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The Department of Education (DepEd) has ordered an audit of its school building projects with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) after finding that around 1,000 classrooms nationwide remain incomplete. Education Secretary Sonny Angara said some of these projects had already been turned over, despite lacking basic requirements such as paint and electricity. “They’re not ghost projects, but …

Despite escalating tensions in the West Philippine Sea, the Philippines is keeping diplomatic channels open with China as both nations mark 50 years of ties this year. Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro said her meeting Friday with Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian was “candid but constructive,” noting that recent incident-free resupply missions to the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal …

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Friday advised Filipinos to postpone travel to Nepal amid ongoing political unrest following deadly anti-corruption protests that toppled the government. While no Filipino has been reported harmed, the DFA urged nationals already in Nepal to remain indoors, avoid unnecessary movement, and strictly follow curfews and security measures imposed by local authorities. The Philippine …

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has launched an investigation into the hacking of the Anti-Red Tape Authority’s (ARTA) Policy Reform, Innovation and Streamlining (PRISM) platform. The breach, which occurred around 8:57 p.m. Tuesday, resulted in the site’s defacement, the DICT confirmed Friday. The agency assured that no sensitive data were compromised and no users were enrolled in …

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has signed Republic Act (RA) 12290 establishing the Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines (VIP), a landmark research hub that will boost the country’s defenses against future pandemics. The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said the institute will serve as the national center for research on viruses, pathogens, and vaccine development, enhancing the Philippines’ capacity …

Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman on Friday cautioned the public against scammers posing as Department of Budget and Management (DBM) employees and using her name to solicit money. “We strongly condemn this kind of deception. No one is authorized by the DBM to solicit or collect money for any transaction,” Pangandaman said, urging the public to immediately report such attempts to …

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Friday deported 91 Chinese nationals arrested for working in unauthorized Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hubs and illegal mining operations. BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said the group left aboard a Philippine Airlines flight to China via Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 in Pasay City on Sept. 19. The deportation was arranged with …

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) announced that 3G networks in the country will be fully phased out by the end of September, while the shutdown of 2G networks is ongoing to prevent their use in scams and other illegal activities. DICT Secretary Henry Aguda said in a press briefing Friday night that DITO Telecommunity and Globe Telecom …

Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac on Friday denied rumors that overseas Filipino worker (OFW) lounges in airports will cease operations, assuring instead that the government is set to expand and upgrade the facilities nationwide. “We are denying what is circulating on social media that the OFW Lounge will stop operating. No, these lounges have already served 1.5 million,” Cacdac …

Malaysia is ready to fully support the Philippines in strengthening its halal industry and carving a niche in the multibillion-dollar global market, its envoy to Manila said Friday. Malaysian Ambassador Dato’ Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino lauded the progress of the Philippine Halal Development Strategic Plan during the Foreign Service Institute’s Ambassadors’ Lecture Series in Pasay City. “Malaysia, of course, is …