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Within ASEAN’s 11-member bloc, the prevailing focus remains clear: economic cooperation, trade, and the collective pursuit of stability under the founding principle of the “zone of peace, freedom, and neutrality” (ZOPAN). Yet the Philippines stands apart, charting a course that prioritizes defense alliances and military alignments over economic integration. Security expert Dr. Roland Simbulan underscores…
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The International Criminal Court (ICC) has once again stirred controversy in Philippine politics with the issuance of warrants against Senator Bato Dela Rosa and former President Rodrigo Duterte. At the center of this debate is the question of sovereignty, justice, and political weaponization. Dr. Melissa Loja, an international law expert, explains that the Supreme Court…
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The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has set an ambitious target: more than 394,000 senior high school graduates are expected to enroll in college for Academic Year 2026–2027. Chairperson Shirley Agrupis announced that 20,000 scholarship slots will be available for the first semester, with additional support through the Presidential Merit Scholarship for the top five…
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The Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) recently suspended the operations of five companies for serious violations. These were not minor infractions: refusal to undergo inspection, sale of counterfeit fertilizer, mislabeling, and unauthorized distribution. Each of these offenses directly undermines the integrity of agricultural trade and places farmers at risk. Yet despite the severity of the…
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President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s upcoming trip to Japan from May 26 to 29 may appear, at first glance, as another round of ceremonial diplomacy—complete with meetings with the Emperor, Empress, and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. Yet beneath the surface, this visit carries strategic weight that goes far beyond protocol. Military and security cooperation will likely…
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The Philippine energy sector is once again under the spotlight, as brownouts and thin reserves expose the fragility of our power system. In an interview with The Bench Files, Congressman Arthur Yap of the Murang Kuryente Party List laid bare the contradictions haunting our electricity industry: consumers are paying “first world rates” yet enduring “third…
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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…
