General

Datu Odin Sinsuat: The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has appointed Commissioner Noli Rafol Pipo to oversee Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte, which has been placed under Comelec’s control for the upcoming May 12 midterm elections. Pipo will be responsible for managing all election-related activities in the area, as stated by Comelec Chairperson George Garcia during an interview. According to Philippines News Agency, Pipo’s role grants him extensive authority, with direct reporting to the Commission en banc. Garcia emphasized the importance of preventing violence, ensuring that teachers and voters are not intimidated, and conducting proper elections in the area. He

Western Visayas: The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Western Visayas (DSWD-6) on Monday said 133,221 indigent senior citizens in the region received a total of PHP399.663 million in social pensions for the first quarter of 2025. According to Philippines News Agency, each beneficiary received PHP1,000 per month or a total of PHP3,000 as provided under the Republic Act (RA) 11916 or An Act Increasing the Social Pension of Senior Citizens. ‘The Social Pension Program reflects the DSWD’s commitment to supporting the well-being of senior citizens, ensuring they have the resources to live with dignity and security,’ the DSWD-6

Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday oversaw the destruction of nearly three million smuggled electronic vapes worth PHP3.26 billion at the Bureau of Customs (BOC) grounds at the South Harbor, Port Area, Manila. The seized goods, which include vapes, parts, and accessories, were part of a series of confiscations stemming from 10 separate operations carried out by the Port of Manila (POM), Manila International Container Port (MICP), and the BOC Intelligence Group (IG). According to Philippines News Agency, in his remarks during the public condemnation of the contraband, Marcos emphasized the significance of these operations in curbing illegal

Dumaguete: The Police Regional Office in the Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) is hopeful for a reclassification of one town and one city in Negros Oriental currently listed under the ‘red’ category of election areas of concern for the upcoming May 12 elections. Brig. Gen. Jack Wanky, the newly appointed director of PRO-NIR, expressed this intent during a media interview, highlighting that Negros Oriental is the only area in the entire NIR with ‘red’ zones, specifically Guihulngan City and La Libertad town. According to Philippines News Agency, Brig. Gen. Wanky stated that there have been no recent reports of election-related violent

Manila: The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has mandated two candidates in local posts for the upcoming May 12 midterm elections to provide explanations for their contentious remarks during recent campaign events. According to Philippines News Agency, the directive was issued through separate show cause orders under the auspices of the Task Force on Safeguarding against Fear and Exclusion in Elections (Task Force Safe). The candidates in question are Misamis Oriental Governor Peter Unabia, who is seeking reelection, and Mataasnakahoy, Batangas Vice Mayor Jay Ilagan, who is running for governor. Unabia allegedly stated that only attractive women should receive nursing scholarship