General

Manila: The Philippines will continue to oppose “illegal and coercive acts” within its maritime jurisdiction, the National Maritime Council (NMC) announced on Saturday, emphasizing that the 2016 ruling from the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) regarding the South China Sea (SCS) disputes is “binding and final.” According to Philippines News Agency, the NMC reiterated that the arbitral award is beyond political reproach and has become an undeniable component of international law. The statement comes as the Philippines commemorates the ninth anniversary of its historic victory in the arbitration case against China’s extensive claims over nearly the entire SCS. The NMC

Stanford: The candles on your birthday cake don’t tell the whole story. As anyone who ever attended a high-school reunion can tell you, some people age faster than others. According to Philippines News Agency, whoever put the candles on your cake probably didn’t have to guess your chronological age. But research has shown that we also have what’s called a “biological age,” a cryptic but more accurate measure of our physiological condition and likelihood of developing aging-associated disorders from heart trouble to Alzheimer’s disease. We all guess people’s actual ages, almost unconsciously, by scanning their faces for wrinkles, baggy eyes,

Manila: The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said Saturday that all officials from its procurement arm, the Procurement Service (PS), implicated in the purchase of allegedly overpriced laptops are no longer in office. According to Philippines News Agency, the DBM issued the statement after the Office of the Ombudsman ordered the filing of criminal charges against former Education Secretary Leonor Briones and 13 others for their supposed involvement in the procurement of laptops worth PHP2.4 billion for public school teachers at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. Other personalities tagged in the overpriced laptop deal were former PS-DBM officials

Manila: Nine years ago, an Arbitral Tribunal constituted under the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention unanimously ruled China’s expansive South China Sea maritime claims have no basis in international law. This decision, legally binding on both the Philippines and China, was a significant milestone and a useful basis for peacefully resolving disputes between parties in the South China Sea. According to EMM, since the 2016 ruling, China has ignored the decision, continuing to assert unlawful and expansive maritime claims and taking increasingly aggressive actions against its neighbors. Beijing’s expansive claims directly infringe on the sovereign rights and jurisdictions of

Manila: The Philippine National Police (PNP) has reassigned 16 senior officers in a major reshuffle that includes key changes in its command group. In an order issued by PNP Chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III, Lt. Gen. Edgar Allan Okubo was named Deputy Chief for Operations, the third-highest position in the PNP hierarchy. He replaces Lt. Gen. Robert Rodriguez, who is set to retire on July 15. According to Philippines News Agency, Okubo previously served as the Chief of the Directorial Staff, the fourth-highest post in the PNP. Replacing Okubo as Chief of the Directorial Staff is Maj. Gen. Neri Ignacio,