Mark Villar seeks mandatory free HMO coverage for gov’t workers

Inquirer.net - Oct 20, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Mark Villar is pushing for mandatory free health maintenance organization (HMO) coverage for government employees to shield them and their families from costly health emergencies. “Our government employees are valuable partners for promoting progress and bringing services to the public. It’s just right that their health and welfare are ensured, especially in

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Oct 20, 2026

Dinagat Islands gears up for live-fire war games

SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur — The waters off Dinagat Islands will host military live-fire war games this week, with the provincial government backing the drill. Gov. Nilo Demerey Jr. issued Executive Order No. 10-05, enjoining provincial government employees to support and participate in activities lined up for the war games off Melgar Bay, dubbed

Oct 20, 2026

Wind Signal No. 1 raised in 6 Luzon areas due to Super Typhoon Rosal

MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 was hoisted over more areas in Luzon due to Super Typhoon Rosal off Central Luzon, the state weather bureau said. In its 5 p.m. weather advisory, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) raised TCWS No. 1 over the areas as follows: As

Oct 20, 2026

Palace hopes BOC’s proposed P29.9B budget will be restored

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Tuesday expressed hope for a bigger budget for the Bureau of Customs (BOC) under the 2027 national budget after its proposed funding was reduced from P29.9 billion to P5.9 billion. At a briefing, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the original allocation would help the BOC strengthen its anti-smuggling operations,

Oct 20, 2026

Dengue, leptospirosis cases decline in latest DOH report

MANILA, Philippines—Dengue and leptospirosis cases nationwide declined in the latest reporting period, according to the Department of Health (DOH). Dengue cases In the latest two-week reporting period, dengue cases stood at 22,095 from Sept. 17 to Sept. 30, two percent lower than the 22,479 cases recorded from Sept. 3 to Sept. 16. The decline was

Oct 20, 2026

QCPD probes video of media member allegedly kicking cops outside DAR

MANILA, Philippines—The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) is investigating a viral video showing a reported commotion outside the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Quezon City on Monday. The scene reportedly involves a person who identified himself as a media worker, allegedly used profanity and kicked several cops. “Initial reports indicate that a verbal altercation

Oct 20, 2026

DAR distributes 1,136 land titles to Bicol farmers

LEGAZPI CITY — The Department of Agrarian Reform distributed 1,136 land titles covering 1,741.43 hectares to 1,052 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) across Bicol on Tuesday. Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado M. Estrella III led the distribution during a regionwide land titling event at the Legazpi City Convention Complex in Albay. The titles cover agricultural lands under

Oct 20, 2026

6 rescued wild animals released in Aurora protected area

IBA, Zambales — Six wild animals were released into a forested area of Aurora Memorial National Park, a protected area spanning parts of Aurora and Nueva Ecija provinces, after undergoing rehabilitation, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Central Luzon said on Tuesday. Artemio Almazan Jr., head of the DENR’s Provincial Environment and Natural

Oct 20, 2026

Macalintal: Probe ‘Machong Chismisan’ hosts to full extent of law

MANILA, Philippines — Lawyer Romulo Macalintal, an advocate for the rights of senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs), on Tuesday urged authorities to pursue an investigation into the “Machong Chismisan” podcast hosts to the fullest extent of the law over their insensitive remarks about Kris Aquino’s eldest son, Josh, who is on the autism

Oct 20, 2026

Zaldy Co prefers more durable ‘maleta’ for kickbacks – Henry Alcantara

MANILA, Philippines — Former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co switched from duraboxes to “maleta” (suitcases) to transport kickbacks worth up to P40 million per delivery due to durability issues, state witness and former Public Works engineer Henry Alcantara said on Tuesday. Alcantara made the statement during his testimony before the Sandiganbayan Third Division at former

Oct 20, 2026

Police seize P6.5-M ‘smuggled’ cigarettes in Misamis Occidental

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — A pre-dawn checkpoint operation in Misamis Occidental thwarted an attempt to transport nearly P6.5 million worth of suspected smuggled cigarettes bound for Central Luzon, leading to the arrest of two couriers early Tuesday. Police Regional Office-10 (PRO-10) reported the seizure of 8,116 reams of “Modern” brand cigarettes at a border

Oct 20, 2026

20-year-old student dead after stabbing in Batangas; suspect at large

MANILA, Philippines — A 20-year-old college student from Lipa, Batangas was killed by stabbing last week. The unidentified male suspect is at large, according to the spot report obtained by the Inquirer from the Lipa Component City Police Station. The police said they received a report that the victim was found lying along the road

Oct 20, 2026

Missing fisherman, 7-year-old son found stranded off Biliran town

TACLOBAN CITY — A fisherman and his seven-year-old son who went missing after leaving for a fishing trip were found stranded in the maritime area near Maripipi, Biliran province, on Monday, according to the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) of Kawayan. In a report, the Kawayan MDRRMO said its personnel, in coordination

Mark Villar seeks mandatory free HMO coverage for gov’t workers

MORE NEWS

Dinagat Islands gears up for live-fire war games

Wind Signal No. 1 raised in 6 Luzon areas due to Super Typhoon Rosal

Palace hopes BOC’s proposed P29.9B budget will be restored

Dengue, leptospirosis cases decline in latest DOH report

QCPD probes video of media member allegedly kicking cops outside DAR

DAR distributes 1,136 land titles to Bicol farmers

6 rescued wild animals released in Aurora protected area

Macalintal: Probe ‘Machong Chismisan’ hosts to full extent of law

Zaldy Co prefers more durable ‘maleta’ for kickbacks – Henry Alcantara

Police seize P6.5-M ‘smuggled’ cigarettes in Misamis Occidental

20-year-old student dead after stabbing in Batangas; suspect at large

Missing fisherman, 7-year-old son found stranded off Biliran town

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