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The Department of Agriculture (DA) has welcomed the decision to impose a ₱50-per-kilo price ceiling on imported rice, describing it as a timely move to shield consumers from the ripple effects of rising fuel costs. The cap, covering 5% broken imported rice, was approved by the National Price Coordinating Council (NPCC) and is set for implementation once an executive order …

Lawmakers are pushing for stronger safeguards for farmers as onion prices at the farm gate continue to drop despite rising production costs, raising concerns over market distortions and supply chain issues. At a Senate hearing in Muñoz City, Nueva Ecija—considered the country’s onion capital—Senator Francis Pangilinan said the ongoing energy crisis is worsening conditions in agriculture, driving up expenses from …

Oil industry players have expressed support for suspending value-added tax (VAT) on petroleum products, saying the move could translate into quicker and more visible price cuts for consumers. At a Senate PROTECT hearing, representatives of both major and independent oil firms said removing VAT at the point of importation would immediately bring down costs and allow savings to be passed …

A senior Philippine Navy official has dismissed claims that Iran could target sites under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), calling such assertions “false narratives” that misrepresent the situation. Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad said the circulating reports lack context and fail to reflect the realities of the ongoing Middle East conflict. “Number one, the conflict in the Middle East …

The Philippine National Police (PNP) is ramping up its campaign against illegal online cockfighting, warning that more “e-sabong” hubs will be shut down following a major operation in Tondo, Manila. PNP chief Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the intensified drive forms part of a broader, sustained effort to dismantle organized illegal gambling networks across the country. “We are intensifying intelligence-driven …

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has ordered a temporary suspension of the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao to address risks of power supply shortages and price volatility stemming from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The move follows President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s issuance of Executive Order 110 declaring a state of national energy emergency …

The Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) has filed civil forfeiture petitions at the Manila Regional Trial Court targeting properties of individuals and corporations implicated in ghost flood control projects, while securing asset preservation orders to protect frozen assets. “Following the extensive investigation and finding of probable cause, the AMLC filed three petitions for civil forfeiture before the Regional Trial Court (RTC) …

Even with the passage of Republic Act No. 12316, the promise of meaningful relief at the pump remains elusive. The law grants the President authority to suspend or reduce excise taxes on fuel, yet global price dynamics and entrenched market structures blunt its intended impact. Consumers are left wondering: if policy tools exist, why does relief feel so distant? Government messaging …

Since the Supreme Court ruled last year on the parameters defining the impeachment process against VP Sara, the phrase Due Process of Law was front and center in our daily conversation. It was demanded by our Supreme Court to be observed by the House of Representatives (HOR), such that when the time was rife and ripe, it was recently complied …

REALPOLITIKBy Benjie Alejandro One of the most striking features of Philippine society is the resilience and cheerfulness of its people. The latest World Happiness Report 2026 places the Philippines fourth among Southeast Asian nations in terms of happiness. At first glance, this seems like a cause for celebration. But in the realm of realpolitik, this cultural trait is not merely …