Day: October 23, 2025

Manila: The Philippines has enacted a temporary suspension on the importation of live cattle from Spain as a preventative measure against the spread of lumpy skin disease (LSD). This decision was announced by the Department of Agriculture (DA) on Wednesday, following concerns over an outbreak reported in Spain. According to Philippines News Agency, the Philippine government responded swiftly after the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) confirmed an LSD outbreak among domestic cattle in Spain on October 1. DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. emphasized that the measure is intended to safeguard the health of the local cattle and water

Manila: Senate President Vicente Sotto III on Wednesday proposed expanding the powers and transparency mechanisms of the Independent People’s Commission (IPC) under Senate Bill 1215. During the Committee on Justice and Human Rights hearing, Sotto emphasized the need for the bill, originally titled the Infrastructure Anomalies Investigation Act of 2025, to include stronger provisions to ensure the IPC is fully accountable, transparent, and empowered to combat corruption across all government sectors, beyond just infrastructure. According to Philippines News Agency, Sotto expressed that in his eagerness to file Senate Bill 1215, he overlooked certain necessary elements which he now seeks to

Manila: Speaker Faustino ‘Bojie’ Dy III has taken significant steps to enhance transparency within the House of Representatives by reconstituting the Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) Review and Compliance Committee. This action is in line with the provisions of Republic Act 6713 and follows Dy’s commitment to revisiting the House’s guidelines on SALN disclosure. Furthermore, Dy has fulfilled a previous promise by releasing his own SALN to the media. According to Philippines News Agency, the reorganization of the committee was formalized through a memorandum order dated October 20. The order appointed Deputy Speaker and South Cotabato 2nd

Manila: The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has intercepted three 40-foot containers of misdeclared fresh carrots from China, worth over PHP13.2 million at the Port of Manila (POM). Assistant Commissioner Vincent Philip Maronilla, together with other key BOC officials, inspected the shipment of illicit agricultural goods at the port on Wednesday. According to Philippines News Agency, the shipment arrived on Oct. 2. Six days later, District Collector Alexander Gerard Alviar issued an Alert Order against the shipment when the POM Alert Monitoring Unit received a derogatory report. Upon full physical examination conducted on Oct. 17, Customs examiners discovered 53,283.88 kg of

Manila: Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez on Wednesday inspected the Air Traffic Management Center (ATMC) of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) to help ensure a hassle-free travel for air passengers during Undas (All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days). The DOTr’s preparations are in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s order to ensure aviation operations remain efficient and provide hassle-free travel to the public. According to Philippines News Agency, during the inspection, Lopez stated their goal is to avoid a repeat of the 2023 New Year’s technical glitch that affected several flights to and from the Ninoy