Editor’s Pick

THE Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) said it will work with local government units (LGUs) for a full nationwide rollout of online one-stop shops for their permits by next year, with the aim of improving the Philippines’ global innovation ranking. “Because of the sheer number of LGUs there will be a …

PHILSTAR CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY growth could outperform its regional counterparts over the next decade, despite the current slowdown caused by declining investment, with growth also losing momentum when compared with the 2006-2019 period, Oxford Economics said. In its Global Construction Outlook issued Monday, Oxford Economics said it forecasts a “robust” 5.5% …

COOPERATIVES NATIONWIDE have contributed a total of P1.3 billion for assistance programs relating to the coronavirus pandemic, benefitting both their members and non-members. Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) Chairman Orlando R. Ravanera, in a briefing on Tuesday, reported that the country’s 18,481 cooperatives contributed to food aid, personal protective equipment, and …

REUTERS THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) about its plan to look into possible safeguard measures against imports of resin products. The DTI launched its inquiry after receiving a claim from JG Summit Petrochemical Corp. that it has been harmed by unfair …

Human Rights Watch (HRW) on Tuesday slammed the government’s denial of extrajudicial killings in its war on drugs. “New Philippine police chief General Camilo Cascolan’s outright denial that extrajudicial killings took place in the government’s drug war is a blatant attempt to whitewash the sordid record of the PNP,” Phil …

The crowd at the Manila North Cemetery during All Saints’ Day in 2017. — PHILSTAR/EDD GUMBAN CEMETERIES IN Manila, both public and private, will not be open on October 31 to November 3, the Philippine’s traditional period for visiting the departed at their resting place. Manila Mayor Francisco M. Domagoso …

By Maya M. Padillo, Correspondent DAVAO CITY — Video-sharing platform TikTok was this year’s stage for the Indak-Indak street dancing competition, one of the highlights of the annual Kadayawan Festival in August. Entries had to be filmed either in a residence or workplace, with social distancing observed for those joining …

A CONGRESSMAN on Tuesday questioned a proposed increase in the Defense department’s so-called sovereignty budget next year given President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s order not to involve troops in military exercises in the South China Sea. During a House of Representatives budget hearing on Tuesday, Party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas noted that …

PHILSTAR THE GOVERNMENT should postpone its population and housing census this year to prevent potential coronavirus transmissions, according to a congressman. While the Philippine Statistics Authority’s (PSA) surveys are needed for planning, conducting the census now could expose the agency’s staff and family members that they talk to, Cagayan de …

RESIDENTS of a small apartment building do house chores outside their units, amid the lockdown to contain COVID-19, in a slum area in Tondo, Manila, May 4. — REUTERS THE GOVERNMENT is looking at enforcing aggressive isolation measures and prohibiting home quarantine for coronavirus patients to bring down the infection …