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By Rose dela Cruz In the next 50 years, nearly all coral reefs in the world– sometimes considered the ‘rainforests of the sea’– would collapse because of coral bleaching from warming oceans, heat waves, and other factors. A story published by the Associated Press cited a recent global assessment showing that these critical sources of seafood and tourism, which often …

The Philippines is seeking a US$20-million grant from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to intensify efforts to clean up the Pasig River system, improve waste management and curb the flow of plastic and organic garbage into surrounding waterways. The Department of Finance (DOF) has endorsed the proposed assistance to the Office of the President, seeking authority to negotiate an agreement …

Government spending on food security must go beyond agricultural production and place greater emphasis on food affordability, nutrition, and effective delivery of social protection programs, according to a new study by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS). The research, presented during a PIDS webinar, found that while public investments in agricultural development have increased substantially over the past decade, …

The Philippines is pushing for sweeping public procurement reforms across Southeast Asia to make government spending more transparent, expand business opportunities and strengthen investor confidence, as it leads regional efforts to improve economic competitiveness. Acting Budget Secretary Kim Robert de Leon called on Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member-states to streamline procurement procedures, promote fair competition and strengthen accountability …

The Supreme Court (SC) has dismissed former House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez’s petition seeking to halt the Office of the Ombudsman’s preliminary investigation against him, ruling that the legal challenge had become moot following the filing of a plunder case before the Sandiganbayan. In its November 4 resolution, the High Court rejected Romualdez’s petition for certiorari questioning the Ombudsman’s investigation, …

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has warned local government officials against corruption in the use of billions of pesos earmarked for disaster rehabilitation, stressing that public funds must go directly toward rebuilding communities and restoring the livelihoods of calamity victims. Marcos issued the warning Thursday during the ceremonial turnover of ₱8.645 billion in Disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Assistance Program (DRRAP) …

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is targeting three million additional registered voters during a nine-month registration campaign beginning November 10, bringing the country’s potential voting population to approximately 74 million ahead of the May 2028 national and local elections. Comelec Chairperson George Erwin Garcia said the nationwide registration drive will run until July 30, 2027, giving eligible Filipinos sufficient time …

The Philippines is bringing back the charm of traditional mail for the 49th ASEAN Summit, offering foreign delegates and international journalists an opportunity to send Philippine-themed postcards and commemorative stamps to destinations around the world. The initiative, jointly undertaken by the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost), will make postal services available at the International Media …

The November 3 US midterm elections delivered a political earthquake to Washington, with Democrats capturing both chambers of Congress and voters sending a strong message of rejection against President Donald Trump’s second-term agenda. Beyond the dramatic shift in congressional power, the elections produced historic breakthroughs. The country elected its first black female governor, first openly gay male senator, first Muslim …

EBITDABy DIEGO C. CAGAHASTIAN A local reporter’s ear might have heard the words as a joke, but defense secretary Gibo Teodoro was really disparaging Chinese investments in the Philippines, just as he is wont to do.  The guy cannot let a day pass without thinking, doing or saying something bad, evil and sinister against China.  No defense secretary from Ramon …