Philippine economy nosedives into recession
MANILA, Aug 6 (Mabuhay) — The Philippine economy plunged further in the second quarter to mark its worst performance on record, bringing the country to a technical recession amid the COVID-19 pandemic. In a virtual briefing on Thursday, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said the economy contracted by 16.5% during the April to June period. […]
Jessy Mendiola to host new fitness show
MANILA, Aug 6 (Mabuhay)– Actress Jessy Mendiola is set to return to work as the host of a new fitness program which will be aired on TV5. Mendiola took to social media to share her the teaser of her show “Fit for Life,” which will debut on August 16, 7 a.m. on TV5 and on […]
Alden Richards, Nadine Lustre open to work on a movie together
MANILA, Aug 5 (Mabuhay)– Alden Richards has said he is willing to work again with Nadine Lustre. Alden and Nadine, who are a “fitspiration” to their fans, are co-ambassadors of a health and fitness competition. According to Alden, he has worked with Nadine when she is just starting her career. “During the early stages ng […]
Catriona Gray seeks P10M from tabloid over fake topless photos
MANILA, Aug 3 (Mabuhay) — Catriona Gray is demanding P10 million from a tabloid over its “false” allegations about her having nude photos. The former Miss Universe title-holder said local tabloid Bulgar caused “immeasurable damage” to her reputation by publishing an article with an alleged topless photo of hers. In the circulated demand letter, Gray […]
Gatchalian urges transparency in study of nuclear energy
MANILA, July 31 (Mabuhay) — Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Thursday urged the inter-agency committee assigned to study the possible use of nuclear energy to proceed with utmost transparency to the public, saying that nuclear power is a ‘risky’ business. On Wednesday, President Rodrigo Duterte formed the Nuclear Energy Program Inter-Agency Committee to study the possibility […]
Gov’t debt balloons to record P9.05T as of end-June as borrowing increased due to COVID-19
MANILA, July 29 (Mabuhay) — The national government’s outstanding debt swelled to a record P9.054 trillion, breaching P9-trillion mark, as of end-June as the state ramped up borrowing to support COVID-19 response and recovery efforts, data released by the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) showed Wednesday. The end-June outstanding government debt is 1.8% higher than […]
BIR maintains POGOs should pay 5% franchise tax
MANILA, July 28 (Mabuhay) — The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has maintained that foreign-based Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) should pay the 5% franchise tax before they can resume their operations. In a statement, the taxman said the payment of 5% franchise tax on POGOs is clearly stated in a memorandum circular issued by […]
DA confirms bird flu in Pampanga egg farm
MANILA, July 29 (Mabuhay) — The Department of Agriculture through the Bureau of Animal Industry (DA-BAI) on Wednesday confirmed the detection of a highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) strain, specifically A(H5N6), in a poultry layer or egg-producing farm in San Luis, Pampanga. Using the “one health approach,” the DA-BAI — in tandem with the DA […]
House panel OKs proposed 12% VAT on some digital service providers
MANILA, July 29 (Mabuhay) — The House ways and means panel has approved a bill seeking to impose a 12% Value Added Tax (VAT) on some foreign and local companies providing goods and services via digital and electronic platforms. Still unnumbered, the substitute bill seeks to amend Section 105-A of the National Internal Revenue with […]
ADB loans to Philippines to reach record high $4.2B in 2020
MANILA, July 24 (Mabuhay) — Loans of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to the Philippines are expected to reach a record-high $4.207 billion this year, with the lion’s share going to efforts against the coronavirus disease 2019. According to ADB Philippines country director Kelly Bird, the ADB’s 2020 lending program is the biggest so far […]
Mt. Bulusan shows signs of potential eruption — Phivolcs
LEGAZPI CITY, July 24 (Mabuhay) — The series of tremors that have been rocking Mt. Bulusan in Sorsogon and the bulging at its edifice are apparent signs that the volcano’s state of restlessness is rising. April Dominguiano, resident volcanologist of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) in the province, in an interview on […]
Pacquiao joins roster of PH Army advisers
MANILA, July 23 (Mabuhay) — The Philippine Army (PA) on Wednesday welcomed Senator Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao as the newest member of its Multi-Sector Advisory Board (MSAB). The Filipino boxing icon, who is also an Army reserve colonel, took his oath and received his Army Transformation Roadmap pin via video teleconferencing in a ceremony led by […]
Dingdong’s delivery service app hires, helps out-of-work showbiz workers
MANILA, July 22 (Mabuhay) — Dingdong Dantes’ food delivery service app has been hiring showbiz workers who lost their jobs amid the community quarantine. The riders were given a five-day training with the help of Yes Pinoy Foundation and other agencies. Carlo Kaunes, a stuntman of “Descendants of the Sun,” said he has been feeling […]
Solon proposes to use ABS-CBN frequencies for distance learning
MANILA, (Mabuhay) — A lawmaker has proposed the temporary use by the government of ABS-CBN’s former television and radio frequencies for effective distance learning. Deputy Speaker Luis Raymund Villafuerte filed on Tuesday House Resolution 1044, a copy of which was sent to the media on Wednesday. Villafuerte said the unused frequencies can be tapped to […]
DENR promotes plant-based diet to fight climate change
MANILA, July 13 (Mabuhay) — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on Saturday urged Filipinos to help fight climate change by switching to plant-based diet, which has been shown to reduce the ecological footprint of human food consumption. In a press release, the DENR, through its Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), has launched a […]
75% of Filipinos in favor of ABS-CBN franchise renewal — SWS survey
MANILA, July 13 (Mabuhay) — A Social Weather Stations poll found that three out of four Filipinos or 75 percent of those polled were in favor of Congress renewing ABS-CBN’s franchise, and over half of those polled considered a non-renewal a major blow to press freedom. The SWS’ National Mobile Phone Survey, taken from July […]
Move to kill ABS-CBN’s franchise bid damages trust in gov’t- Archbishop Soc Villegas
MANILA, (Mabuhay) — The House franchise committee’s decision to deny ABS-CBN Corp’s bid for a new broadcast license has “damaged people’s trust in the workings of the government,” Lingayen Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas said on Saturday. In a statement, the former chief of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said that members of […]
FDA approves a total of 204 COVID-19 test kits
MANILA, (Mabuhay) — The Food and Drug Administration on Friday said it has approved a total of 204 COVID-19 test kits so far. These include 71 polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based test kits, 77 rapid antibody test kits, 51 immunoassay test kits, and five others. The number of COVID-19 cases reached 52,914 on Friday, according to […]