Philippine Navy Boosts Security in Eastern Mindanao with Arrival of Three New Vessels

The Philippine Navy has reinforced its maritime security presence in Eastern Mindanao with the arrival of three new vessels at Macabalan Wharf on September 16. The newly commissioned ships — BRP Miguel Malvar (FFG-06), BRP Tomas Campo (PG-908), and BRP Albert Majini (PG-909) — mark a significant step in the Navy's ongoing modernization efforts. These ships were formally received by Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao (NFEM), the naval arm of the Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom), which oversees the defense of the Davao, Soccsksargen, and Caraga regions. The arrival of the vessels was part of the Navy's "Show the Flag Mission," designed to evaluate operational readiness, demonstrate evolving naval capabilities, and foster stronger cooperation with local governments and communities. During the event, officials and civilians were granted access to tour the ships, offering insights into their advanced technology aimed at improving maritime surveillance, defense, and rapid response capabilities. The BRP Miguel Malvar, a guided missile frigate, enhances the Navy's multi-role combat and patrol capacity. Meanwhile, the Acero-class Fast Attack Interdiction Crafts BRP Tomas Campo and BRP Albert Majini, equipped with Spike-ER missiles and Typhoon weapons, boost coastal defense measures. Notably, the BRP Albert Majini was constructed at the Philippine Navy Shipyard in Cavite, symbolizing a milestone in the nation's pursuit of self-reliance in defense manufacturing. EastMinCom plays a pivotal role in internal security and counterinsurgency, particularly in Davao and surrounding areas. NFEM, based in Panacan, Davao City, supports conventional and unconventional warfare efforts, counter-guerilla operations, and law enforcement collaborations to mitigate threats from insurgent forces such as the New People's Army and to combat maritime crimes. The integration of these new vessels into EastMinCom's operational domain significantly enhances the Navy's ability to enforce maritime law, respond to external threats, and maintain security across critical sea lanes and coastal communities. Navy officials emphasize that this upgrade in naval power is crucial for safeguarding Eastern Mindanao, ensuring resilience against external aggression, internal threats, and maritime security challenges alike.

Philippine Athletes Achieve Historic Wins, Elevating Nation's Global Sports Presence

Philippine sports garnered international attention once again this past weekend, as two landmark achievements underscored the nation’s growing prominence in global athletics. The national men’s volleyball team made history by securing their inaugural win at the World Volleyball Championship hosted in the Philippines. In a stunning performance, they defeated Egypt, an 11-time African champion, in four sets, delivering a result that surprised many and energized fervent supporters at the MOA Arena in Pasay City. Alongside this feat, EJ Obiena, a two-time Olympian representing the Philippines in the Tokyo 2020 and upcoming Paris 2024 Games, captured a landmark victory at the World Pole Vault Challenge held in Makati. Obiena bested six of the world’s elite competitors, further cementing his status as a world-class athlete while drawing a large and enthusiastic crowd. These successes build on the momentum started by Olympic gold medalists Hidilyn Diaz and Carlos Yulo. Diaz’s historic gold in Tokyo ended almost a century-long drought for the Philippines in Olympic golds since its first participation in 1924. Yulo continued this legacy in Paris with two gold medals in gymnastics, achievements that have inspired a new generation of Filipino athletes. Adding to this wave, young tennis prodigy Alex Eala has made significant strides on the international circuit. At just 20 years old, Eala defeated three former Grand Slam champions in a row at the Miami Open, reached the finals of the Lexus Eastbourne Open in England, and became the first Filipino player to win a Grand Slam match in the U.S. Open. She capped off her impressive run with a victory at the Guadalajara Open in Mexico, all accomplished through an intense schedule spanning multiple countries. Despite a close loss to Asian Games champion Iran in the volleyball World Championship quarterfinal qualifiers — marked by a controversial ruling on a deciding block — the Filipino team earned the admiration of local fans and showcased the country’s growing competitiveness in the sport. This succession of outstanding performances across various disciplines is a testament to the Philippines’ rising stature in the international sports arena and sets a promising foundation for future global achievements.

Philippines Launches "White Revolution" to Boost Vegetable Supply and Curb Import Dependence

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has unveiled an ambitious "White Revolution" aimed at stabilizing vegetable prices, decreasing food import reliance, and securing a consistent supply of high-value crops year-round through climate-resilient agricultural methods. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. outlined the strategy, which merges protected cultivation techniques with state-of-the-art food hubs, streamlined logistics, and enhanced post-harvest infrastructure. This holistic approach is designed to minimize crop loss and mitigate the impact of unpredictable weather, which has historically led to price surges affecting Filipino consumers. "We can no longer depend on favorable weather conditions alone. Protected cultivation has transitioned from being optional to essential," Laurel emphasized, referencing recent typhoons that devastated harvests and caused sharp price increases. The initiative plans to develop food corridors located near urban centers, equipped with greenhouses, cold storage facilities, and upgraded handling processes to improve efficiency. DA officials project that reducing the country’s $11.71-billion agricultural trade deficit by just 10 percent could channel approximately ₱60 billion toward local farmers. In 2024, the Philippines imported $461.8 million in vegetables, fruits, nuts, and related products. Supporting the rollout, Undersecretary Cheryl Marie Caballero has mandated an inventory of existing greenhouse structures to identify those suitable for rehabilitation, accelerating project implementation. Procurement of new equipment is slated to begin in late 2025, with the first food corridors expected to be operational by the latter half of next year. The "White Revolution" draws inspiration from South Korea’s successful modernization of its vegetable farming sector during the 1970s through the 1990s, specifically leveraging the use of plastic films in greenhouse cultivation to enhance productivity and sustainability.

EU Orders France to Reclaim €1.8 Million from Ryanair Over Illegal State Aid

The European Union has mandated France to recuperate €1.8 million (approximately $2.1 million) from Ryanair, concluding that the Irish low-cost carrier benefitted from illegal state aid linked to Carcassonne airport. The European Commission, which monitors antitrust regulations within the EU, initiated an investigation in 2012 to assess whether contracts between Ryanair and the airport’s previous operator, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Carcassonne-Limoux-Castelnaudary (CCI), complied with state aid provisions. The probe revealed that 11 contracts granted to Ryanair by the CCI — responsible for managing the airport until 2011 — provided an undue advantage to the airline. According to the Commission, the financial terms of these agreements disproportionately favored Ryanair as the CCI increased marketing fee payments to the airline for comparable services while simultaneously lowering passenger charges. This imbalance resulted in a total benefit estimated at €1.8 million. The Commission has instructed France to recover the sum along with accrued interest, emphasizing the incompatibility of this aid with EU rules. A spokesperson from the European Commission stated, \"France must now recover the incompatible aid, plus interest.\"

RCEP Leaders to Discuss Expansion and Trade Enhancement at Upcoming ASEAN Summit

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 22 – The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the Asia-Pacific trade bloc that comprises China, ASEAN nations, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand, will convene next month to deliberate on expanding its membership and enhancing its trade framework, Malaysian officials announced on Monday. Malaysia, hosting the annual ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur, will also facilitate the RCEP meeting. Since signing the trade agreement in November 2020, aimed at reducing tariffs, encouraging investment, and facilitating freer movement of goods, RCEP members have not met at a high level. According to Malaysia’s Trade Minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz, the forthcoming summit will provide an opportunity for current members to propose improvements to the RCEP trade deal and consider new membership applications. While he refrained from disclosing specific candidates or proposed modifications, Tengku Zafrul expressed confidence in making RCEP’s framework more relevant and up to date. Addressing concerns about China's influence over the meeting, the minister emphasized a shared commitment among ASEAN and RCEP members to multilateralism. He stated, \"There is a collective agreement among all members, including China, Korea, Japan, New Zealand, and Australia, on engaging multilaterally, so the agenda will not be dominated by any single country.\" The RCEP agreement is perceived as a strategic response to counter the impact of tariffs imposed by the previous U.S. administration, which levied duties ranging from 10% to 40% on goods from various Asian countries, affecting most major ASEAN economies with a 19% tariff. The topic of U.S. tariffs is anticipated to be a critical agenda item during this week’s ASEAN economic ministers meeting, which will be attended by U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, facilitating dialogue between ASEAN, the U.S., and China—two of the region’s largest trading partners. Tengku Zafrul highlighted the importance of these discussions in fostering a balanced and mutually beneficial trade environment amid ongoing geopolitical and economic challenges.

Fed Governor Miran Warns Current Monetary Policy Is Excessively Restrictive Amid Changing Economic Conditions

Federal Reserve Governor Stephen Miran emphasized that ongoing shifts in U.S. immigration, tax, and regulatory policies are contributing to a lowering of the underlying neutral interest rate, thereby rendering current monetary policy excessively restrictive for maintaining the Federal Reserve's 2% inflation target. In remarks prepared for the Economic Club of New York, Miran stated, \"The upshot is that monetary policy is well into restrictive territory. Leaving short-term interest rates roughly two percentage points too tight risks unnecessary layoffs and higher unemployment.\" Miran recently dissented during the Fed's decision to cut the benchmark interest rate by 0.25 percentage points, arguing that a 0.5 percentage point reduction was more appropriate. Furthermore, he projected half-point cuts at the next two Federal Open Market Committee meetings, acknowledging that his stance differs significantly from that of other Fed members. While serving on leave as chair of President Donald Trump’s Council of Economic Advisers, Miran's calls for more aggressive rate cuts raised speculation about political influence. However, he contended that these recommendations stemmed from economic analysis rather than political motivations. Central to Miran's argument is that the Fed's peer group has underestimated the impact of the Trump administration's policies—especially tariffs, tightened immigration, and deregulation—on reducing the \"neutral\" rate of interest. This neutral rate, while unobservable and difficult to estimate, is the theoretical level at which monetary policy neither stimulates nor restrains economic activity excessively. According to Miran, the current federal funds rate range of 4% to 4.25% is too restrictive given the lowered neutral rate, which he believes now warrants a policy rate closer to 2.75% to 3% by year-end. He explained, \"Insufficiently accounting for the strong downward pressure on the neutral rate resulting from changes in border and fiscal policies is leading some to believe policy is less restrictive than it actually is.\" Conversely, other Federal Reserve officials worry the neutral rate might be higher than estimated, implying that monetary policy is less tight and that aggressive rate cuts could spur inflation. Miran, however, pointed out that several administration policies have also contributed to restraining inflation; specifically, he cited immigration restrictions easing pressure on the housing market, noting, \"I believe forecasters have underappreciated the significant impact of immigration policy on rent inflation.\" Regarding trade tariffs, he suggested the market's inflation concerns are somewhat overstated, describing them as \"unreasonable levels of concern.\" Inflation currently remains about one percentage point above the Fed's target, prompting Fed officials last week to anticipate two additional quarter-point rate cuts this year. Yet, Miran’s projection for the policy rate is significantly lower, with expectations around 3% at the end of 2025, contrasting with a median forecast that is nearly 0.75 percentage points higher. Miran’s insights underscore a critical debate within the Federal Reserve about the appropriate level of interest rates amid evolving economic and policy landscapes.

Davao City Police Arrest Suspect in KM6 Buy-Bust Operation

A 40-year-old man identified as alias "Brad" was arrested during a buy-bust operation conducted in KM6, Purok San Isidro, Barangay Matina Crossing, Davao City shortly after 1 p.m. on Sunday, September 21, 2025. Brad, a native of Isulan, Sultan Kudarat, currently residing in KM6, Purok San Isidro, Matina Crossing, was found by authorities to be involved in the sale of illegal drugs. He is married and unemployed. Police Lieutenant Joel Lucero Jr. led the operation under the directives of Police Lieutenant Colonel Randy P. Sambalod. The raid involved the City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU) in collaboration with the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit 11 (RPDEU XI) headed by Police Lieutenant Richard Dionisio, supervised by Police Major Maynard D. Pascual. The operation was also supported by personnel from the Criminal Investigation Unit (CIU), Talomo Police Station, and coordinated with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA). Seized from the suspect were two sachets containing a white crystalline substance believed to be methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu), with an estimated street value of PHP 54,400. Authorities also confiscated an Android mobile phone, PHP 1,000 used as buy-bust money, six counterfeit PHP 1,000 bills, and PHP 150 in personal cash. All confiscated items were inventoried in the presence of the suspect and witnesses in accordance with legal procedure. The suspect remains in police custody as charges are being prepared against him for violating the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

China’s Supreme Court Cracks Down on Social Insurance Evasion Amid Economic Strains

China’s highest court has recently issued a significant ruling declaring that schemes between employers and employees designed to avoid social insurance payments are unlawful. This decision aims to reinforce contributions that support the nation's strained pension systems, but also raises concerns among small businesses about increased labor costs and potential job losses. Interviews with 18 workers across China revealed that only three received full company social insurance payments, with the remainder indicating their employers did not contribute as mandated. Workers requested anonymity due to fears of retaliation. This situation signals that despite the Supreme Court’s efforts, securing additional funding for expanded social welfare remains challenging. Such funding is crucial as China attempts to shift towards an economic growth model driven more by domestic consumption rather than debt-heavy infrastructure and industrial investment. A 2019 report by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences warned the national pension fund could be depleted by 2035, exacerbated by a shrinking ratio of active workers to retirees. Updated projections from 2024 suggest that delayed retirement could extend the fund’s life by nearly a decade, yet this does not fully resolve the financial shortfall. Economically, China faces declining factory profit margins influenced by deflation and ongoing trade frictions with the United States, leading policymakers to juggle short-term employment stability against the need for systemic reform. Weak consumer confidence and falling real estate prices have further suppressed spending, while demands to finance a broader social safety net increase labor costs—costs smaller companies report struggling to cover. Some employers have responded by presenting workers with contracts that reclassify a portion of wages as "social insurance subsidies," without actually increasing pay or making corresponding contributions. One supermarket clerk in Guangxi disclosed she was asked to sign such a contract, effectively relinquishing company-funded social insurance payments and agreeing to forgo rights to arbitration or legal claims. Similarly, a real estate agent in Guangdong reported a comparable contract modification that diverted part of her salary into a "social-insurance subsidy" without enrollment. Legal expert Peng Shugang, a senior partner at China Commercial Law Firm in Shanghai, condemned these practices as illegal and highlighted that China’s tax system now facilitates real-time monitoring of social insurance payments, enabling authorities to detect inconsistencies immediately. The autumn Canton Fair now requires exhibitors to provide proof of social insurance payments, a newly implemented regulation, though alternative salary records can be accepted. This underscores the government’s increasing emphasis on compliance. However, some business owners remain cautious. A manufacturing facility in Zhejiang province with 80 employees is selectively paying social insurance only for permanent full-time staff, awaiting clearer enforcement trends before covering part-time or seasonal workers. Ren, the factory owner, remarked, "If the authorities enforce this strictly, many businesses may face bankruptcy. At the same time, the country aims to reduce production capacity, so perhaps this is acceptable." Conversely, not all employers resist the ruling. Wang Hu, proprietor of an outdoor wedding photography company in Yunnan with 70 staff, has begun adhering fully to social insurance payments, estimating a cost of roughly one million yuan annually—around 20% of his revenue. Wang expressed a sense of responsibility, stating, "I worked for others for 16 years and none paid my social insurance. Now that business has improved, I want to give back." As the government intensifies oversight of social insurance compliance, China confronts the complex task of balancing economic reform, social welfare funding, and the survival of its smaller businesses amid a shifting economic landscape.

Senator Tulfo Condemns Persistent Pork Barrel Inserts in DPWH Budget Without Presidential Approval

Senator Erwin Tulfo has condemned the ongoing presence of pork barrel spending within government budgets, specifically highlighting unauthorized budget insertions in the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) allocations. Speaking on Wednesday, Tulfo revealed that billions of pesos have been embedded into the DPWH’s National Expenditure Program (NEP) without the President being informed. Responding to questions regarding reports that allocations for Ako Bicol Representative Zaldy Co surged from PHP 519 million in 2022 to PHP 7 billion in 2025, Tulfo remarked, \"That is the problem. You wouldn\'t see it clearly because you might assume DPWH prepared that budget, but I am absolutely certain the President is unaware since the NEP is submitted to him already packed with these insertions.\" Tulfo lamented that despite investigations into the pork barrel scam a decade ago, legislators continue to wield substantial power in directing project funding. He noted that while some lawmakers and Janet Lim-Napoles faced charges, no significant legislative amendments were made to curb recurrent abuses. \"In essence, it\'s still pork barrel spending. They just made it look better, but it remains pork barrel,\" Tulfo stated. He further explained that district engineers encounter immense pressure to fulfill lawmakers\' directives or risk dismissal. Politicians often act as \"proponents,\" handpicking contractors themselves, which undermines transparency and accountability. To address this, Tulfo emphasized the need for fundamental reforms to ensure only the DPWH Secretary can propose projects for the NEP, thereby removing political meddling. This issue surfaced during the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on Tuesday, where former DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan acknowledged the inclusion of a \"leadership fund\" in the NEP designed to cater to legislators\' requests. However, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson, chairperson of the committee, rejected this practice outright, insisting that any budget insertions should occur solely during budget deliberations, not as part of the NEP formulation process.

Philippine Army and Air Force Launch 4th Joint Interoperability Exercise

The Philippine Army (PA) and Philippine Air Force (PAF) have initiated the fourth iteration of their joint military drill, the PA–PAF Interoperability Exercise (IOX), designed to boost collaboration and operational efficiency between the two branches. Over a week-long period, 944 Army personnel and 248 Air Force pilots and airmen are participating in exercises held across Catanduanes Island and Barangay San Francisco in Legazpi City. This comprehensive training aims to evaluate and enhance the Armed Forces' capacity for joint and combined arms operations. Activities include inter-island infiltration via military free fall, sling load maneuvers, gap crossing operations executed by the Combat Engineer Regiment, and the 9th Infantry Division’s field treatment unit support. The exercise also integrates joint inter-agency search and rescue operations, cyber defense drills, and electronic warfare scenarios. Army spokesperson Colonel Louie Dema-ala emphasized that the interoperability exercise is key to fostering seamless collaboration between ground and aerial units, essential for effective real-world mission execution. He noted, \"This drill supports the directive of Army Commanding General, Lieutenant General Antonio Nafarrete, who advocates for continuous and comprehensive training to ensure the development of our soldiers, the backbone of our organization.\" Now in its fourth year, the PA–PAF IOX embodies the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ commitment to modernization and the professionalization of military forces, particularly in enhancing joint operational capabilities to address emerging security challenges effectively.