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(Manila Bulletin) The Office of the Vice President (OVP) noted the “significant and productive engagements with the diplomatic corps and foreign officials” that Duterte held since assuming office on June 30.

In the past 100 days, Duterte already met with the ambassadors from Australia, Italy, Ireland, Vietnam, Laos, Japan, New Zealand, Thailand, the European Union, Qatar, India, and the United States at the OVP’s Central Office and the Department of Education (DepEd).

READ: VP Duterte hosts envoys in courtesy call

The Vice President is concurrently the Education chief.

“The topics discussed during courtesy calls with the different ambassadors to the Philippines included bilateral relations between the Philippines and their countries. These courtesy calls also touched on deepening or exploring possible cooperation in the areas of education, culture, and technology,” the OVP said… Read More

(Head Topics) Filipinos will soon have to register their SIM cards as President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is expected to sign the SIM Registration Act on Monday, October 10.

The Nation’s Leading Newspaper.

Filipinos will soon have to register their SIM cards as President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is expected to sign the SIM Registration Act on Monday, October 10.The SIM Registration Act may just be the first law to get the approval of President Marcos as he expected to sign it as early as October 10, 2022. (Malacañang photo / Unsplash)

This could be the first law that Marcos will approve since he assumed office on June 30.Under this measure, unsold SIM cards will only be activated upon registration with a Public Telecommunication Entity (PTE) — the telco companies and their representatives… Read More

(Interaksyon) Garlic and onions cost several folds higher in the Philippines compared to Thailand, former Sen. Kiko Pangilinan noted during his Bangkok trip last September.

In a tweet, Pangilinan shared that the price of garlic in Thailand is 50 baht (P 78.81) per kilo.

Meanwhile, in the Philippines, a kilo of local garlic costs P350, based on the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) price monitoring.

On the other hand, Thailand’s onion costs 35 baht (P55.05) per kilo. In the country, this is priced at P200 based on the same DA report.

Among 89 countries, the Philippines has the highest cost of onion, based on the June 2022 report of the Global Product Prices.

In September, the country’s annual inflation quickened to 6.9% from 6.3% in August, reflecting higher food prices, the statistics agency said… Read More

(Radio Free Asia) The Philippines must lead in peace-keeping efforts amid rising tensions in Southeast Asia and beyond, new President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said as he pledged this week to propose “concrete” steps at an ASEAN summit in November for addressing conflicts.

Marcos said the time has come to strengthen the Association of Southeast Asian Nations – of which the Philippines is a founding member – and make it a significant force in an Indo-Pacific region roiled by international tensions. As examples, he cited tensions over North Korean missile tests, the Rohingya issue in Myanmar, and the “push and pull” between rival superpowers the United States and China over Taiwan.

“So we have a very important part to play in that because we have a great interest. It must be a subject of central concern in our foreign policy and in the defense of the nation in the Philippines,” Marcos said… Read More

(The Manila Times) CALAMBA CITY, Laguna: President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. led the ceremonial signing of contracts for the Philippine National Railways’ South Commuter Railway project on Thursday morning, October 6, at the Jose Rizal Monument, The Plaza, Calamba City, Laguna.

The President or BBM was welcomed by Calamba City Mayor Roseller Rizal and other local officials, who were joined by Kim Inchul, South Korean ambassador to the Philippines; Ceren Nur Coskun, ad interim charge d’affaires of the Turkish Embassy in the Philippines; Ahmed Saeed, Asian Development Bank (ADB) vice president for East Asia, Southeast Asia and the Pacific; and Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista.

It was announced in June 2022 that the ADB will finance the project for a total of $4.3 billion or P227.6 billion in loan financing… Read More

(VOA) CATO, PHILIPPINES — Filipino fisherman Mariel Villamonte had spent years plying the turquoise waters of Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea for snapper and grouper — until a Chinese coast guard vessel water cannoned his boat.

That was in 2012, around the time China snatched control of the small ring of reefs from the Philippines, and he has not dared go back.

“Their ships are made of steel, ours are made of wood,” said Villamonte, now 31, recalling how two Chinese vessels chased his outrigger before blasting it with high-pressure water.

The fishing ground, tapped by generations of Filipinos, is one of many potential flashpoints for military conflict over the South China Sea.

China and Taiwan both claim sovereignty over almost the entire sea, while the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei have competing claims to parts of it.

Trillions of dollars worth of ship-borne trade passes through the waterway annually and naval vessels from the United States and Western allies sail through it regularly… Read More

(The Sun UK) LOTTERY officials are facing calls for a cheating probe after 433 punters all won the jackpot with the same numbers.

The winners are in line to split the £3.5million top prize – but politicians say they fear “foul play” and demanded an inquiry.

On Monday, the government-run Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office posted photos of dozens of winners queuing to register their claims.

It said a total of 433 tickets matched all six numbers — 9, 18, 27, 36, 45 and 54 — in the 6/55 Grand Lotto Draw on Saturday.

The winning numbers are all multiples of nine.

Because so many players split the jackpot of 236million Philippine pesos, they will get just £8,315 each… Read More

(Manila Bulletin) According to Ever Bilena’s Chief Sales & Marketing Officer, Denice Sy-Muñez, this was their first-ever big event since the lockdown happened almost two and a half years ago. Denice mentions her happiness in reconnecting with influencers, editors, and users who have played an active role in creating conversations for Ever Bilena – “It’s been awhile since we met and caught up, and it’s so nice to see the local beauty community thriving towards normalcy!”

Truly, a major Ever Bilena event was surely missed by influencers and media alike, as key opinion leaders and personalities made time to come to Everland. Among the attendees were YouTubers Letisha Velasco, Johnrey, Michelle Dy and Bing Castro; Beauty Tiktokers Lenie Aycardo, Hajie Alejandro, Leishki, Chachaboom, celebrities Mariel Pamintuan, Alyana Asistio and Anykka Asistio were also present… Read More