Day: May 29, 2025

Manila: The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Thursday rebuked and rejected anew China’s claims over the Spratlys, including the Sandy Cay or Pag-asa Cay 2 in the nearby Pag-asa Island. According to Philippines News Agency, the statement comes after the Chinese Embassy in Manila on May 26 justified the recent water cannoning of two Filipino civilian vessels near the Sandy Cay, saying the feature ‘has always been China’s territory.’ Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza urged China to respect the country’s sovereignty and jurisdiction, stating that Pag-asa Island and the surrounding cays are part of the Philippines. She emphasized

Quezon City: The Quezon City government and the Philippine National Police – Officers’ Ladies Club (PNP-OLC) Foundation, Inc. have signed an agreement to open a child development center at the PNP headquarters located in Camp Crame. This initiative aims to provide a day-care center specifically for the children of police officers. According to Philippines News Agency, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte and PNP-OLC Foundation adviser Mary Rose Marbil formalized the partnership by signing an agreement. This agreement focuses on the establishment of a PNP child development center, which will house a day-care facility within the premises of Camp Crame. The

Quezon City: The Philippine government has slashed permit processing time by more than 90 percent in key sectors, which significantly improves the ease of doing business and attracts more investments, the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) said. According to Philippines News Agency, in a forum celebrating the Ease of Doing Business month in Quezon City, ARTA Director General Ernesto Perez highlighted the major regulatory gains achieved through its National Effort for Harmonization of Efficient Measures of Inter-related Agencies (NEHEMIA) Program. This initiative has streamlined bureaucratic procedures in sectors such as telecommunications, energy, construction, housing, logistics, food and pharmaceuticals, mining, agriculture, semiconductor,

Manila: The Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage (AAES) Council has intensified the Marcos administration’s campaign against large-scale smugglers, profiteers, and cartel operations distorting the country’s food supply chains. In a statement Thursday, Office of the Special Assistant to the President for Investments and Economic Affairs (OSAPIEA) Secretary Frederick Go said the council has approved key enforcement rules ‘going after the big fish’. According to Philippines News Agency, the Council reaffirmed that its enforcement efforts will focus on dismantling major syndicates that manipulate markets and unfairly drive up prices. In a meeting at the Malaca±an Palace on Wednesday, the council approved the Department

Pasay City: Australia renewed its call for a South China Sea code of conduct (COC) that would not prejudice the rights of third party states on the vital sea lane. Australian Ambassador HK Yu made the comment as talks on an effective code between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) progress, with negotiators looking to finish the agreement by 2026. According to Philippines News Agency, Yu emphasized the need for the COC to protect not only the members but also all users of the waterways, including non-participants like Australia. She made these remarks to reporters on the