Politics
The Department of Social Welfare and Development is gearing up to host a major regional event this week — the 35th ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Council meetings, running March 2-5 in Makati City. DSWD Secretary Rexlon Gatchalian made the announcement Sunday, positioning the Philippines as a key leader in ASEAN's
Politics
Both the ICC prosecutor and the lawyers representing drug war victims are pushing back hard against any possibility of releasing former President Rodrigo Duterte from detention in The Hague. At a hearing on the annual review of Duterte's detention Friday night (Manila time), they argued there are simply
Politics
China's aggressive actions in the West Philippine Sea aren't just diplomatic reactions — they're a calculated, deliberate strategy to reshape the entire regional balance of power. That's the stark warning from national security expert Dr. Jose Antonio Goitia, who described Beijing's
Politics
Senate President Vicente Sotto III just filed a bill that could change how the government monitors its infrastructure projects — by putting them on livestream. Senate Bill 1835 seeks to reorganize the Department of Public Works and Highways and create an infrastructure inspectorate team that would broadcast inspections of public works
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