General

Tokyo: Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba pledged to safeguard Japan’s national interests during upcoming tariff negotiations with the United States. Ishiba made this commitment during a televised debate at the Japan National Press Club, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing the country’s interests. According to Philippines News Agency, the debate took place just one day before the official campaign period for the House of Councillors election begins on July 20. Ishiba, who leads the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, stressed the significance of the talks, particularly in light of past electoral outcomes. During the debate, Ishiba addressed concerns about the ruling coalition’s

Manila: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has activated its core disaster protocols to assist at-risk populations in four regions of the country amid the prevailing low-pressure area (LPA) and intensified southwest monsoon (habagat). According to Philippines News Agency, Disaster Response Management Bureau Director Maria Isabel Lanada stated in a press briefing that the DSWD has implemented focused preparedness actions for Ilocos Region, Central Luzon, Cagayan Valley, and Cordillera Administrative Region. This initiative is in coordination with concerned Field Offices and local government units. The latest weather advisories indicate that these four regions are projected to be impacted

Manila: Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) will increase its direct services between Manila and Seattle, from three to five weekly beginning Nov. 25. “Our decision to increase frequencies to Seattle highlights the importance of the US market to the Philippine Airlines global network, and in particular the great value of Seattle as a gateway, not just to the Washington and Oregon areas, but to cities across the United States that we can now serve through our ongoing partnership with Alaska Airlines,” PAL president Richard Nuttall said in a statement Thursday. According to Philippines News Agency, the Tan-led carrier said the

Manila: Senator Panfilo Lacson has introduced a bill aimed at reinforcing and updating the Philippines’ 78-year-old anti-espionage laws by proposing stricter penalties for espionage activities. The proposed “New Anti-Espionage Act” seeks to address modern technological challenges and activities by foreign entities that could potentially disrupt the country’s governmental operations. According to Philippines News Agency, the bill suggests increasing penalties for espionage and broadening the scope to include technological advancements. It permits the surveillance of suspects and the interception of communications with a court order from the Court of Appeals. Lacson emphasized the necessity to amend existing laws, citing gaps in

Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is poised to endorse a proposal aimed at regulating minors’ use of social media platforms, particularly if these platforms are found to adversely affect mental health, as communicated by Malaca±ang on Thursday. According to Philippines News Agency, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro affirmed that Senator Panfilo Lacson’s proposed legislation to regulate minors’ access to social media and online platforms is a positive step to shield young individuals from the detrimental effects of excessive screen time. Castro emphasized that if social media usage is indeed linked to mental health issues, President Marcos would support the