General

Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV on Saturday appointed Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle as the new titular of Albano, a suburbicarian diocese the pontiff held before his election, according to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines. According to Philippines News Agency, Tagle, who serves as the pro-prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, succeeds Pope Leo in this role. Pope Leo had held the title of cardinal bishop of Albano since February 2025 before his election as pope. Before his election, Leo was the prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops under the late Pope Francis. The Diocese of Albano, which

Manila: The Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) will bring scattered rains and thunderstorms across Mindanao and the Visayas, the weather bureau announced on Saturday. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) indicated that Palawan will also experience similar weather patterns, as mentioned in their 4 a.m. bulletin. According to Philippines News Agency, the easterlies are expected to cause partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms over Metro Manila and the rest of the country. Despite these conditions, the entire archipelago will continue to experience light to moderate winds along with slight to moderate seas. Meanwhile,

Dagupan City: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has directed relevant agencies to engage with the private sector to expedite the construction of public school classrooms in the Ilocos Region. This initiative aims to accelerate the development process through public-private partnerships (PPPs), as emphasized during a meeting with the Regional Development Council in Dagupan City, Pangasinan. According to Philippines News Agency, President Marcos highlighted that collaborating with the private sector can enhance the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of public infrastructure and development projects. He asserted that such partnerships should be leveraged to accelerate the construction of classrooms in the region. The Department

Laoag: The 65th Palarong Pambansa commenced with a grand opening ceremony at Ferdinand E. Marcos Memorial Stadium, featuring President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. as the guest of honor. The event marked a significant return of the annual sporting meet to the President’s home province after 57 years. According to Philippines News Agency, the ceremony began with a vibrant ‘Parada ng mga Atleta’ showcasing regional delegations. Education Secretary Sonny Angara introduced the President, while Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Manotoc delivered the welcome message. A highlight of the opening was the ceremonial lighting of the solar-powered cauldron by Ilocano athletes, symbolizing the

Manila: The Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) on Wednesday announced preparations to publish the necessary documents to begin the official restoration of the Manila Central Post Office (MCPO). According to Philippines News Agency, PHLPost outlined that the Terms of Reference (TOR) for the Detailed Architectural and Engineering Design (DAED) will guide the rebuilding process. This initiative aims to ensure that the MCPO meets modern safety, accessibility, and sustainability standards while maintaining its historical and cultural significance as a national heritage site. The DAED will serve as a basis for accurate cost estimation and public bidding, promoting transparency and appropriate resource allocation.