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President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has signed Executive Order No. 115, strengthening the institutional capacity of the Technical Cooperation Council of the Philippines (TCCP) to ensure the effective implementation of technical cooperation programs aligned with national priorities. Under EO 115, the TCCP will roll out a national strategic framework called “Development Philippines”—a program designed to…
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The recently concluded ASEAN Summit underscored the urgency of finalizing the long-delayed Code of Conduct in the South China Sea. As Prof. Rommel Banlaoi pointed out, negotiations are being fast-tracked, with a working draft already on the table. The intent is clear: calm tensions, build confidence, and prevent escalation in one of the world’s most…
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In a recent interview on DWAR-ABANTE RADYO WALANG ATRASAN program, Prof. Eric de Torres, head of the UE Political Science Department, dissected the unfolding developments in the Middle East and their ripple effects across the globe. His insights highlight the dangers of unilateral actions by superpowers and the vulnerabilities of smaller nations like the Philippines.…
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“Nagbunyi ang mga sundalo—Filipino, Japanese, American—sa Balikatan drills nang matagumpay na palubugin ng Japanese missile ang BRP Quezon 70.” To many, it was a showcase of military cooperation and precision. But beneath the applause lies a disturbing paradox: the sinking of a Philippine naval vessel, once a proud symbol of sovereignty, now reduced to target…
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In Carmona, Cavite, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has announced the groundbreaking of a new branch of the Philippine General Hospital this May. For many, PGH is more than just a hospital—it is a symbol of public service, a refuge for ordinary Filipinos who cannot afford private care. But here’s the catch: what was once envisioned…
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Recently, headlines erupted from Las Piñas: a group of minors caught on camera harassing jeepney passengers, one even wielding an ice pick, according to reports. The incident raises a troubling question—who should be held accountable? The parents, or society at large? On one hand, the responsibility of parents is undeniable. They are the first teachers…
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“I’m fine… just working. Because life stops when livelihood stops.” A simple response from a coconut vendor, yet it captures the profound truth of everyday survival for millions of Filipinos. In every drop of sweat, in every sale of buko, rests the sustenance of an entire family. For the jeepney driver, the market vendor, or…
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The war in the Middle East is not just a distant conflict—it’s a tremor that shakes the Philippine economy. As Professor Lucio Pitlo III explained in our interview, the Strait of Hormuz, where 20% of the world’s crude oil passes, has become a flashpoint. For a country that imports nearly all its oil from that…
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The recent military operations launched by the United States and Israel against Iran have triggered a cascade of disruptions across the global energy landscape. With oil and gas infrastructure in the Persian Gulf under attack, the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has emerged as the most critical choke point. This narrow sea route, responsible…
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In a recent interview, Prof. Roland Simbulan sounded the alarm on how the Philippines is increasingly entangled in the strategic tug-of-war between the United States and China. His words cut deep: “The U.S. is building up its military forces here, turning Subic into a factory for ammunition and deploying assets across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.”…
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The Bench Files 