Preparations ‘on time’ for Pope Francis visit, say church officials

Church officials on Thursday said preparations are in place and are being followed on schedule so far for Pope Francis' visit in January 2015.

Read the rest of the news GMA News Online / News / Nation

Bong Revilla’s handwriting expert paid P200k

Senator Ramon Revilla Jr. paid a former handwriting expert of the National Bureau of Investigation P200,000 to boost his case in the bail hearing in connection with the plunder charges filed against him in connection with the multibillion-peso pork barrel scam.

Read the rest of the news GMA News Online / News / Nation

Bong Revilla says Sandigan may rule on his bail petition next week

Detained Senator Ramon Bong Revilla Jr. on Thursday said the Sandiganbayan First Divison may decide on his bail petition as early as next week if the summation of the bail hearings finishes within the day.

Read the rest of the news GMA News Online / News / Nation

SC workers seek 16k minimum wage, oppose taxes on bonuses

Supreme Court employees on Thursday used a portion of their lunch break to hold a protest for a higher national minimum wage of P16,000 and against the imposition of taxes on their bonuses and allowances.

Read the rest of the news GMA News Online / News / Nation

AFP: Alleged involvement of Pinoy in beheading of Syrian soldiers may be ISIS propaganda

Claims that a Filipino was involved in the beheading of 18 Syrian soldiers may just be a propaganda by Islamic State fighters, the Armed Forces of the Philippines said Thursday.

Read the rest of the news GMA News Online / News / Nation

Killing of Maguindanao massacre witness may have ‘adverse impact’ on the trial – media group

The National Union of Journalists in the Philippines on Thursday expressed concern over the killing of another potential witness in the Maguindanao massacre case, saying the incident may have an adverse impact in the trial.

Read the rest of the news GMA News Online / News / Nation

Garin willing to step down as acting DOH chief if proven she put public at risk of Ebola

While defending her decision to visit the quarantined peacekeepers from Liberia, acting Health Secretary Janette Garin said she is willing to step down if proven she has put the health of the public at risk.

Read the rest of the news GMA News Online / News / Nation

Mejorada insists govt agencies violated procurement law by using value engineering

The accuser of Senate President Franklin Drilon insisted Thursday that government agencies violated the procurement law when it used value engineering in the construction of the Iloilo Convention Center.

Read the rest of the news GMA News Online / News / Nation

Argentine priest to concelebrate Mass with Pope Francis during PHL visit

Pope Francis will not be the only Argentinian celebrating Mass during his visit to the Philippines this coming January.

Read the rest of the news GMA News Online / News / Nation

Work on Quirino Grandstand peaks for papal visit

Work on repairing and sprucing the Quirino Grandstand in Manila started to peak Thursday, in preparation for Pope Francis' visit to the Philippines this January.

Read the rest of the news GMA News Online / News / Nation

P3.35B in lotto prizes were unclaimed from 2006-2013 – PCSO

A total of P3.35 billion worth of lottery prizes, accumulated from 2006 to 2013, were unclaimed from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), officials told lawmakers on Wednesday, during a House Committee on Games and Amusement hearing.

Read the rest of the news GMA News Online / News / Nation

Male domestic abuse unprotected by current laws – men's rights group

Men's rights group Diego Silang Movement has claimed that current laws were insufficient to protect male victims of domestic abuse, GMA 7 news program "24 Oras" reported on Tuesday.

Read the rest of the news GMA News Online / News / Nation

Filipino allegedly among ISIS fighters in beheading video

An online news website claimed in a November 18 post that a Filipino was among the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) fighters seen in a video beheading a group of around 18 Syrian soldiers.

Read the rest of the news GMA News Online / News / Nation

Daughter of alleged Binay dummy denies condo was named after him

The daughter of one of the alleged dummies of Vice President Jejomar Binay denied the accusations of former Makati City mayor Ernesto Mercado that a condo unit was registered under her father's name for Binay.

Read the rest of the news GMA News Online / News / Nation