll to spur public confidence in the electoral system, a watchdog group said on Monday.In a statement, Democracy Watch

Women work at the assembly line of an electronics factory in Malvar, Batangas, Aug. 10, 2018. — REUTERSTHE Philippines and Malaysia are exploring collaboration in skills training and workforce development as part of efforts to enhance regional labor capabilities, the Labor department said on Monday.In

UNSPLASHTHE TRADE Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) on Monday opposed Manila Electric Co.’s (Meralco) move to raise rates this month as this could add to the burden of increasing prices of basic goods and utilities.“Despite the evident financial strain on households due to rising

THE Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has filed a tax evasion case against operators nabbed in a large-scale raid against illicit cigarettes with a total of P8.54-billion tax liability. “The BIR has filed an 8.5-B[illion] Tax Evasion case against the criminals behind an illicit cigarette factory

THE Court of Tax Appeals (CTA) has partially granted Philippine Airlines, Inc.’s (PAL) refund claim ordering the internal revenue commission pay the flag-carrier P3.47 million for its wrongly paid excise taxes on imported liquor and wine from July 2018 to April 2019.In a 17-page decision

PHILIPPINE STAR/RUSSELL PALMAA Senator urged taxpayers to avail the government’s estate tax amnesty program, which has been extended until June 14.“Now is the perfect opportunity for heirs and beneficiaries to prepare for their payment, which should be made on or before the extended deadline, while

PHILIPPINE STAR/ MICHAEL VARCASA PHILIPPINE senator on Monday called on President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. to sign the Magna Carta for Barangay Health Workers, which would enable better benefits for health volunteers.“There should be no obstacles to signing it because it has undergone thorough study,

BAGUIO CITY — The social welfare department here is reiterating its services are not tied with politics, but part of its mandate to serve the Filipinos especially those in dire need.In a public advisory on Monday, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in