General

Manila: As the nation observes the 83rd anniversary of the Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) on Wednesday, Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. called on all Filipinos to rise to the challenge of nation-building. According to Philippines News Agency, Teodoro extended his gratitude and respect to veterans, soldiers, and every Filipino who continues to demonstrate courage and patriotism. He emphasized that beyond remembrance, the day is a call for each citizen to contribute to the country’s progress, peace, and security. Teodoro urged the public to draw strength from the legacy of bravery and heroism exemplified by

Manila: The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has called for vlogger Esther Margaux “Mocha” Uson, a candidate for councilor in Manila’s 3rd District, to reconsider the use of her campaign jingles that include “double meaning” content. According to Philippines News Agency, in a letter dated April 8, Comelec advised Uson to use straightforward language in her campaign materials, avoiding words that might be interpreted as obscene. The jingle titled “Cookie ni Mocha,” which resembles a Filipino term for female genitalia, was highlighted as particularly contentious. This jingle was featured at a March 30 rally for Yorme’s Choice, the political group Uson

Manila: The Philippines has once again secured multiple nominations at the prestigious World Travel Awards (WTA) 2025, as announced by the Department of Tourism (DOT) on Wednesday. The country aims to retain its prominent status among Asia’s top travel destinations, rallying public support to bolster its standing at the WTA. According to Philippines News Agency, the Philippines is defending its titles with nominations in several key categories: Asia’s Leading Beach Destination, Asia’s Leading Dive Destination, and Asia’s Leading Island Destination. Premier tourist spots in the country have also been recognized, with Boracay nominated as Asia’s Leading Luxury Island Destination, Intramuros

Manila: The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is set to launch an infrastructure audit tool to assess the structural integrity of buildings in preparation for a massive earthquake, called the ‘Big One,’ in the metropolis and nearby areas. According to Philippines News Agency, DILG Undersecretary for Local Government Marlo Iringan, in a news release Wednesday, said the Harmonized Infrastructure Audit tool would be used to ensure the resilience of buildings in the country against earthquakes. He said the tool, which would help local government units (LGUs) identify the priority structures for infrastructure audits, will be pilot-tested in

Manila: The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has granted special permits to more than 1,000 buses to address the anticipated increase in commuters during the Holy Week. According to Philippines News Agency, LTFRB Chair Teofilo Guadiz III announced that a total of 1,018 special permits have been issued. These permits are valid from April 11 to 27, covering the Holy Week and extending several days beyond to accommodate travelers. To ensure the safety and convenience of passengers, LTFRB personnel have commenced random inspections of public utility vehicles and transport terminals. These inspections include checking the validity of operators’