Day: September 23, 2025

Manila: Greater agricultural trade between Trkiye and the Philippines is expected following the trade mission attended by members of the Turkey Exporters Assembly (TIM) and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) in Makati City on Tuesday. Trkiye Ambassador to the Philippines Niyazi Evren Akyol, in an interview on the sidelines of the event, said more poultry products are expected to be exported to the Philippines, while he anticipates a higher volume of fresh and dried fruits from the Philippines. According to Philippines News Agency, Akyol stated that they are in contact with the Department of Agriculture in the

Manila: Contractor Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya II on Tuesday revealed a scheme where some lawmakers allegedly pre-arranged Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) projects by ‘purchasing’ them even before the bidding process commenced. According to Philippines News Agency, Discaya, owner of St. Gerrard Construction and several other firms, informed senators in a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing that contractors were coerced into participating in sham biddings only to receive a ‘share’ for losing. He explained that the true ‘taker’ of the project is its real owner, who has already arranged with the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) to ensure the

Manila: The low-pressure area east of Southern Luzon has intensified into a tropical depression and is expected to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Tuesday afternoon or evening. Once it crosses into the area, it will be designated as “Opong,” as stated by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). According to Philippines News Agency, the tropical depression is currently exhibiting maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour near its center, with gusts reaching up to 70 kilometers per hour. It was last recorded 1,075 kilometers east of Eastern Visayas as of 10 a.m. on the

Manila: Former Department of Public Works and Highways Bulacan First District Assistant Engineer Brice Hernandez on Tuesday admitted before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee that he once won up to PHP30 million in a single night of gambling, even as senators confronted him with reports of nearly PHP600 million in suspicious bank transactions. According to Philippines News Agency, Hernandez said he and his group frequented casinos two to three times a week, usually accompanied by his former superior, dismissed DPWH Bulacan district engineer Henry Alcantara. He claimed Alcantara would often bankroll their trips, sometimes bringing as much as PHP20 million

Manila: All transmission lines affected by Super Typhoon Nando (international name Ragasa) have been restored, according to the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines. According to Philippines News Agency, in a 2 p.m. advisory on Tuesday, NGCP stated that the Tuguegarao-Magapit 69kV Line was restored at 1:03 p.m., the Magapit-Camalaniugan 69kV Line at 1:05 p.m., and the Lal-lo-Sta. Ana 69kV Line at 1:07 p.m. These lines cater to the Cagayan II Electric Cooperative Inc. (CAGELCO II), while only the Tuguegarao – Magapit 69kV Line services the Cagayan I Electric Cooperative Inc. (CAGELCO I). NGCP assures the public of continuous monitoring

Manila: The Philippine Navy (PN) has conducted seven patrols in Bajo de Masinloc (BdM) in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) in September, amid China’s plan to create a nature reserve at the shoal. In a press briefing in Camp Aguinaldo, PN spokesperson for the WPS Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad announced that the Navy also conducted one patrol mission in the country’s “Northern Islands,” referring to islands in Northern Luzon. According to Philippines News Agency, Trinidad stated, “For the month of September, the Navy has conducted seven patrol missions in Bajo de Masinloc,” while withholding details on the Navy assets