Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the National Security Council (NSC) found no validated reports supporting such allegations and stressed that authorities, with international partners, continue to verify information.

The NSC said ISIS-affiliated groups in the Philippines have been significantly weakened since the 2017 Marawi siege, now operating in a fragmented and diminished capacity, citing UN and US assessments.

It added that violence in Mindanao is largely driven by historical conflicts and local clan disputes.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the NSC said, has directed security agencies to remain vigilant, prevent any terrorist activity, and strengthen international cooperation to safeguard national security.

The post Palace: PH not an ISIS training hotspot first appeared on Iloilo Metropolitan Times.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro also confirmed several new appointments in the Office of the Executive Secretary: Atty. Maria Luwalhati C. Dorotan Tiuseco as Senior Deputy Executive Secretary; Atty. Danielle Marie Rieza-Culangen as Deputy Executive Secretary for General Administration; and Atty. Joseph Irvin A. Obenza as Deputy Executive Secretary for Financial Affairs.

Also named were Atty. Jesse Hermogenes T. Andres as Deputy Executive Secretary for Legal Affairs, Atty. Erwin Sta. Ana as Undersecretary for Economic Affairs, and Atty. Alemar I. Mosquito as Assistant Secretary both under the Office of the Executive Secretary.IMT

The post Anna Liza Logan named new Chief Presidential Legal Counsel first appeared on Iloilo Metropolitan Times.

He cited his own experience reporting fake posts against him, noting that while two were taken down, another was only “demoted” and remained visible to some users.

Marcoleta also called on Meta’s local fact-checkers, Rappler and Vera Files, to be objective, unbiased, and free from politics, stressing that misleading posts are damaging, not just annoying. 

Senator Robin Padilla backed the call, saying fake news must be removed quickly before going viral.

Vera Files president Ellen Tordesillas said fact-checkers cannot monitor all fake posts and that users share responsibility, even praising Marcoleta for taking initiative. 

Rappler researcher Gemma Mendoza pushed for more transparency from Meta, urging platforms to share data so third parties can help audit and flag disinformation.

With no Meta representatives present at the hearing, Marcoleta moved to subpoena the tech giant for the next session, a motion approved by Padilla.IMT

The post Marcoleta presses Meta on fake news takedowns, questions bias of fact-checkers first appeared on Iloilo Metropolitan Times.

In a Senate privilege speech on Dec. 15, Tulfo said products flagged under FDA Public Health Warning Advisories and sold on Shopee, Lazada and TikTok Shop were removed in just seven working days, proving the job could be done with minimal effort.

Tulfo renewed his criticism of the FDA for failing to stop the sale of unregistered and harmful products, saying repeated leadership changes have not fixed what he called inefficiency, negligence or corruption within the agency.

The senator urged Herbosa to “make true your word” and demand Teston’s resignation for the sake of public health.

Herbosa recalled that during earlier budget hearings, he warned that if banned products remained online, the FDA chief should step down.

The Health secretary later accepted Tulfo’s challenge, saying he would personally remove Teston if Tulfo managed to have the products taken down himself.

By Dec. 9, a total of 700 FDA-flagged products were removed — 373 from Lazada, 189 from Shopee and 138 from TikTok Shop.IMT

The post Tulfo renews call to sack FDA chief first appeared on Iloilo Metropolitan Times.

Congress approved a nearly P1-trillion DepEd budget, more than doubling the school feeding allocation to P25.7 billion from P11.7 billion. 

The feeding program will be extended from 120 to 200 school days, including 30 days of milk feeding.

The expanded program aims to improve nutrition for kindergarten to Grade 1 learners and support Grade 2 to Grade 6 pupils who are wasted to severely wasted, while ensuring direct procurement from accredited farmers’ and fishers’ cooperatives, cutting out middlemen.

Milk feeding will be handled by the National Dairy Authority and the Philippine Carabao Center, using fresh milk bought directly from local dairy farmers instead of imported powdered milk, benefiting both children’s health and local producers.IMT

The post Bicam oks Pangilinan push for more school meals, direct buys from farmers first appeared on Iloilo Metropolitan Times.

The order was given during a Malacañan meeting with DHSUD Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling and other agencies to review catch-up plans for the Expanded Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino Housing (4PH) Program and other housing initiatives.

According to Palace Press Officer Claire Castro, the President also instructed DHSUD to promote flexible and affordable housing options for low- and middle-income families, including rental housing.

“Ipinag-utos din ng Pangulo ang pagkakaroon ng mas simpleng proseso para makapagbayad,” added Castro.

Marcos Jr. also stressed the need to ensure decent, affordable, and quality housing for Filipino families under government housing programs. IMT

The post PBBM orders DHSUD to build more quality housing near key services first appeared on Iloilo Metropolitan Times.

Nearly 500,000 hogs have been vaccinated in areas including Batangas, Rizal, Laguna, Bulacan, Tarlac, and Pampanga, covering semi-commercial, smallholder, and government-run farms, according to Palace Press Officer Claire Castro.

Aside from ASF containment, the DA reported ongoing interventions to support farmers and fisherfolk, including the establishment of 33 agri-food hubs in several provinces to improve market access.

The department has also identified 145 Rice Processing Systems nationwide, with most already completed, and announced plans to open a Mega Cold Storage Facility in Camarines Sur in January 2026, along with additional cold storage sites across the country.

“Sa liderato ng Pangulo, lahat ay aangat lalong-lalo na ang mga magsasaka at mangingisda na malapit sa kanyang puso,” said Castro.IMT

The post Marcos lauds DA for progress in containing African Swine Fever first appeared on Iloilo Metropolitan Times.

Lacson said political dynasties have been linked to anomalous flood control and infrastructure projects, noting that relatives often succeed each other in Congress. 

He stressed that passing the anti-dynasty measure, which he filed and covers up to the second degree of consanguinity and affinity, would play a major role in ending corruption.

The senator added that lawmakers are now under public scrutiny and many may support the bill despite being affected by it.

Lacson also backed reforms to the party-list system to ensure it benefits truly marginalized sectors and is not abused, citing reports of party-list groups tied to big contractors and corruption.

“The party list system should not have members who are billionaires. I hope we can pass the bills to correct our system before the 21st Congress,” he said.IMT

The post Lacson: Senate to fast-track anti-dynasty, party-list reform bills vs corruption first appeared on Iloilo Metropolitan Times.

Under Administrative Order No. 40 dated December 11, the SRI covers civilian personnel in the Executive branch, including national government agencies, state universities and colleges, and government-owned or -controlled corporations, as well as military and uniformed personnel from various agencies, including the AFP, PNP, BJMP, BFP, BuCor, Coast Guard and others. 

Employees in constitutional offices, local government units, and local water districts may also receive up to P20,000, subject to available funds and approval of their governing bodies.

The SRI will be paid starting December 15 and will be sourced from agencies’ 2025 budgets. Employees who have rendered at least four months of service as of November 30, 2025 are qualified, with those serving less than four months to receive pro-rated amounts.

Malacañang said the incentive honors government workers’ role in advancing the Philippine Development Plan and the President’s 8-Point Socioeconomic Agenda.IMT

The post PBBM okays up to P20K service recognition incentive for gov’t workers first appeared on Iloilo Metropolitan Times.

Speaking at the Bicameral Conference Committee meeting on the 2026 budget, Tulfo warned the public might see the FMR hike as a replacement for flood control projects, which are absent from the 2026 budget. 

“It’s P33 billion, Mr. Chair, that’s not a joke. It’s a big amount of money,” according to him.

He said this could raise suspicions that issues tied to flood control spending may simply be shifted to FMRs.

Senator Pia Cayetano added that the FMR budget could reach as high as P43 billion if P11 billion in unreleased 2025 funds are included, noting the amount is nearly triple the original P16-billion allocation and that a master plan has yet to be finalized.

House Appropriations Chair Mika Suansing said an extensive master plan exists, though some remote areas are still not covered.

Senator Loren Legarda stressed that FMRs should be implemented based on actual need—such as population and land area—and not by congressional districts.

Tulfo reiterated his call for firm guarantees on safety measures, stressing that P33 billion is a huge amount and warning that the absence of flood control funds could further fuel public distrust.IMT

The post Tulfo flags P17-B hike in farm-to-market roads budget first appeared on Iloilo Metropolitan Times.