Day: August 4, 2025

Bacolod: The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. in Western Visayas (PhilHealth-6) has disbursed over PHP1.97 billion for 257,084 dialysis claims in Western Visayas and Negros Occidental during the first six months of 2025. According to Philippines News Agency, PhilHealth-6 public affairs unit head Janimhe Jalbuna revealed in an interview that the paid claims for this period have already surpassed the total amount paid in 2024, which was over PHP1.71 billion for 420,285 claims. In the latter half of 2023, the state health insurance paid at least PHP431.43 million for 137,604 claims. Jalbuna noted that the increase in claims payment can be

Manila: Senate President Francis Escudero has introduced legislation aimed at disqualifying public officials and their relatives, up to the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity, from entering into contracts with the government. According to Philippines News Agency, Senate Bill No. 783 is designed to build upon the recently enacted Republic Act No. 12009, also known as the New Government Procurement Act. This initiative aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s recent State of the Nation Address (SONA), where he emphasized the need to eliminate undue influence and enhance ethical standards within public transactions. Escudero emphasized that the proposed legislation

Manila: Several senators formally took on new committee chairmanships on Monday as part of a reorganization of Senate leadership roles in the ongoing 20th Congress. According to Philippines News Agency, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano now heads the Senate Committee on Banks, Financial Institutions, and Currencies, moving from his previous role as chair of the Committee on Science and Technology. He will now lead legislative oversight and reforms concerning banks, capital markets, digital finance, and consumer protection. Cayetano emphasized the committee’s role in safeguarding the public from scams and financial mismanagement, stating the importance of regularly ensuring investments are sound and

Para±aque: Four Chinese nationals were arrested over the weekend for allegedly kidnapping a fellow Chinese citizen, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III announced on Monday. In a press briefing at Camp Crame, Torre stated that the suspects were apprehended on Saturday by members of the PNP’s Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG) at a resort-casino in Para±aque City. According to Philippines News Agency, the group operated under the guise of money changers, targeting individuals exchanging large sums of money. Torre elaborated, noting the suspects’ established reputation as money changers. AKG director Brig. Gen. Glicerio Cansilao revealed that the 30-year-old male

Baguio city: In a move to boost transparency and public access to information, the Baguio City Council has launched an ‘Online Archive’ of all city ordinances and resolutions dating back to 1945. Vice Mayor Faustino Olowan on Monday said the project, spearheaded by the council’s research division, is part of efforts to modernize public services and facilitate easier research, particularly in an era where misinformation is widespread. According to Philippines News Agency, ‘This initiative aligns with today’s digital systems and helps prevent the spread of misinformation by giving the public direct access to official documents,’ Olowan said in a media