Day: October 13, 2025

Bicol: More than PHP6.19 million worth of illegal drugs was seized during week-long police operations, the Police Regional Office in Bicol (PRO-5) reported on Monday. PRO-5 Director Brig. Gen. Nestor Babagay Jr. stated that their operatives conducted 36 anti-illegal drug operations from October 6-12, leading to the arrest of 44 suspects, including five high-value individuals and 39 street-level pushers. According to Philippines News Agency, a total of 910.73 grams of shabu and 5.50 grams of marijuana were confiscated during the operations. The most significant operation took place in Pili, Camarines Sur on October 6, where 800 grams of shabu worth

Manila: Following the 25-basis-point reduction in the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) key rates last week, a Fitch Solutions Company unit forecasts an additional cut in December, and more in 2026, to support the domestic economy. With the rate reduction last Oct. 9, the BSP’s target reverse repurchase (RRP) rate is now at 4.75 percent, reduced by a total of 175 basis points since 2024, with the 100 basis points in the first nine months of this year alone. According to Philippines News Agency, BMI has maintained its forecast of 50 basis points in cuts in 2026, given the softening

Manila: The Senate Committee on Finance (Subcommittee A), led by Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, has approved the Commission on Audit’s (COA) budget of PHP15.07 billion for 2026 as part of the National Expenditure Program (NEP). This decision was made in the absence of Commissioner Mario Lipana, who has been on medical leave since August 1. According to Philippines News Agency, COA Chairperson Gamaliel Cordoba informed the senators that Lipana’s leave has been extended until October 30 due to ongoing treatment abroad for a medical condition. Lipana’s absence coincides with reports of a potential conflict of interest involving him, linked to audit

Manila: Teofilo Guadiz III on Monday vowed to end the artificial shortage of public utility vehicles (PUV) on key routes after officially taking the helm of the Office for Transport Cooperatives (OTC). In a statement on Monday, Guadiz said his immediate priority is to ‘restore the full operational capacity of transport cooperatives and ensure that commuters are no longer burdened by the lack of available rides.’ According to Philippines News Agency, Guadiz announced a high-level consultation with leaders of transport cooperatives scheduled for Wednesday. The consultation will focus on identifying bottlenecks in deployment, financing, and route management in areas where

Manila: Former journalist and Transportation official Ramon ‘Mon’ Ilagan has been appointed Undersecretary for Operations at the Presidential Communications Office (PCO). Communications Acting Secretary Dave Gomez confirmed the development to reporters Monday. According to Philippines News Agency, Gomez denied reports that Ilagan will replace current PCO Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro, dismissing speculation of a shake-up in Malaca±ang’s main communication arm. Ilagan previously served as assistant secretary and spokesperson of the Department of Transportation. Before entering government, he was a veteran reporter for ABS-CBN. He also served as mayor of Cainta, Rizal from 2004 to 2013 and later