Day: June 17, 2025

Manila: In the wake of a viral video showing a person with disability (PWD) being physically assaulted inside a public bus, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) reaffirmed its push to scale up its PWD-priority e-shuttle program. According to Philippines News Agency, DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, during a press briefing in Malaca±ang on Tuesday, expressed gratitude to the Department of Transportation for its swift actions in holding the bus personnel accountable and launching an investigation into the broader conditions faced by PWDs in public transportation. Gatchalian highlighted that in response to persistent mobility challenges for PWDs, the DSWD

Manila: A ranking Philippine Navy (PN) official on Tuesday disputed Chinese claims that it conducted coordinated air and maritime patrols as Filipino and Japanese military units were holding their second bilateral maritime cooperative activity (MCA) in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) last week. “The PN did not monitor any coordinated air and maritime patrols in our maritime zones conducted by the Southern Theater Command,’ stated PN spokesperson for WPS, Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, during a media briefing at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City. According to Philippines News Agency, Trinidad emphasized that the only activities observed were the continued illegal

Pasay City: Government authorities seized PHP29.7 million worth of methamphetamine hydrochloride, commonly known as shabu, at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 in Pasay City over the weekend. In a statement on Tuesday, District Collector Yasmin Mapa said the contraband, weighing 4,368 grams, was discovered during a routine screening of the luggage of a passenger arriving from Malaysia on June 14, 2025. The passenger was immediately arrested, Mapa said. According to Philippines News Agency, Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio stated that the interception is a testament to the bureau’s sustained vigilance and the dedication of its

Manila: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has directed the Philippine National Police (PNP) to work closely with the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) to emphasize the protection of civil liberties and the safeguarding of all Filipinos’ rights. In a meeting held at Malaca±ang with PNP chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III, President Marcos highlighted the importance of conducting lawful police operations while upholding human rights. According to Philippines News Agency, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro shared that the President stressed the necessity for the PNP to collaborate with the CHR to ensure the protection of human rights. In a press briefing at

Manila: Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III on Tuesday countered Senate President Francis Escudero’s assertion that the Senate impeachment court operates without constraints regarding its decisions and the motions senators can propose, emphasizing that the constitutional oath of impartiality strictly governs every senator-judge. According to Philippines News Agency, Pimentel highlighted the importance of the oath taken by senators during a briefing at the Senate, noting, “Merong limitations. Di ba nag-oath kami (There are limitations. Didn’t we take an oath)?” This remark was in direct response to Escudero’s previous statement, which claimed that neither the impeachment rules nor the Rules