SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.—As part of its effort to reduce wildfire risks, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) customers in some areas will see increased work to prune or remove trees, as well as reduce vegetation and brush near and under PG&E power lines. This work is being done to enhance fire safety, as a precautionary measure intended to reduce the risk of wildfires and to comply with new state regulations in high fire-threat areas. New fire-safety regulations, ...

By Corina Oliquino | FilAm Star Correspondent MANILA -- A new report by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) revealed corruption continues to be a “major headache” for the U.S.-PH trade. According to its 2018 National Trade Report of Foreign Trade Barriers, USTR said “corruption remains a pervasive issue in the Philippines, which the U.S. intends to continue urging the country to address.” “National and local government agencies, particularly Bureau of ...

By Macon Araneta | FilAm Star Correspondent Once the government fully implements its rationalization plan for airport services on August 31, only five out of more than 20 airlines will be left serving Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1, said Jess Martinez, media affairs division chief. Martinez said the move intends to decongest terminals and improve the convenience of passengers. He named the five airlines that will be left at NAIA terminal: Thai A...

By Daniel Llanto | FilAm Star Correspondent Malacanang said Assistant Sec. Mocha Uson of the Presidential Communications Operations Office can very well explain herself regarding the administrative complaint filed with the Ombudsman by the Akbayan Youth against her for grave misconduct, serious dishonesty and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service. But instead of explaining her side, Uson characteristically taunted the student group calling for her dism...

By Daniel llanto | FilAm Star Correspondent Practically admitting that the 2019 senatorial slate formed by the ruling PDP-Laban of President Duterte is formidable, the opposition Liberal Party said it could not field its own candidates that would make as strong a ticket and so, is considering joining forces with other groups to form the “broadest opposition coalition” for next year’s mid-term elections. Sen. Francis Pangilinan, LP president, admitted that LP needs to me...

By Corina Oliquino | FilAm Star Correspondent MANILA -- The Diplomat, a Tokyo-based international current affairs magazine for the Asia-Pacific region last March 10 named Opposition Sen. Leila De Lima as one of its “Woman to Watch” in Southeast Asia for her “courage to speak out against the injustices and the culture of impunity afflicting the Philippines under the leadership of a looming authoritarian.” According to the press statement released by the Senate regarding ...

By Macon Araneta | FilAm Star Correspondent Following Uber’s decision to sell its Philippine operations to rival Grab, Makati City Rep. Luis Campos Jr. now wants Go-Jek, Indonesia’s top technology firm that offers ride-hailing and logistics services, to come in and compete with surviving ride-hailing giant Grab. “No matter how you look at it, the combination of the regional businesses of Uber and Grab not only reduces but effectively eliminates competition in the Philip...

By Macon Araneta | FilAm Star Correspondent Officials of the ruling Liberal Party under the administration of former President Noynoy Aquino on April 3, branded as a “desperate attempt to rewrite history for the Marcos dictatorship” the manual recount of votes by the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET) for the vice-presidential election last May 2016. Also last April 4, former Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos aired concern over the withdrawal of four head revisors in ...