The upcoming State of the Nation Address (SONA) by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is drawing national attention and controversy. House Secretary General Reginald Velasco recently announced a ban on guests wearing outfits with protest or derogatory statements, sparking debate. Velasco argues this is necessary to maintain the event’s formality and decorum, though it raises questions about balancing respect for …
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By Rose de la Cruz Regarded as the Cabinet’s weak link because of his department’s lackluster performance, his tardiness in meetings (here and abroad) and his laziness, Trade and Industry Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual is said to be on his way out and would soon be replaced by economic czar– the President’s first choice for the post– Frederick Go, Palace …
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By Rose de la Cruz “Cybercrime threats and their perpetrators are constantly upgrading, and so must we and our tools. The crimes they commit continue to recognize no borders, and so our efforts in response must be as broad and expansive, with all due regard, of course, for the law and the rights of all.” Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo told …
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By Rose de la Cruz Even before the Duterte administration, the controversy over the unsuitability and non-compliance of the trains delivered by CRRC Dalian Co. Ltd. for the MRT3 system had blown but with the assumption of Rodrigo Duterte to the presidency, the conflict was swept under the rugs. Today, the same trouble still hounds the Department of Transportation, which …
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The country’s headline inflation decelerated to 3.7 percent in June from 3.9 percent in May due to the easing of energy and transport costs, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said. In a press briefing last week, PSA Undersecretary and National Statistician Dennis Mapa said inflation in June last year was higher at 5.4 percent. Year-to-date headline inflation was at 3.5 …
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Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman on Friday approved the PHP27.453-billion Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) for the health emergency allowance (HEA) of medical workers. In a statement, Pangandaman said the released fund is expected to compensate 5,039,926 unpaid HEA and 4,283 Covid-19 sickness and death compensation claims of eligible healthcare and non-healthcare workers. She said the …
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The Department of Finance (DOF) spearheaded a hybrid roundtable discussion as the lead facilitator for Climate Finance Network (CFN) initiatives in the Philippines to propel mainstreaming climate change components in the public financial management and further scale up access to climate finance. “[W]e at the DOF are pleased to lead the initiatives of the Climate Finance Network in the Philippines, …
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There might be a “little bit” of policy shift in the Department of Education (DepEd) with the forthcoming appointment of Sen. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara as Education Secretary. This was disclosed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on the sidelines of the distribution of financial assistance in Sulu on Friday. When asked by reporters if Angara’s appointment to DepEd would …
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The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) on Friday reduced the total volume offering of the BSP bills (BSPB) to P160 billion. In a statement on Friday, BSP Deputy Governor Francisco Dakila Jr. said the allocation mix was lowered to P90 billion from P100 billion for the 28-day tenor and P70 billion from P80 billion for the 56-day tenor. The weighted …
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A joint enforcement operation led by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Quezon City, and the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency intercepted the sale of counterfeit and non-compliant products worth P496,073 from an electrical supplies shop in Quezon City on June 25. The operation conducted through the DTI’s Task Force Kalasag yielded 127 units of …
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The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business