President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, laughs off the claim of Kingdom of Jesus Christ leader Pastor Apollo Quiboloy that he and First Lady Marie Louise "Liza" Araneta-Marcos were conniving with the United States to assassinate him. Video by Catherine Valente

Netflix's 'Avatar: The Last Airbender' stars Gordon Cormier (Aang) and Dallas Liu (Prince Zuko) hold a press conference in Manila on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, and share their experience in filming the series. Cormier – a Filipino-Canadian – said he is happy to be back in the country and meet his family. Video by Iza IglesiasGet the latest newsdelivered to your inbox Sign up for The Manila Times newsletters By signing up with an email address, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, delivers his departure statement before flying to Australia for a two-day state visit. The President will speak to Australian lawmakers on Thursday, February 29, and discuss the vision for the Strategic Partnership between the two countries. Video by Catherine Valente

The government will issue a number of bonds in the coming fiscal year, with HK$70 billion to be in the retail tranche. Financial Secretary Paul Chan said in the coming fiscal year, the government will issue HK$120 billion worth of bonds. The HK$70 billion retail bonds will include HK$50 billion Silver Bond and HK$20 billion green bonds and infrastructure bonds. He added that the city has ranked first in the region for seven consecutive years in terms of the volume of international bond issuance, and proposed to expand the scope of the Government Green Bond Program to cover sustainable finance projects and take forward the Infrastructure Bond Scheme to raise capital for infrastructure projects. Chan noted that the government will continue to adhere strictly to fiscal discipline and keep the debt at a prudent level.

Transport subsidies offered by the government - the HK$2 fare scheme for the elderly and the Public Transport Fare Subsidy Scheme - will not be canceled as a review is set to be completed within this year, said Paul Chan. The financial chief emphasized that the government has no intention of cancelling these schemes, with the review aiming to enable the continued provision of the subsidies in a financially sustainable manner. Chan said the annual expenditure of the HK$2 fare scheme has increased by over 200 percent from HK$1.3 billion in 2019-20 to about HK$4 billion in 2023-24, while the annual expenditure of the Public Transport Fare Subsidy Scheme has doubled from HK$1.7 billion in 2019-20 to the revised estimate of about HK$3.5 billion in 2023-24. Government sources said today that authorities have no intention of changing the age threshold of the beneficiaries of the HK$2 scheme. When asked if the review will lead to changes in the types of transportation covered by the scheme, or whether the scheme should continue to cover cross-harbor trips, sources said all aspects will be taken into account during the review.

WASHINGTON, D.C.: US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo expressed confidence on Monday that the country can house the entire silicon supply chain for making advanced chips, including tech that is key for artificial intelligence (AI). Raimondo expressed confidence on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024, that the US can store the entire silicon supply chain for manufacturing advanced chips. Raimondo expressed confidence on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024, that the US can store the entire silicon supply chain for manufacturing advanced chips. "The brutal fact is, the United States cannot lead the world as a technology and innovation leader on such a shaky foundation," she added. Washington is also "not losing sight" of the need for current generation and older chips needed for cars, medical devices and defense systems, Raimondo said.

DOJ to pursue murder charges vs cops in Jemboy slayAssistant Secretary Mico Clavano, spokesman of the Department of Justice, speaks with Jemboy Baltazar's father, Jessie Baltazar, during a press conference at the DOJ on Feb. 27, 2024. In August 2023, the DOJ indicted six cops on the charge of murder for the killing of Baltazar. RELATED: Cop convicted of homicide in Jemboy case; others receive lighter penaltiesIn the 44-page decision of the court, PSSg. "There are still some legal remedies that we can explore, although tama na dahil na-acquit na 'yung isa, it will fall under the doctrine of double jeopardy. However, there are certain legal remedies that we can pursue that may reopen the case, even for the one who is acquitted.)

Gilas invited to scrimmages vs European powerhousesHead coach Tim Cone said a bevy of European powers like the Luka Doncic-led Slovenia, Lithuania and the Czech Republic have invited the Philippine team for OQT preparations. Head coach Tim Cone said a bevy of European powers like the Luka Doncic-led Slovenia, Lithuania and the Czech Republic have invited the Philippine team for OQT preparations, the gateway to the Summer Olympics in Paris. 8 team that came off a remarkable fifth-place Cinderella run in the FIBA World Cup held in Manila last year. But there’s a catch for Gilas, which will only have 10 days to spare if it pushes with the plan of testing mettle against European teams led by world No. “This 2-0 start (in FIBA Asia Cup) is great but that's a little, baby step on the way.

At a press briefing, Acorda maintained that the encounter was a legitimate operation. “If there are complaints, we are open for investigation but based on the report, it’s a legitimate operation. Compoc, he added, was already in his 60s and was in no position to fight since he was suffering from arthritis. She was always the first person to volunteer when lawyers needed assistance in the countless legal work of the organization. She joined community visits for paralegal trainings and discussions on human rights despite the demands of law school.

1-Rider PL Rep. Ramon Rodrigo Gutierrez, Pwersa ng Bayaning Atleta Rep. Margarita Nograles, and Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong say that holding the plebiscite along with the 2025 midterm election may lead to the 'politicization' of Charter change. The lawmakers were responding to Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri's statement that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. wants the 2025 midterm elections held simultaneously with the plebiscite. Video by Red MendozaGet the latest newsdelivered to your inbox Sign up for The Manila Times newsletters By signing up with an email address, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Remulla admits having ‘complications’ following bypass surgeryThis photo shows a picture of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla during a press briefing with reporters on Jan. 16, 2024. MANILA, Philippines — Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla admitted experiencing "complications" in his immune system months after undergoing heart bypass surgery. It could be recalled that Remulla had a heart bypass surgery in June last year during his wellness leave. Remulla revealed that doctors found blockages in his heart during his annual checkup from June 21 to 23 last year. “I'm able to discuss with undersecretaries, assistant secretaries and the directors the issues in the Department of Justice,” Remulla said.

Marcos wants Cha-cha plebiscite in 2025 electionsSenate President Juan Miguel Zubiri (L), Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr (C) and Speaker of the House Martin Romualdez reacts after the president delivered his speech during the State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the House of Representatives in Quezon City on July 24, 2023. MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. told senators he wants the plebiscite on proposed amendments to the 1987 Constitution to be held alongside the 2025 midterm polls, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said on Monday. The Senate president added that they will not be able to pass RBH 6 before March ends due to other important measures being deliberated by senators. And our president eventually wants to course it during the 2025 elections,” Zubiri said. Both House leaders and the Comelec previously thumbed down Angara's suggestion to synchronize the Cha-cha plebiscite with the 2025 elections.

The Education Bureau (EDB) announced on Monday that the online application for the Scheme for Admission of Hong Kong Students to Mainland Higher Education Institutions (Admission Scheme) will begin on March 1. According to the Admission Scheme arrangements for the 2024/25 academic year announced by the Ministry of Education (MoE), a total of 138 Mainland higher education institutions will consider admission applications of Hong Kong students taking part in the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination (HKDSE) 2024 based on their HKDSE results, eliminating the need for students to take the Mainland Joint Entrance Examination. This year's scheme saw the addition of six new participating institutes, including the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou), Zhejiang University of Technology, Shaoxing University, South China Agricultural University, Southwest Jiaotong University, and Northwestern Polytechnical University. Applicants can log on to the online application system to confirm application verification results before April 10. Applicants passing the application verification were reminded to settle fees and complete the application confirmation process according to the instructions provided in the online application system by April 30.

THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) reminded all foreign nationals that the deadline for their annual reporting is March 1. Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco said on Monday the 60-day reporting period will not be extended and failure to comply could result in fines or even deportation. Photo from Bureau of Immigration"We have transferred our annual reporting operations to more accessible locations, and have put up an online portal for virtual reporting," said Tansingco. "Foreigners who are out of the country during the annual reporting period may make the report within 30 days from the date of their return to the country, provided they have valid re-entry permits," Tansingco said. The virtual annual report for foreign nationals present in the Philippines during the annual report period may also be downloaded from the BI's e-services platform at http://e-services.immigration.gov.ph.

The UST Golden Tigresses are out to prove that while height is a huge factor in volleyball, the heart can also spell the difference. That mantra worked well against the tall and defending champs De La Salle Lady Spikers in the UAAP Season 86 women's volleyball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday, February 25. UST recovered from losing sets 3 and 4 to hammer a 25-18, 25-23, 14-25, 16-25, 15-12 win and stay undefeated at 3-0. Video by Niel Victor Masoy