Day: August 27, 2025

Manila: The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) announced on Wednesday that it is strengthening its vetting process for auxiliary members following reports that several foreign nationals, including Chinese citizens, had been able to join the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary (PCGA) in previous years. According to Philippines News Agency, PCG Capt. Xerxes Fernandez disclosed during a Senate defense committee hearing that at least 36 Chinese nationals were removed from the auxiliary group under the previous administration. Additionally, a member identified as Joseph Sy recently lost his honorary rank of commodore. Fernandez explained that the PCGA was initially established as a socio-civic volunteer

Manila: The Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) successfully raised PHP35 billion from its dual-tranche Treasury bonds (T-bonds) offer conducted on Wednesday. The Auction Committee decided to fully award the reissued three-year and 25-year T-bonds as part of this offering. According to Philippines News Agency, the reissued three-year T-bond, which has a remaining term of two years and seven months, achieved an average rate of 5.634 percent. This rate is noted to be lower than both the previous auction and the current secondary market rate. The auction for these bonds attracted significant demand, with total tenders reaching PHP93 billion, which is

Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ordered a lifestyle check on all government officials as part of the administration’s widening investigation into anomalous flood control projects, Malaca±ang said Wednesday. ‘Ipinag-utos ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ang pagkakaroon ng lifestyle check sa lahat ng mga opisyal sa gitna ng imbestigasyon sa ma-anomalyang flood control projects (The President has ordered a lifestyle check on all government officials amid the investigation into anomalous flood control projects),’ Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a media briefing. According to Philippines News Agency, Castro noted that the lifestyle check covers the entire executive

Manila: The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) announced a shift in its approach to communicating monetary policy decisions, effective from August 28. The central bank will now release its monetary policy stance through a statement on its website and official X account, formerly known as Twitter, at 2:30 p.m. According to Philippines News Agency, the new format will also feature a livestreamed press conference on the BSP’s official Facebook page, beginning at 3 p.m. The conference will start with remarks from the BSP governor regarding the monetary policy decision, followed by a question-and-answer session with the media. The central bank

Manila: Senate President Francis Escudero has expressed full support for President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s initiative to conduct lifestyle checks on public officials, highlighting the constitutional and legal justifications for such a move. Escudero emphasized that Article XI, Section 1 of the 1987 Constitution mandates public officials to remain accountable to the people, serve with integrity, and lead modest lives. According to Philippines News Agency, Escudero also cited Section 8 of Republic Act 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, which allows for the dismissal of public officials who cannot explain their wealth, along with Section 4(h) of Republic