Day: September 16, 2025

Manila: Malaca±ang announced that while the proposed contempt powers for the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) are seen as beneficial, they are not deemed necessary to fulfill the commission’s objectives. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro emphasized that the ICI was established by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. as a fact-finding body to investigate irregularities in flood control projects, thus not requiring additional punitive powers. According to Philippines News Agency, Castro stated that the President views the ICI as a body primarily for gathering facts, and hence, does not consider it essential to grant it the authority to punish non-compliant individuals.

Legazpi city: The Department of Agriculture in Bicol (DA-5) has disbursed PHP30.18 million in support to farmers’ groups across the six provinces of Bicol as part of the Handog Pangulo Serbiyong Sapat para sa Lahat initiative conducted on September 13. According to Philippines News Agency, Lovella Guarin, the DA-5 spokesperson, announced on Monday that the Kadiwa ng Pangulo event, which featured exhibitors from various government agencies within these provinces, amassed PHP1.6 million in sales, with 3,000 Bicolanos purchasing a total of 10 kilograms of Benteng Bigas Meron Na! Additionally, on President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s birthday, 600 bags of NFA

Manila: The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) reported the arrest of 58,693 individuals in a comprehensive seven-day anti-crime operation across Metro Manila. The crackdown, which occurred from September 8 to 14, was executed by police districts in Manila, Quezon City, and Northern, Southern, and Eastern areas. According to Philippines News Agency, NCRPO chief Maj. Gen. Anthony Aberin outlined the operation’s achievements, noting the apprehension of 317 wanted persons, among which 119 were identified as Most Wanted and 198 as Other Wanted. The NCRPO also conducted 205 anti-illegal drugs operations, leading to the arrest of 299 suspects and the seizure

Manila: Women members of the House of Representatives met with Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez late Monday to advance their advocacies on healthcare, education, livelihood, and the protection of women and children — issues that they stressed must remain central to the work of Congress. According to Philippines News Agency, the legislators presented their priority measures, emphasizing that protecting mothers and children, strengthening education, and expanding opportunities for women are all vital to uplifting Filipino families, according to a press release on Tuesday. Among the advocacies advanced were expanding healthcare access for women and children, including maternal health and nutrition programs;

Manila: Sale of motor vehicles grew by 0.2 percent or 305,381 units on an annual basis in August, latest market data showed. Bulk of the sales are accounted for by commercial vehicles at 244,023 units, according to the joint sales report released by the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines (CAMPI) and the Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA) on Tuesday. According to Philippines News Agency, the second and third largest sales were accounted for by light commercial vehicles (182,240) and passenger cars (61,358). In terms of market players, Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation continued to lead with 47.93 percent share, followed