General

Ilocos Norte: A stranded female pantropical spotted dolphin, named “April-May,” died on Monday, five days after being rescued by a dedicated team. Vanessa Abigail Dagdagan-Alimbuyuguen, the provincial fishery officer, reported that the dolphin passed away at 5:10 a.m. while undergoing treatment at a makeshift rehabilitation center. According to Philippines News Agency, personnel from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Mariano Marcos State University, Laoag City Veterinary Office, Philippine Marine Mammal Stranding Network, provincial and local government units, and several volunteers collaborated in efforts to save the dolphin. Alimbuyuguen stated that the death of “April-May” has inspired a commitment

Malaca±ang: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is far from being a dictator as his government continues to uphold press freedom in the country. “The President is not gearing toward dictatorship. Malaya po ang pamamahayag na nakikita po natin sa kasalukuyan (We are seeing the freedom of the press nowadays),” Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a press briefing. According to Philippines News Agency, the Philippines rose to the 116th spot, the country’s highest ranking in 21 years, from 134th last year out of 180 countries on the 2025 World Press Freedom Index, according

Manila: Consunji-led Semirara Mining and Power Corp. (SMPC) announced that it anticipates receiving the environmental compliance certificate (ECC) from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for its coal mine expansion project in Antique by the second half of 2025. “We expect to receive the ECC for the Acacia mine from the DENR within the second half of 2025,” stated SMPC president, chief operating officer, and chief sustainability officer Maria Cristina Gotianun during the company’s virtual annual stockholders meeting on Monday. According to Philippines News Agency, data from SMPC indicates that the Acacia site contains approximately 80 million metric

Negros Oriental: Police in Negros Oriental confiscated PHP10.9 million worth of shabu in a weeklong anti-crime blitz ahead of the midterm elections, officials reported Monday. The operations, spanning from April 28 to May 4, were part of a larger effort to ensure a safe and secure election period. According to Philippines News Agency, the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NOPPO) arrested 23 drug suspects and confiscated 1,607 grams of methamphetamine. The operations included 19 drug raids and broader crime suppression efforts, which also resulted in the arrest of 42 gambling suspects across 21 operations. Furthermore, authorities captured four most-wanted criminals

Manila: A congressman serving as one of the commissioners of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) is advocating for a greater allocation of resources towards curriculum and teaching methods to enhance the country’s functional literacy. According to Philippines News Agency, Tingog Partylist Representative Jude Acidre emphasized that 60 percent of the budget for basic education should be directed towards improving curriculum and teaching for elementary and high school students. Acidre highlighted the need for focused efforts in these areas, expressing confidence that the Department of Education (DepEd) is moving in the right direction. In the 2025 General Appropriations