The Philippine Star - February 04, 2024

In this issue

February 04, 2024

Opera in Tondo? Italian envoy hopes to make it happen

The embassy of Italy in the Philippines bared its plan to stage an all-Filipino opera before an unlikely audience: the young residents of Tondo in Manila.

2 mins

Senate-House word war: Ceasefire to be observed

It’s time for a ceasefire between the Senate and the House of Representatives after weeks of verbal clashes over the latest push for Charter change.

4 mins

Award scheme seen to boost domestic tourism

The Department of Tourism (DOT) hopes Filipino travelers will patronize more Philippine tourist destinations with the revival of its Philippine Tourism Awards that would honor key players in the industry.

1 min

DICT foils cyberattack by China hackers

Cybersecurity experts recently prevented the hacking of government websites and email addresses by Chinabased cybercriminals, the Department of Information and Communications Technology reported yesterday.

2 mins

BBM pushes solar-powered irrigation program

The government will undertake a nationwide solar-powered irrigation program to help achieve its goal of rice self-sufficiency, President Marcos announced yesterday.

2 mins

DOLE issues revised IRR on Service Charge Law

The Department of Labor and Employment has issued the revised implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the Service Charge law, which now excludes managerial employees from benefiting from the collected service charge.

1 min

DENR collaborates with NASA on atmospheric study

The Philippines would collaborate with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in a study to address air quality issues in Asia, according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

1 min

Comelec waives voter certification fee

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will no longer charge P75 for Voter's Certification starting Feb. 12, which has been declared as National Voter's Day.

1 min

Ever Bilena tax liability pegged at P1.6 B

The alleged tax deficiency of popular cosmetic brand Ever Bilena has ballooned to P1.6 billion, according to the Bureau of Internal Revenue.

1 min

Palace on corruption index: Phl in right direction

The slight improvement of the Philippines in the latest Corruption Perception Index (CPI) of Transparency International shows that the country is headed in the right direction even as it serves as a continuing challenge to the Marcos administration to do better, Malacañang said on yesterday.

1 min

Bicol lawmakers rally behind Romualdez

The Senate inquiry into the people's initiative (PI) being pushed by leaders of the House of Representatives is \"undue meddling\" and a breach of inter-parliamentary courtesy, according to four Bicol representatives in defense of Speaker Martin Romualdez.

1 min

Speaker endorses release of P150 M to Davao flood victims

Speaker Martin Romualdez has endorsed the immediate release of P150 million in financial aid, through the Department of Social Welfare and Development, to the flood victims in Davao region.

1 min

Special prosecutor for crimes vs journalists sought

United Nations special rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression Irene Khan has recommended the appointment of special prosecutors who would handle crimes against journalists and other human rights defenders.

4 mins

PNP: Online child sex abuse victims drop by 27%

The number of children who are victims of online sexual abuse and exploitation dropped by nearly 27 percent in 2023.

1 min

S' SC clears 2 drug convicts

After cops fail to observe witness rule

2 mins

Go attends new legislative building inauguration in N. Ecija

Sen. Bong Go, adopted son of Nueva Ecija, attended the inauguration of the new legislative building of Quezon town in Nueva Ecija on Thursday.

1 min

SC dismisses Butuan court employee

A clerk at the Butuan City regional trial court has been dismissed from the service for grave misconduct.

1 min

Davao floods, landslides death toll climbs to 8

The number of deaths following massive flooding and landslides caused by the trough of a low-pressure area in Davao region has increased to eight.

1 min

Calabarzon domestic workers to get pay hike

Domestic workers in Calabarzon will get an increase in their monthly salary.

1 min

10 feared dead in Chile forest fires

Chilean firefighters were battling rapidly expanding wildfires yesterday that officials fear have claimed around 10 lives and are threatening hundreds of homes, prompting the president to declare a state of emergency.

1 min

Deadly strikes hit Rafah ahead of Gaza truce push

Deadly strikes were reported early yesterday in the overcrowded Gaza border town of Rafah as international mediators readied a new push to seal a tentative truce deal between Israel and Hamas.

1 min

US hits militias in Iraq, Syria

In retaliation for fatal drone attack

2 mins

Burgos, Quiambao set for 5150 CamSur

The homecoming of the triathlon to Camarines Sur promises a thrilling showdown as two of the country's top Olympic distance runners, Erika Burgos and Bea Quiambao, gird for a spirited battle in women's division of the 5150 CamSur on Feb. 11.

1 min

'Martilyo' boys deliver for SMB

San Miguel Beer reserve Don Trollano isn't backing down from his job of coming off the bench to provide instant offense and tough defense.

1 min

Hotshots pressed to score equalizer

\"SMB leads series, 1-0 Magnolia stands on unfamiliar territory heading into Game 2 of the PBA Season 48 Commissioner's Cup finals.

1 min

MVP Group dominates 20th Phl Quill Awards

It was a triumphant night for the MVP Group of Companies, encompassing leading entities such as Light Rail Manila Corp.

1 min

Infra spending hits lowest level in Nov

Government spending for infrastructure dropped to a year-low in November last year even after state agencies were ordered to catch up on their expenses to boost economic growth.

2 mins

Megawide expands portfolio of 8990 projects

Infrastructure conglomerate Megawide Construction Corp. has completed another project for mass housing developer 8990 Holdings Inc.

1 min

What to consider when investing in condos in 2024

The Philippine property sector, marked by its perpetual dynamism, anticipates a propitious run in 2024. This buoyant outlook is primary driven by the real estate industry's resilience even in the face of economic downturns.

1 min

Customs seizes P28-M smuggled cigarettes

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) confiscated nearly P28 million worth of smuggled cigarettes in Mindanao as the illegal entry of the commodity remains rampant.

1 min

Read all stories from The Philippine Star

The Philippine Star Newspaper Description:

The Philippine STAR is the flagship title of the country's largest and most successful print media enterprise, the Philstar Media Group. Owned and published by Philstar Daily Inc., The Philippine STAR is a vaunted pillar of Philippine journalism whose integrity is anchored on the Biblical motto, “Truth Shall Prevail”. The Philippine STAR is a two-time winner of the prestigious Newspaper of the Year award given by the Rotary Club of Manila.