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The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) has cautioned the public and international participants against what it describes as “one-sided narratives” being propagated through so-called solidarity missions in the country. NTF-ELCAC Executive Director Undersecretary Ernesto Torres Jr. issued the warning amid ongoing International Learning and Solidarity Missions (ILSMs) in Mindoro, Negros,…
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In 1991, a small but determined group of medical volunteers launched a mission that would change thousands of lives. That mission of giving children hope was the beginning of the Philippine American Group of Educators and Surgeons (PAGES), an organization committed to providing free surgical care to children born with facial congenital anomalies such as…
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The Marcos administration is touting what it calls “concrete gains” in its human rights agenda, citing institutional reforms and international recognition as evidence that its efforts are yielding measurable results. During the 4th meeting of the Special Committee on Human Rights Coordination (SCHRC) held on October 8, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and Undersecretary Severo Catura…
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Malacañang has issued a strong message to the country’s business community, affirming that the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is intensifying its campaign against corruption to foster transparency and boost investor confidence. In a press briefing held Monday, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro outlined several key initiatives aimed at curbing corruption within…
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Quezon City, October 16, 2025 In a wide-ranging and candid conversation over coffee, Attorney Levito Baligod sat down with this broadcast journalist to unpack the complex layers of Philippine governance—from the enduring pork barrel system to the philosophical underpinnings of law, economic policy, and regional security. The discussion offered a sobering yet insightful look into…
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Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla has raised concerns over the legitimacy of 204 new hires made at the Office of the Ombudsman (OMB) in July, suggesting they may fall under the category of “midnight appointments”—a term used for last-minute government hires that often bypass standard vetting procedures. Speaking during a flag ceremony and media interview, Remulla…
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As anticipation builds for the upcoming summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump in Budapest, the Kremlin has outlined its expectations, framing the meeting as a potential breakthrough in global diplomacy. Russian officials have expressed cautious optimism, emphasizing that the summit could pave the way for renewed dialogue on key international…
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The rural-based group Anakpawis Party-list has blamed the government’s import-liberalization policies—particularly the Rice Liberalization Law (Republic Act 11203)—for the steep decline in farmgate prices of palay (unhusked rice), calling for its immediate repeal. Citing data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), Anakpawis revealed that the average farmgate price of palay in September dropped to P15.60…
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The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) held a dialogue with ten Filipino seafarers who were recently repatriated following the bombing of the MV Minervagracht in the Gulf of Aden on September 29. The meeting, led by Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac alongside Assistant Secretary Jerome T. Pampolina and Director Augusto San Diego, aimed to ensure…
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The National Food Authority (NFA) has launched a pilot test of a new 1-tonner bagging system for palay, aiming to modernize grain storage and reduce post-harvest losses. The initiative began Friday and is part of a broader strategy to upgrade NFA’s warehousing capacity with minimal cost to the government. Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel…
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The Bench Files 