Day: July 10, 2025

Manila: The Philippine Navy’s (PN) newest guided missile frigate BRP Miguel Malvar (FFG-06) is undergoing Operational Readiness and Capability Tests (ORACT) as a prerequisite for its operational deployment. According to Philippines News Agency, ORACT aims to ensure that the warfighting capability of both the vessel and its crew are in accordance with the expected requirements and have met the standards of the PN. “This is especially paramount given the complex nature of modern naval warfare which demands an understanding of its four dimensions, namely Anti-Surface Warfare (ASuW), Anti-Air Warfare (AAW), Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), and Electronic Warfare (EW),” the PN said.

Manila: Net inflows of foreign direct investments (FDI) increased by 7.1 percent in April this year, as reported by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). Preliminary data indicated that the net inflows during the month amounted to USD610 million, compared to USD570 million in the same month last year. According to Philippines News Agency, the rise in FDIs was driven by higher net inflows from nonresidents’ net investments in debt instruments, which increased by 24.3 percent, from USD420 million to USD522 million. Reinvestment of earnings also showed a modest increase of 3.3 percent, climbing from USD82 million to USD84 million.

Manila: Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. has relieved a camp commander and another commissioned officer of their duties at the Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm (SPPF) in Occidental Mindoro following a foiled attempt to smuggle contraband into the corrections facility, the BuCor said Thursday. C/CInsp. Francisco Madrid, the camp commander, and CT/Insp. Edgar Laudencia are now at the Directorate for Personnel and Human Resource Development at the national headquarters in Muntinlupa City for further investigation. According to Philippines News Agency, SPPF acting Superintendent CCInsp. Abel Ciruela reported that the smuggling attempt began when a dump

Tokyo: Japan is expected to lower the price of lecanemab, an Alzheimer’s drug developed by Japanese drugmaker Eisai Co. and Biogen Inc. of the United States, following a health ministry panel’s report citing its low cost-effectiveness. The decision comes as the ministry considers the economic implications of the drug, currently priced at about 3 million yen per patient annually. According to Philippines News Agency, the health ministry is anticipated to reduce the official price of lecanemab by up to 15 percent. This anticipated reduction follows an assessment report submitted to the Central Social Insurance Medical Council, which advises the health

Pasay city: Echoing President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s call for a stronger national-local collaboration, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla has urged newly-elected officials (NEOs) to rise above politics and personal interest, and to focus on improving the lives of their constituents. Addressing provincial governors and city mayors from Metro Manila, Remulla challenged the country’s new local leaders to cut through the noise of online discourse and set an example of hope and good governance on the ground. According to Philippines News Agency, Remulla emphasized the trust and responsibility placed in these officials by the