Viber group chats now summarized by AI

Rakuten Viber, a global leader in private and secure messaging and calls as well as the leading communications app in the Philippines, has leveraged the technology of OpenAI to launch a conversation-summarizing AI feature for unread messages in group chats.

Phl pushes inclusion in US-Japan minerals deal

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is urging the US and Japan to include the Philippines in the existing critical minerals agreement of both countries.

Budget releases, utilization up in Q1

The government increased its releases of cash allocations with state agencies as of the first quarter following the record P5.768-trillion budget this year.

Mitsubishi Phl names new president

Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. (MMPC) is aiming to grow its sales by 15 percent this fiscal year as it officially welcomed its new president.

MPTC prefers term extension over toll hike

To recover investments on toll road improvements, Metro Pacific Tollways Corp.(MPTC) is leaning toward getting its concession agreements expanded instead of burdening motorists with rate hikes.

Export of raw sugar to US planned by mid-year

The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) has started the preparatory work for the country's export of raw sugar to the US as early as the middle of the year.

Bargain hunting lifts shares anew

Share prices sustained its rally yesterday on continued bargain hunting among investors.

'P240 B needed to enhance internet infra, penetration'

The Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) is asking the government to set aside at least P240 billion to improve internet infrastructure and raise digital penetration across the archipelago.

Budget gap widens to P273 B in 3 months

The country’s budget shortfall slightly increased in the first quarter as the government continued to spend more than what it generated from revenues.

DYIP PUMP LIFE ON LAST 8 BID

To reignite its PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals aspirations, Terrafirma needed to pull off something it hasn't done since 2019-beat NorthPort.

NoKor economic delegation visits Iran

A North Korean economic delegation has departed Pyongyang for Iran, the nuclear-armed country's official media reported yesterday, on a rare visit that analysts said raises concerns of cooperation between the two states.

Ex-publisher testifies he helped Trump bid

NEW YORK Reuters) The first witness in Donald Trump’s criminal hush money trial, former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker, on Tuesday testified that he used his supermarket tabloid to suppress stories that might have hurt Trump’s 2016 presidential bid.

FEO seeks to revoke Quiboloy's gun licenses

Fugitive pastor Apollo Quiboloy may lose his guns after the Firearms and Explosives Office FEO) recommended the revocation of his licenses to own and possess firearms.

Vape products to contain graphic health warnings

Just like tobacco products, e-cigarette or vape products available in the local market shall contain graphic health warnings soon, according to the Department of Health.

MMDA blames 'erratic weather' for 'underutilized' EDSA bike lane

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) yesterday cited erratic weather conditions in Metro Manila in explaining the government's plan to remove the \"underutilized\" bicycle lane along EDSA.

PNP firm on visible tattoo ban for cops

Despite criticisms from some lawmakers, the Philippine National Police PNP) is not backing down from its policy prohibiting police officers from bearing or sporting revealing tattoos.

House to probe farmgate, retail prices gap

The House of Representatives will conduct an inquiry into the spiraling cost of basic commodities amid low farmgate prices when session resumes on April 29.

Mindanao grid placed on yellow alert

The Mindanao power grid was placed on yellow alert yesterday alongside the Luzon and Visayas grids due to outages of several power plants.

BBM rejects traffic circular raising parking fines to P4K

Aproposal to increase illegal parking fines in Metro Manila to P4,000 from P1,000 has been thumbed down by President Marcos.

103 areas under state of calamity due to heat

A total of 103 cities and towns have been placed under a state of calamity because of El Niño, while the number of persons affected by the weather phenomenon has reached 2.1 million, according to Task Force El Niño spokesman and Presidential Communications Assistant Secretary Joey Villarama.

Former senator Rene Saguisag, 84

Former senator Rene Saguisag, a freedom fighter and human rights lawyer who contributed to crafting the code of conduct and ethical standards for public officials and employees, died late Tuesday at the age of 84.

Phl seafarers banned from sailing in Red Sea

Filipino seafarers are now barred from boarding foreign vessels sailing the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

'Unjust' remarks vs Chinese students hit

\"Unjust\" and negative statements made by politicians regarding the presence of Chinese students in Cagayan contradict the Philippines' efforts to attract Chinese tourists and investors, according to the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII).

DA: Phl to import 25,000 MT fish

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu-Laurel Jr. has allowed the importation of 25,000 metric tons of frozen fish, days after President Marcos issued Administrative Order No. 20 removing the non-tariff barriers on imported agricultural products.

'ICC talked to 50 PNP members on drug war'

Trillanes, a staunch critic of Duterte, based his statement on what he described as highly credible information.

SM Prime defers $1-B IPO of REIT unit

There will be no initial public offering (IPO) happening this year for the real estate investment trust (REIT) of Sy-led integrated property developer SM Prime Holdings Inc.

Washington summit to bring more FDIs into Phl

Several multinationals are pouring in new investments or expanding their operations in the Philippines as a result of President Marcos' successful and historic trilateral summit in Washington recently, House Speaker Martin Romualdez said.

Easing Middle East tensions push market higher

The stock market advanced for a second consecutive session yesterday as it received much-needed boost from gains in the US market as well as easing tensions in the Middle East.

Gov't infra spending scaled up to P121 B

The government increased its infrastructure spending by nearly seven percent to P121 billion from January to February compared to last year's level on the back of higher disbursements for road projects, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said.

CHOCO SQUEAKS PAST FARM FRESH

It wasn't the ending Choco Mucho wanted.