Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines — The Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) is increasing its electricity rate by 28 centavos per kilowatt hour (kWh) in February, which translates into an additional P57 in the power bills of average households consuming 200 kWh a month. In a briefing on Tuesday, the company said the upward movement would push its overall rate to P12.0262 from January’s P11.7428 per kWh. Meralco, which derives its profits from distribution, supply and metering charges, attributed the increase to the higher generation charge. READ: Meralco cuts January electricity rate by P0.2189 per kWh The generation fee, or the cost of producing […]…

Keep on reading: Meralco’s February rates up due to higher generation charge

The House of Representatives last week voted to pass on third and final reading a bill that seeks to expand the number of schools under the Philippine Science High School System (PSHS), an urgent measure that should breeze through the notoriously snail-paced legislative process to immediately become law. Earlier, the Senate approved on second reading […]…

Keep on reading: Dire situation at top science school

MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Office (LTO) on Tuesday said it has revoked the driver’s license of the motorcycle rider involved in the “Superman stunt” on Marilaque Highway in Tanay, Rizal, last month that left one person dead and several others injured. “May this serve as a lesson to all our motorists, especially motorcycle […]…

Keep on reading: LTO revokes license of ‘Superman stunt’ rider

When Sara Z. Duterte became the first vice president to be impeached, what was even more remarkable was the percentage of members of Congress who endorsed the articles of impeachment. Political scientist and pollster Cleve Arguelles pointed out on Feb. 10 that 215 out of 305 representatives is nearly 70 percent of the Lower House, […]…

Keep on reading: Forthwith in Filipino time

MANILA, Philippines — The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) is eyeing the use of trained birds to address illegal drone operations and bird strikes near airports. During a hearing of the Senate committee on public services on Tuesday, Capt. Ian Michael del Castillo, head of the CAAP aerial works certification and inspection division, […]…

Keep on reading: CAAP eyes use of trained birds vs drones, bird strikes

It is not uncommon in Filipino gatherings for guests to take home leftovers, a practice that has given rise to online memes, notably the term “sharon” that references a famous line from one of Sharon Cuneta’s songs: “Balutin mo ako…” But aside from being a source of memes, “sharoning” has become a phenomenon worthy of […]…

Keep on reading: ‘To sharon,’ from a cultural perspective

MANILA, Philippines — Olympic weightlifting gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz led the storytellers at the first Inquirer Read-Along session of the year. Diaz was joined on Tuesday by Basa Bookstore and The Storytelling Project founder Rey Bufi, in a session that gathered pupils from Marikina City and Cavite and Camarines Sur provinces. The day’s stories imparted […]…

Keep on reading: Hidilyn Diaz makes it a weighty ‘Read-Along’ session

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY—Five people died when their shuttle van was swept away by floodwaters following incessant rains in Aborlan town, Palawan, on Sunday night, authorities said in a report on Tuesday. Jeremias Alili, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) chief, said the van, carrying 12 passengers, was traveling from Bataraza town to […]…

Keep on reading: 5 dead, thousands flee as floods hit Palawan

The Philippines may pursue a “sectoral” free-trade agreement (FTA) with the United States under the administration of President Donald Trump, with the critical minerals sector likely the first priority. Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez told reporters during a media briefing on Tuesday that Manila had a “good chance” of reaching a […]…

Keep on reading: PH eyes ‘sectoral FTA’ with US under Trump

Aside from being among the richest in the country, seven business leaders in the Philippines just got an additional task, and at a more global scale at that. We’re talking about the newest Philippine directors of the US-Philippines Society, which is perhaps one of the most critical organizations in the two countries’ long-standing alliance. On […]…

Keep on reading: BIZ BUZZ: New duties for the rich