Bernard Testa News Today

THIRTY-NINE years ago,  business journalist turned rebel Satur Ocampo staged what was to become one of the most stunning escapes ever: Eluding 12 military escorts, he escaped by using the furlough given him to vote in the National Press Club of the Philippines elections. On exactly the same day on…

Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Chairman Atty. Richard Palpal-latoc delivers a keynote speech at the 1st Philippine Media Safety Summit held at the Luxent Hotel in Quezon City. He emphasized the need for the CHR to closely collaborate with media workers to ensure their safety while delivering accurate information to…

A SECURE community is essential to the country’s economic development, the country’s defense chief said on Labor Day. “As we pay tribute to workers from all walks of life, let us likewise remember the importance of supporting peace and security efforts. A stable and secure environment is essential for economic progress,…

THE country’s unmilled rice production declined slightly in the first quarter of 2024, based on the Philippine Statistics Authority’s (PSA) survey of production volume. Data from the PSA showed that palay output in January to March slid by 1.96 percent to 4.69 million metric tons (MMT) from the 4.78 MMT…

LUANG PRABANG, Laos — Senior finance and central bank officials from Southeast Asia and major economies met April 4, 2024, in the scenic Laotian city of Luang Prabang to discuss ways to help the region build resilience against shocks like the COVID-19 pandemic and natural disasters brought on by climate…

AS the effect of El Niño reached it peak this month, a total of 103 local government units (LGU) have now declared a State of Calamity due to droughts. In a televised interview with PTV on Wednesday, Task Force El Nino spokesperson Jose “Joey” M. Villarama II disclosed the list includes cities, municipalities…

Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr. said there is a need to bolster the interoperability of the defenses of the Philippines and the United States. Teodoro issued the statement during the inaugural 3+3 Ministerial Meeting held between foreign/state and defense secretaries as well as the national…

Less than two million Filipinos were unemployed in February 2024, according to the latest data released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). Based on the results of the Labor Force Survey (LFS), there were 1.8 million Filipinos who were considered jobless in February 2024. In a briefing on Thursday, National…

THE National Food Authority Council on Thursday approved a higher buying price range for palay to give the government corporation the “flexibility” to compete with private traders in securing supply and help rice farmers earn more from their harvest. In a statement on Thursday, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said…

THE Philippines saved a total of 132.11 megawatts (MW) during the Earth Hour 2024, or 110 percent higher than last year’s 62.69MW, according to the Department of Energy (DOE). “We are pleased to see such an impact in electricity savings during last Saturday's Earth Hour. This only demonstrates our people's…