General

Manila: The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is targeting an 88-percent turnout in the local absentee voting (LAV) for the upcoming May 2025 midterm elections, similar to the turnout achieved during the 2022 presidential elections. According to Philippines News Agency, Comelec Chairperson George Garcia expressed optimism about reaching this target during an interview marking the commencement of the three-day LAV period. This period is designated for government employees in the military and police, as well as members of the media. Garcia noted that participation in midterm elections traditionally lags behind presidential elections. However, given the relatively small pool of 57,000 approved

Quezon City: The government will start offering the PHP20 per kilogram rice at the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Animal Industry (DA-BAI) Kadiwa Center along Visayas Avenue in Quezon City on May 2. According to Philippines News Agency, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro announced in a press briefing in Malaca±ang on Monday that the initiative follows the Department of Agriculture’s previous announcement regarding the initial rollout of the PHP20/kg rice in Cebu on May 1. This program is one of the campaign promises of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and aims to provide affordable rice to the public. Under the program,

Manila: Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Jay Ruiz on Monday called on photojournalists to inspire action against climate change, noting the country’s vulnerability to its effects. At a photo exhibit organized by the Press Photographers of the Philippines (PPP) in Pasay City, Ruiz, in a message read by Assistant Secretary Erel Cabatbat, lauded press photographers for capturing the human face of climate change. According to Philippines News Agency, Ruiz emphasized the significant role that communicators play, whether through words or images, in moving the nation “from desperation to hope” concerning climate change. He urged the empowerment of local communities through

Caluya: The 40 automated counting machines (ACMs) for the island municipality of Caluya were delivered Sunday, ahead of the 17 other local government units in Antique. Commission on Elections-Western Visayas Acting Assistant Director and concurrent Antique provincial election supervisor Wil Arce±o stated that the ACMs were deployed to Caluya first due to its location. The delivery also included 34 batteries. According to Philippines News Agency, the coastal municipality of Caluya is situated in the northernmost part of Antique, approximately 158 kilometers or two hours away from the capital city. Arce±o clarified that out of the total 40 ACMs, five are

Cagayan de Oro: An organization in Cagayan de Oro City has asked the local government to fully implement the existing law that ensures the welfare and protection of the urban poor sector. According to Philippines News Agency, in an interview on Monday, Chona Pepana, board member of the Cagayan de Oro Federation of People’s Organizations (Cafedco), highlighted pressing issues within communities, including the concerning incidence of teenage pregnancies, with some involving girls as young as 11 years old. ‘We are witnessing these challenges in our communities, yet there are no consistent and comprehensive interventions in place. We are advocating for