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In a stirring tribute to international cooperation and peace, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), in partnership with the United Nations in the Philippines, celebrated the 80th anniversary of the United Nations with a diplomatic reception titled *“UN Day 2025: A Celebration of 80 Years of Hope and Endeavor.”* The event highlighted the Philippines’ enduring…
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In a landmark move toward regional energy transformation, the Philippines and Japan have formalized a strategic alliance aimed at powering sustainable development and accelerating the clean energy transition. The partnership was sealed through a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) signed by Philippine Energy Secretary Sharon S. Garin and Japanese Minister Muto Yoji on October 17, 2025,…
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It was one of those mornings when the coffee was strong and the conversation even stronger. Across the table sat Prof. Rommel Banlaoi, a leading security expert whose decades of experience in Southeast Asian geopolitics and counterterrorism lent weight to every word. What followed was a candid, wide-ranging discussion on the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in…
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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 Bench Files 