Day: October 29, 2025

Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has enacted Republic Act (RA) 12312, effectively banning Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) and declaring all related activities illegal. The signing of the Anti-POGO Act of 2025 marks a significant shift in the country’s stance on offshore gaming, which was previously legalized under RA 11590. According to Philippines News Agency, RA 12312 underscores the state’s commitment to maintaining peace, protecting life and property, and promoting general welfare. The law explicitly prohibits the establishment and operation of offshore gaming in the Philippines, as well as the acceptance of bets, provision of gaming content, creation of

Laurel: The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) inaugurated a socio-civic center in San Gregorio, Laurel, Batangas, designed to function as an evacuation site during disasters and as a venue for social and community activities. According to Philippines News Agency, PAGCOR announced that the PHP50 million two-story building includes multipurpose halls, kitchens, restrooms, and other disaster-resilient amenities, ensuring its functionality in both emergencies and daily use. PAGCOR Assistant Vice President for Community Relations and Services Department (CRSD) Eric Balcos handed over the building to Laurel Mayor Lyndon Bruce. He emphasized that the new structure demonstrates PAGCOR’s commitment to safeguard and

Kyoto: The Department of Finance (DOF) is spearheading the creation of a global initiative that will enable the Philippines and other Southeast Asian nations to safeguard vital public assets and ensure the uninterrupted delivery of essential services to citizens in the aftermath of natural disasters. According to Philippines News Agency, Finance Secretary Ralph Recto emphasized the regional nature of disaster challenges at the 8th Technical Meeting of the Southeast Asia Disaster Risk Insurance Facility (SEADRIF) held in Kyoto, Japan on October 1. He announced the exploration of the SEADRIF Sovereign Asset and Fiscal Empowerment (SEADRIF-SAFE) Facility, which the Philippines is

Manila: The Philippines is poised to lead major Asian markets with the highest proportion of Generation Alpha (Gen Alpha) by 2030, as reported by BMI, a unit of Fitch Solutions. According to Philippines News Agency, BMI’s report defines Gen Alpha as individuals born between 2010 and 2024. By 2026, all members of this generation will be born, ranging in age from 1 to 16 years, and becoming an increasingly significant segment of the consumer market. This generation is characterized by their tech savviness, often labeled as ‘digital natives’ due to their early exposure to a highly digitalized world. BMI projects

Busan: US President Donald Trump arrived in South Korea as part of his Asia trip, with the primary focus on high-stakes summits with President Lee Jae Myung and Chinese President Xi Jinping during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) gathering in Gyeongju. According to Philippines News Agency, Trump is seeking to secure trade and investment deals amidst recent market turmoil and his threats to impose tariffs on imports. After departing Tokyo, Trump landed in Busan’s Gimhae International Airport and is set to meet President Lee for their second summit in two months. A key point of interest is the potential finalization

Aurora: A series of mild tectonic earthquakes rattled parts of Aurora province early Wednesday, with the strongest registering magnitude 4.0, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) reported. The strongest tremor occurred at 12:54 a.m., located 9 km northwest of San Luis, Aurora, at a depth of 6 km. Instrumental Intensity II was reported in San Luis, Aurora, and Maddela, Quirino. According to Philippines News Agency, the initial tremor was preceded by a magnitude 3.0 quake at 12:24 a.m., located 41 km southeast of Baler at a depth of 3 km, which registered Instrumental Intensity I in Dingalan, Aurora.