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MANILA - During a press conference on Tuesday, Lanao del Sur Representative Zia Alonto Adiong called for public backing of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s strong defense of Philippine sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

According to Philippines News Agency, the recent hostile actions by China's coast guard against two Philippine vessels underscore the necessity of supporting President Marcos's opposition to Chinese claims in the region. He emphasized that the President's policy aims to defend, not to encroach upon, the territory of any country. Adiong highlighted that China's extensive territorial claims over almost the entire South China Sea conflict with the Philippines' rights within its exclusive economic zone, as defined by international law.

The lawmaker also pointed out the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague's ruling, which invalidates China's historical claims over the area, supporting the legitimacy of the Philippines' stance under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) Arbitral Tribunal. Adiong criticized the aggressive strategies of China, describing them as acts of a bully, and asserted that the Philippine response should not be defeatist but one of firm resistance.

This steadfast approach, Adiong argued, is justified and has international backing, further noting that President Marcos's leadership on this issue contributed to his inclusion in Time Magazine's list of the world's 100 most influential people.

ANTIQUE - The province of Antique is being considered for inclusion in the Philippines' food heritage map, following its prominent role in the recent Filipino Food Month celebrations.

According to Philippines News Agency, Commissioner of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the rich culinary traditions and pristine environmental conditions of Antique make it a strong candidate for this recognition. Villalon highlighted these attributes during the closing ceremony of the Filipino Food Month, held in Antique from April 28-30, under the auspices of Proclamation Order 469.

The event served as a showcase of Antique's culinary heritage, including its traditional dishes such as 'pinindang'—an unsalted dried fish fry listed in the Ark of Taste—and rice-based desserts like 'sapal', fermented rice often used in local rituals and healing practices. Villalon also emphasized the importance of labeling local products to highlight their origins and promote recognition.

Furthermore, a cultural mapping project is underway, led by the University of the Philippines in the Visayas, in collaboration with the University of Antique and the local government. This initiative, which began before the pandemic and is set to culminate in August, aims to document and preserve the diverse food practices found in Antique.

The significance of preserving culinary traditions was echoed by Senator Loren Legarda in a statement read at the event's opening. Legarda, the author of Senate Bill 244 or the proposed Philippine Culinary Heritage Act, stressed the importance of integrating Filipino culinary practices into the education system to sustain native ingredients and traditional cooking methods.

Manila – Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez announced a reinforced commitment from the House of Representatives to combat hoarding, profiteering, and smuggling of agricultural products, stating that addressing these issues is a priority for the legislative body.

According to Philippines News Agency, who spoke during the resumption of the legislative session on Monday, the House will not tolerate individuals who exploit the pricing of basic goods, impacting ordinary Filipinos and farmers. "We cannot ignore the plight of our farmers who are struggling to make ends meet, nor can we turn a blind eye to the burden placed on consumers. There will be no letup in the fight against hoarding, profiteering, and smuggling of agricultural products, ensuring fair prices for both farmers and consumers," he declared.

The Speaker expressed particular concern about the significant gap between farmgate and retail prices of key commodities, especially rice. To tackle this issue, the House Committee on Trade and Industry convened on Monday to receive updates from relevant government agencies on the enforcement of pricing laws and regulations for essential goods.

The briefing session marked the beginning of a congressional inquiry aimed at investigating the disparities between farmgate and retail prices of rice and other essential items. Romualdez called for immediate legislative action to safeguard the interests of both producers and consumers, stressing the importance of oversight in maintaining a fair and transparent market.

Emphasizing the need for cooperation among various stakeholders, Romualdez encouraged government agencies, industry representatives, and consumer advocacy groups to actively participate in the investigation and help devise effective policy interventions. "We must identify and address loopholes that contribute to profiteering and unfair pricing practices within the supply chain," he noted.

Romualdez concluded by emphasizing the goal of ensuring the sustainability and viability of all stakeholders involved in the agricultural supply chain, to continuously deliver basic goods and services at affordable prices to consumers.

Manila – The Philippine Senate on Monday unanimously passed Senate Bill No. 2594, which aims to establish additional Shari'a Judicial Districts and Shari'a Circuit Courts across the country, significantly broadening the scope of Islamic judicial services.

According to Philippines News Agency, the bill was developed following discussions with Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo and officials from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) in Cagayan de Oro City. "For those people who are not aware, right now, the Shari'a courts are only in the BARMM region. Since we have a lot of brother Muslims all over the Philippines, this increase will now give them an opportunity to hear their cases where they reside, whether it is in Northern Luzon, Central Visayas, or in other areas of Mindanao," Zubiri explained.

Currently, under Article 138 of Presidential Decree No. 1083, or the Code of Muslim Personal Laws of the Philippines, there are five designated Shari'a Judicial Districts. Each district has one Shari'a District Court. If SB 2594 becomes law, it will create a sixth Shari'a Judicial District covering the provinces of Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Camiguin, and the cities of Cagayan de Oro, as well as provinces within Regions XI and XIII. Additionally, the seventh district will include the provinces within Regions VI, VII, and VIII, and the eighth district will cover the Cordillera Administrative Region, Regions I, II, III, IV-A, including the National Capital Region.

The proposed legislation also calls for the establishment of new Shari'a District Courts in Davao City, Cebu City, and Manila. Senator Francis Tolentino, the bill’s sponsor, highlighted that "Muslim Filipinos are now one step closer to having better access to the specialized knowledge and expertise of Shari'a judges promoting fair and equal treatment of Muslims under the law, with the goal of promoting inclusive, impartial, speedy, and quality justice to all regardless of the people's geographic location."

Senator Robinhood Padilla, who co-authored the bill, expressed his gratitude towards his colleagues and the Supreme Court for their contributions to the drafting of the measure.

Manila – Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez emphasized on Monday the House of Representatives' unwavering dedication to combating hoarding, profiteering, and smuggling of agricultural products, declaring these issues as top priorities for legislative action.

According to Philippines News Agency, the House is determined to protect ordinary Filipinos and local farmers from those manipulating market prices. "We cannot ignore the plight of our farmers who are struggling to make ends meet, nor can we turn a blind eye to the burden placed on consumers," Romualdez stated during the legislative session's resumption. He expressed his commitment to ongoing efforts to ensure fair pricing, benefiting both producers and consumers.

This commitment comes amid concerns about the increasing disparity between farmgate and retail prices of staples like rice. To tackle these issues, the House Committee on Trade and Industry held a meeting on Monday to receive updates from various government agencies on the enforcement of pricing laws and regulations for essential commodities.

Romualdez announced the commencement of a congressional inquiry aimed at closing the gap between farmgate and retail prices, a move intended to foster legislative reforms. He called for immediate legislative action to safeguard the interests of producers and consumers, highlighting the importance of oversight in maintaining a fair and transparent market.

In his call for collaboration, Romualdez urged government bodies, industry leaders, and consumer groups to participate actively in the ongoing investigations and help develop effective policies to combat unfair pricing practices within the agricultural supply chain. "We must identify and address loopholes that contribute to profiteering and unfair pricing practices," he asserted.

Romualdez concluded by emphasizing the goal of sustainability in the agricultural sector, ensuring that stakeholders can continue to provide essential goods and services at reasonable prices.

Cotabato – During the inauguration of the Malitubog-Maridagao Irrigation Project II (MMIP II) in Pikit, Cotabato, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. pledged comprehensive infrastructure development under his administration’s 'Build, Better, More' program, emphasizing the inclusion of rural areas across Mindanao.

According to Philippines News Agency, the initiative aims to ensure no region is overlooked, particularly in agricultural advancements. "At this point, let me give you all a promise. Not only irrigation projects will come to your lands. We have more agricultural projects coming in here," Marcos stated at the event. He further emphasized the program's reach, promising it would benefit not just urban centers but also rural and all other areas, particularly targeting the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

The MMIP II, located in Villarica, Midsayap, is set to supply water to over 10,000 hectares of farmland across Pikit, Aleosan, and extending into Pagalungan and Datu Montawal in Maguindanao—covering twice the land area of Manila City. The project is expected to benefit more than 4,000 farmers, including former Moro Islamic Liberation Front combatants, providing a crucial resource amidst challenging conditions such as the El Niño phenomenon.

During his speech, Marcos highlighted the strategic importance of the irrigation project, noting its role in fostering prosperity, peace, and unity in Mindanao. He described the MMIP II as not only an agricultural asset but also a major infrastructure project geared towards peace and development. "This irrigation will water not only the crops that we grow, but the peace that we want to take root in this land. Because peace and freedom must be tended and watered as well," he elaborated.

Marcos concluded by thanking the National Irrigation Administration, local government units, and uniformed personnel for their roles in realizing the MMIP II, underscoring the project’s potential to bring "many bountiful harvests, nourish many families and ensure that their children would get their fair share of progress."

Manila, Philippines - The Senate formally recognized 35 Filipino artists and cultural advocates on Monday for their significant contributions to the country's cultural heritage and for representing the Philippines on the global stage. During the session, two separate Senate resolutions were passed to honor the recipients of the 16th Ani ng Dangal Awards (ADA) and the nine awardees of the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan (GAMABA).

According to Philippines News Agency, who sponsored Senate Resolution No. 958, the ADA is an important symbol of Filipino character, creativity, and innovativeness. She praised the ADA recipients, including artists, performers, writers, filmmakers, and cultural advocates, for their role in promoting the Philippine cultural and artistic landscape internationally. Highlighted ADA recipients included filmmakers like Sam Manacsa and JT Trinidad who gained recognition at international film festivals, as well as dancers and musical groups like Legit Status and the De La Salle University Chorale who have excelled in global competitions.

Meanwhile, Senate Resolution No. 959 honored the nine GAMABA awardees, who were recognized for their mastery of traditional Filipino arts. Legarda, in her sponsorship speech, emphasized the importance of preserving traditional arts amidst challenges posed by modernization and globalization. The GAMABA awardees include craftspeople and performers from various regions, such as Adelita Romualdo Bagcal, an Ilocano master of oral traditions, and Rosie Godwino Sula, a Tboli chanter known for preserving her tribe's musical heritage.

The Senate's acknowledgment of these cultural figures underscores the nation's commitment to fostering and preserving its rich cultural heritage, both at home and abroad.

Iloilo City – The City Health Office (CHO) in Iloilo City is poised to recommend the lifting of the state of calamity invoked due to the pertussis outbreak, provided that no new probable cases emerge in the upcoming two weeks. During a press conference on Monday, CHO head Dr. Annabelle Tang reported no new probable cases of pertussis in the last fortnight.

According to Philippines News Agency, the absence of new cases can be attributed to the city's robust response measures, including an Outbreak Response Immunization (ORI) program, an extensive vaccination campaign, post-exposure prophylaxis for adults, and the targeted vaccination of pregnant women post-partum. Dr. Tang detailed the consumption of 6,085 vaccine doses supplied by the Department of Health on April 15, with continued vaccinations using an additional 3,573 doses purchased by the city, primarily aimed at children aged 0-12 months. Additionally, 606 pregnant women have been vaccinated with the tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (TDaP) vaccine from a batch of 1,200 doses procured by the local government. The health office awaits 284 more women to reach their 27 to 36 weeks of pregnancy to administer the remaining TDaP vaccines.

Dr. Ronald Jay Fortuna, another representative from the city health office, mentioned that the health authorities would continue to assess the trend of cases bi-weekly, mirroring the strategy employed during the COVID-19 pandemic. If no new probable cases are identified in the next two weeks, the CHO will officially recommend ending the state of calamity, marking a significant containment milestone for the pertussis outbreak in Iloilo City.

Manila, Philippines - The planned transport strike organized by Piston and Manibela is likely to see minimal participation, according to Orlando Marquez, Sr., national president of the Liga ng Transportasyon at Operators sa Pilipinas (LTOP). In a Monday interview, Marquez stated that the majority of public utility vehicle (PUV) operators and drivers have decided not to support the strike scheduled from April 29 to May 1.

According to Philippines News Agency, Marquez explained that most of the transport sector has accepted the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP), which mandates upgrades to vehicles and operational consolidations. He accused those opposing the modernization of benefiting from outdated and illegal practices, which would be eliminated under the new system. Marquez also highlighted that other major transport groups such as Pasang Masda, Alliance of Transport Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (Altodap), Alliance of Concerned Transport Organization (ACTO), and the Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (Fejodap) are not participating in the strike.

The LTOP president emphasized that groups organizing the strike, including Piston and Manibela, represent less than 10% of the national transport sector and lack the numbers to significantly disrupt public transportation. He criticized the leaders of these groups, suggesting they have political motives rather than genuine grievances.

The Philippine National Police, reporting from a press conference in Camp Crame, Quezon City, confirmed that the start of the strike had not led to any major disruptions or incidents. PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo reported that over 51,000 officers were deployed nationwide, with additional resources provided to ensure continued transportation services for commuters. Despite some instances of harassment against drivers who did not participate in the strike, overall conditions remained peaceful.

Fajardo also called for respect for the rights of those choosing to work during the strike period, emphasizing the importance of balancing protest activities with public need for uninterrupted transport services.