Day: August 21, 2025

Malaca±ang: Malaca±ang on Thursday accused Vice President Sara Duterte of weaving ‘self-serving lies’ against President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., saying her recent statements abroad were part of a ‘selfish ambition’ to bring down the Chief Executive and take his place in the seat of power. According to Philippines News Agency, the Palace hit back after Duterte, in an interview in The Hague, Netherlands, claimed that Marcos tried to stop her resignation as Education Secretary in June 2024 and even offered her another government post. She also alleged that the President smelled of alcohol during their meeting in Malaca±ang, a claim

Bacolod city: A total of 3,000 ready-to-eat food (RTEF) packs have been prepositioned in four ports in Negros Occidental, ready to be distributed to stranded passengers during sea transport disruptions. The RTEFs were turned over by Department of Social Welfare and Development-Negros Island Region (DSWD-NIR) Regional Director Arwin Razo to Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) Port Manager Rodel Lagmay in a ceremony held at PPA Port Operations Building on Wednesday. According to Philippines News Agency, this initiative highlights the strengthened partnership between the DSWD and the PPA, aiming to ensure the availability of food packs in ports to assist stranded individuals

Manila: Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac has assured that the Philippine government is extending full legal and welfare assistance to the six overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) arrested in Hong Kong for alleged unapproved employment and other offenses. According to Philippines News Agency, Cacdac stated in a Facebook post on Thursday that the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is working closely with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), the Migrant Workers Office (MWO), and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) through the Philippine Consulate General (PCG) in Hong Kong to support the detained workers. ‘The DMW-OWWA-MWO is in coordination with

Manila: Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada has called for the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Commission on Audit (COA) to be held accountable for the alleged ‘ghost projects’ and anomalies in flood control programs. According to Philippines News Agency, Estrada highlighted in a recent interview that corruption within flood control projects is so pervasive that the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee may require as many as 10 hearings to fully investigate the irregularities. He stressed that these alleged ‘ghost projects’ could not have occurred without the collusion of DPWH officials, contractors, and auditors. Estrada pointed out

Bacolod city: Two local government units (LGUs) in southern Negros Occidental, in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), are set to launch their One Town, One Product (OTOP) hubs in September. Hinigaran town will inaugurate its OTOP hub on September 1, with Sipalay City following on September 12. According to Philippines News Agency, this initiative aims to empower micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), promote local tourism, and support home-grown products, as stated by the DTI-Negros Occidental. The OTOP hubs in Hinigaran and Sipalay will offer a range of delicacies and handcrafted products created by local entrepreneurs.