Day: June 25, 2025

Cagayan de Oro: Filipino and Australian troops formally ended the first “Kasangga” bilateral exercise held in Mindanao on Tuesday. “The PA (Philippine Army) and the Australian Defense Force bolstered their bilateral defense partnership with the conclusion of the Philippine-Australia Army-to-Army Exercise (PAAE) ‘Kasangga’ 2025-1 at Montalvan Hall, Camp Evangelista, Barangay Patag, Cagayan de Oro City on June 24, 2025,” PA spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala said in a statement Wednesday. According to Philippines News Agency, a total of 140 from the PA’s 504th Combat Engineer Battalion, Combat Engineer Regiment, and selected troops from the 4th and 10th Infantry Divisions trained side

Manila: The 19th Congress passed 40 out of the 64 priority bills under the Common Legislative Agenda (CLA) identified by the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC). According to Philippines News Agency, this is the highest number of priority measures passed since the 10th Congress during the Ramos administration. LEDAC serves as the President’s consultative and advisory body on programs and policies essential to achieving the goals of the national economy. Before the 19th Congress adjourned sine die on June 11, the Senate and House of Representatives ratified the reconciled versions of seven priority bills under the CLA. These include the

Manila: The Philippine government welcomed home the first batch of repatriated overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from the Middle East with a comprehensive package of assistance, including rescue and transport, as well as medical, financial, and reintegration support. Among the 31 OFWs who arrived was Arman Naz, a hotel worker from Tel Aviv, Israel, who opted for repatriation after enduring days of missile attacks by Iran and fear for his life. According to Philippines News Agency, Naz recalled that when sirens started and bombs were falling, they all rushed to shelters afraid and trembling, not knowing what would happen next, and

Manila: The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has been honored with the Currency Manager of the Year award by Central Banking, a prestigious London-based organization. The award was announced on March 20, 2025, with the official ceremony held on June 11, 2025. According to Philippines News Agency, Central Banking provides information, analysis, and training to over 140 central banks and their partners worldwide. The BSP received the award in recognition of its efforts to ensure a sufficient supply of highly trusted banknotes for the country’s growing economy. Central Banking also highlighted the BSP’s initiative to introduce the polymer banknote series.

Manila: The Department of Finance (DOF) announced a forthcoming customs cooperative arrangement between the Philippines and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. This initiative aims to bolster trade facilitation while safeguarding consumers from the threats posed by smuggled and illicit goods. According to Philippines News Agency, the draft bilateral arrangement has emerged from comprehensive discussions between the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and its Hong Kong counterparts. These discussions were driven by increasing global concerns over supply chain security and the advancing complexity of cross-border smuggling activities. The draft arrangement is designed exclusively for mutual administrative assistance between the Customs Administrations of