Day: March 26, 2025

Manila: The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) is not engaged in red-tagging left-leaning organizations, an official of the National Security Council (NSC) said on Wednesday. The statement came after the Gabriela Women’s Party filed a formal complaint against the NTF-ELCAC before the Commission on Elections (Comelec), accusing the task force of systematic vilification and red-tagging of its party and members. According to Philippines News Agency, Gabriela cited Comelec Resolution No. 11116 on Anti-Discrimination and Fair Campaigning Guidelines for the May 2025 midterm elections as the basis for its complaint. The group denounced the NTF-ELCAC’s alleged

Manila: The Philippines is emerging as one of the fastest-growing economies in Southeast Asia this year, as highlighted by an economist from Moody’s Analytics during a recent virtual briefing. According to Philippines News Agency, economist Sarah Tan emphasized that the robust growth of the Philippine economy is largely driven by its domestic market, particularly private consumption. Tan indicated that Moody’s Analytics anticipates the country’s economic growth to reach 5.9 percent this year, up from 5.6 percent projected for 2024. Looking ahead, the forecast for next year suggests a growth rate of 5.8 percent. Although this falls short of the government’s

Muntinlupa City: A female visitor of a person deprived of liberty (PDL) was arrested by prison guards at the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City after she tried to smuggle suspected shabu into the facility, the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) said Wednesday. According to Philippines News Agency, BuCor Director General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. reported that Rovelyn Fabillar, 26, from Pasig City, was accosted on Tuesday after the contraband, which was wrapped in a condom and placed inside a transparent plastic, was discovered in her private parts. The item was found when BuCor personnel noticed irregularities in Fabillar’s abdomen during

Masbate: The Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the Police Regional Office in Bicol (PRO-5) led a unity walk, an interfaith prayer rally, and a peace covenant signing in Masbate province as part of the preparations for the national and local elections on May 12. According to Philippines News Agency, PRO-5 Director Brig. Gen. Andre Dizon urged the public to remain vigilant against election-related violence, vote-buying, and other forms of electoral fraud during his message at the event. He highlighted the shared responsibility of ensuring a peaceful and credible election process. “Our commitment to the people of Masbate is to ensure

Manila: Around 280 insurgency-cleared barangays will be included in the list of the beneficiaries of the Barangay Development Program (BDP), the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict’s (NTF-ELCAC) said Wednesday. This decision follows a recommendation made during the 7th Executive Committee (Execom) Meeting with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. at Malaca±an Palace. According to Philippines News Agency, the inclusion of these barangays was recommended by NTF-ELCAC executive director Undersecretary Ernesto Torres Jr. during a discussion with reporters. The Executive Committee decided to include the 280 barangays that have been cleared of local terrorist groups by security forces,