Day: March 11, 2025

Manila: The Commission on Elections (Comelec) announced that the PHP2.7 billion budget for the upcoming Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections (BPE) has been approved in principle by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM). This approval marks a significant step forward in the preparations for the elections scheduled for October. According to Philippines News Agency, Comelec Chairperson George Erwin Garcia stated that the approval enables the election body to initiate its preparations for the BPE. Garcia emphasized that to access the allocated budget, Comelec must submit a comprehensive financial plan detailing expenditure and procurement needs. He noted that the funds would not

Manila: Slovenian Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon on Tuesday expressed support for the Philippines’ bid for a non-permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). ‘We are a non-permanent member of the Security Council (we are) strongly committed to international law, to UN Charter, to human rights, and we share those values together with the Philippines,’ she said in a joint presser with Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo in Manila. According to Philippines News Agency, Fajon emphasized Slovenia’s full support for the Philippines’ candidacy for a Security Council seat in the near future. She highlighted the critical importance of promoting

Vienna: The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Tuesday reaffirmed the Philippines’ longstanding commitment to the United Nations in combatting the illegal drug problem. According to Philippines News Agency, DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla emphasized the Philippines’ dedication to multilateralism and the UN as crucial platforms for addressing global challenges, including drug issues, during the 68th Session of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs. The session, taking place in Vienna, Austria, from March 10 to 14, 2025, provides a venue for discussing international cooperation against narcotics. Remulla highlighted the Philippines’ human rights-based and public health-centered strategy in tackling the drug problem

Iloilo City: The distribution utility in Iloilo City has successfully reimbursed approximately PHP4.2 million in deposit refunds to electric consumers who have consistently paid their dues on time and have not experienced any electrical disconnections. According to Philippines News Agency, MORE Electric and Power Corporation (MORE Power) initiated the process of refunding bill deposits to its consumers in June 2023. The most recent reimbursement, totaling PHP242,189, was distributed between March 7 and 29 to consumers who had applied for connection 36 months prior. MORE Power stated on Tuesday that this marks the 21st batch of consumers receiving their refunds, with

Ilocos Region: The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Ilocos Region has registered 12,166 creatives as part of the implementation of the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act. According to Philippines News Agency, the registration includes 1,373 individuals under the audio visual domain and subsector, 1,354 in digital interactive media, 1,381 in creative service, 1,349 in design domain and subsector, 1,302 in publishing and printed media, 1,313 in performing arts, 1,494 in visual arts domain and subsector, 1,371 in traditional culture and expressions, and 1,229 in cultural sites. DTI officer-in-charge and regional director Merlie Membrere announced during the Kapihan sa