The economic toll of tropical cyclones Luis, Maymay and Neneng, together with the southwest monsoon or habagat, has climbed beyond ₱7.8 billion, with infrastructure and agricultural losses mounting across several regions, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). The latest assessment released last week placed infrastructure damage at approximately ₱5.95 billion, while agricultural losses reached around …
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Millions of elderly Filipinos could receive a bigger and more reliable financial lifeline under a Senate proposal seeking to expand the coverage of the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010 and raise the monthly social pension for qualified beneficiaries to ₱1,000. Senate Bill 269, filed by Senator Bam Aquino, proposes a ₱1,000 monthly social pension for senior citizens who are …
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The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is turning to artificial intelligence to help its tax personnel navigate the country’s complex tax rules faster, with Ayala Corporation providing funding and technical support for a new AI-powered assistance tool. Dubbed Terry The Tax AI Assistant, the system is being developed to help BIR employees quickly retrieve, cross-reference and analyze tax regulations, rulings, …
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The Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) is putting a substantial portion of its increased 2026 funding into artificial intelligence (AI), as it strengthens its capacity to detect and track suspicious financial activity amid heightened scrutiny of large cash transactions. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor and AMLC Chairman Eli Remolona Jr. said Thursday that ₱125 million of the council’s additional ₱162.9 …
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The Marcos administration is moving to speed up the procurement and implementation of government projects, particularly infrastructure, while insisting that faster spending will not come at the expense of safeguards protecting public funds. During a Senate Committee on Finance briefing on the 2027 National Expenditure Program (NEP) Thursday, Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Acting Secretary Kim Robert de Leon …
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A Filipino is among 644 travelers reported missing after deadly flash floods swept through villages and trekking routes in Nepal on August 26, according to the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB). The NTB said Thursday that the figure was based on preliminary information gathered from various trekking and travel companies operating in the country. Of the 644 people currently unaccounted for, …
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Criminal complaints have been filed against the father of the student involved in the fatal shooting at Ateneo de Zamboanga University (ADZU) Junior High School and a school security personnel, following a police investigation that uncovered lapses in firearm security and school access controls. The Philippine National Police (PNP) said Thursday that the father, a customs police officer, is the …
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By Romeo Sualibios The Philippine peso fell to a record low of P61.888 against the US dollar on Aug. 27, surpassing its previous all-time closing low of P61.847 recorded on July 24, as the local currency remained under pressure from global uncertaint goies and inflation concerns. The weaker peso is expected to benefit overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families …
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Government found good reason to celebrate when recent statistics showed that fewer than one in 10 Filipinos are living below the poverty line. But before declaring victory, it should ask a more important question: How many Filipinos are actually living decently? Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan’s announcement of the declining poverty rate sounds encouraging. Yet, Ibon Foundation raises a legitimate …
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FILIPINO journalists, both young and old, should continue to follow the example of Marcelo H. Del Pilar, the “Father of Philippine Journalism” and bring responsible journalism even in the age of social media. In a speech before the formal wreath-laying ceremony to honor Dell Pilar, Association of Philippine Journalists-Samahang Plaridel, Inc. Chairman Rolando Estabillo and president Evelyn Quiroz stressed the …
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