True to his word, President Aquino abolished redundant and underperforming agencies including the Presidential Anti Graft Commission (PAGC) and the Presidential Anti Smuggling Group (PASG), but nevertheless decided to extend the lifespan of problematic government-owned and controlled corporations. Continue Reading here…

Amid criticism of the government’s response to last week’s hostage crisis, China’s top diplomat in Manila expressed appreciation yesterday for the moves taken by the Philippines so far in connection with the incident. Continue Reading here…

The government’s spending on social services is expected to increase by 14 percent to P560.8 billion next year from P491.5 billion in 2010, data from the Department of Finance (DoF) showed. Of this amount, the Aquino administration is setting aside P271.7 billion for spending on education, culture and manpower, which is 13 percent more compared [...]

With Ramadan about to end in less than 10 days, the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF), headed by Secretary Bai Omera D. Dianalan Lucman, has recommended to Malacañang Sept. 10 as the date for the Eid’l Fitr national holiday, the Islamic festival of renewal, reconciliation, and peace that marks the end of the holy [...]

At least 100 families in Surigao del Sur were forced to flee their homes following a series of clashes between military troopers and suspected communist rebels in Marihatag town, a local police official said Monday. Police Chief Inspector Nelly Villagarcia, information officer of the Caraga regional police, said the fighting has already resulted in the [...]

The proposed allocation for flood control projects will increase from P8.1 billion this year to P15.5 billion in 2011 as government moved to avert a similar devastation wrought last year by typhoons “Ondoy” and “Pepeng.” However, flood control programs under the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission (PRRC) will suffer [...]

The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Task Force on Anti-Trafficking in Persons (NAIATFATP) Monday raided a house reportedly used for illegal recruitment of minors in Las Pinas City. A search warrant issued by Judge Elizabeth Yu Guray of Las Pinas RTC Branch 202 was served by joint forces of the NAIATFATP and the National Bureau [...]

Two Mindanao congressmen are proposing to limit compensation in government owned-and-controlled corporations (GOCC) to about P100,000 a month. Continue Reading here…