An international marine conservation group Oceana welcomed the signing of the Panaon Island Protected Seascape (PIPS) Law by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., saying it will enhance marine conservation, food and livelihood security, and climate resilience. The law, signed on August 29, officially establishes Panaon Island in Southern Leyte as a 61,204-hectare marine sanctuary covering…
A total of 217 health facilities across Eastern Visayas have been accredited under the Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP), offering free consultations, laboratory services, and medicines, the PhilHealth regional office reported Monday. As of August 2025, the accredited facilities include 80 in Leyte, 36 in Samar, 34 in Eastern Samar, 32 in Northern Samar, 25…
Senator ‘Ping’ Lacson. (Photo from Inquirer.net) Further pointing to collusion between private contractor and public officials in government projects, Senator Panfilo ‘Ping’ Lacson has flagged ‘potential conflict of interest’ involving two board members of the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB). Lacson refered to the accreditation board member as engineer Erni Baggao who reportedly owns and…
Senators on Monday criticized the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB) for allowing blacklisted construction firms to secure new licenses and continue joining government projects. Lawmakers urged stronger oversight and closer coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to curb recurring anomalies. During the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee inquiry into alleged irregularities in…
The National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) En Banc has approved a new round of key appointments and reassignments within the Philippine National Police (PNP), reshaping leadership in several critical units and regional commands. In its September 1 session, the Commission affirmed the designation, assignment, and reassignment of multiple Police Commissioned Officers to third-level positions, citing the…
Two more organizations have expressed support for the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development’s (DHSUD) commitment to clean governance, joining Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling in his fight against corruption. The Subdivision and Housing Developers Association (SHDA) and the DHSUD Employees Association (DHSUDEA) pledged to work with the agency in promoting transparency and accountability within…
Only in the Philippines: a Senate hearing meant to expose a billion-peso corruption scandal turned into a circus when controversial contractor Sarah Discaya shamelessly confessed she bought a Rolls-Royce Cullinan because she liked the umbrella attached to the car door. Yes, you read that right. While millions of Filipinos struggle with fare hikes, flooding streets,…
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has placed its Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG) on full alert to respond to emergencies caused by the southwest monsoon or habagat and a low-pressure area (LPA). “We are ensuring that even on government work suspension, our frontline disaster response personnel across the country are on standby…
During Monday’s Senate hearing on questionable flood control projects, contractor Sarah Discaya pushed back against a viral interview clip that resurfaced online, saying her remarks had been edited to make it appear as though her family’s wealth came solely from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). “What I actually said was that before…
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday highlighted the vital role of the Philippine civil service in effective governance, calling on government workers to adopt reforms that address the evolving demands of the modern era. In his message for the 125th Philippine Civil Service Anniversary, Marcos underscored the permanence and continuity of the bureaucracy, which…