Day: April 23, 2025

Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. declared a period of national mourning throughout the Philippines following the death of Pope Francis. In an official move, Marcos signed Proclamation 871, instructing all government buildings and installations in the country and abroad to lower their flags to half-mast immediately until the pontiff’s burial. According to Philippines News Agency, the proclamation highlighted the significant impact of Pope Francis’ passing, describing it as a moment of deep sorrow for both the Catholic Church and the Filipino people. The Pope was recognized as a global leader who championed compassion, peace, justice, and human dignity. The

Manila: Both the local bourse and currency finished mid-week strong. For three straight days, the bellwether Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) closed with gains, increasing on Wednesday by 0.37 percent to 6,168.48. All Shares also went up by 0.18 percent to 3,658.78 points. According to Philippines News Agency, indices were mixed, with Services up by 2.89 percent, Property by 0.82 percent, and Holding Firms by 0.28 percent. However, there were losses in Mining and Oil, down by 2.55 percent; Financials by 0.77 percent; and Industrial by 0.71 percent. Regina Capital Development Corp. head of sales Luis Limlingan noted, “Philippine shares

Manila: The Party-list Coalition Foundation Inc. (PCFI) has announced its full support for the 11 senatorial candidates of the administration’s Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas in the upcoming 2025 elections. This endorsement follows a luncheon meeting hosted by PCFI, where Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, representing Lakas-CMD, urged approximately 40 party-list lawmakers to rally behind President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s chosen candidates. According to Philippines News Agency, Romualdez addressed the coalition members, emphasizing the importance of supporting the candidates aligned with President Marcos’ legislative agenda. Talino at Galing ng Pinoy (TGP) Party-list Representative Jose Teves Jr. and Barangay Health Workers Party-list

Manila: Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs (SAPIEA) Secretary Frederick Go is optimistic that Manila and Washington D.C. will arrive at mutually beneficial trade arrangements amid the new tariff policy of the US government. This optimism comes as Go announced his upcoming trip to the US for a tariff dialogue, although the date for the trip has yet to be disclosed. According to Philippines News Agency, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) shared that Go and Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque recently met with exporters, producers, manufacturers, consolidators, industry associations, and government officials. The meeting

Visayas: The goal to bring down the price of rice to PHP20 per kilogram is a promise that is now being fulfilled, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. announced on Wednesday. This significant development follows the Department of Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.’s declaration that rice will be sold at this price in the Visayas region. According to Philippines News Agency, President Marcos stated in a Facebook post, “Twenty pesos per kilo of rice. That’s the promise – and now, we’re starting to make it happen in the Visayas region.” This achievement comes after a closed-door meeting between President Marcos