Day: December 11, 2025

Manila: The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has issued a warning to the public regarding the spread of ‘Peyote’ (Lophophora williamsii), a spineless cactus that contains ‘mescaline,’ a hallucinogenic substance classified as dangerous. PDEA Director General Undersecretary Isagani Nerez highlighted the concern after reports emerged of Peyote cacti being sold on local online shopping platforms. According to Philippines News Agency, mescaline is identified as a dangerous drug under Republic Act 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. It is further listed as a controlled substance in the 1971 United Nations Single Convention on Psychotropic Substances. The

Manila: Senate President Vicente Sotto III announced on Thursday that individuals detained under the Senate’s contempt powers will remain in custody while committee inquiries are ongoing. However, he assured that they may receive visitors and will be provided with noche buena during the Christmas season. According to Philippines News Agency, Sotto clarified that no requests have been filed for a temporary holiday release of detainees. “Walang request right now, yung dating request is ‘yung umuuwi para kumuha ng documents para i-surrender (There is no request right now; the earlier request was only to go home to retrieve documents for surrender),”

Manila: Senator Francis Pangilinan has issued a warning to the public concerning the potential entry of smuggled and uninspected food products into the local food supply chain through restaurants. This alert follows revelations made during a Senate hearing involving suspected Chinese smuggler Shi Chaoqun. According to Philippines News Agency, Shi Chaoqun, who is the lessee of a warehouse where PHP100 million worth of smuggled frozen meat products were discovered, admitted to supplying these products to several now-closed restaurants in Pasay City. Concerns have been raised about the possible contamination of these smuggled food products entering local marketplaces. Pangilinan expressed his

Manila: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Thursday urged consumers to remain vigilant when purchasing alcoholic beverages as social gatherings are expected to increase during the holiday season. In an advisory, the FDA’s Center for Food Regulation and Research cautioned against unregistered, adulterated, or counterfeit alcoholic beverages that may circulate in the market, noting that these products pose serious health risks. According to Philippines News Agency, the FDA emphasized the importance of purchasing and consuming only FDA-registered products to ensure a safe celebration this holiday season. The agency warned that consuming unregistered alcoholic drinks could lead to methanol poisoning,

Manila: The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is on alert for the nationwide implementation of ‘Oplan Biyaheng Ayos: Pasko 2025’ to ensure the safety and security of the millions of land and sea passengers during the holiday season. In a statement Thursday, PCG commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan, placed all PCG districts, stations, and sub-stations on heightened alert from Dec. 20, 2025 to Jan. 4, 2026, to manage the anticipated surge of travelers during the Christmas and New Year holidays. According to Philippines News Agency, the policy is in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to intensify safety and