The Philippines is open to expanding the annual Balikatan exercises with the United States to include other allies, Defense Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said during the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Shangri-la Dialogue in Singapore. “We really explore possibly expanding the bilateral Balikatan exercises into a multilateral exercise,” Galvez …
Read More »Helping ordinary Filipinos is my legacy —PBBM
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he wants to be remembered as a leader who helped ordinary Filipinos. In his latest vlog shortly after launching the Malacañang Heritage Tour that features the current and past presidents, Mr. Marcos was asked about the legacy he wants to leave after his term. “I …
Read More »Lifestyle switch needed to help preserve environment says bishop
Apostolic Vicariate of Taytay in Palawan Bishop Broderick Pabillo has called on the faithful to switch to a simpler lifestyle to help protect and preserve the environment. Bishop Broderick Pabillo (Manila Bulletin file photo) A change in lifestyle, the bishop said, may help amid the continuous destruction of the environment …
Read More »SSS pensioners entitled to extra benefits under WISP
Image Credit: SSS/Facebook PRIVATE employees who are members of the Social Security System are entitled to another mandatory benefits upon retirement, apart from the cash benefit paid either in monthly pension or as lump sum. In an interview, Maria Lourdes Pastor, concurrent acting head of the Middle East and Europe …
Read More »PH, Japan, US coast guards affirm importance of free, open Indo-Pacific
THE coast guards of the Philippines, Japan and the United States have affirmed the importance of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) in a meeting among the three sides on Saturday. PHOTO BY RENE H. DILAN All three have agreed on the necessity of “conducting periodical exercises”, in ensuring the …
Read More »World Bank, ADB offer to bankroll govt food stamp program
The World Bank and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have offered to finance the Marcos administration’s food stamp program that aims to support one million “food-poor” families from 2024 to 2027, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said Saturday. The “Walang Gutom (No Hunger) 2027” program will require …
Read More »PCG: All 10 sovereign markers remain in WPS
The Philippine Coast Guard on Saturday said all 10 navigational buoys installed in the West Philippine Sea are accounted for, contrary to claims of a Chinese online news site that these have been removed. “The PCG’s 10 buoys, which were dropped in the West Philippines Sea, remain in their designated …
Read More »Mimaropa elite cops undergo counter-terrorism training
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has initiated a counter-terrorism training for 125 elite forces of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Mimaropa region. Police Brig. Gen. Joel B. Doria, director of the Mimaropa (Oriental and Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan) regional police, said the training was attended by …
Read More »Why Senior High School Program is a ‘necessary sacrifice’
Calls to discontinue the implementation of the Senior High School (SHS) resurfaced as its graduates struggled with employment opportunities the program offered when it was institutionalized. Senior High School graduates (DepEd file photo) While the Senior High School (SHS) under K to 12 program needed “fixing,” an advocacy group maintained …
Read More »China defends buzzing American warship, Canadian frigate in Taiwan Strait
China’s defence minister defended sailing a warship across the path of an American destroyer and Canadian frigate transiting the Taiwan Strait, telling a gathering of some of the world’s top defence officials in Singapore on Sunday that such so-called “freedom of navigation” patrols are a provocation to China. China defence …
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