Heighten crackdown vs firms exploiting minors urged

Heighten crackdown vs firms exploiting minors urged

Davao City Councilor Pamela "Pameng" Librado-Morata passed a resolution urging DCPO and NBI-Semro to intensify operations against firms exploiting minors, citing the recent NBI raid on Heaven Personal Massage Spa and the arrest of suspected operator "Madam Ram." The move comes as DSWD-Davao reports a rise in OSAEC cases (11 minor victims in the first half of 2025 vs. 4 in 2024), underscoring the urgent need to enforce RA 7610 (Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act).

Cinemalaya 2025 posts ₱13.4 million in box office sales

Cinemalaya 2025 posts ₱13.4 million in box office sales

Despite the months-long delay, the 2025 edition of the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival ended on a successful note, earning ₱13.4 million in box office sales throughout its weeklong run. Cinemalaya’s box office sales were announced by festival director Chris Millado during his speech at the awards ceremony on Sunday, Oct. 12. The box office sales of the 2025 film festival were a steep jump from last year’s ₱5.8 million, which, according to Millado, was “more than a hundred percent increase.” “Senyales ito ng patunay na paglawak ng tinatawag nating footprint ng Cinemalaya sa labas ng CCP. At kung patuloy […]... Keep on reading: Cinemalaya 2025 posts ₱13.4 million in box office sales

PSA-DavSur conducts house-to-house registration for inclusive nat’l ID system

PSA-DavSur conducts house-to-house registration for inclusive nat’l ID system

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Davao del Sur Provincial Statistical Office is conducting house-to-house and mobile National ID registration in various barangays in Davao del Sur and Davao City. This inclusive effort targets senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and low-income families who face mobility issues, ensuring equitable access to the National ID System and social protection services.

Fast Talk with Boy Abunda: Jericho Rosales, paano pinaghandaan ang role na 'Quezon?' (Episode 703)

Fast Talk with Boy Abunda: Jericho Rosales, paano pinaghandaan ang role na 'Quezon?' (Episode 703)

Aired (October 14, 2025): Alamin kung paano pinaghandaan ni Jericho Rosales ang kanyang pagganap bilang si Manuel Quezon sa pelikulang 'Quezon.' For more Fast Talk With Boy Abunda videos, click the link below: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGRhcC_vtOrYkYNWgPJ9ntTVJ7BHCXumB Watch the latest episodes of 'Fast Talk with Boy Abunda' weekdays at 4:45 PM on GMA Afternoon prime, starring Boy Abunda. #FastTalkwithBoyAbunda To our Global Pinoys in the U.S., catch your favorite Pinoy shows from GMA Pinoy TV, GMA Life TV, and GMA News TV, now available on YouTube TV! Subscribe now for only $14.99 per month. Visit tv.youtube.com for more details.

China's hostility in West PH Sea heightens risk of escalation - AFP

China's hostility in West PH Sea heightens risk of escalation - AFP

MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) warned on Tuesday that the China Coast Guard (CCG) and maritime militia vessels’ coercive and aggressive maneuvers near Philippine-held features, including Pag-asa Island and Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal)  are raising the risk of escalation. In a press briefing, Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad said the AFP has long warned that the illegal presence of Chinese vessels in the country’s maritime zones poses a continuous security threat. “The AFP has raised the alarm years ago when we started monitoring the illegal presence […]... Keep on reading: China's hostility in West PH Sea heightens risk of escalation - AFP

Cebu approves financial aid for Davao Oriental

Cebu approves financial aid for Davao Oriental

In a gesture of solidarity, the 17th Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Cebu approved ₱5 million in financial aid for the Davao Oriental Provincial Government on October 14. This provincial donation is separate from the Cebu City Government's aid, which includes ₱232,000 in cash, 34,000 bottles of water, and unique "taste of Cebu" relief packs featuring danggit, dried mangoes, chicharon, and otap, as announced by Mayor Nestor Archival. The move reciprocates Mindanao's help during Cebu's own recent quake recovery.

COA tightens oversight, launches reforms after flood control anomalies

COA tightens oversight, launches reforms after flood control anomalies

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Audit (CoA) announced reforms aimed at strengthening transparency and accountability following anomalies in connection with flood control projects. CoA Chairman Gamaliel Cordoba said at a Senate finance committee hearing on Monday that the commission is investigating its own ranks for possible negligence or complicity in irregular transactions. He said findings from these audits will be submitted to the COA’s internal affairs office for possible sanctions. Cordoba said the investigation covers the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Bulacan’s first district engineering office, where resident auditors handled 11 municipalities and three cities. “We are looking at every layer of accountability. Those who failed to act or allowed wrongdoing to happen will be held responsible,” Cordoba said. He said the agency will require its officials and employees to state possible personal or financial interests related to their work. CoA will periodically reassign resident auditors and require fraud auditors to make surprise inspections. “We recognize the limitations in manpower, but we are instituting stronger oversight systems. Our fraud auditors will conduct random checks to ensure resident auditors are doing their jobs,” Cordoba said. COA Commissioner Douglas Michael Mallillin revealed that CoA was drafting a memorandum circular that will require geotagging for all infrastructure projects including those not under the DPWH. Mallillin said that satellite-based geotagging will be used in order to prevent falsification. “We will pursue criminal charges against anyone found tampering with geotags or falsifying documentation,” he told senators. The agency, he said, is reviewing proposals to reintroduce pre-audit procedures for agencies with weak internal control.

AFP warns fake news peddlers: Charges to come soon

AFP warns fake news peddlers: Charges to come soon

MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday assured the public that charges will be filed soon against peddlers of fake news that targeted the military. Over the past weeks, the AFP released successive announcements debunking various “fake news” involving the service, calling such claims “completely false, irresponsible, and clearly intended to discredit the AFP and its leadership.” It cited the alleged P15 billion ghost projects for the AFP from 2023-2025, as well as various coup attempts calling for the withdrawal of the support of the military from the Marcos administration. According to the AFP, the organization is in the process of identifying and verifying the identities of fake news peddlers for proper case-build up over acts tantamount to inciting to sedition and rebellion, among others. “We are looking at all angles on this. We want to properly prepare the case build-up. We haven't fully identified them, who are they and how many of them,” AFP spokesman Col. Francel Padilla said. “We are looking at all of those spreading misinformation leading to different narratives or they have their own actions that are not good for our country. The AFP always says that our goal is for us not to get distracted in terms of the armed forces of the Philippines. We are laser focused on our mission and function as members of the AFP,” Padilla said.