Day: December 18, 2025

Ilocos norte: The Department of the Interior and Local Government has called on local government units in Ilocos Norte to establish their own drug reformation centers as part of efforts to achieve drug-free status for the province. This initiative was highlighted during the fourth quarter joint provincial peace and order council and provincial anti-drug abuse council (ADAC) meeting, where the importance of these centers in combating the community drug issue was discussed. According to Philippines News Agency, DILG provincial director Gerald Gallardo emphasized the need for all 21 towns and two cities in Ilocos Norte, including the provincial government, to

Quezon city: The chief of the Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group’s (PNP-HPG) Investigation Management Division was ordered relieved on Thursday for allegedly assaulting a patrolman over a parking dispute. According to Philippines News Agency, PNP-HPG chief Brig. Gen. Hansen Marantan issued the order as the PNP conducts a full investigation into the incident that occurred at the HPG parking lot in Camp Crame, Quezon City, around 8:30 p.m. on December 16. Initial reports indicated that the police colonel allegedly kicked, pointed a firearm, and hit the head and upper lip of the patrolman with the butt of a firearm. The

Manila: The Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Thursday initiated the delivery of approximately 130,000 unclaimed “balikbayan” boxes. This move comes in response to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to ensure that these boxes are delivered to the families of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) across the country in time for the holiday season. According to Philippines News Agency, Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno led the inspection of the unclaimed balikbayan boxes at the Port of Manila. A significant portion of these boxes originated from the Middle East, specifically Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. Some of the boxes have remained

Manila: The Philippines aims to champion the ethical and sustainable use of artificial intelligence (AI) in Southeast Asia as it chairs the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) next year. “Under its Chairship next year, the Philippines will help lead ASEAN in building a future-ready community and bold in its embrace of innovation – where technology serves humanity, and where AI is safely, ethically, responsibly, equitably, and sustainably harnessed to secure a peaceful, prosperous, and people-centered region,” said Foreign Affairs Deputy Assistant Secretary for ASEAN Affairs Dominic Xavier Imperial on Thursday. According to Philippines News Agency, promoting economic prosperity by

Manila: Domestic growth in the Philippines is projected to accelerate to 4.6 percent in the final quarter of 2025, fueled by lower inflation and an increase in remittances from overseas Filipinos, as indicated by recent capital markets research. According to Philippines News Agency, a joint publication by the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA and P) and the Business Economics Club, additional factors contributing to the anticipated growth from October to December include higher exports, reduced interest rates, and a resurgence in government spending. The report also suggests a rise in job creation due to the heightened demand for