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The Philippines and Japan signed on Monday the Philippines-Japan Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) allowing Filipino soldiers to undergo joint combat training with their counterparts in Japan. The joint combat training to be held in Japan aims to further enhance the two nations’ defense cooperation. The RAA was signed by Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and…
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Senator Imee Marcos has urged the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) to make public details of the June 3, 2024 NEDA Board meeting that resulted in government’s controversial decision to cut the tariff on imported rice to 15 percent up to 2028. This, after it was established during Thursday’s senate hearing into proposed amendments to…
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Senate Accounts Committee chair Senator Alan Peter Cayetano on Friday reaffirmed the rigorous and independent nature of the ongoing review of the New Senate Building (NSB), in response to concerns raised by former Senator Panfilo Lacson about its negative public perception. “The conduct of the NSB review is factual and independent. Hindi pwede ang suspicion,…
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The Philippines has secured the top position out of 50 countries in a ranking of debt transparency and investor relations compiled by the Institute of International Finance (IIF). The Philippines scored 12.5 out of 13 in debt transparency, topping the table and exceeding the average transparency score of 9. It likewise took the number one…
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President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has issued an executive order (EO) revoking the policy granting Career Executive Service (CES) rank to graduates of Master of National Security Administration (MNSA) program of the National Defense College of the Philippines (NDCP). The EO aims to synchronize the standards and procedures for conferring the CES rank. According to…
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The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Australian government, focusing on cooperation in migration management and border control. BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco highlighted the significance of the MOU during an event held on June 5 in Makati. “This agreement marks a pivotal moment in our…
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President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday hailed government forces in Mindanao for successfully minimizing the threat posed by the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and other enemies of the state in the province. At the same time, the Chief Executive called on the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) not to be complacent as the…
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President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Saturday said he is looking forward to deepening the bonds between the Philippines and the United Kingdom with its new leadership. In his message, President Marcos congratulated UK’s Labour Party and newly-elected Prime Minister Keir Starmer. “On behalf of the Philippines, I extend my warmest congratulations to the Labour…
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The Bureau of Immigration (BI) announced the launch of its online special study permit (SSP) application. The move, according to BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco, is part of the BI’s broader modernization efforts, aligning with the vision of a “Bagong Immigration towards the Bagong Pilipinas.” An SSP is a permit for foreign students who meet specific…
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Pope Francis on Saturday appointed Filipino Bishop Ryan Jimenez of Chalan Kanoa in the Northern Mariana Islands as the new archbishop of Agaña in Guam. Jimenez will take over from Archbishop Michael Byrnes, who resigned in March 2023 at age 64 due to health issues. Since then, Fr. Romeo Convocar, also a Filipino, has been…
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The Bench Files 