
National

Philippines Breaks into Top 50 in 2025 Global Innovation Index, Powered by DOST’s R&D and Talent Development
Manila, Philippines — September 16, 2025 — The Philippines has reached a new milestone in global competitiveness, climbing to 50th place in the 2025 Global Innovation Index (GII)—its best performance to date. The Global Innovation Index (GII), produced annually by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and global partners, ranks over 139 economies based on…

Isabela lawmaker Faustino Dy III is new House Speaker
MANILA – Isabela 6th District Rep. Faustino “Bojie” Dy III was formally elected on Wednesday as the new Speaker of the House of Representatives, garnering 253 votes, 28 abstentions, and zero negative votes. He replaced Leyte 1st District Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, who stepped down to protect public trust and allow the Independent Commission for Infrastructure…

Sandiganbayan Justice Gomez-Estoesta Appointed as New Court Administrator
The Supreme Court En Banc has appointed Sandiganbayan Associate Justice Ma. Theresa Dolores C. Gomez-Estoesta as the new Court Administrator, effective September 1, 2025. She replaces former Court Administrator Raul B. Villanueva, who is now an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. Justice Gomez-Estoesta has served the government for 34 years. She began her career as a…

Sipag Pinoy Builders proposes third party monitoring of public works projects
A group of concerned engineers has proposed third party monitoring and inspection to prevent substandard and ghost public works projects of the government. In a letter to Public Works and Highways Sec Manuel Bonoan, the Sipag Pinoy Builders suggested the following measures: 1. Stricter monitoring and third-party audits for all infrastructure projects to ensure transparency…

AFP reaffirms ‘unified approach’ vs. emerging security threats
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. has reaffirmed the military’s commitment to address emerging security threats to the country in the West Philippine Sea with a “unified and integrated approach.” Brawner made his remark during the first founding anniversary of the Armed Forces Intelligence Command (AIC) on Wednesday. He underscored…

Salceda announces Albay partnership with TESDA for AI Readiness Institute
LIGAO CITY – Albay 3rd District Rep. Raymond Adrian “Adrian” Salceda, House Special Committee on Food Security chairman, has announced an upcoming partnership between Albay and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) for a first-ever Artificial Intelligence (AI) Readiness Institute in the country that will focus on agriculture, among others. Salceda, who…

SSS to roll out 3-year pension hike
By Anna Leah Gonzales State-run Social Security System (SSS) said it will implement a Pension Reform Program which features a structured, three-year pension increase for all its pensioners. In a statement Thursday, SSS said the increase is in line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. It aims to uplift all pensioners through…

Palace: Proposed ban on online gambling needs thorough study
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. will not act in haste on the growing calls to impose a total ban on online gambling, as he sees the need for a thorough study to determine the potential impact of the proposal on the country. Malacañang made the stand after some lawmakers expressed disappointment over Marcos’ alleged failure…

AFP Chief: PH to get more military equipment from India
Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. (File photo courtesy of AFP) Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., said the Philippines plans to secure more military equipment from India, citing their affordability and quality. “We are in fact ordering more equipment and weapon systems from India,” Brawner said…

DSWD releases nearly 1.3M food packs in continuing relief ops
By Jose Cielito Reganit The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has already released a total of 1,278,276 family food packs (FFPs) as it continues its relief operations for communities hit by the successive weather disturbances in July. In a statement Friday, Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao of the DSWD’s Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG)…