Low-cost carriers (LCCs) have helped boost domestic air travel growth in the Philippines, according to a Cebu Pacific Air (CEB) official.

“Philippine LCCs contributed about 96% of total domestic air travel market growth from 2006 to 2011. Full-service carriers on the other hand contributed 4% growth in that six-year period,” said CEB VP for Marketing and Distribution Candice Iyog, in a statement.

Iyog said the growth was mainly because of the low fares offered by budget carriers such as CEB.

China said Wednesday that the Philippines is violating maritime law by claiming a shoal in the South China Sea and dismissed Manila’s request to take the dispute to an international court. More >

More than 200 pitbulls rescued from an illegal online dog-fighting operation in the Philippines were saved from a mass cull after two animal shelters agreed to care for them, rescuers said on Thursday.

Thirty-three dogs weakened by wounds, dehydration and poor nutrition or showing overly aggressive behaviour had already been put down while four other animals died since their rescue, the Philippine Animal Welfare Society said.

The Philippines is offering the United States greater access to its airfields and may open new areas for soldiers to use, as the Pacific country seeks stronger military ties with its closest ally, moves likely to further raise tensions with China.

In exchange for opening its bases, the Philippines will ask Washington for more military equipment and training, including a another Hamilton-class warship and possibly a squadron of old F-16 jet fighters, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario told Reuters on Thursday.

Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co (PLDT) said on Thursday it will sell 150 million voting preferred shares to local investors if it is declared to be in breach of foreign ownership laws.

The country’s Supreme Court issued a ruling in June 2011 that changed the calculation of foreign ownership stakes in local public utilities. The change could put PLDT in breach of the 40 percent foreign ownership limit. Under the court’s definition of capital, foreign investors currently own around 60 percent of PLDT, which has appealed the court’s ruling.

Agents of the Philippine Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) filed a criminal complaint against world boxing icon and lawmaker Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao for his alleged failure to submit to the agency over 60 documents regarding his earnings and tax payments.

Rozil Lozares, the BIR regional director in Mindanao, revealed the case was filed before the prosecutor’s office in Koronadal City arising from Pacquiao’s alleged violation of the country’s National Internal Revenue Code.

The arraignment of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Thursday is a step closer towards attaining closure to her alleged wrongdoings committed during her nine-year rule, Malacañang said.

“Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s arraignment today (Thursday) brings us one step closer towards attaining closure to the many controversies that have hounded our country during the previous administration,” Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a press briefing.