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By Rose de la Cruz While the Commission on Audit is among the agencies with the highest credibility in its task as anti corruption watchdog, former Sen. Panfilo Lacson wants COA’s powers boosted to include investigation and filing of cases, which is currently out of its purview. Lacson called for the strengthening of the Commission on Audit (COA) by empowering …

The Senate has launched an inquiry into the aggressive and abusive debt collection practices of online lending companies following a surge in complaints from distressed borrowers. Presiding over the hearing on Thursday, Senator Raffy Tulfo, chair of the Subcommittee on Banks, Financial Institutions, and Currencies, stressed the need to stop these unethical tactics. “This has to stop! Although I still …

The government has earmarked P5 billion to sustain its P29 per-kilo-rice program, ensuring more Filipinos have access to affordable rice, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said last week. “[May] inilaan po ang pamahalaan para po diyan, five billion (pesos) po para po dito sa programang ito,” Castro said in a Malacañang briefing, assuring the public …

Malacañang clarified recently that it has not received any reports of threats against former President Rodrigo R. Duterte.  Presidential Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro addressed claims made by Vice President Sara Duterte, who alleged that her father’s life was in danger. Castro refuted the claims and emphasized that Duterte remains in the custody of the International Criminal …

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil announced recently that the nationwide crime rate dropped by 18.4% from January 12 to March 22, 2025.  Marbil commended all PNP units for their unified efforts in reducing focus crimes, aligning with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s vision of a safer Philippines.  “I thank everyone for their collective effort in bringing …

Senate President Francis Escudero on Wednesday reminded the House of Representatives that the Senate cannot take up an impeachment complaint while Congress is on break, as doing so would be illegal.  Escudero made the clarification following House Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan’s assertion that the Senate could proceed with the impeachment trial even during Congress’ recess.  “We haven’t responded to the …

If Senator Alan Peter Cayetano’s suspicions are correct, corruption may have led to the loss of billions in public funds due to the collapse of the Cabagan-Santa Maria bridge in Isabela. Presenting reports from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and a private construction firm before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, Cayetano pointed out alleged defects in the …

The Department of Education (DepEd) will not be heading “to the dumpster” following the recovery of PHP65 million from private schools flagged for irregularities in the Senior High School Voucher Program (SHS-VP) for school years 2021-2022 and 2022-2023, Malacañang said on Friday. “With this result, we can now say that DepEd will not be put to dumpster. Hindi po mapupunta …

Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon assured the public on Friday that the recent cases of passengers caught with ammunition at airports were not part of a “tanim bala” or bullet-planting scheme. Dizon referred to three incidents: on March 20 and 24 at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), where two passengers were found carrying one and four bullets, respectively, and on March …

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has launched an investigation into a viral video showing a driver of a black Ford Ranger who allegedly fell asleep at the wheel, causing property damage in Metro Manila. LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II said Friday that the incident, which was posted on the Facebook page “Yamato Kenji,” is being examined to determine …