Day: October 6, 2025

Manila: Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo ‘Ping’ Lacson on Monday said restoring public trust in government cannot be achieved through political resets such as snap elections, but through firm accountability and the certainty of punishment for wrongdoing. According to Philippines News Agency, Lacson remarked that elections, whether snap or regular, do not address the root issues affecting public trust. He argued that the election campaigns often exacerbate corruption, as candidates might resort to unethical practices to win votes. Lacson’s comments were in response to Senator Alan Peter Cayetano’s proposal for all national officials to resign and hold a snap election

Manila: House Speaker Faustino ‘Bojie’ Dy III on Monday appealed to the government’s economic managers to restore the 35 percent tariff on imported rice to protect farmers and strengthen the country’s rice industry. According to Philippines News Agency, Dy made this appeal during a joint hearing of the House Committee on Agriculture and Food, chaired by Quezon 1st District Rep. Mark Enverga, and the Committee on Ways and Means, chaired by Marikina 2nd District Rep. Miro Quimbo. Dy emphasized that restoring the 35 percent tariff, up from the current 15 percent, would serve as protection against the sudden influx of

Bogo city: The number of families affected by the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck Bogo City, Cebu, and surrounding areas on September 30, 2025, has now surpassed 155,000, as reported in the official government tally as of Monday. According to Philippines News Agency, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) revealed that a total of 155,094 families, equivalent to 547,394 individuals, have been impacted in Central Visayas. Among them, 405 families are currently residing in four evacuation centers, while 7,357 families are seeking temporary accommodation elsewhere. The NDRRMC’s report further indicated that 72 fatalities and 559 injuries have

Manila: Over 94,000 families have been affected by Severe Tropical Storm Paolo, which lashed parts of Luzon last week, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Monday. According to Philippines News Agency, the NDRRMC reported that 94,744 families, equivalent to 313,822 persons, were impacted across Regions 1 (Ilocos Region), 2 (Cagayan Valley), 3 (Central Luzon), Cordillera Administrative Region, and Calabarzon. As of Monday afternoon, 866 families are residing in 42 evacuation centers, while another 1,928 families are temporarily sheltered in other locations. The NDRRMC has yet to release information regarding casualties or estimates of damage

Manila: Senator Mark Villar has confirmed his attendance at the ongoing investigation by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), an official announced on Monday. ICI spokesperson Brian Hosaka stated that, in addition to Villar, contractor couple Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya and Cezarah Rowena “Sarah” Discaya are also set to appear before the commission. According to Philippines News Agency, the hearings are scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday. The ICI is actively organizing these sessions while also focusing on administrative tasks, case building, and evidence review. Last Thursday, the commission formally requested Senator Villar’s presence to provide testimony. ICI Chair Andres Reyes Jr.