DFA urges Filipinos to defer travel to Nepal

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 …

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DICT launches probe into ARTA cyber breach

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 …

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Marcos signs law creating Phl Virology, Vaccine Institute

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 …

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DBM warns public against scam using Pangandaman’s name

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 …

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BI deports 91 Chinese linked to illegal POGOs, mining

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 …

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3G phaseout by end-September, 2G shutdown underway to curb scams

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 …

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DMW: OFW lounges here to stay, expansion underway

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 …

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Malaysia backs Phl push to become regional halal hub

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 …

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Palace slams VP Sara’s ‘illegal, dangerous’ call to kidnap solon

Malacañang on Friday denounced Vice President Sara Duterte’s remark urging the kidnapping of Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co, calling it both “illegal and dangerous.” “Ang payo niya is pa-kidnap si Zaldy Co… illegal iyon. So, ganoon ba magbibigay ng suggestion ang isang bise presidente – ang gumawa ng iligal? Delikado iyon,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in …

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Ex-Surigao solon praises Romualdez for ‘selfless’ exit as speaker

A former lawmaker from Mindanao lauded ex-Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez on Friday for voluntarily stepping down from his post to preserve the integrity of the House of Representatives and allow the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) to freely investigate alleged anomalies in government projects. Former Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, now Romualdez’s chief communications officer, said the move …

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