Author: Homer Pangilinan

  • DSWD Programs Boost Financial Stability for Low-Income Filipinos, Surveys Show

    Recent surveys by Pulse Asia and Social Weather Station (SWS) have revealed that four key programs from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) have significantly enhanced the financial stability of Filipinos from lower socio-economic backgrounds. These programs include the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP), Walang Gutom…

  • Philippine Senate Releases Impeachment Complaint Against Vice President Sara Duterte

    In a significant move, Senate President Francis Escudero disclosed on Monday that the impeachment complaint filed against Vice President Sara Duterte, complete with all its annexes, has been made available on the Senate’s official website for the public to access. This action followed the distribution of the complaint to all 23 senators last week. During…

  • Comelec to Launch ‘Oplan Baklas’ to Remove Illegal Campaign Materials Starting February 11

    The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is set to kick off its ‘Oplan Baklas’ initiative on February 11, targeting the removal of illegal campaign materials as the 90-day campaign period for national positions begins. The operation will initially focus on Manila, specifically in the Tondo district, with participants gathering at the Palacio del Gobernador in Intramuros…

  • Philippine Army Captures NPA Rebel and Seizes Firearm in Sultan Kudarat Skirmish

    In a series of confrontations in Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat, the Philippine Army’s 37th Infantry Battalion successfully apprehended a member of the New People’s Army (NPA) and confiscated an M16 rifle along with ammunition. The initial clash occurred at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, involving the battalion’s soldiers and NPA’s Platoon 2 from the Sub-Regional Committee Daguma…

  • Department of Agriculture Issues Warning on Fraudulent Use of Secretary’s Identity

    The Department of Agriculture (DA) has issued a stern warning to the public about fraudulent activities involving the impersonation of Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. The DA disclosed that individuals are exploiting the Secretary’s contact details and image to fabricate requests for financial assistance and engage in other illegal activities across various social media…

  • Philippine Navy Assists South Korean Ship in Distress Off Ilocos Norte

    In a display of maritime solidarity, the Philippine Navy’s patrol vessel, BRP Nestor Reinoso (PC-380), came to the rescue of the South Korean passenger ship, Udosarang 1, which faced mechanical issues while sailing near Burgos town in Ilocos Norte on February 5, 2025. The incident, which occurred around 9 a.m., prompted a swift response from…

  • Negros Occidental Boosts Women Farmers’ Agri-Marketing Efforts

    In a move to enhance the entrepreneurial capabilities of women farmers, the provincial government of Negros Occidental has allocated financial support to two farmers’ associations. On February 6, 2025, the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) announced that each association received PHP250,000 under the Farmers Entrepreneurship Program (FEP), part of the province’s Gender and Development…

  • Leyte’s Visayas State University Opposes Commercial Fishing in Local Waters

    In a bold move to protect local marine ecosystems and the livelihoods of small-scale fishermen, the Visayas State University (VSU) satellite campus in Tolosa, Leyte, has publicly opposed a Supreme Court ruling. The decision, which allows commercial fishing vessels to operate within the 15-kilometer municipal waters, has sparked widespread concern among various stakeholders. The university’s…

  • Philippine House Approves Delay of BARMM Elections to October 2025

    The Philippine House of Representatives has officially approved a bill that delays the inaugural regular elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to October 2025. This decision was made during a plenary session where the differences between House Bill 11144 and Senate Bill 2942 were reconciled in a bicameral conference committee report.…

  • Philippines Hosts Major Open Government Summit with Global Leaders

    MANILA – The bustling capital of the Philippines welcomed over 800 delegates, including government officials, civil society leaders, and policymakers from over 40 countries, for the 2025 Open Government Partnership (OGP) Asia and the Pacific Regional Meeting (APRM). The event, which kicked off on Wednesday and will continue until Friday, is being held at the…