Nation

THE National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has initiated the blocking of websites and apps offering investment opportunities without the necessary license, upon the request of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). On February 21, the NTC issued a memorandum to all internet service providers, directing them to immediately block the websites and apps of MiTrade for violations of the Securities Regulation Code, Revised Corporation Code of the Philippines, and regulations enforced by the SEC. “We thank the NTC for supporting our campaign against investment scams and other predatory financial schemes toward the protection of the investing public.” SEC Chairperson Emilio B. Aquino said. “The directive of the NTC will greatly help in preventing the proliferation of investm...

THE Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has issued a cease and desist order against Infinity8Networks Digital Services OPC and related entities  for illegally soliciting investments from the public. In an order dated January 16, 2024 the Commission En Banc directed Infinity8Netoworks to immediately cease and desist from further engaging in the unlawful solicitation, offer, and/or sale of securities in the form of investment contracts without the necessary license from the SEC. The Commission further prohibited Infinity8Networks from transacting any business involving funds in its depository banks, and from transferring, disposing, or conveying any related assets to ensure the preservation of the assets of its investors. The order covers Infinity8Networks’ single stockholder,...

Representatives from Republic Cement receive Presidential Awards for Environmental Performance and Best Mining Forest at the recently concluded 69th Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Conference (ANMSEC).  BAGUIO CITY (November 24)—Republic Cement and Building Materials (RCBM) once again won big at the recently held 69th Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Conference (ANMSEC) on November 17, 2023 at the CAP-John Hay Trade and Cultural Center, Camp John Hay in this city. The Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association (PMSEA) in cooperation and partnership with Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) recognized RCBM for its achievements and best practices in Quarry Operations, Safety and exce...

FCF Minerals Corporation receives the prestigious 2023 Presidential Mineral Industry Environmental Award or PMIEA in the Surface Mining Category during the four-day 69th Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Conference on November 17, 2023 at Camp John Hay Trade and Cultural Center in Baguio City. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO BAGUIO CITY (November 18, 2023)—The London-based FCF Minerals Corporation got three awards at the culmination of the four-day 69th Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Conference (ANMSEC) in Baguio City's CAP-John Hay Trade and Cultural Center on November 17, 2023. The event with the theme "Mining 4.0: safer, smarter, and sustainable” was organized and spearheaded by the Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association (PMSEA). L...

FCF Minerals Corporation receives a total of 1,336 visitors to their booth exhibit showcasing the company's best mining practices, particularly in its safety and health, environment and social programs. FCF IEC PHOTO BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO BAGUIO CITY (November 17, 2023)—A total of 1,336 participants visited the booth exhibit of the British FCF Minerals Corporation during the 69th Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Conference (ANMSEC) from November 14 to 16, 2023 at CAP - John Hay Trade and Cultural Center here Rodalyn Arcebal, Information, Education and Communication (IEC) supervisor, said the company’s booth during the four-day 69th ANMSEC showcased their best mining practices, particularly in its safety and health, environment and social programs. Arcebal said the v...

THE Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is giving non-compliant and suspended or revoked corporations a last chance to avail of lower fines and penalties with the final extension of amnesty applications until the end of 2023.  The Commission on November 3 issued SEC Memorandum Circular No. 20, Series of 2023, which extends the deadline for corporations to file their amnesty application and settle the amnesty fees to December 31.  The amnesty program provides corporations, which have incurred penalties for the late and non-filing of their General Information Sheet (GIS), Annual Financial Statements (AFS), and official contact details, a reduction on penalties for non-compliance with their reportorial requirements, as provided under Republic Act No. 11232, or t...

Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture Training for Development Unit head Dr. Nova Ramos (second from left) meets Sarawak Ministry of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Deputy Minister Martin Ben (center) at the Sarawak Agrotourism Conference and Expo held at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching, Malaysia from Aug. 28 to 30, 2023. Together with them are Vicky Tan (left) and Nor Azmi Sulong (second from right), project director and project consultant, respectively, of Derrisen Sdn Bhd and Boniface Alin Anak Tanung (right), special administrative officer to the Deputy Minister. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO LAGUNA (September 14, 2023)—The capacity-building initiatives on agrotourism of the Southeast Asian Regional Center...

MANILA (September 14, 2023)—The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has condemned the recent series of violence against barangay (village) electoral candidates in various parts of the country. The CHR noted that the campaign season for the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) has yet to commence, yet acts of assault and violence have already been recorded. It mentioned the first case, which involved the killing of Alex Repato, an incumbent chairman of Barangay San Jose in Libon, Albay. Repato was gunned down on August 28 in front of his house by an unidentified gunman shortly after submitting his certificate of candidacy (CoC) at the Commission on Elections. Repato was the fourth barangay official in Libon town to be attacked recently. The list includes Kagawad...

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his ‘Bagong Pilipinas’ governance slogan are the featured paddy art by the Mariano Marcos State University and the Philippine Rice Research Institute this year, which was launched on Monday, Sept. 11, 2023, with the President himself (back row, center in sunglasses) gracing the affair. PHOTO FROM HTTPS://MMSU.EDU.PH BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO BATAC CITY (September 14, 2023)—The Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) and Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) launched the Rice Paddy Art 2023 at the MMSU Extension Demonstration Area in the Batac main campus in Ilocos Norte on Monday, with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as guest. The event coincided with the 106th birth anniversary celebration of his father, President Ferdinand E. Marcos, founder...

ILOCOS NORTE (September 12, 2023)—Sen. Maria Imelda Josefa "Imee" Marcos said the revalidation of the identities and certificates of land ownership awards (CLOAs) of farmers before they could receive land titles as promised under Republic Act (RA)11953, or the "New Agrarian Emancipation Act" is "redundant." Marcos, who chairs the Senate Committee on Social Justice, Welfare and Rural Development, voiced her firm position against a "redundant revalidation" ahead of the President's signing of the new law's implementing rules and regulations (IRR) on Tuesday. "We would like to emphasize the spirit of the law to facilitate the awarding of lands to agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs). There should be no unnecessary revalidation for farmers to avail of the emancipation program," she added...