Montage Technology to price Hong Kong listing at top of range; aims to raise US$901 millionA Stock Exchange of Hong Kong (HKEX) sign is seen at the 2020 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) in Beijing, China September 4, 2020.
Metro mayors, Angara tackle classroom shortageMANILA, Philippines — Education Secretary Sonny Angara met yesterday with 11 Metro Manila mayors to address the shortage of nearly 25,000 classrooms in the region. “This is aligned with the directive of President Marcos to address classroom shortage and improve the learning environment of our students, through stronger national and local government collaboration,” he added. Luzon accounts for 54 percent of the classroom shortage estimated at 165,443. The DepEd presented to Metro Manila mayors the guidelines on the construction and repair of school buildings under the 2026 General Appropriations Act. “So there is a backlog of about 5,000 (classrooms),” Angara said.
The flags of Germany and China are seen ahead of a meeting between German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Berlin, Germany, June 19, 2023. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch/ File Photo
In a 30-page resolution issued yesterday, the court’s Third Division denied Revilla’s omnibus motion to quash the case and remand it to the ombudsman for a reinvestigation. Granting a motion to quash the information is tantamount to dismissal of the case but without prejudice to possible refiling. The Third Division also denied Revilla’s motion to quash the arrest warrant issued against him last Jan. 19, which prompted him to surrender to authorities on the same day. Also denied was Mendoza’s motion to consolidate for a single trial their malversation through falsification case with their graft case pending before the court’s Fourth Division. With the denial of Revilla and his co-accused’s respective motions, their arraignment set on Feb. 9 is expected to push through.
MMDA backs Quezon City active transport ProjectsQuezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte recently visited MMDA Chairman Romando Artes and general manager Nicolas Torre III at the agency’s headquarters in Pasig. MANILA, Philippines — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has vowed to support the Quezon City government’s projects, including bike lane and sidewalk improvement. Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte recently visited MMDA Chairman Romando Artes and general manager Nicolas Torre III at the agency’s headquarters in Pasig. Belmonte discussed with them the proposed infrastructure projects in Quezon City, such as the improvement of the bicycle lane and sidewalk from C.P. The project would be financed by the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, the MMDA said.
Mollenido, son laid to restSlain policewoman Senior M/Sgt. Diane Marie Mollenido and her eight-year-old son John Ysmael are laid to rest on Thursday. MANILA, Philippines — Slain policewoman Diane Marie Mollenido and her eight-year-old son, John Ysmael, were laid to rest in Taguig City yesterday. Her husband, Senior M/Sgt. John Mollenido, received the Philippine flag, but he did not speak during the burial ceremony.
Manila cop surrenders to NBI over rape caseMANILA, Philippines — Following the issuance of an arrest warrant by a Manila court, a police officer accused of sexually assaulting a 27-year-old woman surrendered yesterday to the National Bureau of Investigation. Joshua Semilla Mendoza of the Manila Police District raped her after she lost consciousness during a night out in Quezon City. She has filed a complaint against Mendoza with the National Police Commission. Closed-circuit television footage allegedly captured Mendoza carrying an unconscious woman into a motel in Sampaloc, Manila, on Dec. 4, 2025. The Napolcom said it aims to resolve the case within 60 days.
Kerwin Espinosa surrenders as court issues arrest warrantTACLOBAN , Philippines — Mayor Rolan Kerwin Espinosa of Albuera, Leyte has surrendered to authorities after a court in Cebu issued a warrant for his arrest in connection with a murder case. The Cebu City Regional Trial Court Branch 14 did not recommend bail for the temporary liberty of Espinosa and four other accused. Espinosa, a self-confessed drug trafficker, has not been reporting to his office since late January, due to what his camp described as security concerns. Espinosa has expressed fear for his safety as he cited the fate of his father, former Albuera mayor Rolando Espinosa, who was killed while in detention. His supporters claimed the case filed against him was politically motivated.
Lufthansa to invest $400 million for Clark maintenance hubMANILA, Philippines — Lufthansa Technik Philippines (LTP) is planning to invest $400 million for a maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility in Clark, according to the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA). Bingcang said the firm is looking to invest at least $400 million to build hangars that can accommodate the A380, the world’s largest passenger aircraft. He said the BCDA hopes to complete the negotiations with LTP for the planned expansion within the first quarter. LTP is a joint venture between Lufthansa Technik AG and Lucio Tan-owned MacroAsia Corp.At present, LTP operates at a 226,000 square-meter facility at the MacroAsia Economic Zone in Villamor Air Base. Lease rates are being adjusted following the takeover of the San Miguel Corp.-led New NAIA Infra Corp. of the country’s main international gateway.
Pasay fire victims get aidSen. Bong Go visits a residential area in Barangay 139 in Pasay, which was struck by a fire, before distributing assistance to affected families on Tuesday. MANILA, Philippines — Financial assistance and relief goods were distributed on Tuesday to 43 families or 167 people displaced by a fire in Barangay 139 in Pasay. With Sen. Bong Go leading the activity, families received cash, snacks, water containers, rice, balls, shirts, grocery packs and fruits. Other fire victims received a bicycle, a mobile phone, shoes and a watch. Go reiterated the importance of Republic Act 12076, the Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act, which mandates the establishment of permanent, safe and well-equipped evacuation centers nationwide.
190 Pinoy trafficking victims repatriated from CambodiaMANILA, Philippines — Up to 190 Filipino victims of human trafficking returned to Manila from Cambodia early yesterday morning. They arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 where they were welcomed by government officials and assured of immediate support. The repatriates were flown on a Philippine government-chartered flight, which landed at the NAIA at 4:03 a.m.Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac, along with representatives from other government agencies, welcomed the repatriates and coordinated their transfer to rehabilitation and reintegration programs. The welcoming team included officials from the Department of Migrant Workers, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Health, Department of Foreign Affairs, Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission, Department of Justice, Bureau of Immigration, the police Women and Children Protection Center, Anti-Cybercrime Group, International Organization for Migration and the Blas Ople Policy Center. Since 2022, the government has facilitated the repatriation of 877 Filipino trafficking victims.
ACEN buys out partner in India ventureThis follows ACEN unit ACEN Renewables International Pte. Ltd.’s completion of a sale and purchase agreement with UPC India, which holds UPC Renewables’ investments in the South Asian country. MANILA, Philippines — Ayala-led ACEN Corp. has taken full control of its expansion in India after acquiring Singapore-based UPC Renewables’ 50 percent stake in their joint venture. This follows ACEN unit ACEN Renewables International Pte. Ltd.’s completion of a sale and purchase agreement with UPC India, which holds UPC Renewables’ investments in the South Asian country.
Experts cite hazards in recovering bodies from Trisha Kerstin 3ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Noting health hazards in recovering the remains of missing victims from the sunken M/V Trisha Kerstin 3, police forensic experts yesterday called for a shift of the rescue operation to retrieval and disposal efforts. They said that bodies recovered more than a week after the sea mishap are no longer safe to handle due to biological hazards. Tulfo vows accountabilityMeanwhile, four survivors in the sinking of Trisha Kerstin 3 have disclosed to Sen. Raffy Tulfo the alleged neglected and deplorable condition of the vessel. After listening to the survivors, Tulfo said the Senate committee on public services, which he chairs, would conduct an inquiry into the issue. Sali said that shortly after the Trisha Kerstin 3 departed the port, he sensed that the boat was overloaded.
There are many reasons to visit the Philippines but sadly, we seem to be moving in reverse due to our lack of competitiveness compared to our neighbors. I love the Philippines and I am certain many of us do too, which is why we feel the frustration about this sector. The opportunities are there and we must act now, especially since the Philippines is chairing the ASEAN and hosting regional meetings. We do not lack attractions but unfortunately, we lack the ability to make it clear to tourists why the Philippines is the best destination to visit. Loving our country is the same and tourism is the way to steward our love for the rest of the world to see.
Managing a disputeHis arrival in Manila may have been inauspicious, coinciding with the eruption of a bitter word war between his embassy and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). But perhaps new Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan is someone who can help at least narrow the differences and prevent them from becoming irreconcilable. He’s not going to budge on official Chinese positions on our maritime dispute, and even defends the use of water cannons on our smaller vessels. Talking with him and his team reinforces my belief that neither country is going to change positions soon on the maritime dispute. Still, Jing says it’s possible to manage dispute resolution without compromising national sovereignty, while pursuing other aspects of bilateral ties.
