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Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson has called for a full record check and background investigation (RCBI) on Orly Regala Guteza, a surprise witness whose testimony at Thursday’s Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing stirred controversy and raised serious questions about alleged corruption. Guteza, who claims to be a former Marine and ex-security consultant
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The Philippines and Hungary have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral labor cooperation, following high-level discussions between officials from both countries. Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Administrator Patricia Yvonne “PY” Caunan met with Dr. Szilvia Balogh, Deputy State Secretary for Employment and Programs of Hungary’s Ministry of National Economy, on 17 September 2025. During the
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The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) proudly announced the 24 grand winners of its 2025 Photography Contest during an awards ceremony held at its corporate headquarters. With the theme “Infrastructure for Economic Development”, this year’s nationwide competition attracted nearly 4,000 entries from amateur and professional photographers across three categories: Conventional, Mobile, and Drone. The
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Malacañang has assured the public of the integrity and impartiality of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), amid concerns over its reliance on government-sourced documents in investigating alleged irregularities in flood control projects. Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro emphasized during a Palace press briefing that the ICI remains free from undue influence and
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Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. made a passionate appeal to lawmakers on Monday, urging the House of Representatives to approve in full the Department of Agriculture’s proposed P176.7-billion budget for 2026. He described the allocation as a long-overdue investment in the country’s food producers and a critical step toward modernizing Philippine agriculture. Speaking
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Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. is leaning toward recommending a 15- to 30-day extension of the rice importation moratorium, citing early signs of improvement in farmgate prices for palay since the temporary ban took effect. The import freeze, ordered by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., spans September and October to shield local farmers during
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Civil society organizations have issued a scathing rebuke of the House Committee on Appropriations’ Budget Amendments Review Subcommittee (BARC), accusing it of operating as a “rubber stamp” for opaque budget realignments and systematically excluding public participation—especially youth voices—in the national budget process. The statement, released in response to a closed-door BARC meeting that tackled the
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In a powerful address before thousands of demonstrators at the EDSA People Power Monument, Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), called on individuals involved in alleged corruption in flood control projects to come forward and speak the truth—offering the Church as a sanctuary for whistleblowers. “It is
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The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has reported a major breakthrough in its anti-smuggling campaign, confiscating ₱2.390 billion worth of illicit goods in just two months under the leadership of Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno. From July to August 2025, the agency launched 128 enforcement operations targeting illegal drugs, counterfeit cigarettes, and agricultural contraband. The intensified crackdown
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Acting Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief, Police Lieutenant General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., personally visited hospitalized officers who sustained injuries while maintaining peace and order during Sunday’s anti-corruption protest. The rally, held near the People Power Monument, drew thousands of demonstrators and was marred by pockets of unrest. Despite the aggressive behavior of some
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The Bench Files 