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The House Committee on Appropriations has confirmed its decision to cut the 2025 budget for the Office of the Vice President to P733 million, which is significantly lower than the P2.1 billion requested by Vice President Sara Duterte. AKO Bicol Partylist Rep. Elizaldy Co, the committee chairman, said that the P1.3 billion reduction will be redirected to the Department of Health and the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is set to file charges against Chinese nationals allegedly involved in illegal mining operations in Camarines Norte. DENR Secretary Ma. Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga said that local officials appeared to have issued mining permits for small-scale operations in Paracale. The DENR is investigating violations, including the presence of foreign workers and operations conducted outside mining claims.

Former Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio said the International Criminal Court could leverage the televised hearings of the House of Representatives’ Quad Committee in its investigation into former President Rodrigo Duterte for crimes against humanity. He noted that testimonies from witnesses linking Duterte to state-sanctioned killings are akin to extrajudicial confessions, which are admissible in international trials. Carpio suggested that it would be beneficial if the House officially submitted the transcripts and videos of these hearings to the ICC.

The Philippines and Australia on Thursday launched in Manila the Development Partnership Plan 2024-2029 (DPP) where Australia commits capacity building and development programs worth billions each year.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel on Thursday announced meeting Norwegian Ambassador Christian Halaas Lyster and discussions aimed at enhancing agricultural trade and cooperation between the Philippines and Norway.