Day: July 31, 2025

Manila: The Philippines’ total official development assistance (ODA) portfolio increased by 6 percent to USD39.61 billion in 2024, the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) announced. In a recent briefing, DEPDev Undersecretary Joseph Capuno highlighted that the 2024 ODA Portfolio Review Report showed ODA-funded projects distributed across 426 loans and grants. According to Philippines News Agency, Capuno detailed that the portfolio comprises 92 project loans, 19 program loans, and 315 grants. Japan remains the Philippines’ largest partner, with USD13.23 billion in active commitments supporting 82 loans and grants. Other significant partners include the Asian Development Bank, World Bank, Asian

Manila: Two individuals believed to be integral to the case of the missing ‘sabungeros’ (cockfight enthusiasts) have been apprehended and are currently under the custody of the Philippine National Police (PNP), as confirmed by police officials on Thursday. These individuals, identified as Elakim and Jose Patidongan, were arrested in a “Southeast Asian country” and brought back to the Philippines on July 22, according to PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo. According to Philippines News Agency, the arrest was executed by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), and the two men are the siblings of Julie ‘Dondon’ Patidongan, also known

Manila: The Philippines’ economic output in 2025 is not expected to be significantly affected by the imposition of a higher reciprocal tariff of 19 percent for exports to the US, effective August 1. This adjusted rate follows President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s visit to the US from July 20 to 22. The tariff was reduced from the initially announced 20 percent, though it remains slightly higher than the 17 percent rate set in April. According to Philippines News Agency, Finance Undersecretary Domini Velasquez commented on the situation during the 2025 mid-year economic briefing organized by the British Chamber of Commerce

Manila: The Philippine National Police (PNP) announced that Brig. Gen. Romeo Macapaz, former Director of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), has been reassigned as the chief of the Soccsksargen regional police. The PNP clarified that this transfer is not connected to claims of mishandling the investigation into the missing ‘sabungeros’ (cockfight aficionados) case. According to Philippines News Agency, PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo addressed the media at Camp Crame, defending Macapaz against accusations that his removal from the CIDG was due to compromising the investigation into the case of the missing sabungeros. Fajardo emphasized that Gen. Macapaz

Manila: An economist remains hopeful of a 5.5 to 6 percent growth for the Philippine economy this year, amidst the hike in US tariff rates, saying there are domestic factors that will bolster domestic expansion. These include election spending for the May 2025 midterm polls, a manageable inflation rate, and additional cuts in the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) key rates, the latter two of which are seen to boost domestic spending, are seen to counter any impact of higher US tariffs. According to Philippines News Agency, Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) chief economist Michael Ricafort stated that the drag