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The Fund for Resilient Local Development (FRLD) has officially opened a $250-million funding call at the COP30 climate summit in Brazil, aiming to support vulnerable nations in building climate resilience and disaster preparedness. The initiative was unveiled during a high-level session attended by global leaders, scientists, and climate advocates. The fund is expected to prioritize…
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In the heart of the Typhoon Belt, nations like the Philippines face a recurring nightmare—super typhoons that leave behind trails of destruction, displacement, and despair. As climate change intensifies, these storms grow stronger, deadlier, and more frequent. Yet while billions are spent globally on weapons of mass destruction, the technologies that could protect vulnerable communities…
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The Philippine gaming industry posted P94.51 billion in gross gaming revenues (GGR) for the third quarter of 2025, virtually unchanged from the P94.61 billion recorded a year earlier, as the sector grapples with sweeping reforms in online gaming and digital payments. According to the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), the Electronic Games (E-Games) segment…
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The Philippine economy is showing signs of strain as the peso retreated to the 59:$1 level and the Philippine Stock Exchange Index (PSEi) plunged to a three-year low, following a disappointing third-quarter GDP report that revealed a mere 4% growth—the weakest pace in four years. Astro del Castillo, managing director at First Grade Finance, emphasized…
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Malacañang has issued Executive Order No. 105, extending the 15% tariff on imported rice until December 31, 2025, in a move aimed at stabilizing domestic rice prices and protecting local farmers. The order also establishes a new Inter-Agency Group on Rice Tariff Adjustment (GRTA) to oversee future changes in rice import duties. Signed by President…
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Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano has urged the government to redirect the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) projected P60 billion in savings toward critical public needs, including education, health, and social aid. The savings stem from DPWH’s initiative to align construction material costs with prevailing market rates, a move Cayetano praised for…
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The Department of Tourism (DOT) has issued a stern reminder to accredited tourism establishments not to impose unreasonable price hikes during times of calamity, following reports of overpricing and unfair practices amid recent typhoons. In a statement released Saturday, the DOT emphasized the importance of maintaining ethical and compassionate business conduct during emergencies. “The DOT…
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Senator Alan Peter Cayetano issued a strong statement on Saturday addressing reports of an alleged arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC) against fellow Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, emphasizing the importance of due process and the rule of law in the face of politically charged controversies. Cayetano cited the Supreme Court’s Rules on…
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Malacañang on Friday said it has not received any official confirmation regarding reports that the International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued an arrest warrant against Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa in connection with the Duterte administration’s war on drugs. In a report by the Philippine News Agency, Press Officer Claire Castro responded briefly to media…
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In a press conference that veered from infrastructure to introspection, Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) Chairperson Justice Andres Reyes Jr. held up a placard with the words:“What the world needs now is love.” He followed it with a plea: “We need to love our country, we need to love our countrymen, we need to love…
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The Bench Files 