President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has signed Republic Act 12124, allowing working professionals with at least five years of experience to earn college degrees without traditional schooling. Under the newly enacted Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP), qualified individuals can obtain academic degrees based on an assessment of their skills, knowledge, and competencies. The Commission on Higher Education …
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By Tracy Cabrera The arrest of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (FPRRD) has sparked mixed reactions, but a slight majority of Filipinos agree with Vice President ‘Inday’ Sara Duterte-Carpio, who condemned her father’s arrest as a “blatant affront to our sovereignty.” According to Duterte’s eldest daughter, “our own government has surrendered a Filipino citizen—even a former President at that—to foreign …
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The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) announced on Thursday its plans to take action against online sources of fake news and disinformation, including those operating outside the Philippines. Speaking at the “Meet the Manila Press” news forum, NBI Director Jaime Santiago said the bureau’s cybercrime and technical intelligence unit is set to hold a meeting to outline the government’s strategy …
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The recent decline in the Philippine Stock Exchange Index (PSEi) following news of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s possible arrest by the International Criminal Court (ICC) has reignited concerns about political instability affecting investor confidence. However, analysts suggest that while short-term market jitters are expected, the broader economic outlook remains driven by external factors such as global trade policies and interest …
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The Department of Agriculture (DA) reported on Friday the confiscation of PHP2.83 billion worth of smuggled agricultural products following 71 successful enforcement operations in 2024, marking a significant increase from P1.87 billion in 2023. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. emphasized that enforcing the Anti-Economic Sabotage Act is crucial in strengthening the government’s crackdown on agricultural smuggling. He noted that last …
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By Tracy Cabrera The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) office in Isabela City is investigating possible corruption related to the collapse of a section of the newly completed Cabagan-Santa Maria bridge in Isabela province. The bridge, which took nearly a decade to build, cost the government over one billion pesos. If it is proven that substandard materials were used in …
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As Pope Francis recovers off ventilation, his condition shows slight stability. At 88, he has led the Catholic Church for 12 years but has never returned to his native Argentina. Now hospitalized for a lingering respiratory illness that stems from a pulmonary infection in his youth, the Pope has been at Rome’s Gemelli University Hospital since February 14. His more …
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The Philippines has lost its 20-year dominance as China’s top banana supplier to Vietnam, marking a significant shift in the multi-billion-dollar market. Data from the International Trade Centre (ITC) revealed that Vietnam, for the first time, surpassed the Philippines in banana exports to China last year. China imported a record 625,166 metric tons (MT) of bananas from Vietnam, while imports …
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Chiding China for “overreacting” to the deployment of a U.S. Typhon missile system in Northern Luzon, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Enrique Manalo criticized Beijing’s concerns as exaggerated. In an interview, Manalo emphasized that the missile system is purely for defense and not aimed at any country, much like China’s own military build-up, which includes nuclear weapons and advanced …
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Despite the growing traction of the e-gaming sector in the Philippines, integrated casino resort operator Melco Resorts & Entertainment Ltd. is reassessing its operations to align with its expansion targets for the year. The Nasdaq-listed company announced that it is exploring “potential strategic alternatives” for City of Dreams Manila while it plans its next steps in the coming months. Melco …
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The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business