Context Dispatch
Japan, PH, and U.S. conduct joint maritime activity in South China Sea
Naval forces from Japan, the Philippines, and the United States conducted a Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) in the South China Sea, underscoring their ongoing commitment to regional stability and maritime security.
Senators elect Sotto as new Senate President
The Senate on Monday elected Senator Vicente "Tito" Sotto III as its new president, replacing Senator Francis Escudero, who has recently faced controversy over alleged links to a contractor involved with the Department of Public Works and Highways.
Leviste: Lowering VAT to 10% should be top tax bill for 20th Congress
Batangas 1st District Representative Leandro Legarda Leviste has filed House Bill No. 4302 to lower the Value-Added Tax (VAT) to 10% and moved today that this be at the top of the agenda of the Ways and Means Committee for the 20th Congress. Leviste made the motion during a Ways and Means Committee hearing with the Department of Finance (DOF) on priority tax measures.
Garbin exposes Tiangco’s P529-M budget insertions cornered by notorious contractors in ghost, substandard flood-control projects
Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Alfredo Garbin on Friday turned the tables on Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco, exposing that the lawmaker himself has more than half a billion pesos in budget insertions for 2025 that went to projects cornered by two firms now under investigation for ghost flood-control undertakings.
Japan, Philippines celebrate 60 years of volunteer diplomacy
The Embassy of Japan in the Philippines, in partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Philippines Office, hosted a commemorative event at the Ambassador’s residence to mark the 60th anniversary of the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV). The celebration highlighted the enduring friendship between Japan and the Philippines, grounded in shared development goals and deepening people-to-people ties through volunteerism.
