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The Department of Agriculture (DA) has lifted its temporary ban on the importation of domestic and wild birds, as well as poultry products, from New Zealand after confirming the country’s clearance from avian influenza. In Memorandum Order No. 62 signed by Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. on Thursday, the DA said the lifting takes effect immediately following the World …

The government’s anti-corruption drive gained further traction after the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) secured its sixth freeze order from the Court of Appeals (CA) on Friday, covering dozens of new assets linked to alleged irregularities in multi-billion peso flood control projects. The latest order covers 39 bank accounts, four insurance policies, and 59 real estate properties consisting of residential, commercial, …

The Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) has reaffirmed its zero-tolerance policy on sexual harassment following reports that a member of the Manila City Council allegedly harassed a fellow councilor during a regular session of the Sangguniang Panlungsod. In a statement, the PCW expressed deep concern over the incident and reminded all public officials that sexual harassment and other gender-based offenses …

The Philippines and Quezon City earned major recognition for transparency, civic engagement, and open governance at the 2025 Open Gov Challenge Awards during the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Global Summit in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain. Quezon City was named Regional Winner for Asia and the Pacific and received the Thematic Award for Civic Space, while the Philippines won the Thematic Award for …

Following the magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck the town of Manay, Davao Oriental on Friday morning, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) immediately deployed assistance worth ₱615,000 to affected communities. The initial relief included 50 family food packs (FFPs) to be cooked into hot meals through the agency’s mobile kitchen and 606 boxes of ready-to-eat food (RTEF) for …

The Supreme Court has upheld the conviction of former Quezon City District III Councilor Dante De Guzman for graft involving more than ₱6 million worth of ghost projects. In a 15-page decision, the Court’s First Division affirmed the Sandiganbayan ruling that found De Guzman guilty of violating Section 3(e) of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. …

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has denied former president Rodrigo Duterte’s request for interim release, citing flight risks and the need to prevent obstruction of justice or the commission of further crimes. In a 23-page decision dated October 10, the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I ordered Duterte’s continued detention, saying he “continues to pose a flight risk” and that his release …

A special division in the Sandiganbayan dedicated to handling cases linked to the ghost flood control projects may soon be formed, according to Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla. Remulla said he plans to raise the proposal when he meets with magistrates of the anti-graft court next week, along with other possible measures to expedite the resolution of corruption cases. “I will …

The Department of Agriculture (DA) announced that the ₱20-per-kilo rice program under the “Benteng Bigas Meron (BBM) Na” initiative will soon be available across all provinces in the Davao Region, even as the area reels from the recent magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck Davao Oriental. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the program’s rollout remains on track and may …

The Senate Subcommittee on Finance chaired by Senator Loren Legarda will review the request of the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) to increase its proposed 2026 budget from ₱2.8 billion to ₱3.9 billion. During Friday’s budget hearing, Legarda said the panel will carefully evaluate the request based on the government’s available “fiscal space,” or capacity to expand spending without endangering long-term …