Extension of Bayanihan 2 funds’ availability gets House nod
The House of Representatives on Monday night approved on final reading a measure seeking to extend the availability of funds under the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act (Bayanihan 2).
Author: Filane Cervantes-PNA
Media workers’ welfare bill OK’d on 2nd reading
A bill providing enhanced protection, security, and benefits for media workers hurdled second reading approval at the House of Representatives.
Requirement to set up isolation areas for domestic flights lifted
The government has removed the requirement for air carriers providing domestic flights to reserve a portion of the aircraft cabin as an isolation area for passengers or crew who display symptoms of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), Malacañang announced on Friday.
Duterte names dismissed BOC officials, personnel
President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday night revealed the names of officials and personnel of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) who were dismissed by the Office of the Ombudsman for various offenses, such as neglect of duty and grave misconduct.
Duterte orders audit of DPWH projects
President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday ordered an audit of projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to determine whether or not there are so-called “ghost projects” within the agency.
Entry of foreigners with investors’ visa allowed starting Nov. 1
Foreigners with investors’ visa would be allowed to enter the Philippines subject to strict protocols starting November 1, Malacañang said on Friday.
Cemeteries, columbariums closed from Oct. 29 to Nov. 4: Palace
MANILA – All private and public cemeteries, memorial parks, and columbariums in the country will be closed from Oct. 29 to Nov. 4 to prevent the spread of Covid-19 during the observance of the Undas season, Malacañang announced on Friday. In a news conference, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management … Read More
Bill providing discounts to OFW remittances hurdles House panel
A bill seeking to limit charges and provide discounts on remittance fees shouldered by overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) hurdled committee level at the House of Representatives on Tuesday.
House grants 25-year franchise for PH’s 3rd telco player DITO
The House of Representatives on Monday approved on third and final a measure renewing the franchise of the Dennis-Uy led Mislatel consortium, presently known as the DITO Telecommunity Corp., for another 25 years.
P26.8-B IRM allocation exceeds estimated Covid-19 treatment costs
A lawmaker at the House of Representatives on Monday said the PHP26.8-billion allocation for Philippine Health Insurance Corp.’s (PhilHealth) Interim Reimbursement Mechanism (IRM) fund has far exceeded the estimated cost of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) hospitalizations.
51 hospitals received P1.5-B IRM funds despite fraud cases
Around 51 hospitals with fraud-related cases have received Interim Reimbursement Mechanism (IRM) funds amounting to almost PHP1.5 billion from the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth).
Morales, 13 other PhilHealth execs sign bank secrecy waivers
Several officials of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth), including its president and CEO Ricardo Morales, have signed bank secrecy waivers allowing the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) to check their transactions amid the alleged irregularities within the agency.
House leader wants plunder raps vs. PhilHealth ‘mafia’
MANILA – House Committee on Public Accounts chairman Michael Defensor on Wednesday recommended the filing of plunder charges against all officials of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) involved in the so-called “mafia” that runs various fraudulent schemes. During a joint House hearing on the alleged graft and corrupt practices in PhilHealth, Defensor questioned the sharp … Read More
Solon calls for abolition of PhilHealth’s all-case rate scheme
The chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts on Wednesday called for the abolition of the contentious “all-case rates” (ACR) payment scheme of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) due to massive losses to overpayment and fraud.
Solon wants release of funds to SSS branches for pandemic loans
MANILA – A lawmaker on Tuesday urged the Social Security System (SSS) to release funds to its branches for pandemic loans, members’ benefits, and other operational requirements amid reports of long queues and delays.
House panel approves tax on digital services
MANILA – The House of Representatives’ Ways and Means Committee on Wednesday approved a proposal imposing a 12 percent value-added tax (VAT) on digital transactions in the country. The panel, chaired by Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, approved a substitute bill seeking to amend Section 105 of the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) by taxing digital service … Read More