Day: February 17, 2025

Manila: Philippine Army (PA) chief Lt. Gen. Roy Galido announced the expansion of this year’s “Combined Arms Exercise” (CATEX) “Katihan” to include Camp Kibaritan in Bukidnon and Camp Gen. Mariano Peralta in Jamindan, Capiz. These new locations will be added to the traditional training area in Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija. According to Philippines News Agency, the inclusion of these new venues underscores the nationwide scope of the exercise and addresses the need to test the large-scale movement of troops across the archipelagic country. “Katihan,” scheduled from March 3 to 12, will focus on enhancing “command-and-control” capabilities. Lt. Gen. Galido emphasized

Iloilo City: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is well-informed about the pressing issues confronting Western Visayas, including Iloilo City’s power and water supply concerns, according to Mayor Jerry Tre±as. Tre±as, who also chairs the Infrastructure Development Committee of the Regional Development Council (RDC) in Western Visayas, joined a meeting with the President on Feb. 13, where he raised the city’s concerns. According to Philippines News Agency, Tre±as expressed that in his 39 years of public service, it was unprecedented for a President to preside over the RDC. He noted that during the presentation of proposed and ongoing infrastructure projects, such

Manila: The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday stated that it is not illegal for candidates and their supporters to criticize other candidates during campaign activities. “The Omnibus Election Code itself allows negative campaigning,” said Comelec Chairperson George Erwin Garcia in an interview. According to Philippines News Agency, Section 79 of the Omnibus Election Code specifies that an “election campaign” or “partisan political activity” includes actions aimed at promoting or defeating a particular candidate. This encompasses making speeches, announcements, or commentaries, as well as holding interviews for or against the election of any candidate for public office. However, the Comelec