Philippine News Agency

15/01/2025

The Department of Transportation on Wednesday advised the public that free transport cards being given away by the ‘Transportation in Manila’ page are fake and warned against fraudulent transactions with the platform.

MANILA – The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Wednesday advised the public that free transport cards being given away by the ‘Transportation in Manila’ page are fake and warned against fraudulent transactions with the platform. In an advisory, the DOTr said the transport cards.....

15/01/2025

Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros on Wednesday addressed the spread of misinformation surrounding the Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy Bill. Shesaid the bill is a critical response to the alarming number of adolescent pregnancy cases in the Philippines.

MANILA – Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros on Wednesday addressed the spread of misinformation surrounding the Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy Bill. In a press briefing at the Senate, Hontiveros emphasized that the bill is a critical response to what the National Economic and…

15/01/2025

The Department of Justice - Philippines has approved the filing of 62 counts of money laundering charges against Alice Guo and 31 others in connection with a hub in Bamban.

MANILA – The Department of Justice (DOJ) has approved the filing of 62 counts of money laundering charges against former Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo (Guo Hua Ping) and 31 others in connection with the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub in her town, an official said Wednesday. In…

15/01/2025

WATCH: Twenty-nine foreign nationals – six from Myanmar and 23 from mainland China – were arrested during a raid on a guerrilla-type Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator in Silang, Cavite on Wednesday (Jan. 15, 2025).

The raid was carried out by a joint team from the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Calabarzon Regional Field Unit, Bureau of Immigration, Cavite Police Provincial Office, and the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission. | Darryl John Esguerra | 🎥 PAOCC

15/01/2025

The National Price Coordinating Council is considering declaring an extraordinary increase in food prices to allow the Department of Agriculture to declare a food security emergency, DTI Philippines Consumer Protection and Advocacy Bureau OIC Director Cherryl Carbonell said during the hearing of the House of Representatives of the Philippines Quinta Committee or the Murang Pagkain Supercommittee on Wednesday.

MANILA – The National Price Coordinating Council (NPCC) is considering declaring an extraordinary increase in food prices to allow the Department of Agriculture (DA) to declare a food security emergency, a trade official said Wednesday. During the hearing of the House of Representatives Quinta…

15/01/2025

READ | Department of Tourism - Philippines statement on Pres. Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s move to transfer PHP400 million of his office’s contingency fund to restore the agency's branding budget

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The Department of Tourism (DOT) delightedly welcomes the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to reinstate the PhP400 million branding budget to sustain the momentum of promoting the Philippines on the global stage. This timely decision underscores the administration’s strong commitment to positioning the Philippines as a leading destination in the international tourism landscape.

With this restoration, sourced from the President’s contingency fund, the DOT is poised to strengthen its efforts in expanding the country’s international visibility through strategic global campaigns, increased engagement with target audiences, trade and consumer activations, and impactful global media placements. These initiatives are critical to maintaining the gains achieved in 2024, during which the country recorded an all-time high PhP760 billion in international visitor receipts.

The fund augmentation will go a long way with the DOT’s sincere and proactive intentions in enticing foreign tourists to visit the country and experience for themselves the reasons for why they should Love the Philippines.

The DOT reaffirms its unwavering dedication to its mandate of driving tourism growth to new heights. The reinstatement of the branding budget is a vote of confidence in the department’s vision and efforts, and it further motivates us to champion the Philippines as a global tourism powerhouse.

We extend our gratitude to President Marcos for his continued support and guidance in making tourism a key pillar of national development. 📷 Presidential Communications Office

15/01/2025

KANLAON WATCH. Office of Civil Defense PH administrator Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno on Wednesday (Jan. 15, 2025) visits Canlaon City, Negros Oriental to check on the current situation amid Mt. Kanlaon's restiveness. Canlaon City Mayor Jose Chubasco Cardenas received Nepomuceno, who was then briefed on the latest situation update on the volcano. | Judy Flores Partlow (Photos courtesy of SALTA Canlaon Official page)

15/01/2025

PANOORIN: PNA HEADLINES

•P400-M branding budget ng DOT, pinababalik ni PBBM
•DFA, ipoprotesta ang pagkakarekober ng mga underwater drone sa katubigan ng Pilipinas
•Comelec, tuloy ang paghahanda kahit ‘back to zero’ ang pag-imprenta ng balota
•NPA, hindi na magiging banta sa halalan sa Mayo
•Virology and Vaccine Institute, ipinangakong popondohan ni PBBM

Bisitahin ang PNA website http://www.pna.gov.ph at i-like and share ang PNA page http://www.facebook.com/pnagovph at PNA Twitter .

15/01/2025

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said the Palace is not meddling in the affairs of the House of Representatives of the Philippines.

MANILA – Malacañang has nothing to do with the removal of Ako Bikol party-list Rep. Elizaldy Co as chairperson of the House Committee on Appropriations, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said Wednesday. “I have no opinion on that. That’s the discretion of the Congress,” Bersamin told…

15/01/2025

PANOORIN: Balitang Pambansa | 6PM | January 15, 2025

15/01/2025

A court has ordered the arrest of 29 active and former police officers charged over the alleged mishandling of the PHP6.7 billion drug haul in October 2022 in Manila. "The bail for the release of the accused is fixed at PHP200,000 each," Manila RTC Branch 44 said in the order issued on Jan. 14.

Of the 29, 22 still on active duty have already been placed under restrictive custody, according to the Philippine National Police.

MANILA – A court has ordered the arrest of 29 active and former police officers charged over the alleged mishandling of the PHP6.7 billion drug haul in October 2022 in Manila. "The bail for the release of the accused is fixed at PHP200,000 each," Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 44 Judge.....

15/01/2025

There were over 6 million scam texts and over 600,000 scam calls recorded in the Philippines last year, with data showing that these fraudulent communications increase per quarter. The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center and trust-tech firm Gogolook said the figures were based on data collected through its Whoscall mobile app.

MANILA – There were over 6 million scam texts and over 600,000 scam calls recorded in the Philippines last year, with data showing that these fraudulent communications increase per quarter. In a media briefing Wednesday by the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) and…

15/01/2025

EARLIER. Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco on Wednesday (Jan. 15, 2025) thanks President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for his order to transfer PHP400 million of his contingency fund to restore the amount removed by the Congress in Department of Tourism - Philippines' vital promotions budget.

Frasco: From this addition of PHP400 million, we will be able to sustain the momentum that we have gained for our Love the Philippines global tourism campaign as well as our activations abroad.

"We also anticipate that through the addition of PHP400 million, we will be able to sustain our presence in our top source markets, as well as in the opportunity markets, and that will translate inevitably to more tourism arrivals and more tourism revenues for the Philippines." | Joyce Ann Rocamora

15/01/2025

WATCH: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. welcomes Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi at Malacañan Palace in Manila on Wednesday (Jan. 15, 2025). | Ruth Abbey Carlos (Video courtesy of Malacañang Press Corps Pool)

15/01/2025

The Japanese government will strengthen its cooperation and maritime security support to the Philippines “in response to the developments in the ”. Visiting Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi made the announcement on Wednesday as he conveyed Japan’s “grave concerns” over repeated actions that heighten tensions in the SCS.

MANILA – The Japanese government will strengthen its cooperation and maritime security support to the Philippines “in response to the developments in the South China Sea (SCS)”. Visiting Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi made the announcement on Wednesday as he conveyed Japan’s…

15/01/2025

Malacañang on Wednesday addressed reports about Vice President Sara Duterte’s possible presidential bid in 2028, calling it "too premature" but affirming that it remains her personal privilege to run. Although she has not officially declared her political intentions for 2028, Duterte said she is “seriously considering” seeking the highest elective seat in the land.

MANILA – Malacañang on Wednesday addressed reports about Vice President Sara Duterte’s possible presidential bid in 2028, calling it "too premature" but affirming that it remains her personal privilege to run. "I think it's too premature, but it is her privilege (to run)," Executive Secretary.....

15/01/2025

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Wednesday urged for stronger measures to address workplace risks faced by OFWs in their host countries.

MANILA – Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Wednesday urged for stronger measures to ensure the safety and welfare of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) following the death of Jenny Alvarado in Kuwait, reportedly due to coal suffocation. In a statement, the senator offered his heartfelt condolences to…

15/01/2025

The municipal government of Bugasong in Antique has identified loom weaving, particularly of “patadyong” (checkered loose skirt) as their or One Town, One Product.

SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique – The One Town, One Product (OTOP) program of the municipality of Bugasong has improved the livelihood of its loom weavers. Bagtason Loom Weavers Association (BLWA) president Mario Manzano said in an interview Tuesday that the municipal government identified loom…