THE national government's outstanding debt hit a new record high of P14.48 trillion as of end-October, the Bureau of the Treasury reported on Tuesday. Compared to the end of last year, outstanding debt was P1.062 trillion higher in October. From October 2022, when outstanding debt was higher than the December count, the total increased by a lower P839.8 billion. External debt — 31.62 percent of total outstanding debt as of end-October — totaled P4.58 trillion, 0.97 percent or P44.15 billion higher than the previous month. "Tax and fiscal reform measures would help narrow the country's budget deficit and also curb the increment in the outstanding national debt, going forward."

MANILA, Philippines: Creamline turned back Galeries, 18-25, 25-16, 25-14, 25-13, at the PhilSports Arena on Tuesday, December 5 to sweep the 2023 PVL 2nd All-Filipino Conference. Jema Galanza poured 12 points to lead the defending champs Cool Smashers, who also secured the top spot with an 11-0 slate. Jema Galanza (right) PVL PHOTOThe Cool Smashers, who decided to sit out Alyssa Valdez in the game, thus face the fourth seed Chery Tiggo Crossovers in the semifinals which starts on Thursday. The second-ranked Choco Mucho Flying Titans take on the third seed Cignal HD Spikers in the other bracket of the semis. The Highrisers, meanwhile, ended their first tournament in the PVL with a 1-10 record.

The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), on Tuesday, Dec. 5, announced the date and venue of the face-to-face mass oathtaking of new geologists. READ:https://mb.com.ph/2023/12/5/3-423-pass-november-2023-agriculturists-licensure-examThe oathtaking will take place on Dec. 11 at the Celebrity Sports Plaza, Capitol Hills Drive, Matandang Balara, Quezon City. Photo credit to PRCPRC noted that it is required that the inductees wear their Filipiniana or Barong for the ceremony. It is also stated that all successful examinees interested in attending the face-to-face mass oathtaking must register at http://online.prc.gov.ph before noon before the oathtaking date to confirm their attendance. Moreover, inductees must also print the oath form and the generated quick response (QR) code, which will be submitted during the oathtaking to record attendance.

A double-decker bus caught fire on King's Road in Quarry Bay on Tuesday and passengers were evacuated to safety. Smoke billowed from the rear of a double-decker Citybus Route 82 at around 1.40 pm when it was heading to Siu Sai Wan along King's Road near Pan Hoi Street. The bus caught fire, with an explosion heard. The bus captain evacuated 12 passengers and firefighters put out the blaze in about 20 minutes. The cause of the fire is believed to be the engine overheating, according to the preliminary investigation.

Previous NextHong Kong will soon have a comprehensive rule of law education system that will instill national awareness and identity, Secretary for Justice Paul Lam Ting-kwok said. The Department of Justice's Steering Committee on Rule of Law Education launched the first phase of courses under the Rule of Law Education Train-the-Trainers program late last month. The program allows participants from 20 groups responsible for young affairs and community services to learn about the coherence between China's constitution, the rule of law in Hong Kong, Basic Law and national security law. They will also learn the basic concepts of the mainland legal system and the "important parts" of the common law system in Hong Kong. Participants can become rule of law ambassadors of Hong Kong and help authorities tell good stories about the city.

For example, civil servants are being asked to troop to the polling stations together with family members. Government contractors have also received special reminders to give their employees enough time to go to the polling stations to vote. In view of the local civil service culture, it is more likely than not that they will vote to achieve a pretty high turnout rate among civil servants. Will the turnout rate be higher than 30 percent? Whatever the outcome, the administration can speak with confidence that it has done its best to push up the turnout rate.

AP PHOTOThe dead hikers were found near Marapi's crater after the 2,891-meter volcano rained ash on nearby villages, a local rescue official said. Zhafirah Zahrim Febrina, one of the rescued hikers, is shown in a video message from the volcano desperately appealing to her mother for help. 'Tremendous trauma'Local rescue agency spokesman Jodi Haryawan said the rescue efforts had been broken up by sporadic eruptions, but the search was still ongoing despite the risks. Rudy Rinaldi, head of the West Sumatra Disaster Mitigation Agency, told AFP that some of the rescued hikers had suffered burns. The plume of smoke and ash blocked out the sun after the eruption and coated nearby cars, scooters and ambulances.

Various surveys showed she would be the winning candidate, but she didn't want to run under PDP and team up with the vice presidential candidate of the party. Sometime around August 2022, the vice president requested funding for her office covering two augmentations, additional coterminous and contractual, and the controversial confidential fund. Hugpong won 9 seats, while the Nationalist People's Coalition, United Nationalist Alliance, and an independent candidate won 1 seat each. But it appears that if one cannot overtake the survey numbers of the vice president, the opposite should be done — decrease her numbers. Weave stories, divert the attention of voters from real gut issues and destroy the Dutertes are the key components of the plan.

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DEADLY MASS Victims of the bombing incident at the Mindanao State University in Marawi City on Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023. A foreign news report on Sunday, hours after the blast, said IS sent a telegram that its members had detonated the bomb. At a briefing, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. said there were strong indications of a foreign element, describing the incident a "terrorist crime." "The AFP has already initiated its investigation in coordination with the PNP for the bomb signature that would help identify the terrorist group behind the bombing," Trinidad said. "The AFP remains committed to its mandate of protecting the people and the state from all various threat groups, foreign and domestic," Trinidad said in an updated AFP statement.

Spotify says will cut staff by 'approximately 17%'The Spotify company logo is diaplayed as traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) during morning trading on February 01, 2023 in New York City. STOCKHOLM, Sweden — Music streaming giant Spotify said Monday it will reduce the number of its employees by around 17% in a bid to cut costs amid "dramatically" slower economic growth. Spotify has invested heavily since its launch to fuel growth with expansions into new markets and, in later years, exclusive content such as podcasts. In 2017, the company had around 3,000 staff members, more than tripling the figure to around 9,800 at the end of 2022. The company has never posted a full-year net profit and only occasionally quarterly profits despite its success in the online music market.

US denounces 'horrific' bomb attack in MarawiMilitary personnel stand guard at the entrance of a gymnasium while police investigators look for evidence after a bomb attack at Mindanao State University in Marawi, Lanao del sur province on December 3, 2023. MANILA, Philippines — The United States has condemned the “horrific terrorist attack” during a Catholic Mass at Mindanao State University in Marawi City that left at least four people dead and dozens wounded. “We mourn those killed in the attack, and our thoughts are with the injured,” Miller said in a statement. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the blast. Eirene Mazon, Bangsamoro police public information officer, said in an interview with Teleradyo that investigators are “still gathering information” on the claim of the Islamic State.

The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announced the date and venue for the in-person mass oathtaking ceremony for new midwives. PRCIn a social media post on Monday, Dec. 4, the PRC announced the oathtaking ceremony of the said professions would be on Dec. 17 in Malate, Manila. To participate in the face-to-face ceremony, participants must complete the pre-registration process on the PRC website (http://online.prc.gov.ph) before noon on the oathtaking day. There will be an option for an online ceremony or special appointment scheduling for individuals who were unable to attend the in-person oathtaking ceremony. PRC said details about the online ceremony will be posted once the schedule is confirmed.

Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. vowed to go after the people behind the bombing. Alfredo Non said that based on his computation, Meralco customers were entitled to the following refunds:– P2,700 for those consuming 200 kWh monthly– P9,500 for those consuming 300 kWh monthly– P15,500 for those consuming 400 kWh monthly– P51,000 for those consuming 1,000 kWh or more monthly. Non said the following rate cuts should be implemented:– P22 per month for those consuming 200 kWh monthly– P79 per month for those consuming 300 kWh monthly– P129 per month for those consuming 400 kWh monthly– P428 per month for those consuming 1,000 kWh or more monthly. CJ Austria stepped up, too, with 11 points and five rebounds, as Mike Phillips put up nine points and 13 rebounds. Mythical Team member Evan Nelle also rebounded from a forgettable Game 1 performance with four points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists.

Coast Guard: Over 135 Chinese vessels ‘swarming’ Julian Felipe ReefThe Philippine Coast Guard says that Chinese maritime militia vessels are swarming the area of Julian Felipe Reef in the West Philippine Sea. MANILA, Philippines — More than 135 Chinese maritime militia vessels were monitored in the vicinity of Julian Felipe (Whitsun) Reef in the West Philippine Sea, the Philippine Coast Guard reported Sunday. The PCG said it initially observed on November 13 111 Chinese vessels swarming the Julian Felipe Reef, which is part of the Kalayaan Island Group in the contested waterway. The number of Chinese militia vessels rose to 125 based on the military’s monitoring, and by Saturday, over 135 boats were “dispersed and scattered” in the area, according to the Coast Guard. Julian Felipe Reef is located 175 nautical miles, or around 320 kilometers, west of Bataraza town in Palawan.