General

Manila: Slovenian Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon on Tuesday expressed support for the Philippines’ bid for a non-permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). ‘We are a non-permanent member of the Security Council (we are) strongly committed to international law, to UN Charter, to human rights, and we share those values together with the Philippines,’ she said in a joint presser with Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo in Manila. According to Philippines News Agency, Fajon emphasized Slovenia’s full support for the Philippines’ candidacy for a Security Council seat in the near future. She highlighted the critical importance of promoting

Manila: Any action that promotes security is a ‘step in the right direction,’ Slovenian Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon said Tuesday. Fajon made the remark when asked her opinion on the creation of an Asian version of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) as a likely deterrence system in the region. According to Philippines News Agency, Fajon cited Slovenia’s experience with its alliances, stating that membership in NATO had been Slovenia and Europe’s ‘best guarantee’ for collective security. She emphasized that alliances providing security through peaceful dialogue and strengthening values are important. Fajon expressed her views during a joint press conference

Manila: The Commission on Elections (Comelec) announced that the PHP2.7 billion budget for the upcoming Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections (BPE) has been approved in principle by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM). This approval marks a significant step forward in the preparations for the elections scheduled for October. According to Philippines News Agency, Comelec Chairperson George Erwin Garcia stated that the approval enables the election body to initiate its preparations for the BPE. Garcia emphasized that to access the allocated budget, Comelec must submit a comprehensive financial plan detailing expenditure and procurement needs. He noted that the funds would not

Quezon City: Families of extrajudicial killing (EJK) victims under the previous administration’s drug war gathered on Tuesday for a thanksgiving Mass following the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte through a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC). Fr. Bong Sarabia said the Mass, held at the Ina ng Lupang Pangako Parish in Payatas, Quezon City, was attended by those who lost a family member during Duterte’s war on drugs. According to Philippines News Agency, the Mass served as a moment of gratitude and hope for justice for the families affected by the crackdown. Fr. Sarabia described the arrest

Northern Samar: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has partnered with the Provincial Government of Northern Samar (PGNS) to empower local micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the region. In a news release on Tuesday, the FDA said it signed a memorandum of agreement with the PGNS for the Bigyang-Halaga, Bangon MSMEs Program on March 7. According to Philippines News Agency, this collaboration is part of FDA’s commitment to strengthening food safety standards and regulatory compliance among local businesses. It aims to expand market opportunities for local entrepreneurs by streamlining processes for obtaining authorizations, such as License to Operate