General

Manila: An official of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on Tuesday expressed support for the potential reconciliation between President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte. According to Philippines News Agency, Fr. Jerome Secillano, executive secretary of the CBCP – Episcopal Commission on Public Affairs (ECPA), emphasized the positive impact that peace between the nation’s top leaders could have on the country. “Unity and reconciliation are always good for our country,” Secillano stated in an interview with Church-run Radio Veritas, further noting that any desire for reconciliation should be driven by the common good. In

Manila: Charges will be filed against government officials who are found involved in the smuggling of rice, Malaca±ang announced. In an interview with dzBB, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro stated that there is an ongoing investigation into the alleged involvement of government officials in the illegal importation of rice. According to Philippines News Agency, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. disclosed in the first episode of his ‘BBM Podcast’ that some government officials are behind and profiting from rice smuggling. Castro emphasized that a thorough investigation is underway, as directed by the President, to verify these

Calbayog: The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) has issued a 30-day special permit to seven roll-on, roll-off (RoRo) vessels to operate between Calbayog City in Samar and Ormoc City in Leyte to minimize transport disruption in the region amid limited access to the San Juanico Bridge. According to Philippines News Agency, given special permits for the 13-hour trip are vessels LCT Poseidon 40, MV Poseidon 48, MV Poseidon 50, and MV Poseidon 41, owned by ALD Sea Transport, MARINA said in its official Facebook page on Tuesday. All vessels have daily trips except for LCT Poseidon 40, with three times weekly

Manila: The football field at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex (RMSC) has been awarded the Quality Pro certificate by the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). According to Philippines News Agency, the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and E-Sports International, the leading expert in establishing FIFA-certified fields in the country, jointly made the announcement during the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) forum at the RMSC. FIFA Quality Pro is the topmost quality designation within the FIFA Quality Programme, indicating the strictest standards of performance, accuracy, safety, and durability. It is reserved for artificial turf that may be used for the highest level

Utsunomiya: Utsunomiya Brex, Ryukyu Golden Kings, and Alvark Tokyo have qualified for the East Asia Super League (EASL) 2025-2026 season. For the first time in EASL history, the league will feature three teams from Japan’s B.League. According to Philippines News Agency, earlier this month, the winner of the 2025 Emperor’s Cup was introduced as a new qualification pathway for the upcoming season to uplift the quality of play and increase competitiveness. Although Ryukyu won the Emperor’s Cup in March, they qualified through the original B.League Finals route, alongside Utsunomiya. As a result, the Emperor’s Cup berth went to runners up