General

Manila: The International Criminal Court (ICC) is not attempting to account for every death connected to the Duterte administration’s drug war but is instead focusing on establishing a pattern of systematic violence through verifiable cases, a prominent lawmaker stated on Thursday. This perspective was shared by House Assistant Majority Leader, Tingog Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre, who addressed concerns regarding the seemingly low number of cases cited by the ICC, emphasizing that the 43 cases are sufficient to demonstrate a systematic pattern of violence. According to Philippines News Agency, Acidre elaborated on this viewpoint, stating, “This is not survey or statistics.

Manila: The Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) has emphasized the significance of completed infrastructure projects as essential components of the ongoing peace process. According to Philippines News Agency, OPAPRU Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. highlighted in a statement that these projects symbolize the government’s commitment to creating opportunities and hope for all, extending beyond mere physical infrastructure. Galvez’s remarks followed the recent turnover of road projects in Agusan del Norte, constructed under the agency’s “Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan” (PAMANA) program. Galvez noted that the newly established roads are more than transportation routes; they are pathways

Ilocos Norte: Preparations for Ilocos Norte’s hosting of the Palarong Pambansa 2025 are progressing steadily, according to the provincial government. Governor Matthew Joseph Manotoc has announced that the province is prepared to offer a memorable experience for the 15,000 anticipated participants, including athletes, coaches, and officials who will attend the event. According to Philippines News Agency, while nearly all competition venues and billeting schools have been set up, the Ilocos Norte Tourism Office is working to enlist residential houses in the province as homestays for the tournament’s delegation. Senior provincial tourism operations officer Xavier Ruiz stated that interested homeowners can

Mati City: Mati City will host the 2025 Tourism Congress Friday at the Sambuokan Hall, City Hall Compound to drive sustainable tourism development and foster industry collaboration. Mayor Michelle Rabat emphasized the significance of the event, themed ‘Merging Aspirations for a Transformative and Inclusive Tourism Industry.’ According to Philippines News Agency, the event will bring together key stakeholders, including tourism service providers, cultural representatives, government agencies, public utility providers, sports tourism associations, educational institutions, and youth organizations. Participants will discuss critical topics for the industry’s growth, engage in knowledge-sharing, and explore strategic planning opportunities. Mayor Rabat stated, ‘This congress is

Manila: The Philippine Navy (PN) on Thursday announced its commitment to enhance cooperation with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) in addressing maritime threats. This announcement came following a courtesy call by JMSDF chief-of-staff Vice Admiral Saito Akira on PN chief Vice Admiral Jose Ma. Ambrosio Ezpeleta at the Navy headquarters in Manila on Wednesday, as reported by the service’s spokesperson, Capt. John Percie Alcos. According to Philippines News Agency, during their meeting, Vice Admiral Ezpeleta and Admiral Saito focused on key areas of defense cooperation. These included the modernization efforts of the PN, joint maritime security initiatives, and the