National

Daraga, Albay Mayor Baldo: I assert my innocence

(Eagle News)–Daraga, Albay Mayor Carlwyn Baldo on Thursday, Jan. 3, denied he ordered the killing of Rep. Rodel Batocabe and his security escort, SP01 Orlando Diaz. “I did not order the deaths of anyone,” Baldo said after double murder charges were filed against him in connection with Batocabe’s and Diaz’s death, after a witness and some suspects pointed to him as the mastermind of the attack in December last year. Baldo also faces six counts […]

Año places PNP “on heightened alert” to “monitor activities” of all candidates in 2019 polls

(Eagle News)–Interior Secretary Eduardo Año on Thursday, Jan. 3, said he has placed the Philippine National Police on “heightened alert” to “monitor the activities of all candidates” as the 2019 elections draw near. Año made the statement as he said that what happened to Daraga, Albay Mayor Carlwyn Baldo should “serve as a stern warning against all politicians not to intimidate, harass, or do violence against their political opponents” in the polls. Baldo and six […]

Andaya alleges firm of in-laws of Diokno’s daughter is using “dummy contractors” to corner gov’t projects

(Eagle News)—House Majority Leader Rolando Andaya Jr. on Thursday, Jan. 3, stood by his allegations against Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno, claiming that the firm of the in-laws of his daughter actually cornered government projects in the millions of pesos using “dummy firms.” During the nationally-televised first hearing into alleged anomalies in the proposed national budget for 2019, Andaya alleged Aremar Construction Corp, which he said was owned by Maria Hamor, daughter of  Ester Hamor who […]

Palace hails “early, swift conclusion” of Batocabe slay probe

(Eagle News)–The Palace on Thursday, Jan. 3, hailed the “early and swift conclusion” of the investigation into the killing of Rep. Rodel Batocabe. In a statement, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo lauded the efforts of the Philippine National Police, headed by Director General Oscar Albayalde, and the “close cooperation of the local community..” for this. “This is a breakthrough in the pursuit of justice for the victims and their families,” he said. He said that while Daraga, […]

Duterte signs congressional reso extending validity of key components of 2018 budget

(Eagle News)–President Rodrigo Duterte has signed a joint resolution extending the validity of key components of the 2018 national budget until Dec. 31, 2019. Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea made the announcement in a message to reporters on Thursday, Jan. 3. According to Medialdea, in particular, the President signed Joint Resolution No. 3 that extends the validity of the “MOOE and CO components of the 2018 GAA (General Appropriations Act) Joint Resolution Extending the Availability of the […]

Death toll due to “Usman” rises to over 100

(Eagle News)–The number of fatalities due to Tropical Depression “Usman” has risen to over 100. According to the latest report of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, of the fatalities, 105 were recorded in Bicol, 18 in Albay, 15 in Camarines Norte, eight in Sorsogon and seven in Masbate. The figure was more than 20 more than the 86 dead reported by the NDRRMC on Wednesday, Jan. 2. Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo has said […]

21% na pagtaas sa toll rates sa NLEX, iminungkahi

(Eagle News) — Nais ng Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation, operator ng North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) na itaas 21 percent ang bayad sa toll sa naturang highway. Sakaling maaprubahan, ang minimum toll fee mula Balintawak hanggang Marilao, Bulacan ay aabot na sa Php 45.00 hanggang Php 54.00 para sa mga class 1 vehicles o mga pribadong sasakyan. Mula Balintawak hanggang Tipo Exit papuntang Subic, Zambales ay aabot na sa Php 519.00 mula sa dating Php 429.00. […]

Palace: Duterte to visit areas hit by “Usman” on Friday, Jan. 4

(Eagle News)—-President Rodrigo Duterte is slated to visit parts of the country that were most affected by “Usman” on Friday, Jan. 4. Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo made the announcement on Thursday, Jan. 3. According to Panelo, among those the President was slated to visit were Bicol and Camarines Sur. “We will check on the stricken areas para malaman natin kung ano pang kailangan nating gawin,” he said. On Wednesday, Jan. 2, the National Disaster Risk […]

DFA still checking if Filipinos among casualties in Denmark train crash

(Eagle News)–The Department of Foreign Affairs is still checking whether Filipinos were among the  people reported killed and injured in a recent train crash in Denmark. In a statement, the DFA said based on a report from Ambassador to Denmark Jocelyn Batoon-Garcia,  Consul General Poul Krogh was checking with Danish authorities if any of the 12,000 members of the Filipino community was among the six killed or 16 injured in the incident that involved a commuter […]

UPDATED: PNP files criminal raps vs Daraga, Albay mayor Baldo and several others over Batocabe killing

(Eagle News)–Criminal charges have been filed against Daraga, Albay Mayor Carlwyn Baldo and several others over the killing of Rep. Rodel Batocabe. In a press conference, Philippine National Police Chief Oscar Albayalde said the charges for double murder and six counts of multiple frustrated murder were filed against Baldo, Danilo Muella, Henry Yuson, Rolando Arimado, Emmanuel Roselio, Jaywin Babor and Christopher Naval before the Albay Provincial Prosecutors Office on Thursday, Jan. 3. According to Albayalde, based […]

House panel on rules kicks off probe into alleged anomalies in proposed nat’l budget for 2019

(Eagle News)–The House committee on rules on Thursday, Jan. 3, kicked off its investigation into what House Majority Leader Rolando Andaya Jr. said were “anomalies” in the proposed P3.757 trillion national budget for 2019. The first hearing kicked off in Naga City, Camarines Sur. Andaya had alleged a “favored” contractor, C.T. Leoncio Construction, linked to Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno through his in-laws,  had cornered at least 30 government projects in the billions of pesos. He also […]

Lacson to DOJ: Follow up on court petition seeking to declare CPP, NPA as terrorists

(Eagle News)—–Senator Panfilo Lacson on Thursday, Jan. 3, urged the Department of Justice to follow up in court its petition seeking to declare the Communist Party of the Philippines and the New People’s Army as terrorists. Lacson, who was referring to the petition filed by the DOJ before the Manila Regional Trial Court in March, issued the statement after CPP founder Jose Maria Sison said the Communists “principal work” this 2019 was the ouster of […]