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BARMM exec sees no anomaly in signing for 'absent' Parliament Speaker

BARMM exec sees no anomaly in signing for 'absent' Parliament Speaker

COTABATO CITY—Bangsamoro Parliament Deputy Speaker Nabil Tan said his signing the official copy of a measure approved by the regional legislature, on behalf of Speaker Pangalian Balindong, is not an anomaly. In a statement, Tan said the rules of the parliament empower the Deputy Speaker to do so in the Speaker’s absence. “While it is true that my signature was affixed without the express and written permission of the Honorable Speaker, I firmly maintain that the act is sanctioned by the Parliamentary Rules and is therefore valid and legally effective,” Tan explained. Tan added that under their rules, if the […]... Keep on reading: BARMM exec sees no anomaly in signing for 'absent' Parliament Speaker

Palace: Govt monitoring Chinese sleeper agents, PLA presence in PH

Palace: Govt monitoring Chinese sleeper agents, PLA presence in PH

MANILA, Philippines- The Philippine government is "actively monitoring" the reported presence of Chinese "sleeper agents" and members of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in the country, Malacañang assured the public Friday. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro issued the stament after Sen. Panfilo Lacson called on concerned government agencies to continue hot pursuit operations against those engaged in espionage activities, raising alarm over the presence of Chinese sleeper agents and PLA operatives. During a press conference, Castro said that the National Security Council (NSC) was in close coordination with law enforcement agencies and intelligence units to address the issue of foreign espionage. "We cannot go into specifics for security reasons but we can assure the public that our security forces are actively monitoring and addressing these threats," Castro said, citing a statement from the NSC. "The government does not take espionage lightly, and we act swiftly when credible intelligence is verified," she added Castro said that recent operations have led to the arrest of suspected foreign operatives, which showed that "our agencies are not standing still." "We are working closely with law enforcement and intelligence units to dismantle espionage network whenever they may be," she said.

Jessie J to undergo another surgery for breast cancer: ‘I need to be healed’

Jessie J to undergo another surgery for breast cancer: ‘I need to be healed’

Just a few months after undergoing a surgery for breast cancer, Jessie J said she is set to have another operation for her to be healed. The “Domino” singer gave an update on her health journey as she announced the postponement of some of her tour dates, through a video on her Instagram page on Thursday, Aug. 28. “As some of you may know, I just had breast cancer surgery eight weeks ago. Unfortunately, I have to have second surgery,” she said. “Nothing too serious but it has to be done before the end of the year.” While Jessie J […]... Keep on reading: Jessie J to undergo another surgery for breast cancer: ‘I need to be healed’

Interest rate cut failed to boost PSEi

Interest rate cut failed to boost PSEi

MANILA, Philippines — The latest interest rate cut of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) failed to boost the mood of investors on Friday.The Philippine Stock Exchange Index (PSEi) retreated deeper into the 6,100 territory without stronger catalysts. By the end of the session, the benchmark PSEi had lost 0.56 percent or 34.62 points to close at 6,155.57. Likewise, the broader All Shares Index shed 0.44 percent or 16.19 points to end at 3,686.88. A total of 1.63 billion shares worth P6.8 billion changed hands, stock exchange data showed. READ: Asian stocks mixed after Wall Street hits new highs Luis […]... Keep on reading: Interest rate cut failed to boost PSEi

Palace rejects China's 'troublemaker' tag

Palace rejects China's 'troublemaker' tag

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Friday rejected China’s accusation that the Philippines was a "troublemaker" in the South China Sea, saying Beijing cannot stop Manila from defending its sovereign rights under international law. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro issued the statement after the Chinese Ministry of Defense claimed that the Philippines repeatedly courted the influence of external powers to make waves in the South China Sea, jeopardizing regional security and stability. "We’re going to stop China from making its own narrative," Castro said during a press conference. "But they cannot also stop us from fighting for our rights based on laws, UNCLOS, [the] arbitral ruling, and our being [an] independent country," she added.

Ex-Deputy Speaker Mikee Romero meets US Joint Chiefs chair at NGAUS

Ex-Deputy Speaker Mikee Romero meets US Joint Chiefs chair at NGAUS

MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin — Former House Deputy Speaker and Philippine Air Force Reserve Col. Mikee Romero engaged in a timely exchange with Gen. Dan Caine, Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, at the National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS) convention. Caine — the highest-ranking military officer in the Pentagon and chief military adviser to President Donald Trump — underscored his intent to visit the Philippines soon, stressing the importance of deeper cooperation between American citizen-soldiers and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) reserve force. Romero, chairman of the Association of Reservists and Reserve Officers of the […]... Keep on reading: Ex-Deputy Speaker Mikee Romero meets US Joint Chiefs chair at NGAUS

Retired NBI agents urge Marcos to appoint career official to replace Santiago

Retired NBI agents urge Marcos to appoint career official to replace Santiago

MANILA, Philippines — The association of former National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) personnel has appealed to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., to select the next director from within the bureau's current leadership. This comes following the sudden resignation of NBI Director Jaime Santiago and the subsequent appointment of Justice Undersecretary Jesse Andres as acting director. The request was detailed in an Aug. 28, 2025 letter sent to Malacañang Palace by the NBI Retirees and Ex-Employees Association Inc., which represents several hundred former agents and employees. The communication was channeled through Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla. The group's president, Ricardo Diaz, said that appointing a permanent director from within the NBI's ranks was crucial for the bureau's stability, particularly after the recent leadership changes. Diaz emphasized that this move aligned with the spirit of Republic Act 10867, the National Bureau of Investigation Reorganization and Modernization Act of 2016, which was enacted to professionalize the bureau. The appeal comes as Undersecretary Andres assumes temporary leadership of the NBI. The retirees' group is advocating for a permanent appointment from within the bureau's career officials rather than maintaining an acting director from outside the organization. The letter specifically endorsed Deputy Director Jose Justo Yap, a CPA-Lawyer with 35 years of continuous service described as having unquestionable integrity and competence, and Deputy Director Antonio Pagatpat, a lawyer also with 35 years of service and excellent performance. Diaz described both officials as esteemed career officials who possess all the qualifications and have dedicated themselves in the service of the NBI with unwavering integrity and commitment. The appeal from the retirees' association carries significant weight, as its members include former high-ranking officials and judges.