Day: November 12, 2025

Manila: Third nominee, lawyer Jan Franz Chan, has been officially proclaimed by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) as representative of Ako Bicol party-list at the poll body’s main office in Intramuros, Manila. Members of the Comelec en banc, including Chairperson George Garcia and Commissioners Noli Pipo, Maria Norina Tangaro-Casingal, Rey Bulay, and Ernesto Maceda Jr., presided over the proclamation of the newest member of the House of Representatives. According to Philippines News Agency, Chan replaced Zaldy Co, who resigned in September after being linked to the flood control mess. Chan will join the group’s second nominee, Rep. Alfred Garbin, in

Brussels: The European Union (EU) and the Philippines are set to hold their inaugural security and defense talks in Brussels this month, as confirmed by EU Ambassador to the Philippines Massimo Santoro. This significant meeting is scheduled for November 25 and aims to address key issues such as maritime cooperation, hybrid threats, and cybersecurity. According to Philippines News Agency, Ambassador Santoro highlighted the importance of this dialogue, noting that it marks the first bilateral meeting of its kind since its launch in June. Discussions will also focus on tackling challenges related to foreign information manipulation and interference. Santoro emphasized the

Manila: A total of PHP17.85 billion has been released under the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (NDRRMF), in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos’ directive to ensure aid for calamity victims. Of the total, about PHP13.96 billion has been released under the Quick Response Fund (QRF) as of November 10, according to the Department of Finance on Wednesday. According to Philippines News Agency, Finance Secretary Ralph Recto emphasized the importance of having government funds ready to respond immediately to emergencies. As the national fundraiser, the Department of Finance ensures that there are adequate funds and capacity to meet

Aurora: Super Typhoon Uwan (international name Fung-wong) caused PHP754 million in damage across Aurora province, prompting officials to declare a state of calamity Wednesday. The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported that infrastructure suffered PHP349 million in damage, tourism lost PHP316 million, and agriculture sustained PHP86 million in losses, after the powerful cyclone made landfall in the province on Nov. 9. According to Philippines News Agency, despite the extensive damage, no casualties were reported. At least 3,974 houses were damaged, with 687 completely destroyed and 3,287 partially damaged, primarily in coastal areas of Dipaculao, Dinalungan, Casiguran, and Dilasag.

Makati city: Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri has expressed interest in forging a strategic industrial partnership with the Philippines to enhance the country’s underwater defense and security capabilities. “Indo-Pacific and the Mediterranean Sea are really very similar with a lot of commonality. Fincantieri really would like to be a strategic industrial partnership for the Philippines to protect our ocean,” Fincantieri Naval Vessels Division Area Manager Aurora Buzzo stated at a Stratbase ADR Institute forum in Makati City on Wednesday. According to Philippines News Agency, Fincantieri, in collaboration with Germany’s thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS), was previously selected as the manufacturer for the Philippines’