MANILA, Philippines — Around 1,400 of 2,000 bones recovered by divers from Taal Lake have been identified as human remains, according to the Philippine National Police, which is investigating the alleged kidnapping and murder of at least 34 “sabungeros” or cockfighting aficionados between 2021 and 2022. “The total number of human bones we have identified

MANILA, Philippines — San Miguel Corp. (SMC) on Monday pushed back against widespread criticism over the mass cutting of trees along Quirino Avenue in Manila, insisting the clearing activities were necessary to make way for the Southern Access Link Expressway (Salex) project. “The clearing works are needed to build the elevated expressway along the approved

MANILA, Philippines — A House bill seeking to exempt all essential medicines from the 12-percent value-added tax (VAT) was filed on Monday to “lessen the burden” on Filipinos and help government comply with its responsibility to protect and promote people’s right to health. House Bill No. 9564, filed by ACT Rep. Antonio Tinio, Gabriela Women’s

MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Monday said it has grounded 26 buses belonging to Victory Liner after an accident in Benguet killed one passenger and injured around 90 others. LTFRB Chair Vigor Mendoza II said a show-cause order has been issued against the company, adding that the transport

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — A rescue-buy initiative in Atok town, Benguet, has helped 146 farmers sell nearly 80,000 kilos of vegetables amid a prolonged price crash, while advancing calls for fair farm-gate prices and long-term reforms in the highland vegetable industry. Project UBBO, or Unified Buying and Bayanihan Operations for Atok vegetables, facilitated the sale