Manila: Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III on Monday said the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee (SBRC) is set to form a subcommittee to investigate former president Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs. The senators agreed the issue was urgent and needed to be discussed in the Senate following the revelations in the House of Representative’s Quad committee hearings, According to Pimentel, Senate President Francis Escudero and Senator Pia Cayetano, the SBRC chairperson, have agreed to form a subcommittee and name him chairperson. ‘Kung gagawin po ni Chairperson Pia Cayetano yun, tatanggapin ko po yung designation ko (If Chairperson Senator Pia

Manila: The majority of Filipinos are optimistic that the proposed amendments to the 1987 Constitution will drive economic improvements, particularly in job creation, according to a recent survey by Tangere. The survey, conducted from Oct. 14 to 16, showed that 73.5 percent of respondents believe the reforms will lead to more job opportunities, making it the most anticipated outcome. Aside from job creation, other key economic expectations include lower prices for goods and services at 72 percent, higher economic growth at 71 percent, improved salaries and work benefits at 71 percent, and better job quality at 70 percent. The survey

Manila: The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Monday urged farmers and fisherfolks to harvest early in preparations for the possible impact of Tropical Depression Kristine. In an advisory, the DA Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Operations Center told farmers and fishers to closely monitor updates from local DRRMs and the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). ‘The Department is advising farmers and fisherfolk… to harvest mature crops and mobilize post-harvest equipment and facilities,’ the DA-DRRM said. Farmers were also told to place agricultural farm inputs and planting materials in proper storages; relocate farm machinery and equipment to

Manila: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) conducted reengagement activities for 1,400 Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) decommissioned combatants (DCs) in the Davao Region on Oct. 7 to 11. The ‘Kamustahan’ validation and assessment carried out through house-to-house visits were meant to monitor the reintegration status of the DCs in their communities and families. “These reengagement activities are conducted to ensure those who were given the PHP100,000 transitory cash assistance were given post-activity care services. These include the needs assessment of decommissioned combatants,” Inclusive-Sustainable Peace and Special Concerns Undersecretary Alan Tanjusay said in a news release. Some 120

Manila: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has destroyed 18,000 kilograms of illegal and unsafe health products valued at PHP5.7 million. In a news release Monday, the FDA said a disposal operation was held from Oct. 15 to 18 at the Biñan Disposal Facility in Laguna as part of the FDA’s Oplan Katharos program. Its Regulatory Enforcement Unit led the initiative to eliminate illegal health products deemed unsafe for consumers by removing these items from circulation. Oplan Katharos, now on its second year, is tasked with the development and implementation of guidelines for the proper handling, storage and disposal of

Manila: Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela on Monday urged the Filipino electorate to support poll candidates who advocate the cause on the West Philippine Sea (WPS). This, after the release of a recent Pulse Asia Survey showed seven out of 10 Filipinos will not support political candidates with known leanings to China during the 2025 midterm elections. ‘Voters now recognize that our fight in this area is not solely the responsibility of the current administration, but a collective endeavor for all citizens of the country, regardless of political affiliation or geographic location,’