October, 2025

• 20 October

  Gogolook, Whoscall report 93% drop in illegal online gambling in Q3 2025

  

  Illegal online gambling activities in the Philippines plunged by 93 percent from the second to the third quarter of 2025, according to the latest report from cybersecurity and analytics firms Gogolook and Whoscall. In an interview on Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon over PTV, Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) Acting Executive Director Aboy Paraiso credited the steep decline to the strong …

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• 20 October

  Contractor couple withdraws cooperation in flood control project probe

  

  Contractors Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya and Cezarah Rowena “Sarah” Discaya have backed out of cooperating with the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) in its ongoing investigation into anomalous flood control projects, ICI Executive Director Brian Keith Hosaka said last week. “Basically, they (the Discayas) explained that they thought their cooperation with the ICI would earn them a favorable recommendation as state …

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• 20 October

  Lawmaker pushes food bill to end hunger in 10 years

  

  With millions of Filipinos still facing food insecurity, Abra Rep. Joseph Sto. Niño Bernos urged Congress last week to pass a measure that would guarantee every Filipino’s right to adequate food and aim for zero hunger within the next decade. House Bill No. 3125, or the Right to Adequate Food Bill, seeks to establish a national legal framework to ensure …

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• 20 October

  Blockchain pushed as anti-corruption tool amid digitalization drive

  

  In support of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s campaign for digital transformation in government, technology expert Jonathan Bocaling of Integra Negra proposed the use of blockchain to combat corruption, following the recent exposure of irregularities in infrastructure projects such as flood control initiatives that have eroded public trust. Bocaling acknowledged the Marcos administration’s progress in promoting digitalization but noted that …

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• 20 October

  Nueva Vizcaya to boost earthquake monitoring with new PHIVOLCS station

  

  In the wake of the recent series of earthquakes that have shaken the country, the provincial government of Nueva Vizcaya, in partnership with the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), plans to install a Strong Motion Station (SMS) at the provincial capitol in Bayombong to strengthen earthquake monitoring and disaster preparedness efforts. The initiative follows recent quakes and aftershocks …

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• 20 October

  When will it stop? The illusion of anti-corruption

  

  Government’s recent measures to crack down on corruption—the mandatory lifestyle checks for all officials and the call for public access to their Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs)—are steps that, while commendable in theory, reek of superficiality in practice. They are being touted as tools of transparency and accountability. Yet, without the proper manpower, will, and systems to follow …

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• 19 October

  Stronger partnerships to keep Phl ahead in global BPO race

  

  Collaboration among the government, academe, and the Information Technology-Business Process Management (IT-BPM) sector is driving the Philippines’ sustained dominance in the global business process outsourcing (BPO) industry. Inkee Hidalgo, vice president for learning and development at global digital business services provider TP, said the country’s two decades of experience in managing the BPO space form a strong foundation for continued …

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• 19 October

  Tax revenues must grow 10% yearly to sustain gov’t services – Recto

  

  Finance Secretary Ralph Recto on Thursday said the country’s tax revenues must increase by at least 10.2 percent annually from 2025 to 2028 to keep government programs adequately funded and ensure fiscal stability. Recto said the steady growth would push total revenues to nearly ₱6 trillion by the end of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s term and breach ₱7 trillion …

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• 19 October

  PAGCOR, PCSO join forces to boost emergency healthcare nationwide

  

  The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) have joined hands to enhance the country’s emergency healthcare system through a ₱141-million donation of 70 Patient Transport Vehicles (PTVs). The partnership was formalized during a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing held at the PAGCOR Corporate Office in Pasay City on October 15, 2025.  The vehicles …

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• 19 October

  Transmission rates drop 1.23% in October, NGCP reports

  

  Electricity consumers can expect slightly lower power transmission charges this October after the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) announced a 1.23 percent decrease in overall transmission rates. NGCP Assistant Vice President and Regulatory Management head Julius Ryan Datingaling said the average transmission rate dropped to ₱1.3998 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) from ₱1.4171/kWh in the previous billing period, mainly due …

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