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Current Human Events & Stories

BDO Unibank registers P13B net income in first half of 2017

In its disclosure with the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) Monday, the Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. (BDO) registered a P13.3-billion net income in the first half of 2017, much higher than the PHP11.7 billion in the same period in 2016. The leading unibank of the country traced the improvement of […]

Agriculture Secretary Pinol admits garlic cartel exists, bans 43 traders

On Wednesday, Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Pinol disclosed the banning of 43 importers who failed to use their import permits. The DA official came forward with the announcement in the midst of rising prices of garlic in the local markets. The ban on 43 traders would leave 111 more players in […]

Duterte wants Marawi conflict to end before his second SONA

Wanting to be at the Batasan Complex for his second State of the Nation Address free of the Marawi conflict baggage, President Duterte expressed his wishful command to end it sooner between 10 to 15 days. During his personal appearance gracing the 10th anniversary listing of the Phoenix Petroleum at […]

Corn farmers are getting small financing scheme thru credit card

Corn farmers are getting introduced to small financing scheme using the credit card. This came about with the collaboration of Monsanto Philippines and Metrobank with the launch of Dekalb Mlite, touted as the first credit card facility for corn farmers in the country.

Bicolanos ready to abandon small independent stores in favor of malls

Bicolanos are now so ready to abandon small independent stores in its prime cities in exchange for in-mall stores or stands. As Metro Manila-based giant mall operators continue the incursion outside their comfort zones, and into provincial cities and big towns, independent small non-networked stores which used to be stable […]

Jollibee will soon ‘invade’ Europe via Italy

Next year, Filipino expats in Europe will get to taste Philippine’s ‘home grown hamburger’ and related to go food stuff. This is because industry leader Jollibee Foods Corporation is set to make a European debut with the strong possibility in Italy. Italy is home and host to many expat Filipinos, […]

Philippine peso dips on Monday, its weakest yet under Duterte administration

The Philippine peso finished its weakest under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday at P48.25 much noticeably lower than the P48.33 in September 15, 2009 but still far from the P47.16 of Nov. 10, 2015. Trying to explain the cause or identify the source as possible culprit, a […]

Decline in PH export brings down total trade revenue in July 2016

MANILA, Sept 14 — The Philippine’s total merchandise trade declined as exports continue to slide in July 2016, given that global economic recovery remains slow, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA). This was revealed as the Philippine Statistics Authority reported total revenue from trade fell from US […]

Why ghost month ‘phenomenon’ plunges PH stocks

The ‘phenomenon’ is back. The (stock market) ghost month begins. The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) dived 149.34 points, or 1.86 percent to 7,888.44 from previous day’s 8,037.78 finish on Wednesday. Almost all counters suffered a massive decline, led by services and holding firms that plunged 2.85 percent and […]

Duterte defends DENR Secretary Gina Lopez, belittles income from mining

This is the segment of the interview with the press in Malacanang of President Rodrigo Duterte on mining. The transcript of that “conversation” follows below: Second is mining, huwag ninyong anuhin si Gina Lopez by publicity. Hindi siya marunong…She is not an incompetent, she is a bright lady. And she […]

Duterte threatens big business to stop “Endo” practice or face closure

President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday sets his eyes on the practice of big business when it comes to employement and contractualization. He issued a reminder to refrain from the practice of contractualization just to cut cost as they would face closure. He said they will lose their permits to operate […]

This is how Casureco II electric bill looks like

Just looking into the details of a Casureco II power bill is a pain in the spine. Casureco II is the coop retailer of electricity covering the franchise area in the towns of Minalabac, Canaman, Tinambac, Siruma, Pili, Bombon, Magarao, Milaor, Calabanga and Naga City, all in the province of […]

EU Brexit agitates global, PH financial outlook

MANILA — It is not true that the “Brexit” will have no effect on the country as apologists project it to be. The local stock market tumbled anew on Tuesday, as investors pocketed gains after last week’s British exit, ‘Brexit,’ vote continued to agitate the global financial markets. The Philippine […]

No economy is an island, so will PH get hit by BREXIT?

Not yet in and yet, the choice technocrats of the incoming Duterte regime are quick to sound off that the European phenomenon called BREXIT, the departure of the United Kingdom (also known as Great Britain) from the European Union will have no effect on the local economy. While many countries […]

Naga City is rising as the business process outsourcing center of Bicol

Is Naga City rising as the business process outsourcing center of Bicol? Away from Mega Manila into the provinces where cost is cheaper and labor supply is plentiful, call center services or the business process outsourcing is finding Bicol, particularly the city of Naga and nearby provincial capitol complex in […]

New mall or old city hall? The bone of contention in Iriga City

What is important, an abandoned old city hall or a new mall in its place? [flexiblemap address=”Old City Hall building, Iriga City, Camarines Sur, Bicol” region=”Bicol” directions=”true” width=”100%” height=”250px” zoom=”18″ ] This is the bone of contention and friction point between four barangay captains of Iriga city against its mayor […]

ADB raise urgency for fast-tracking greenhouse gas emission reduction

A new Asian Development Bank (ADB) report raised urgency for fast-tracking Southeast Asia’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction, warning limited impacts of climate change arising from these discharges can already reach some 11 percent of this region’s GDP by 2100. Launched Monday in Metro Manila, the report ‘Southeast Asia and […]

List: Top export companies and products of Davao Region in 2015

As a yearender, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) agency in the region of Davao listed the 5 top companies in export industry with a total value of US $1,268,212,580.66 in the last three quarters of 2015. 1 Dole Philippines with total export valued at US $212,689,868.50 2 Sumifru […]

Top Pinoy individual taxpayer of 2014 paid BIR P280-M

Data released by the BIR Friday listed Filipino-Chinese businessman Jacinto L. Ng, Sr. as topping the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s 500 individual taxpayers for 2014, dislodging last year’s top 1, eight-division boxing champ and Sarangani Representative Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao. Ng, the founder of Republic Biscuit Corporation and chairman of Asia […]

Philippine Stock Exchange sees P200-B capital raising a good target

Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) President Hans Sicat told reporters more companies engaged in real estate and consumer/retail sectors are expected to launch their initial public offering (IPO) on the local bourse next year. Eight to 10 companies are expected to debut in the local equities stock market in 2016, as […]

PSE warns public on stock market investment scams

The Philippine Stock Exchange, Inc. has advised the public to exercise caution in dealing with individuals who are not licensed to solicit funds for stock market investments. “We are alarmed by reports that have reached us on unscrupulous practices that are perpetuated to scam potential stock market investors. These practices […]

P-Noy sees greater prosperity in Philippine-Mexican ties

P-Noy sees greater prosperity in Philippine-Mexican ties Philippine President Benigno S. Aquino III said a broader cooperation between the country and Mexico could lead to greater prosperity. “It is about time for us to expand our ties beyond the realm of history,” Aquino said of recognizing the enduring friendship of […]

Holding company says PAL earnings up in first 9 months

The flag-carrier Philippine Airlines, Inc., earnings rose to P6.55 billion in the first nine months this year from P169.1 million in the same period last year, according to holding company PAL Holdings, Inc. PAL said that total revenues for the nine months reached P81.99 billion, up 10.8 percent from P73.98 […]

Peso surges against US dollar on Wednesday

The Philippine peso surged against the US dollar on Wednesday on more negative economic data from the US as higher expectation for Fed rate delay. It ended the day at P46.14, or P0.33 better than the P46.47 in the previous trading. A trader partly attributed this to the widening of […]

Ayala firm wins P4-billion integrated transport system south terminal project

Property behemoth Ayala Land Inc. on Tuesday won a bid to build and operate the P4-billion Integrated Transport System Project–South Terminal under the public-private partnership (PPP) scheme. The company will be awarded by the Department of Transportation and Communications with a 35-year concession agreement to build and operate the ITS […]

Seaoil, Phoenix implements price hike of oil products

MANILA, March 31 — Just in the nick of time when the mass exodus and movement of people for the Holy Week and vacation, Phoenix Petroleum Philippines and Seaoil Philippines Inc. hikes pump prices of gasoline by P1.10 per liter and diesel by 60 centavos per liter on Tuesday. Phoenix […]

Gabriela assails President Aquino on Sari-Sari store training program remarks

MANILA, March 27 — Some 5,000 women from Metro Manila and neighboring provinces availed of the sari-sari store training and access to resources program of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority. The event was held at the SM Mall of Asia, which coincided with the end of the celebration […]

Oil companies rolls back prices on Tuesday by P1.10 per liter

MANILA, March 23  -– Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. (PSPC), Seaoil Philippines Inc (SPI), Petron Corporation, Chevron Philippines Inc. (CPI), Phoenix Petroleum Philippines and PTT Philippines will rollback pump prices of gasoline by Php 1.10 per liter on Tuesday. Eastern Petroleum will cut gasoline prices by P1.20 per liter. PSPC, SPI, […]

Megaworld to convert canefields as future Bacolod upscale lifestyle, business districts

BACOLOD CITY, March 21 — This Visayan city is the target of a P35 billion real estate investment project. The biggest real estate investment in Negros Occidental so far, Megaworld Corporation’s development projects are expected to create new business districts and 250,000 jobs in the next 10 years. Megaworld senior […]

PH merchandise exports suffer marginal drop in January 2015

MANILA, March 12 — Philippine export of minerals and agro-based products registered strong growth in January 2015, but weaker demand in manufactures and lower sales from petroleum pulled down total exports, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA). The Philippine Statistics Authority reported Tuesday that the country’s merchandise […]

Watchdog warns skin whitening cosmetics contain mercury

MANILA, March 3 — A toxics watchdog warned that mercury-laden skin whitening cosmetics can pollute the household environment which endangers users and non-users, including young children who are most vulnerable to toxic exposure. The EcoWaste Coalition conducted yet another study on the amount of mercury that is released to the […]

World’s 12th, Philippines now a mega-GMO producing country

Cry, anti-GMO people, organizations, advocates against the GMO gory phenomenon. The pro-GMO, it seems is gaining foothold in the country fast and easy, with the support of big money, corporations, public and private institutions and not to discount the government and its people within. The Philippines is now the number […]

Investor-Developers to build 1st gas service retail outlet in SCTEX

MANILA, Feb. — Like a copy of gas service retail and store outlets in western countries, two investors are up to show the motorists and travelers in the Philippines the look and feel of one. That is, fill your car with gas, shop a little, eat some snacks and buy […]

Phoenix, Shell effects increase pump price of oil products

MANILA, Feb. 23 — Oil derived-products are on the side of price increases with two retailers leading the pack. Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. and Phoenix Petroleum Philippines Inc. will increase pump prices of gasoline by 85 centavos per liter and diesel by 80 centavos per liter on Tuesday. Shell will […]

Bicol Pili production gets boost as landowners expand plantations

Bicol Pili production gets boost as landowners expand plantations PILI, Camarines Sur, Feb. 16 — The production of Pili nut products get the needed boost with several landowners in the towns of Minalabac, Camarines Sur has chosen to devote plantation of Pili trees. Two large farm owners joined the growing […]

Bicol netizens fired up with mall constructions in Naga and Legazpi

Bicol netizens fired up with mall constructions in Naga and Legazpi Bicol netizens on social media sites are so fired up with the news and non-news of mall constructions, etc., in and around the cities of Naga and Legazpi. Hurling each other with verbal abuse, unbecoming of a Bicolano, when […]

Meralco effects power rate hike on February bill

Meralco effects power rate hike on February bill. MANILA, Feb 11 — Power giant retailer Manila Electric Company has the power to charge rate increases in its service area. This February the power monopoly will increase its total billing charges by 84 centavos per kilowatthour. Households with 200 kWh monthly […]

Petron cuts back price of petroleum products Monday

Petron cuts back price of petroleum products Monday MANILA, Jan. 19 — On Monday, the Petron Corporation will effect a cut back on prices of its petroleum products by more than one peso. The company will reduce P1.25 per liter on gasoline brand Blaze 100, Euro 4, XCS, Xtra Advance […]

APEC plunges Albay 1st district in power blackout

APEC plunges Albay 1st district in power blackout. Legazpi City, Jan. 11 — It might occur to many observers that local power retailer Albay Power and Energy Corporation is playing carrots and sticks all along. Last Thurdsday morning, Albay Power and Energy Corporation shut down the power connection of thousands […]

APEC cuts off electric service of MPCF-Legazpi

APEC cuts off electric service of Mariners Polytechnic Colleges Foundation – Legazpi Legazpi City, Jan 9 — Albay Power and Energy Corporation finally disconnected the electric service to the entire campus of Mariners Polytechnic Colleges Foundation in Barangay Rawis here, on Wednesday at about 10 o’clock in the morning. The […]

Ayala invests P1-billion in Legazpi mall project

Ayala invests P1-billion in Legazpi mall project development. City mayor Noel Rosal said on Saturday evening during a social event celebration held at the city motorpool compound that the Ayala Corporation has invested P1-billion for the construction of a mall right at the heart of the city. Ayala took over […]

PLDT sucks in customer service

PLDT sucks in customer service. Calabanga, CAMSUR — The new year of 2015 is seen to augur inspiration and hope for many of us. But if the new year is epitomized in telecom service like the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT), then it doesn’t look good at all. Before […]

Petron rolls back prices of gas products on Friday

MANILA, Jan. 2 — Updated. On Friday, Jan 2, the Petron Corporation is seen to cut prices of its liquefied petroleum gas by P5.50 per kilogram and its AutoLPG brand by P3.07 per liter effective about 12:01 a.m. The price rollback reflects the drop in international contract prices of LPG […]

What will happen if Casureco II can not pay P120-M security deposit?

What will happen if Casureco II can not pay P120 million security deposit? This is not a time to speculate. Member- consumers of the electric cooperative very well know the dark consequence. There is the strong and certain possibility that three of the five power wholesale suppliers of the Camarines […]

CamSur electric cooperative on the verge of power disconnection

The proverbial “sword of Damocles” hangs over the lifeline of another electric cooperative in Bicol. This time, it is the Camarines Sur II electric cooperative (CAURECO II). Casureco II recently received the notice of disconnection from the Philippine Electricity Market Corporation (PEMC) that could be effected on Wednesday, January 15. […]

A Sweeping Look at Mining in the Philippines

The prevailing Philippine mining laws grant the Department of Environment and Natural Resources the sole authority to approve large-scale mining. Neither the provincial or local governments enjoy the same authority. At last, the powers that be in the government showed the true color of their skins.

CASURECO II: The Bane of a Boon

Tomorrow, we go to the polls, for the third time in a row in one year. First was the national election last May, then the Comelec-bungled barangay election last month. But tomorrow will be the selection of board of directors of the Camarines Sur II electric cooperative for resident-consumers of the nine towns of Siruma, Tinambac, Calabanga, Bombon, Canaman, Magarao, Milaor, Minalabac, Pili and Naga city.

What's Recommended

APEC cuts off electric service of MPCF-Legazpi

APEC cuts off electric service of Mariners Polytechnic Colleges Foundation – Legazpi Legazpi City, Jan 9 — Albay Power and Energy Corporation finally disconnected the electric service to the entire campus of Mariners Polytechnic Colleges Foundation in Barangay Rawis here, on Wednesday at about 10 o’clock in the morning. The […]

ADB raise urgency for fast-tracking greenhouse gas emission reduction

A new Asian Development Bank (ADB) report raised urgency for fast-tracking Southeast Asia’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction, warning limited impacts of climate change arising from these discharges can already reach some 11 percent of this region’s GDP by 2100. Launched Monday in Metro Manila, the report ‘Southeast Asia and […]

Oil companies rolls back prices on Tuesday by P1.10 per liter

MANILA, March 23  -– Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. (PSPC), Seaoil Philippines Inc (SPI), Petron Corporation, Chevron Philippines Inc. (CPI), Phoenix Petroleum Philippines and PTT Philippines will rollback pump prices of gasoline by Php 1.10 per liter on Tuesday. Eastern Petroleum will cut gasoline prices by P1.20 per liter. PSPC, SPI, […]

Bicol netizens fired up with mall constructions in Naga and Legazpi

Bicol netizens fired up with mall constructions in Naga and Legazpi Bicol netizens on social media sites are so fired up with the news and non-news of mall constructions, etc., in and around the cities of Naga and Legazpi. Hurling each other with verbal abuse, unbecoming of a Bicolano, when […]

Agriculture Secretary Pinol admits garlic cartel exists, bans 43 traders

On Wednesday, Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Pinol disclosed the banning of 43 importers who failed to use their import permits. The DA official came forward with the announcement in the midst of rising prices of garlic in the local markets. The ban on 43 traders would leave 111 more players in […]

Seaoil, Phoenix implements price hike of oil products

MANILA, March 31 — Just in the nick of time when the mass exodus and movement of people for the Holy Week and vacation, Phoenix Petroleum Philippines and Seaoil Philippines Inc. hikes pump prices of gasoline by P1.10 per liter and diesel by 60 centavos per liter on Tuesday. Phoenix […]

Petron cuts back price of petroleum products Monday

Petron cuts back price of petroleum products Monday MANILA, Jan. 19 — On Monday, the Petron Corporation will effect a cut back on prices of its petroleum products by more than one peso. The company will reduce P1.25 per liter on gasoline brand Blaze 100, Euro 4, XCS, Xtra Advance […]

List: Top export companies and products of Davao Region in 2015

As a yearender, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) agency in the region of Davao listed the 5 top companies in export industry with a total value of US $1,268,212,580.66 in the last three quarters of 2015. 1 Dole Philippines with total export valued at US $212,689,868.50 2 Sumifru […]

Ayala firm wins P4-billion integrated transport system south terminal project

Property behemoth Ayala Land Inc. on Tuesday won a bid to build and operate the P4-billion Integrated Transport System Project–South Terminal under the public-private partnership (PPP) scheme. The company will be awarded by the Department of Transportation and Communications with a 35-year concession agreement to build and operate the ITS […]

A Sweeping Look at Mining in the Philippines

The prevailing Philippine mining laws grant the Department of Environment and Natural Resources the sole authority to approve large-scale mining. Neither the provincial or local governments enjoy the same authority. At last, the powers that be in the government showed the true color of their skins.

Jollibee will soon ‘invade’ Europe via Italy

Next year, Filipino expats in Europe will get to taste Philippine’s ‘home grown hamburger’ and related to go food stuff. This is because industry leader Jollibee Foods Corporation is set to make a European debut with the strong possibility in Italy. Italy is home and host to many expat Filipinos, […]

Philippine peso dips on Monday, its weakest yet under Duterte administration

The Philippine peso finished its weakest under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday at P48.25 much noticeably lower than the P48.33 in September 15, 2009 but still far from the P47.16 of Nov. 10, 2015. Trying to explain the cause or identify the source as possible culprit, a […]

Watchdog warns skin whitening cosmetics contain mercury

MANILA, March 3 — A toxics watchdog warned that mercury-laden skin whitening cosmetics can pollute the household environment which endangers users and non-users, including young children who are most vulnerable to toxic exposure. The EcoWaste Coalition conducted yet another study on the amount of mercury that is released to the […]

Duterte threatens big business to stop “Endo” practice or face closure

President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday sets his eyes on the practice of big business when it comes to employement and contractualization. He issued a reminder to refrain from the practice of contractualization just to cut cost as they would face closure. He said they will lose their permits to operate […]

Duterte defends DENR Secretary Gina Lopez, belittles income from mining

This is the segment of the interview with the press in Malacanang of President Rodrigo Duterte on mining. The transcript of that “conversation” follows below: Second is mining, huwag ninyong anuhin si Gina Lopez by publicity. Hindi siya marunong…She is not an incompetent, she is a bright lady. And she […]

What's Throwback

ADB raise urgency for fast-tracking greenhouse gas emission reduction

A new Asian Development Bank (ADB) report raised urgency for fast-tracking Southeast Asia’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction, warning limited impacts of climate change arising from these discharges can already reach some 11 percent of this region’s GDP by 2100. Launched Monday in Metro Manila, the report ‘Southeast Asia and […]

Petron cuts back price of petroleum products Monday

Petron cuts back price of petroleum products Monday MANILA, Jan. 19 — On Monday, the Petron Corporation will effect a cut back on prices of its petroleum products by more than one peso. The company will reduce P1.25 per liter on gasoline brand Blaze 100, Euro 4, XCS, Xtra Advance […]

Jollibee will soon ‘invade’ Europe via Italy

Next year, Filipino expats in Europe will get to taste Philippine’s ‘home grown hamburger’ and related to go food stuff. This is because industry leader Jollibee Foods Corporation is set to make a European debut with the strong possibility in Italy. Italy is home and host to many expat Filipinos, […]

Gabriela assails President Aquino on Sari-Sari store training program remarks

MANILA, March 27 — Some 5,000 women from Metro Manila and neighboring provinces availed of the sari-sari store training and access to resources program of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority. The event was held at the SM Mall of Asia, which coincided with the end of the celebration […]

CASURECO II: The Bane of a Boon

Tomorrow, we go to the polls, for the third time in a row in one year. First was the national election last May, then the Comelec-bungled barangay election last month. But tomorrow will be the selection of board of directors of the Camarines Sur II electric cooperative for resident-consumers of the nine towns of Siruma, Tinambac, Calabanga, Bombon, Canaman, Magarao, Milaor, Minalabac, Pili and Naga city.

New mall or old city hall? The bone of contention in Iriga City

What is important, an abandoned old city hall or a new mall in its place? [flexiblemap address=”Old City Hall building, Iriga City, Camarines Sur, Bicol” region=”Bicol” directions=”true” width=”100%” height=”250px” zoom=”18″ ] This is the bone of contention and friction point between four barangay captains of Iriga city against its mayor […]

Meralco effects power rate hike on February bill

Meralco effects power rate hike on February bill. MANILA, Feb 11 — Power giant retailer Manila Electric Company has the power to charge rate increases in its service area. This February the power monopoly will increase its total billing charges by 84 centavos per kilowatthour. Households with 200 kWh monthly […]

Bicolanos ready to abandon small independent stores in favor of malls

Bicolanos are now so ready to abandon small independent stores in its prime cities in exchange for in-mall stores or stands. As Metro Manila-based giant mall operators continue the incursion outside their comfort zones, and into provincial cities and big towns, independent small non-networked stores which used to be stable […]

Seaoil, Phoenix implements price hike of oil products

MANILA, March 31 — Just in the nick of time when the mass exodus and movement of people for the Holy Week and vacation, Phoenix Petroleum Philippines and Seaoil Philippines Inc. hikes pump prices of gasoline by P1.10 per liter and diesel by 60 centavos per liter on Tuesday. Phoenix […]