Day: March 19, 2025

New Delhi: The growing engagement between the Philippines and India opens up an opportunity for the two states to elevate relations into a ‘strategic partnership,’ Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said. In a television interview during his official visit to India, Manalo highlighted that the India-Philippines relations have significantly advanced over recent years, particularly in trade and defense. According to Philippines News Agency, Manalo expressed optimism about the future of the bilateral relationship, noting that cooperation is expanding in new areas such as energy, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity. He suggested that these developments could soon lead to an official strategic

Pasig City: Choco Mucho and Akari are set to continue their best-of-three quarterfinal series at the Philsports Arena. The Flying Titans will face off against the PLDT High Speed Hitters at 4 p.m., followed by the Chargers taking on the Galeries Tower Highrisers at 6:30 p.m. A victory in these matches would secure a spot in the Final Four for both teams, while a defeat would put them at risk of elimination. According to Philippines News Agency, Choco Mucho secured a hard-fought victory in Game 1 on March 15, with a 20-25, 19-25, 25-15, 25-20, 18-16 win. Skipper Sisi Rondina

Manila: The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has initiated a thorough investigation by forming a special committee to look into the collapse of the Cabagan-Sta. Maria Bridge in Isabela, which occurred late last month. According to Philippines News Agency, DPWH Secretary Manual Bonoan announced the formation of the committee through Special Order No. 35, series of 2025, dated March 17. The committee will be led by Undersecretary Anne Sharlyne Lapuz and Undersecretary Eric Ayapana as the chairperson and co-chairperson, respectively. The team also includes Assistant Secretary Michael Villafranca, Director Alex Bote of the Planning Service, and Director Gliricidia

Manila: Malaca±ang denied Wednesday that former president Rodrigo Duterte’s arrest and surrender to the International Criminal Court (ICC) was a diversionary tactic to deflect scrutiny from issues surrounding the Philippine Health Insurance’s (PhilHealth) idle fund and the 2025 national budget. This, after Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte accused the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. of singling out his family. According to Philippines News Agency, Duterte also claimed that the Marcos administration was trying to divert public attention from concerns over the transfer of PhilHealth’s excess funds to the national treasury and the constitutionality of the 2025 General Appropriations

Makati City: Philippine businesses are expected to navigate through the ongoing political noise and remain resilient, as they have faced similar challenges in the past. On the sidelines of the Shareholders’ Association of the Philippines (SharePHIL) General Membership Meeting (GMM) in Makati City, SharePHIL Chairperson Ma. Aurora Geotina-Garcia expressed confidence in the business community’s ability to adapt. According to Philippines News Agency, Garcia emphasized that this is not the first time the business sector is encountering such situations. “Historically, the business community is able to thrive and respond to these kinds of challenges,” she said. “We will carry on and