Day: October 13, 2025

Manila: Speaker Faustino ‘Bojie’ Dy III announced on Monday that the passage of the PHP6.793-trillion national budget for 2026 marks a significant step toward establishing a more transparent, accountable, and service-oriented Congress. This development followed the chamber’s approval of the General Appropriations Bill (GAB) on its third and final reading. According to Philippines News Agency, the Speaker emphasized that the 2026 GAB was developed with careful consideration and integrity to ensure that the funds collected from taxpayers are directly channeled to benefit ordinary citizens through essential programs in education, health, social welfare, and infrastructure. Dy highlighted the government’s sacred mandate

Jerusalem: Seven hostages freed in the first wave of releases have arrived in southern Israel, where they are undergoing initial medical assessments, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said Monday. After the medical checkups, the freed captives will be reunited with their families and later transferred to hospitals across Israel for further evaluation. According to Philippines News Agency, the seven hostages were identified as Eitan Mor, Guy Gilboa Dalal, Gali and Ziv Berman, Matan Engerst, Omri Miran, and Alon Ohel-all of whom were seen walking on their own upon arrival. Dalal’s name was not included in Hamas’ earlier announcement, which stated

Tarragona: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday vowed that the government will stay on the ground in earthquake-hit communities for as long as necessary, not just for emergency relief, but until every displaced family is fully back on their feet. ‘Sabihin ninyo sa amin. Kung kaya namin dalhin, kaya namin ibigay, gagawin namin (Tell us what you need. If we can bring it, if we can provide it, we will do it),’ Marcos told affected residents and local chief executives during a post-disaster briefing in Tarragona, Davao Oriental. ‘Hindi ito pang minsanan lamang . Wala sa amin aalis dito

Taguig city: The continued expansion of the domestic economy has prompted the Bounty Fresh Group to aim for 300 more Chooks-to-Go chicken outlets by the end of 2025. As some stores are expected to close, Bounty Fresh Group chief executive officer Kenneth Cheng anticipates ending up with approximately 2,000 locations, marking an increase of 200 from 2024. According to Philippines News Agency, Cheng cited data from the Switzerland-based GIRA consultancy and research firm, indicating that domestic poultry consumption is forecast to rise to 2.5 billion kilos by 2028, up from the current 1.5 billion kilos. Cheng explained that over the

Davao oriental: The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on Monday announced the opening of an evacuation center and the installation of “smart houses” to assist earthquake victims in the provinces of Davao Oriental and Cebu. According to Philippines News Agency, the DPWH shared via a social media post that a Regional Evacuation Center has been opened in Manay, Davao Oriental for families affected by the recent magnitude 7.4 and 6.8 earthquakes. The initiative to provide secure and safe temporary shelter for the victims was directed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. In addition to the temporary shelters, the