Politics
After years of failed attempts, the push to legalize medical cannabis in the Philippines just cleared a major hurdle. The House Committee on Dangerous Drugs, jointly with the Committee on Health, approved a consolidated bill that would allow regulated medical use of cannabis — while keeping recreational marijuana firmly illegal. Under
Politics
The House Committee on Justice, chaired by Batangas Rep. Gerville 'Jinky Bitrics' Luistro, is set to begin deliberating the four impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte starting Monday, March 2. The hearings will kick off at 10 AM at the People's Center in the House
Politics
Executive Secretary Ralph Recto has a new title to add to his already impressive resume: Auxiliary Vice Admiral of the Philippine Coast Guard. The formal donning and oath-taking ceremony was held aboard the PCG's flagship vessel BRP Teresa Magbanua on February 26. Recto, who previously served as a
Nation
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. went on video early Sunday morning to deliver the news every OFW family was desperately waiting for: as of 9 AM Sunday, no Filipino has been killed or injured in the ongoing US-Israel-Iran conflict raging across the Middle East. 'Wala po tayong natatanggap na report
Politics
ICC Deputy Prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang has fired back at an affidavit from former Philippine marines that accused politicians of secretly funding the ICC's investigation into Rodrigo Duterte's drug war. In an exclusive interview with Rappler right after the pre-trial hearings concluded, Niang called the move
Politics
Senator Bong Go has filed Senate Bill No. 1849 seeking to abolish the travel tax imposed on Filipinos leaving the country and on ASEAN nationals traveling to other ASEAN destinations. The proposal comes as the House Committee on Tourism already approved similar measures, signaling bipartisan support for scrapping the unpopular
Politics
The confirmation of charges hearing against former President Rodrigo Duterte at the International Criminal Court has concluded after four intense days, with both the defense and prosecution delivering sharply opposing closing arguments. The three ICC judges — Reine Alapini-Gansou, Iulia Motoc, and Socorro Flores Liera — now have up to 60 days
Politics
Senator Erwin Tulfo is pushing for the Senate to ratify a treaty with the United Kingdom that would allow sentenced Filipinos in British prisons to be transferred back to the Philippines to serve the remainder of their sentences closer to home. Tulfo sponsored Senate Resolution No. 315 to the plenary
Nation
Philippine, American, and Japanese warplanes flew over the Bashi Channel — the strategic waterway separating the Philippines from Taiwan — this week in a joint security exercise that marked a significant first. It was the first time the Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activities (MMCA) expanded beyond the South China Sea into waters near
Nation
Executive Secretary Ralph Recto has been formally conferred the rank of Auxiliary Vice Admiral by the Philippine Coast Guard, with the donning and oath-taking ceremony held aboard the PCG's flagship vessel BRP Teresa Magbanua last February 26. Recto, a former senator and ex-DOF chief, reaffirmed the Marcos administration&
Nation
Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, Commodore Jay Tarriela, has been promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral along with two other officers — Weniel Abarquez Azcuna and Oliver Sy Tanseco. The appointment was signed by President Marcos himself. Tarriela has become one of the most visible Philippine
Nation
China's military accused the Philippines of 'disrupting' peace and stability in the South China Sea by organizing joint patrols with countries outside the region — this as the navies of the Philippines, the United States, and Japan just wrapped up joint exercises in the disputed waters. The