Negros Occidental province in the Philippines has begun distributing rice aid to poor and near-poor households through the Local Government Support Fund - Financial Assistance, funded by the national government. The province purchased PHP170.99 million worth of rice, targeting 125,735 households across all its municipalities and cities.
The Philippine government will shoulder the employee's share of PhilHealth premiums for employed solo parents, regardless of income, once their membership records are updated, the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) announced Tuesday.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has been undergoing significant organizational restructuring since the 2012 revision of its Modernization Act, shifting focus from internal to territorial defense. Amid escalating tensions in the South China Sea, emphasis is placed on strengthening naval and cyber capabilities, and consolidating special operations.
The Philippine Navy has acquired numerous state-of-the-art vessels under its modernization program, but dependence on private facilities and delayed infrastructure development pose operational and maintenance challenges. Amidst escalating tensions in the South China Sea, strengthening defense capabilities is urgent, necessitating the establishment of robust deployment and maintenance systems for its equipment.
The head of the Philippines' central bank urged Asian nations to learn from the late 1990s financial crisis and guard against its recurrence, highlighting vulnerabilities beneath the 'East Asian miracle' growth. The IMF countered that progress has been made in assessing risks.
The camp of Vice President Sara Duterte claims National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag is 'politically biased' against her in the probe into allegations by a dismissed policeman. They cite Matibag's past critical writings and alleged conflict of interest.
The Philippine House of Representatives has overwhelmingly approved a bill granting budget airline Cebu Pacific a new 50-year franchise. This renewal allows the company to continue its operations in the domestic aviation market for the next half-century.
The Philippine Department of Agriculture (DA) is planning to expand purple yam (ube) production in the Cagayan Valley region due to surging global demand. The initiative initially targets 100 hectares in Isabela province, with plans to scale up to 500 hectares.
The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) has partnered with the Sustainable Coconut Partnership (SCP) to improve coconut farming productivity and sustainable agricultural practices in Davao and the Bicol Region. This collaboration aims to create long-term economic opportunities for coconut farmers.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) projects the Philippines' economic growth to lag behind most of its emerging and developing Asian peers this year. Policymakers face a challenging balancing act between controlling inflation and avoiding further economic slowdown.
The Philippine Department of Economic Planning and Development (DEPDev) has launched the Provincial Development Planning (ProvDP) Framework, a new system for provincial governments to create and implement six-year development plans. This initiative aims to align local development priorities, public investments, and budgets for sustainable growth.
The global artificial intelligence (AI) boom and the push for diversified supply chains present a potential opportunity for the Philippines to strengthen its position in the semiconductor industry, according to an analysis by logistics giant FedEx and Frost & Sullivan.
Net foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows to the Philippines reached a six-month high in July, although investor sentiment remained subdued due to domestic and international economic uncertainties.
The Philippines' balance of payments deficit is projected to narrow more than previously forecast due to robust export growth, driven by the global artificial intelligence boom, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). The central bank anticipates a $9.2 billion deficit by the end of 2024.
The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) clarified that personal used mobile devices can still be bought and sold without government permits under proposed regulations for the commercial trade of refurbished phones, avoiding disruption to the used market.
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in the Philippines has issued a warning against Maharlika Play, an unregistered platform promising unusually high returns of up to 333 percent in 45 days through a scheme supposedly financing high-stakes gaming. The entity lacks corporate registration.
Toyota Motor Philippines is re-entering the public transport market with the Tamaraw, revitalized as a modernized jeepney, aiming to capture demand in the Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) sector.
Japan's new envoy to the Philippines, shortly after his arrival, met with key figures in the Philippine business community ahead of his extensive diplomatic schedule. This move signals an emphasis on strengthening economic ties between the two nations.
The camp of Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte stated that the prosecution's withdrawal of three impeachment articles against her is an admission that the allegations "lacked basis from the very beginning," as they now focus on the remaining article.
A racist attack on a Filipino nurse by an elderly couple in England has resurfaced online, drawing international condemnation and highlighting the challenges faced by Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). The incident involved verbal abuse and physical assault.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) fully supports Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr.'s decision to suspend direct military-to-military communication with China. An AFP spokesperson cited a lack of mutual trust and adherence to international law from China as reasons for the suspension. The Presidential Palace affirmed commitment to diplomatic and economic ties while protecting national sovereignty.
The Sandiganbayan Fifth Division has ordered a new 90-day preventive suspension for Senator Jinggoy Estrada, who faces plunder charges. This suspension removes him from his Senate seat and any other public office he holds.
Philippine soybean meal imports are projected to increase by 10% to 3.85 million metric tons in 2027, driven by surging demand from the poultry sector, according to a recent report by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The Philippine Senate impeachment court has allowed prosecutors to withdraw three of four impeachment charges against Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio, narrowing the trial to allegations of unexplained wealth. This decision significantly focuses the proceedings and could impact public perception and future legal actions.
The Philippine Left has declined due to misreading domestic political realities post-Marcos, a bloody internal purge claiming thousands, and deep leadership splits. A former NPA cadre's memoir highlights the movement's tragic 'loss of way' and increasing political marginalization.
The prosecution in the impeachment trial of Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte has withdrawn charges related to confidential funds, bribery, and grave threats, with the Senate impeachment court accepting the motion on October 13. This leaves only the unexplained wealth charge against her.
The Visayas grid in the Philippines may continue to face power supply shortfalls and potential red alerts until 2028, warned the Department of Energy chief, despite temporary relief from current alerts.
In the impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte, prosecutor's counsel Lorna Kapunan criticized the defense's portrayal of Duterte as a victim after the prosecution withdrew some impeachment articles, asserting that the people are the true victims.
The impeachment court has approved the reduction of impeachment charges against Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte from four to one. This decision could impact the Vice President's political standing.
The number of impeachment articles against the Philippine Vice President has reportedly been reduced. While this move is seen by some as an attempt to stabilize the political landscape, it has sparked speculation about its broader political implications.
NLEx Corp. has completed dredging and widening approximately 20 kilometers of three rivers in Pampanga province. The initiative aims to mitigate flood damage and alleviate traffic congestion on the NLEx toll road.
A proposed ordinance in Ilocos Sur, Philippines, seeks to establish the 'Ilocos Sur Contra Super El Niño' Task Force to bolster disaster preparedness, secure water supplies, and protect communities from the impacts of El Niño and extreme heat.
The Presiding Justice of the Sandiganbayan, the anti-graft court, stated that jurisprudence from the administration of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo makes it more challenging to prove plunder cases, highlighting challenges in combating corruption in the Philippines.
Lead public prosecutor and Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro admitted that the decision to drop three out of four Articles of Impeachment might have been different if Vice President Sara Duterte had shown interest in her trial. Luistro made the statement during a press briefing on the impeachment proceedings.
Former President Leni Robredo urged swift justice for slain broadcaster Adrian Loterte in Albay, warning of a chilling effect on media freedom and discouraging whistleblowing.
The Philippines' Department of Education and Commission on Higher Education have awarded scholarships to 230 public school personnel for the 'Lingap' program, aiming to address the nationwide shortage of school counselors and mental health professionals.