Catherine S. Valente

1 week ago | manilatimes.net | Red Mendoza |Catherine S. Valente

THE Ombudsman and the House of Representatives are sharply divided over who filed the complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte involving the questionable use of confidential funds. Named as respondents along with Duterte in the complaint are former special disbursing officers Edward Fajarda and Gina Acosta of the Office of the Vice President (OVP), former Department of Education (DepEd) assistant secretary Sunshine Fajarda, and former Education undersecretary Nolasco Mempin.

1 week ago | manilatimes.net | Catherine S. Valente

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos on Friday led a walk-through of the Philippine Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, Japan, to promote the country's tourism. The first couple were joined by Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco, Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines Chief Operating Officer Marga Nograles, Ambassador Mylene Garcia-Albano, Consul General Voltaire Mauricio, Deputy Speaker Duke Frasco and other Philippine government officials.

1 week ago | manilatimes.net | Catherine S. Valente

(UPDATE) PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said fare discount for students and senior citizens should be increased to 50 percent from the current 20 percent to ease their financial burden. Under the Expanded Senior Citizens Act, Student Fare Discount Act and Magna Carta for Persons with Disability, senior citizens, students and persons with disabilities are entitled to a 20-percent discount in public transportation fares. "Everywhere I go, seniors and students get a discount — a big one, 50 percent.

1 week ago | manilatimes.net | Catherine S. Valente |Javier Joe Ismael

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has warned concerned government officials in charge of the repair of the San Juanico Bridge that he would accept their resignation if they fail to raise the load limit of the bridge to 12 tons by December this year. In his latest podcast aired on Friday, Marcos said the bridge badly needs rehabilitation after years of neglect. "Our schedule is that by December, before the end of the year, vehicles weighing up to 12 tons will be allowed entry," the president said.

1 week ago | manilatimes.net | Catherine S. Valente

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has rejected the proposed two-year closure of the Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) busway to allow for major repairs, saying the suffering of motorists and commuters must not be prolonged. In his latest podcast aired on Friday, the president said that the prolonged disruption was simply "unacceptable" and "a form of suffering" for the commuters. "I can't get it out of my mind. When you're in the car, on EDSA, you'll see it's already 12 midnight.