Year: 2024

Manila: Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi will continue promoting closer cooperation with the Philippines, including on establishing a free and open rules-based order in the region. The newly appointed Iwaya made the commitment after speaking with Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo in a telephone meeting on Tuesday. During the call, Manalo congratulated Iwaya on his appointment and the latter stated that he ‘would like to steadily promote Japan-Philippines cooperation as well as multilateral cooperation, including Japan-US-Philippines cooperation, to maintain and strengthen a free and open international order based on the rule of law.’ Japan has been a staunch supporter of

Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday hailed the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) for maintaining peace and stability in the Philippine waters despite foreign aggression and incursion in the country’s territorial waters. During the celebration of the PCG’s 123rd founding anniversary at Port Area in Manila, Marcos lauded the agency’s steadfast service and commitment to protecting the country’s maritime domain, as demonstrated in every rescue operation, protection efforts, and enforcement of laws against illegal fishing and environmental degradation. ‘Indeed, your emergence as a key player in our nation’s maritime security reflects your commitment to service and exemplifies how to

Manila: Self-rated poverty in the Philippines dropped in the third quarter of 2024 with about 43 percent of Filipino families, or approximately 11.3 million, considering themselves poor, according to the latest survey conducted by OCTA Research. This figure, based on the Tugon ng Masa (TNM) survey conducted from Aug. 28 to Sept. 2, represents a substantial improvement from the 48 percent recorded in the second quarter of the year. This 5-percentage point decrease equates to a reduction of about 1.4 million families who no longer consider themselves poor, underscoring a “notable shift in self-perceptions of poverty,” according to OCTA. OCTA

Manila: A new policing app will soon be available allowing the public across Metro Manila to report crimes and incidents, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said Tuesday. NCRPO Director Maj. Gen. Sidney Hernia said the agency has set in motion the shift towards a more efficient and technology-driven approach in policing. The fully centralized and digitalized crime reporting app, called the anti-crime super app, is through Philippine National Police Law Enforcement Reporting and Information System, E-Gov Super App. Developed by the Department of Information and Communications Technology, it is being tested at NCRPO district offices. It will be

Manila: Senate President Francis Escudero is confident that the motu proprio inquiry of the Senate Blue Ribbon subcommittee on the Duterte administration’s war on drugs will be fair even if Senators Ronald Dela Rosa and Christopher Go are allowed to attend and defend themselves against accusations of involvement. During a press briefing on Tuesday, Escudero emphasized that only the public can conclude about the fairness of the proceedings, set to start on Oct. 28 with Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III as chair. “Siguro ang makakapaghusga na niyan ‘yung manonood ng pagdinig. Para sa akin, ito na ang pinaka-fair kaya