Day: September 18, 2025

Manila: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) government initiated its flagship Government Experience Exchange Program (GEEP) in the Philippines to share best practices in government modernization and digital infrastructure. This effort follows a memorandum of understanding signed in February aimed at enhancing the Philippines’ digitalization initiatives. According to Philippines News Agency, the event was attended by notable figures including First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, Department of Information and Communications Technology Secretary Henry Aguda, and other high-ranking officials from both the Philippines and the UAE. UAE Assistant Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Competitiveness and Experience Exchange, Abdulla Nasser Lootah, expressed the UAE’s commitment

Manila: The country’s improved ranking in the latest Global Innovation Index (GII) reflects sustained efforts to strengthen the innovation ecosystem, the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) said. According to Philippines News Agency, the latest GII report, released by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) on Tuesday, showed that the Philippines climbed to 50th place out of 139 economies in 2025. It was the highest ranking achieved by the Philippines to date and also exceeded the government’s 2025 target of 52nd place under the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2023-2028. In a statement Thursday, DEPDev said this progress affirms the

Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has enacted Republic Act (RA) 12288, a landmark legislation aimed at fostering career progression for public school teachers and school leaders. The new law, which was signed on September 12 and made public on Tuesday, seeks to ensure the professional development and career growth of educators in the Philippines. According to Philippines News Agency, RA 12288 introduces a competency-based promotion framework, allowing elementary and secondary teachers to advance based on merit and qualifications. The law sets the foundation for career advancement from positions such as Teacher I to Master Teacher I, with promotions determined

Manila: The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on Thursday cited Pacifico ‘Curlee’ Discaya in contempt for giving inconsistent statements regarding the absence of his wife, Cezarah Rowena ‘Sarah’, at an ongoing inquiry into alleged anomalies in flood control projects. This decision followed a motion by Senator Raffy Tulfo, who highlighted contradictions between Discaya’s testimony and a letter submitted by his wife. According to Philippines News Agency, Senator Erwin Tulfo seconded the motion, which was approved by Committee chairperson Senator Panfilo Lacson. During the hearing, Discaya claimed that his wife was unable to attend due to a heart condition, while her letter

Manila: The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is set to publish an initial list of ghost and severely substandard projects within one to two weeks through a transparency portal, as the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) takes over the filing of cases against those involved, DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon said Thursday. Dizon told senators the online platform would be patterned after the ‘Isumbong Mo sa Pangulo’ website to ensure accessibility for the public. According to Philippines News Agency, the portal will identify project locations, contractors, proponents, and DPWH personnel implicated in anomalous transactions. At the same hearing, Dizon