Day: October 18, 2025

Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has reappointed former Supreme Court (SC) associate justice Jose Mendoza to the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC), the body tasked with screening nominees to the judiciary. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro confirmed Mendoza’s appointment as a JBC member in a text message to Palace reporters Saturday. According to Philippines News Agency, Mendoza initially assumed his post at the JBC in July 2025, but his ad interim appointment was deferred by the Commission on Appointments on Oct. 7. After passing the 1971 Bar Examinations, Mendoza served as a legal officer of organizations including the Philippine

Bicol region: At least 3,000 passengers were stranded in various ports across the Bicol Region due to Tropical Storm Ramil, known internationally as Fengshen, the Philippine Coast Guard in Bicol (PCG-5) reported. According to Philippines News Agency, PCG-5 Commander Commodore Ivan Roldan stated that 3,142 passengers, along with 1,004 rolling cargo units and six roll-on/roll-off ships, were stranded at the ports of Pioduran and Tabaco in Albay; Mobo in Masbate province; Pasacao in Camarines Sur; and Matnog, Pilar, and Castilla in Sorsogon province. Roldan emphasized that PCG personnel at all ports in the region are on heightened alert to respond

Northern samar: Tropical Storm Ramil (international name Fengshen) has slightly weakened over the coastal waters of Northern Samar, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Saturday. As of 1 p.m., Ramil’s center was located over the coastal waters of Laoang, Northern Samar, packing maximum sustained winds of 65 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 90 kph, moving westward at 25 kph. According to Philippines News Agency, Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 is hoisted over the northern portion of Aurora, Polillo Islands, Camarines Norte, Catanduanes, the northern portion of Camarines Sur, the extreme eastern

Manila: Nearly 700 million people around the world are classified as living in extreme poverty, surviving on less than USD2.15 per day per person. This stark figure underscores the ongoing challenge of poverty eradication, a mission emphasized globally with the UN’s declaration of October 17 as the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, established in 1992. According to Philippines News Agency, a UN report highlighted that global extreme poverty had been decreasing from 1990 to 2019. However, the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent crises have led to the largest global rise in poverty in decades, halting progress since 2019. Almost

Manila: De La Salle University triumphed over University of Santo Tomas (UST) with a 4-1 victory on Saturday, creating a three-way tie for the final semifinal berth in the UAAP Season 88 men’s badminton tournament. The matches took place at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall in Malate, Manila. According to Philippines News Agency, La Salle, UST, and Adamson University all share identical 1-4 win-loss records. However, the Green Shuttlers claimed the No. 4 spot and earned a first-round playoff bye by virtue of matches won. UST and Adamson are set to clash on Sunday at 8 a.m., with the victor

Manila: Two former heads of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) have expressed support for the agency’s efforts to cleanse its ranks amid the controversy involving flood control projects. In a statement, Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon said he welcomed former DPWH secretaries Jose de Jesus and Rogelio Singson during the strategic planning session of the agency’s new executive committee on Saturday. According to Philippines News Agency, Dizon mentioned that the two former heads of the department would be sharing their experience and best practices in running the agency. “The contribution of Mr. De Jesus and Mr. Singson