Senate pledges adequate oversight as RCEP bill elevated to plenary

SENATORS sponsored out to the plenary the bill providing the chamber’s concurrence to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), while pledging to exercise adequate oversight when the trade agreement is implemented. Senate President Pro Tempore Lorna Regina B. Legarda, who co-sponsored the legislation, said accession to RCEP comes with strengthened governance. “Attached to the resolution that […]

E-Governance bill hurdles House committee 

A BILL seeking to digitalize the bureaucracy has been approved by the House committee on information and communications technology. On Wednesday the committee passed an unnumbered substitute bill seeking to effect a government transition to an electronic mode of delivering services and information. Rabindranath P. Quilala, director of the Anti-Red Tape Authority, said that the […]

Japan ministry agrees to broadband, 5G equipment sourcing collaboration with DICT

THE Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) said it signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) with its counterpart Japanese ministry on broadband infrastructure development and fifth-generation (5G) cellular equipment sourcing. “The Philippines, through the DICT, has reinforced its cooperation in the field of ICT with Japan. The Philippine government and the government of Japan […]

Marcos urged to seek out more allies to deter China aggression

By Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza, Reporter SECURITY and foreign policy experts on Wednesday urged President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. to partner with as many countries as possible to deter China’s aggression in the South China Sea. “Multilateralism will counterbalance too much dependence in the United States,” Chester B. Cabalza, who studied national security and policymaking […]

Young Filipinos warned versus crypto scammers

THE PHILIPPINE Immigration bureau on Wednesday warned the public against cryptocurrency scammers who lure young professionals into working illegally in Southeast Asia. In a statement, Immigration Commissioner Norman G. Tansingco said scammers are luring urban professionals by promising them jobs only to be forced to work for potential cryptocurrency investors. “These highly educated professionals would […]

ECCP backs water council to ease path for PPP investment

THE European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) said it supports the establishment of an advisory panel to the Water Resource Management Office (WRMO), which it hopes will result in seamless cooperation with the private sector in developing water projects. “This interim structural reform will hopefully provide more synergy with public-private partnerships (PPPs) as […]

Globe: Users need to register SIM asap

TELECOMMUNICATIONS giant, Globe, is calling on their subscribers to register their SIM cards especially now that spam messages and security attacks have become even more rampant. Globe regional corporate communications manager for Visayas-Mindanao Rofil Sheldon Magto said as of February 13, 2023 they have logged only 13.3 million registrations out of the 86.7 million users […]

Pimentel says charter change should focus on political dynasties, party-list 

THE SENATE minority leader on Tuesday said initiatives to change the 1987 Constitution should focus on political provisions that will enhance the country’s system of governance.    Senator Aquilino Martin “Koko” D. Pimentel III recommended amendments in the party-list system and introducing safeguards against political dynasties.    He also proposed a shift in the country’s form of […]

Balisacan calls for economic model based on sustainable consumption

THE consumption-driven Philippine economy must be revamped to make it more sustainable, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan said at a forum in support of the 2023-2028 Philippine Development Plan (PDP). “To achieve transformation, we must introduce systematic changes to our consumption and production patterns, as well as manage our natural […]

Charter change not a priority for Marcos but lawmakers to continue discussions

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. cast aside the urgency of changing the 1987 Constitution, saying it is not a priority of his administration as some lawmakers push for amendments to supposedly allow more foreign investments.   “We can achieve what we want, but within the present constitutional [framework,] the way the Constitution is written,” the president […]