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Philippines says it will not grant US access to more bases
The Philippines says it has no plans to give the United States more access to military bases in the Southeast Asian country, putting a cap on the current total number of nine sites.Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. told foreign correspondents in Manila Monday that the country's decision last year to increase the number of sites agreed upon under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement or EDCA was a re.....»»
VP Sara ready to face ICC charges only before a Filipino court
Vice President Sara Duterte expressed her readiness to confront any allegations against her but insisted that she would only do so in front of a Filipino judge and within the jurisdiction of a Filipino court. In a statement on her Facebook page, she emphasized her refusal to participate in any process that could tarnish the reputation and integrity of the Philippine judiciary system. Duterte adamantly opposed the involvement of foreign entities in the country's legal affairs, citing it as a dishonor to the sacrifices made by Filipino heroes for the nation's freedom. Duterte, who previously served as vice mayor and mayor of Davao City, vehemently denied any involvement in the Davao Death Squad during her terms in office. She expressed dismay over the sudden appearance of a witness against her in the International Criminal Court (ICC) after assuming the vice presidency. Duterte dismissed the accusations and questioned the motives behind the allegations, asserting her capability to accomplish tasks without resorting to unlawful means. In a related development, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. voiced his refusal to acknowledge the ICC's jurisdiction in the Philippines, considering it a threat to the country's sovereignty. He issued a directive for all government agencies to refrain from cooperating with the ICC, emphasizing the nation's non-recognition of the court's authority. Former senator Antonio Trillanes IV claimed that ICC investigators had gathered substantial evidence against former President Rodrigo Duterte regarding his administration's war on drugs. He anticipated an imminent issuance of an arrest warrant against the former president. Former President Rodrigo Duterte condemned the ICC's decision to initiate a preliminary investigation into the war on drugs, labeling it an insult to the Philippines and challenging the court's jurisdiction within the country. During his presidency, he initiated the withdrawal of the Philippines' membership from the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the ICC. The ICC appeals chamber recently granted a request to resume the investigation into alleged crimes against humanity related to the Philippines' controversial drug campaign, spanning from November 2011 to March 2019. The developments surrounding the ICC's probe into the Philippines' internal affairs have sparked a contentious debate, with key political figures and rights groups expressing divergent views on the matter. The ongoing tensions between the Philippines and the ICC underscore the complex intersection of international law, national sovereignty, and human rights issues......»»
EDITORIAL - Restoring NFA powers
Amid sustained high rice prices, the House of Representatives has approved a bill that restores the authority of the National Food Authority to import rice and sell this in the market during a food security emergency......»»
NEDA cuts PHL additional rice import for 2016 by 25%
By Leslie D. Venzon MANILA, Dec. 17 (PNA) — The government will reduce by roughly one-fourth its planned additional volume of rice imports for the first semester of 2016 meant to boost........»»
Delivery drivers urge Mayor Baste for business permit exemption
Title: Delivery Drivers Seek Exemption from Business Permit Requirement A group of delivery drivers in Davao is urging Mayor Sebastian Duterte to exempt them from the mandatory business permits. The drivers, including those from various delivery apps such as Grab and FoodPanda, are concerned about the financial burden imposed by the business permits, which range from P2,000 to P6,000. They argue that this requirement is unique to Davao City among all cities and provinces in the Philippines. Grab rider Rolando Atico emphasized the need for solidarity among all delivery drivers, regardless of the app they work for. He urged fellow drivers to support each other, as the financial impact may extend beyond just Grab and FoodPanda. Atico also requested Mayor Duterte to reconsider the requirement and reinstate the previous occupational permit, which only cost P125. The group is facing a 30-day deadline to obtain the business permits, and they are citing financial constraints as a reason for their request for an extension. Failure to comply could result in their removal from the delivery platforms, jeopardizing their livelihoods. Additionally, they are advocating for changes to Davao City's Revenue Code, proposing a model similar to Cebu City, where only an occupational permit is required. The drivers are also calling for an inquiry into the lack of transparency and unilateral actions of food delivery companies, particularly concerning rider capitalization and financial concerns. They believe that a thorough investigation will help ensure fairness and equity in their financial obligations and working relationship with the delivery companies. Maribel Paguican, the Business Bureau officer-in-charge, stated that non-certified delivery riders categorized as service contractors must obtain a business permit. She mentioned two permits for occupational and business activities, with a discounted structure for delivery riders. However, concerns have been raised about increased taxes, potentially ranging from P3,000 to P6,000, along with an additional tax on top of the declared income of P1,400. The delivery drivers' plea for exemption from the business permit requirement reflects their concerns about the financial impact and the potential threat to their livelihoods. Their call for solidarity and support from fellow drivers highlights the urgency of the situation. This story sheds light on the challenges faced by delivery drivers in Davao and the implications of the business permit requirement on their financial well-being. It also underscores their efforts to seek fairness and equity in their working relationship with the authorities and delivery companies......»»
DA wants P35 billion budget for rice program next year
The Department of Agriculture is seeking a 15 percent increase in the budget of its national rice program next year to further boost local rice production and ensure country’s food st.....»»
IN STORE - The Manila Times
Workers unload sacks of rice at a warehouse in Dagupan St., Tondo, Manila on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said that he would certify a bill amending the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL) as urgent to control rice prices in the country. PHOTOS BY RENE H. DILAN Workers unload sacks of rice at a warehouse in Dagupan St., Tondo, Manila on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said that.....»»
Philippines suspends over 130 officials over rice sale scandal
MANILA, March 4 (Xinhua) -- The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the preventive suspension of the National Food Authority (NFA) head and 138 other officials and employees for their alleged involvement in a sale of rice buffer stock, Philippine Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel said Monday. Laurel said the order started Monday while an investigation is underway to see if the accusations are true......»»
Philippines suspends over 130 officials over rice sale scandal
MANILA, March 4 (Xinhua) -- The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the preventive suspension of the National Food Authority (NFA) head and 138 other officials and employees for their alleged involvement in a sale of rice buffer stock, Philippine Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel said Monday. Laurel said the order started Monday while an investigation is underway to see if the accusations are true......»»
Meralco taps fresh import
Only one game is left in Meralco’s schedule before ending its EASL season against the Seoul SK Knights at the Jamsil Students Gymnasium tomorrow night and even as the Bolts are out of contention for a Final Four slot, coach Luigi Trillo brought in a new import 6-9 Alioune Tew to team with 6-7 Shonn Miller for the last stand......»»
‘Run it back’: Tyler Bey wants another shot with Magnolia after finals heartbreak
The PBA Commissioner's Cup proves to be a tournament marked by runner-up finishes for Magnolia import Tyler Bey as he falls short of the Best Import plum and the championship.....»»
Rep. Wilbert Lee: P20 per kilo of rice still possible
CEBU CITY, Philippines — The promise of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to lower the price of rice to P20 per kilo remains doable if House Bill No. 9020 or the “Cheaper Rice Act” is passed into law, Agri Partylist Representative Wilbert Lee said. Under his proposed bill, Lee said that the government will have to.....»»
Farmers want tariffication review, cool to rice SRP
Farmers in Central Luzon, considered as the rice granary of the Philippines, are calling for the abolition or review of the Rice Tariffication Law......»»
Best Import award surprises J3
Johnathan Williams never expected to be named Best Import of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup so when Phoenix coach Jamike Jarin phoned last Friday to break the news, he couldn’t believe it at first......»»
DA working double time to increase rice production at lower cost amid inflation
The Department of Agriculture promised to intensify its efforts to increase the level of rice production in the Philippines with lower expenditures to alleviate food and non-food inflation, particularly rice......»»
PhilRice: 95% rice sufficiency by 2028 possible
The Philippines can achieve 95 percent rice sufficiency by 2028 through the use of both hybrid and inbred varieties of palay, the Philippine Rice Research Institute said yesterday......»»
New NLEX import debuts impressively
NLEX Road Warriors head coach Frankie Lim lauded the "pretty decent" debut of import Deandre Williams-Baldwin......»»
Mission impossible: Embracing the nuclear ‘explosion’
A nuclear “explosion” of sorts could be on the horizon for the Philippines – one which could ensure a sustainable, sufficient and clean source of electricity for future generations, or one which could put the country in a deep hole......»»
NFA defends sale of cheap rice; farmers slam ‘mafia’
The National Food Authority yesterday defended the sale of rice to some traders, saying the NFA is allowed to dispose of aging stocks amid the alleged anomalous sale of rice to traders......»»
High rice prices to persist until September – DA
Despite sufficient rice stocks in the first half of the year, elevated rice prices may persist until September due to high international prices caused by the El Niño phenomenon, according to the Department of Agriculture......»»