Day: November 17, 2025

Marikina city: Marikina City on Monday opened its annual Christmas bazaar, giving shoppers a chance to buy high-quality and affordable shoes, bags, and leather goods for the holiday season. According to Philippines News Agency, the bazaar is organized by the Philippine Footwear Federation Inc. and supports the livelihood of local shoemakers and leather goods manufacturers. Mayor Marcy Teodoro emphasized the significance of the event, stating that it was initiated during his administration and offered free of charge to aid local producers. Teodoro highlighted the importance of the bazaar, particularly during the holiday season, as it allows local producers to earn

Manila: Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chair Vigor Mendoza II announced a determined effort to address ongoing franchise violations by transport network vehicle services (TNVS). Mendoza outlined plans to deploy additional mystery riders to investigate complaints against unauthorized TNVS units operating under temporary permits without proper franchise or provisional authority. According to Philippines News Agency, Mendoza highlighted concerns regarding transport network companies (TNCs) allegedly enabling these unauthorized activities by integrating such TNVS units into their online platforms without securing the necessary permits from the LTFRB. These allegations stem from reports by previously deployed mystery riders and complaints observed

Pangasinan: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. sent various forms of assistance through national government agencies to over 2,600 families in Binmaley, Pangasinan on Monday. Marcos was represented by Special Assistant to the President Anton Lagdameo, along with Cabinet secretaries, during the distribution event in Barangay Sabangan. According to Philippines News Agency, food packs and assistance from the Office of the Civil Defense were distributed to those who lost their homes, which included temporary shelters and cash assistance for local government units. Pangasinan Governor Ramon Guico III stated in an interview that the provincial government received PHP50 million from the national

Manila: Proceedings for state witnesses cannot be disclosed to the public and remain confidential, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said Monday. ‘We’ll have to strictly abide by Section 7 of Republic Act No. 6981 (Witness Protection, Security and Benefit Act) for this. Unless a written order has been issued by the Department of Justice, all proceedings and actions taken in the Witness Protection Program shall be kept confidential,’ DOJ spokesperson Polo Martinez said in a statement. ‘This includes the Memorandum of Agreement agreed upon by any covered witness and the Department, if any,’ he added. According to Philippines News Agency,

Iloilo city: Business groups from Iloilo City are flying to Australia on Monday for a business mission. In an interview, Iloilo MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) Alliance chairperson Natalie Lim said they will be going to Perth and Melbourne to invite Australians and Filipino communities to visit Iloilo. According to Philippines News Agency, Lim mentioned that they have already secured commitments from some participants to visit during the Dinagyang festival. She highlighted that Australians rank among the top five in terms of tourist arrivals in Iloilo City in 2024 and the first half of 2025. Lim believed the mission’s