Congress begins deliberations on protecting Verde Island Passage

Inquirer.net - Oct 7, 2026

CALAPAN CITY — The House Committee on Natural Resources began deliberations on Wednesday on four bills seeking to declare the Verde Island Passage (VIP) a protected seascape under the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System (ENIPAS). The measures provide legal protection for the marine corridor, which spans waters off Batangas, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro and

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31 ex-NPA rebels avail E-CLIP program in Misamis Oriental

Oct 7, 2026

31 ex-NPA rebels avail E-CLIP program in Misamis Oriental

ILIGAN CITY — Thirty former rebels, now referred to by the government as “friends rescued” from “former rebels,” have begun an 11-day deradicalization and capacity-building program under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) in Misamis Oriental. The program, which started last week, aims to help former New People’s Army (NPA) rebels return to their

Marcos appoints 3 CA justices, including Bersamin’s daughter

Oct 7, 2026

Marcos appoints 3 CA justices, including Bersamin’s daughter

[Updated Oct. 7, 2026, 9:55 p.m.] MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed three new associate justices in the Court of Appeals (CA) filling in the current vacancies in the 69-member court. In a Facebook post on Wednesday, the Presidential Communications Office said President Marcos has appointed Trade Undersecretary Allan Gepty; Parañaque Regional

Duterte impeachment trial: Who is Rep. Lordan Suan?

Oct 7, 2026

Duterte impeachment trial: Who is Rep. Lordan Suan?

MANILA, Philippines — For Cagayan de Oro First District Rep. Lordan Suan, being a fellow Mindanaoan was not a reason to stay out of the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte. It was precisely why he joined the House prosecution team. “We are not just talking about the people’s money, we are also talking

DENR’s ‘Permitting on Wheels’ serves over 10,000 in first 5 months

Oct 7, 2026

DENR’s ‘Permitting on Wheels’ serves over 10,000 in first 5 months

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) flagship project, DENR Express: Permitting on Wheels, served more than 10,000 clients and issued thousands of permits nationwide in its first five months since implementation in April 2026. According to a DENR statement on Wednesday, Environment Secretary Juan Miguel “Mitch” Cuna said the project

US issues first outbound investment fine over Chinese robotics AI deal

Oct 7, 2026

US issues first outbound investment fine over Chinese robotics AI deal

The US Treasury on Wednesday announced its first penalty under rules governing American investment in sensitive Chinese technologies, revealing a US$200,000 fine against the parent of Plug and Play Tech Centre for failing to report an investment in a Shanghai robotics AI company. The Treasury said on Wednesday that Amidi, LLC failed to submit a required notification after its Chinese fund subsidiary invested around US$92,478 in Shanghai Qiongche Intelligent Technology Company Limited, known as...

Duterte, husband bank accounts presented before Senate impeach court

Oct 7, 2026

Duterte, husband bank accounts presented before Senate impeach court

MANILA, Philippines — The House prosecution panel presented several bank accounts belonging to Vice President Sara Duterte and her husband, Manases Carpio before the Senate impeachment court as it continued its attempt to uncover her alleged unexplained wealth. From Tuesday to Wednesday, the prosecution invited representatives of several banks, particularly LandBank, Asia United Bank (AUB),

Dy lauds ratification of bill creating presidential scholarship programs

Oct 7, 2026

Dy lauds ratification of bill creating presidential scholarship programs

MANILA, Philippines —House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” G. Dy III welcomed the ratification of the bicameral conference committee report on the bill proposing the creation of the Presidential Merit College Scholarship Programs (PMSPs), which seeks to give deserving students sustained educational support for college and technical education, including expenses beyond tuition. “Many youth have intelligence, industriousness,

Occidental Mindoro high school strengthens security measures

Oct 7, 2026

Occidental Mindoro high school strengthens security measures

CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro — A major public high school in the municipality of Sablayan in Occidental Mindoro, is rolling out a comprehensive security upgrade blending technology, infrastructure improvements, and stronger community ties to protect over 4,000 learners and 260 personnel. The Sablayan National Comprehensive High School (SABNAHIS) is building a multi-layered safety network designed

DTI maps halal calamansi supply chain in Oriental Mindoro

Oct 7, 2026

DTI maps halal calamansi supply chain in Oriental Mindoro

CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is mapping the calamansi supply chain in Oriental Mindoro as part of efforts to develop a more organized, competitive and halal-ready industry in the province. DTI’s Supply Chain and Logistics Group, in partnership with the Philippine Association of Service Industries Inc. (PASIA), conducted

COA flags P9.22 billion worth of uninsured MMDA assets

Oct 7, 2026

COA flags P9.22 billion worth of uninsured MMDA assets

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Audit (COA) has found that over P9.22 billion worth of properties under the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) remain uninsured, which constitutes a violation of the Property Insurance Law and exposes the government to financial risks. In its 2025 audit report, COA said it reviewed the compliance of the

Tamaraw Festival highlights protection of Mindoro’s endangered icon

Oct 7, 2026

Tamaraw Festival highlights protection of Mindoro’s endangered icon

CALAPAN CITY— Government agencies and conservation stakeholders gathered in Calintaan town in Occidental Mindoro on Wednesday (Oct. 7) for the this year’s Tamaraw Festival, highlighting efforts to protect the endangered tamaraw, the animal symbol of Mindoro. The festival was held as part of the province’s observance of Tamaraw Month, intending to raise awareness about the

House OKs P116-B in 2027 budget amendments

Oct 7, 2026

House OKs P116-B in 2027 budget amendments

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives on Wednesday approved P116 billion in amendments to the P7.2-trillion 2027 national budget, adopting the redistribution recommendations of a select panel of ranking lawmakers. The House floor resolved through a division of the House whether to adopt the Budget Amendments Review Subcommittee’s (BARSc) recommendation to rechannel roughly P116

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