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The Department of Foreign Affairs’ optimistic tone on the progress of negotiations for a mutually acceptable Code of Conduct (COC) in the West Philippine Sea is, at best, cautiously welcome—and at worst, prematurely celebratory. Timing, after all, matters.  The announcement comes just before the ASEAN Summit in Cebu, where China is expected to engage regional leaders while simultaneously projecting itself as a responsible …

The days just passed need some commenting and reflection.  I did not hear nor read anything about May 6 – formerly celebrated as the day that the island fortress of Corregidor fell to the Japanese invaders during World War Two, not World War Eleven as a public official was maritessed to have said. We remembered last April 9 as the Fall of Bataan Day and …

The road leading to the Senate impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte is increasingly becoming a battlefield of political maneuvering and disinformation. The vacuum created by the Duterte camp’s refusal to directly and comprehensively answer the allegations dissected at the House Justice Committee has allowed speculation, propaganda, and conspiracy theories to flourish. Instead of confronting the charges head-on, the strategy appears …

REALPOLITIKBy Benjie Alejandro “Filipino, Japanese, and American soldiers rejoiced during the Balikatan drills when the Japanese missile successfully sank the BRP Quezon 70.” To the casual observer, it was a spectacle of military precision. But to those who value history and national dignity, it was a troubling act: the deliberate sinking of a Philippine naval vessel, once a proud part …

LOVE FOR ALL​By: Virginia Rodriguez Every day, the brave men and women of the Philippine National Police put their lives on the line to protect communities, preserve peace, and uphold the law. Whether responding to emergencies, managing public safety, assisting during disasters, or maintaining order in busy urban centers and remote provinces, police officers carry a responsibility that demands courage, …

Japan is positioning the Philippines at the front of the line for a massive new energy support initiative, signaling deepening ties between Manila and Tokyo at a time of global fuel uncertainty. During a visit to Manila, Japan’s special envoy Fumio Kishida expressed confidence that the Philippines could be among the first recipients of assistance under a planned USD10 billion …

As soaring fuel costs continue to drive up prices of basic goods, Arsenio Balisacan cautioned against calls for a uniform wage increase across the country, insisting that salary adjustments should remain region-specific. The Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDev) chief emphasized that any decision on wages must go through proper consultation among stakeholders. “We would want all the parties …

Environmental regulators have flagged serious operational lapses at the Navotas sanitary landfill, pointing to failures in basic waste management practices that may have fueled the recent fire. In a briefing, Janice Pammit of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) said multiple factors likely contributed to the incident, including methane buildup intensified by extreme heat. …

The National Police Commission has dismissed complaints against operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group over a March 24 raid on alleged e-sabong activities in Tondo, ruling that the operation was lawful and properly conducted. In a statement, Commissioner Ralph Calinisan stressed that the agency will not tolerate the use of administrative cases to intimidate law enforcement officers carrying …

The Philippines is moving closer to sealing a bilateral labor agreement with the Oman, a development seen to further strengthen protections for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the Gulf state. Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said talks are already underway, with both sides expressing optimism about reaching an agreement soon. “Meron kasing napipintong talks tayo ngayon toward a bilateral …