MANILA – No Filipino has so far been reported infected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) in South Korea, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said, as the East Asian nation raised its virus alert to the highest level on Sunday. “The Korean government has raised its Covid-19 alert level to its highest, red, due… Keep Reading

Updated February 23, 2020, 6:38 PM By Reuters  RIYADH – Finance officials from the world’s 20 biggest economies (G20) meeting in Riyadh on Sunday reached agreement on the wording of a final communique that includes a reference to climate change for the first time, G20 diplomatic sources said. Journalists sit in the media center during… Keep Reading

Updated February 23, 2020, 6:37 PM By Minka Klaudia Tiangco  Around P3.4 million worth of suspected shabu were seized from three alleged drug personalities in a buy-bust operation at Barangay Kaligayahan in Novaliches, Quezon City Saturday afternoon. (Photo from QCPD PIO / MANILA BULLETIN) Arrested were Karen Leal, 32, sales lady; John Rhens Timing, 20,… Keep Reading

Published February 23, 2020, 6:29 PM By Ellson Quismorio  Deputy Speaker and Basilan lone district Rep. Mujiv Hataman has dared today’s “woke generation” to “seek true stories” about the past, and not be blinded by the historical revisionism prevalent in the digital era of fake news and half-truths. House Deputy Speaker and Basilan lone district… Keep Reading

Published February 23, 2020, 6:21 PM By Ellson Quismorio  Bayan Muna Party-List Rep. Carlos Zarate called on the House leadership Sunday to fast track the passage of two bills from the Makabayan Bloc that aim to broaden the protection and benefits given by the government to so-called “whistleblowers.” Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate(Bayan Muna Party list… Keep Reading

Published February 23, 2020, 6:18 PM By Charissa Luci-Atienza  Bagong Henerasyon partylist Rep. Bernadette Herrera-Dy has batted for the passage of a bill seeking to establish a medical scholarship and return service program to address the shortage of medical practitioners in the country, particularly in rural areas. Rep. Bernadette Herrera-Dy (FACEBOOK / FILE PHOTO /… Keep Reading

Published February 23, 2020, 6:14 PM By Charissa Luci-Atienza  More than 200 sub-projects under the government’s Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive, Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS), which include flood control infrastructure, and school buildings, have been completed in the Bicol region, benefitting more than 43,000 households, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has… Keep Reading

Published February 23, 2020, 6:11 PM By Agence France-Presse It is lunch time in Beijing, but the only diner in Cindy’s Cafe is an employee having a staff meal — it has been closed for more than three weeks as China battles a deadly virus epidemic. Restaurants are taking a huge hit as many people… Keep Reading

Published February 23, 2020, 6:11 PM By Charissa Luci-Atienza The House of Representatives has approved on second reading a bill mandating all barangays to create a registry of skilled workers. House of the Representatives (Manila Bulletin File Photo) House Bill No. 6228 or the proposed Barangay Skilled Workers Registry Act hurdled the Lower Chamber during… Keep Reading

Published February 23, 2020, 6:08 PM By Minka Klaudia Tiangco A Chinese national, who spat on the floor of a fast food restaurant, was arrested by the police in his house in Tondo, Manila Saturday night. (Photo from Manila Police District-Special Mayor’s Reaction Team / MANILA BULLETIN) Police identified the suspect as Jinxiong Cai, alias… Keep Reading

Published February 23, 2020, 6:07 PM By MB Online The Chinese Embassy in the Philippines revealed that it is now monitoring some of their nationals who are working for the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGOs) but have derogatory records or are prohibited from leaving China. When asked whether the Ministry of Public Security of China… Keep Reading

Published February 23, 2020, 6:03 PM By Hannah Torregoza  Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr. has sought the passage of a measure that seeks to increase the maximum deposit insurance coverage for bank depositors from P500,000 to P1-million. Sen. Bong Revilla Jr.(Senate of the Philippines / File Photo / MANILA BULLETIN) Revilla, in filing Senate Bill… Keep Reading

Published February 23, 2020, 5:59 PM By Ellson Quismorio A House leader has given a bleak outlook on the local tourism industry mostly due to the effects of the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak. “Even if the virus is suppressed by the second quarter, we’re afraid the damage to our tourism sector has already been… Keep Reading

Published February 23, 2020, 5:59 PM By Reuters French Health Minister Olivier Veran said on Sunday new cases of coronavirus were “very likely” in France and health authorities were ready in case of an epidemic, adding he was “particularly watchful” of the situation in Italy. “Today, there is only one infected patent in France, who… Keep Reading

Published February 23, 2020, 5:58 PM By Hanah Tabios The local government of Sagada in Mountain Province has partially lifted its suspension order on its eco-tourism activities in relation to the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19). In the latest advisory released by Municipal Mayor James Pooten Jr., tourists may again enjoy tourism activities in the town,… Keep Reading

Published February 23, 2020, 5:57 PM By Reuters The number of cases of the new coronavirus in Italy’s Lombardy region has risen to 89, the governor of the Lombardy Region Attilio Fontana said on Sunday. That brings the total number of cases in the country to more than 100, Fontana said, speaking on Sky TV.… Keep Reading

Published February 23, 2020, 5:56 PM By Jonathan Hicap Director General Gerald Bantag of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) in Muntinlupa has condemned the killing of lawyer Fredric Anthony Santos, the suspended chief of the agency’s legal division who testified in the Senate regarding the good conduct time allowance (GCTA) given to prisoners. Bureau of… Keep Reading

Updated February 23, 2020, 6:28 PM By Reuters Iran confirmed 15 new cases of the new coronavirus, Health Ministry spokesman Kianush Jahanpur said on state TV on Sunday, adding that the death toll has reached eight in the country. “So far, we have 43 infected cases and the death toll is eight,” said Kianush Jahanpur.… Keep Reading

Published February 23, 2020, 5:55 PM By Reuters Iran said on Sunday an Iranian infected by the new coronavirus died in the country, head of the Medical Science University in the Mazandaran province was quoted as saying, bringing the number of deaths to seven in the Islamic Republic. “An Iranian who traveled from Tehran to… Keep Reading

Published February 23, 2020, 5:51 PM By Martin Sadongdong  The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) vowed on Sunday to further strengthen its campaign against the proliferation of loose firearms in Maguindanao. Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) (MANILA BULLETIN) This, after local officials of Talitay municipality turned over 11 loose firearms and assorted ammunitions… Keep Reading

Published February 23, 2020, 5:48 PM By Jun Ramirez Bureau of Immigration (BI) officers assigned at air and sea ports nationwide have vowed to remain committed to their jobs, despite the alleged “pastillas” scandal and the threat of corona virus-19 (COVID-19) outbreak to their health. Bureau of Immigration (MANILA BULLETIN) “We assure the public that… Keep Reading

Published February 23, 2020, 5:44 PM By Hannah Torregoza At least two senators on Sunday insisted that there was no violation of the Constitution with respect to the Senate public services committee’s scheduled hearing on the issues surrounding the franchise of ABS-CBN Corporation. The hearing, initiated by Sen. Grace Poe, head of the Senate Public… Keep Reading

Published February 23, 2020, 5:40 PM By Agence France-Presse Rio de Janeiro kicks off its annual carnival parades Sunday, the first of two nights of glittering, over-the-top spectacle set to pack a heavy dose of political commentary on Brazil’s far-right President Jair Bolsonaro. Vying for the title of carnival champions, the city’s 13 top samba… Keep Reading

Deputy Speaker Johnny Pimentel MANILA — A lawmaker on Sunday urged the government to draw up an emergency skills retooling and jobs plan for thousands of workers facing retrenchment as the tourism and travel sectors struggle to reduce their capacities amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) outbreak. Deputy Speaker Johnny Pimentel called on the Department… Keep Reading

Published February 23, 2020, 5:30 PM By Argyll Cyrus Geducos  Malacañang said President Duterte cannot be forced to attend events if he does not want to, particularly the 34th anniversary celebration of the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution on Tuesday. In a radio interview, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said he will ask the President why… Keep Reading

Published February 23, 2020, 5:18 PM By Agence France-Presse Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Sunday accused foreign media of trying to use a deadly outbreak of coronavirus in Iran to “discourage” people from voting in a general election. Iranians voted in a parliamentary election on Friday, two days after the announcement of an outbreak… Keep Reading

Published February 23, 2020, 5:14 PM By Genalyn Kabiling The indictment of former Health Secretary now Iloilo Rep. Janette Garin for the deaths of children vaccinated with Dengvaxia vaccine has nothing to do with politics, Malacañang said Sunday. Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the Department of Justice has found probable cause to charge Garin and… Keep Reading