At a Palace press briefing, Press Officer Claire Castro said the move follows President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to protect the safety and welfare of overseas Filipinos.

“Sa ngayon po ang administrasyong Marcos sa pamamagitan po ng DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) at ng Philippine Consulate sa LA, patuloy pong mino-monitor ang mga recent immigration enforcement and protest,” said Castro.

She added that the President has ordered immediate assistance for all Filipinos abroad, especially those affected by crisis situations.

The Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles provides help to Filipinos who are victims of crime, arrested, detained, reported missing, or deceased. Amid unrest in downtown LA, Filipinos are urged to stay alert and cautious.

The Consulate remains on standby 24/7 and can be reached at (323) 528-1528 for emergencies and assistance.IMT

The post Gov’t ready to assist Filipinos in LA – Palace first appeared on Iloilo Metropolitan Times.

During a Senate subcommittee hearing on Resolution No. 1302, Tulfo discussed complaints involving Bestlink College of the Philippines. Students claimed they were forced to join an off-campus event that ended in tragedy. He said a working CHED hotline could have helped students report the incident earlier.

Ahead of the hearing, a staff member from Tulfo’s office posed as a student and called CHED’s official hotline. When the caller named the school, the CHED employee referred them to the NCR Regional Office. However, the number given didn’t work.

Worse, when the staff member called back, they were told to dial the government’s 8888 hotline and “just Google” the regional office’s email address.

At the hearing, Tulfo grilled CHED NCR Regional Director Dr. Jimmy Catanes, who admitted knowing about the issue since taking office in January 2025. Catanes said he had requested a new hotline number: 8403-2247.

To test it, Tulfo called the new number during the hearing. Frustratingly, the CHED employee still redirected him to the old, inactive line.

The senator urged CHED to overhaul its grievance system, remove outdated hotline numbers from its website, and ensure working contact lines are in place. Dr. Catanes agreed.

The post Tulfo slams CHED over useless student complaint line first appeared on Iloilo Metropolitan Times.

In his weekly vlog (BBMVLOG #270: Mga Pagbabago), Marcos Jr. said the hotline will complement the deployment of more police officers under the “Cops on the Beat” program.

“Ginagawa na rin itong emergency hotline natin at sigurado ako in just a few weeks, baka sa Hulyo pwede na, ay ma-launch na namin ito,” he said.

The Unified 911 Emergency System will first roll out in Metro Manila, BARMM, Ilocos Region, and Central Visayas. It will use advanced technology to ensure fast response times and filter out prank calls, according to the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

The President also praised newly appointed PNP Chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III for pushing police visibility and targeting a five-minute response time to emergencies.

During the vlog, citizens shared positive feedback about the increased police presence.

“Mas magiging comfy tayo to walk alone, knowing na may mga pulis na naka-surround sa iyo,” said one student.

“Pag magtatanong kami sa mga pulis, alam namin na secure kami,” added another.

Marcos Jr. said the initiative is part of his broader goal to make daily life safer and easier for all Filipinos.

“Iyan naman ang pangunahing direksyon na inilatag natin sa ating Gabinete: paano ba natin pagiginhawain ang buhay ng bawat Pilipino,” he said.IMT

The post Marcos to launch 911 emergency hotline in July first appeared on Iloilo Metropolitan Times.

At a joint House hearing, PCO Secretary Jay Ruiz said digital platforms must be held accountable for the spread of false information.

“Una po, ang kailangan media and information literacy. Tapos ‘pag nasabihan na po sila na… pina-flag namin ito, fake news at galing ito sa isang government agency agad-agad dapat itake-down,” said Ruiz.

He criticized social media companies for slow responses to takedown requests, allowing harmful posts to go viral.

“Hindi pupwede na parang nagmamakaawa ka sa kanila na i-take down ‘yung post na alam naman ng lahat na fake news na. Bakit n’yo pinapabayaan na magviral pa ‘yan?” the official asked.

Ruiz also questioned the limits of fact-checking in today’s digital environment. “Kahit pinafact-check mo na, magkakaroon pa rin ng doubt ‘yung mga tao… Lunod na lunod ‘yung katotohanan. Ang pinaniniwalaan na ng tao, ‘yung fake news,” he added.

He called for clear government rules, similar to how TV and radio follow standards set by regulatory bodies like the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas and the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board.

“If it’s just an opinion, if it’s not fake news, there’s no lie, it’s okay. But once it is proven it’s a lie, they have to be accountable for that.”IMT

The post PCO seeks social media regulation, updated content standards first appeared on Iloilo Metropolitan Times.

“Kapag presidente ang pinag-uusapan… every single day he or she stays na hindi natatanggal, that’s damage to the country,” Cayetano told reporters on June 3.

He explained that removing a president is a heavier process due to the potential for national unrest. Impeaching a vice president, on one hand, carries less political weight and allows for accountability without disrupting the country.

“Kasi ang vice president, pwede mong kasuhan sa piskalya. Pwede mong kasuhan sa Ombudsman. So there are other ways to hold them accountable na walang pulitika,” according to him.

The 1987 Constitution allows impeachment of both the president and vice president for serious offenses like betrayal of public trust, graft, or high crimes. However, the Department of Justice clarified that the vice president, while an impeachable official, is “not immune from suit” and that “only the President is immune from suit.”

Cayetano reminded the public that the Senate has a constitutional duty in handling any impeachment trial involving Vice President Sara Duterte.

“Walang choice ang Senado. We have to carry out our constitutional duty. Hindi mo pwedeng pagbotohan kung ano’ng dapat gawin sa Constitution. Nakalagay sa Constitution, malinaw e. May trial,” he said.IMT

The post Cayetano: VP impeachment possible without disrupting the country first appeared on Iloilo Metropolitan Times.

Through PAS, people living with HIV can book appointments to receive free anti-retroviral (ARV) drugs and undergo HIV screening, DOH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said in a Palace presser on Thursday, June 5.

“Ang bilin po ng Pangulong Marcos, padaliin ang pagbibigay ng serbisyong ito sa pamamagitan ng mas mabilis na proseso sa mga pangunahing ospital na puntahan ng mga taong namumuhay na may HIV,” said Herbosa.

The system was rolled out at San Lazaro Hospital in Manila on Wednesday, June 4, following its earlier launch at Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital.

Herbosa emphasized that the system ensures continued care amid rising cases, with 57 people testing positive for HIV daily from January to March.

“Sa sistemang ito, masisiguro din natin na regular na ang pagkonsulta ng mga persons living with HIV at regular na ding makukuha ang libreng maintenance ARV drugs para ma-manage ang kanilang kondisyon,” according to him.

Currently, people can get free ARV treatment and screening at 172 treatment hubs and 114 primary HIV care facilities nationwide. These centers also offer confirmatory testing.

“Importante po na alam natin ang HIV status ng isang tao para mabigyan agad siya ng gamot at hindi na lumala ang HIV sakaling reactive po ang pasyente,” the DOH chief said, stressing the need for tests.

He stressed that while HIV still has no cure, it can be managed with proper care.

“Hindi na po death sentence ang HIV sa panahon ngayon. Kailangan lang po kumonsulta para magpa-test, screening, at maintenance. Maintenance lang ang katapat niyan, para na lang siyang high blood or diabetes na basta mayroon kang gamot, tuluy-tuloy po ang magagawa,” said Herbosa.

The DOH also offers counseling to help patients understand how to live well with HIV.

The post DOH boosts HIV services first appeared on Iloilo Metropolitan Times.

“Ever since this education reform was put in place, it has been met with criticisms and objections from various groups. It has been 12 years now since the enactment of the law, yet it still has not fully achieved its goal,” Estrada said, referring to Republic Act No. 10533 or the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013.

“We can’t keep letting students and their parents shoulder the extra time and cost of senior high school. Bakit natin hahayaan na patuloy na maging dagdag pasanin sa oras at gastusin ang dalawang taon sa high school level?” he added.

SHS was introduced to align the Philippine education system with global standards and serve as a bridge between high school and college. It aimed to produce graduates equipped with 21st-century skills, ready for college, work, or entrepreneurship.

Estrada filed Senate Bill No. 3001 to amend the law, citing DepEd’s own admission that SHS has fallen short of expectations. Issues include an overloaded curriculum, overworked teachers and students, and a low employment rate—only 10% of SHS graduates enter the workforce, mostly in informal jobs.

A Pulse Asia survey in March 2025 showed just 33% of respondents were satisfied with the program, while 40% were dissatisfied. Approval ratings have steadily declined—from 41% in 2023, to 35% in 2024, and 33% in 2025.

Estrada’s proposal retains the core principles of RA 10533 but removes SHS. The goal is to simplify the system while maintaining global-quality education.

Under the revised structure, he recommends one year of kindergarten, six years of elementary, and four years of high school.

“This bill is a practical step to fix our basic education system – make it more efficient, use resources better, and give students a more meaningful learning experience,” said Estrada.IMT

The post Jinggoy proposes removal of senior high school to streamline PH basic education first appeared on Iloilo Metropolitan Times.

In a Palace briefing on Wednesday, June 4, Torre said the public can call the 911 hotline, and police will respond within five minutes.

“Dial 911, kami ay darating sa loob ng limang minuto,” he assured.

To support this, Torre is considering shutting down police boxes and community precincts, saying they no longer function effectively.

“So, rather na sila ay magtatambay diyan, isasarado natin. Sila ay maglalakad sa kalsada or sasakay sa kanilang mga mobile at ang pinaka-bottom line, palagi silang may mga radio,” according to him.

“Huwag na kayong maghanap ng pulis sa presinto, sapagkat ang pulis ay nasa inyo na sa pamamagitan ng telepono,” he added.

The five-minute response time will start in Metro Manila, with plans to expand nationwide. Torre also committed to shortening the response time to three minutes within three months.IMT

The post 911 hotline to guarantee 5-minute police response — PNP chief first appeared on Iloilo Metropolitan Times.

“Uulitin ko, buhay ang tao na huhulihin,” Torre said in a Palace briefing on Wednesday, June 4. “Walang patay, and we will not condone wanton killings or wanton murders.”

Torre emphasized the PNP’s “huli, hindi patay” policy to ensure suspects are given legal counsel and due process.

He also vowed to work closely with the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) to address police abuse and promote transparency in operations.

“We will talk to them (CHR) at gawin natin silang partners na pag mayroong abuso ang pulis. We will very much welcome the investigation to be launched by the CHR,” according to him.

The PNP chief affirmed full cooperation with the CHR, including the sharing of information for ongoing probes. He added that individuals who believe they were unlawfully arrested may file complaints directly with the commission.IMT

The post PNP chief: Arrest, don’t kill first appeared on Iloilo Metropolitan Times.

“All of them who have been retained, including myself, are expected to give fresh attention to the mandates and to show more performance in our respective areas,” Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said Tuesday at a Malacañang presser.

Bersamin also announced the third batch of courtesy resignations that the President has either accepted or declined.

The following secretaries have been retained:

• Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., Agriculture
• Conrado Estrella III, Agrarian Reform
• Sonny Angara, Education
• Bienvenido Laguesma, Labor
• Rex Gatchalian, Social Welfare
• Teodoro Herbosa, Health
• Hans Leo Cacdac, Migrant Workers
• Renato Solidum Jr., Science and Technology
• Christina Garcia-Frasco, Tourism
• Henry Aguda, Information and Communications Technology
• Vince Dizon, Transportation; and 
• Manuel Bonoan, Public Works and Highways.

Also retained are Jose Francisco Benitez, TESDA; Juan Ponce Enrile, Chief Presidential Legal Counsel; Elaine Masukat, Presidential Management Staff; Romando Artes, MMDA Chairman; Leo Tereso Magno, Mindanao Development Authority; Antonio Cerilles, Presidential Adviser for Mindanao Concerns; Romeo Lumagui Jr., BIR Commissioner; Bienvenido Rubio, Customs Commissioner; and Sharon Almanza, National Treasurer.

Bersamin said the announcement was made to stop speculation and protect officials from unfounded rumors. 

“If you will note, these secretaries whose resignations have been declined need to be announced because there have been many speculations that have been going around, and they have been the victims of intrigues and harassment from many quarters. That is why we came out today with an announcement of who they are, because it’s just simple justice to them,” the Executive Secretary said.

He added that the President will issue individual marching orders and expects “the highest degree of performance” from all retained officials.IMT

The post Marcos urges 21 Cabinet members to step up first appeared on Iloilo Metropolitan Times.