Dev Flores

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has suspended the mandatory posting of the registration seal badge for online sellers, content creators, and freelancers who earn income online. During the suspension, those who are unable to display the seal badge will not be penalized, but those who have already obtained a badge may still post on their online platforms.

The move follows the growing concerns on the internet. Among the complaints is that not all content creators earn a large income consistently, and some fear that this system could lead to deductions from their earnings.

Some have also raised data privacy concerns, saying that scanning the QR code may reveal information that should not be made visible.

According to the BIR, the suspension was made in response to these concerns.

“The suspension comes in response to concerns raised by online sellers, content creators, and other taxpayers regarding data privacy, technical issues, and the scope of the requirement,” the BIR said

Under Revenue Memorandum Circular (RMC) No. 113-2026, the mandatory posting of the seal badge is suspended while the privacy and technical concerns, as well as the implementation of the requirement are being addressed.

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Malacañang announced the cabinet reshuffle on Monday during a press briefing.

Presidential Communication Office (PCO) Secretary Lino Cayetano announced that DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon and DOTr Secretary Giovanni Lopez will switch positions, as approved by President Bongbong Marcos Jr.

“In the President's own words, we are shifting gears to accelerate reform. Secretary Dizon goes to the DOTr to fix the daily commute,” he said

Cayetano explained that the intention of the switch is anchored on the needs of the people, which is what the President wants.

“Ganito mag-isip ang ating Pangulo, sa lahat ng mga desisyon, ang gabay niya: anong mas makakabuti sa mga kababayan po natin?” he said

According to Cayetano, Lopez and Dizon are among the President’s high-performing cabinet members. When asked why they needed to be switched, the Palace said that the President believes that both officials can further streamline government services for the public.

Lopez to secure reforms at DPWH

Cayetano said that the President trusts Lopez, as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), a lawyer, and a systems builder, to maintain and institutionalize the reforms at the DPWH and speed up the construction of government infrastructure projects.

“Secretary Giovanni “Banoy” Lopez will secure these gains and build a system to last. (As) a lawyer and a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), he has been tasked to strengthen safeguards and institutionalize the reforms, turning them into rules, processes, and systems that will keep serving Filipinos even after this administration for decades to come,” he said

“He has also been tasked to speed up the roads, bridges, and other government infrastructure projects Filipino communities need,” he added

Following the revelation of the flood control scandal, the agency introduced reforms such as structural changes, promotion of young engineers, a transparency portal, and the completion of unfinished projects; the administration wants to make these things last.

“We want these reforms to last. We want to make sure na pangmalawakan at pangmahabaan,” Cayetano said

Dizon returns to DOTr to ease daily commute

Secretary Lino Cayetano described Secretary Vince Dizon as a known reformer and disruptor, which is why the President believes that he can make the daily commute easier for Filipinos going to work or school.

“Naniniwala ang ating Pangulo na kailangan ngayon, mayrong disruption. Kailangan ho, mayroong mabilis na intervention para ang mga kababayan natin, maibsan ho, yung mga nararanasan ho nila pagdating ho sa pagpunta sa trabaho, pagpunta sa eskwelahan. Sabi nga niya, less time on the road, more time with their families.” Cayetano said

Vince Dizon previously served as DOTr secretary in February 2025. He was moved to the DPWH in September 2025, after former Secretary Manuel Bonoan resigned from the position. Giovanni Lopez took over Dizon’s former post at the DOTr.

Under the President’s recent order this October 2026, Dizon will return to the DOTr as secretary, while Lopez will move to the DPWH.

Following Malacañang’s announcement of the swap between Secretary Vince Dizon and Secretary Giovanni Lopez, the Palace stressed that the President’s intention was for the welfare of the Filipino people.

According to Presidential Communication Office (PCO) Secretary Lino Cayetano, the decision of President Bongbong Marcos Jr. is not connected with politics or the dwindling approval and trust ratings; the decision was made for the public.

“Our President's basis for all his decisions ay anong makakaganda sa ating mga kababayan,” he said

In the latest Pulse Asia survey as of September 2026, the President’s approval rating reached 30%, while the trust rating was 29%. These are lower than the ratings of Vice President Sara Duterte, who got a 54% approval rating and 55% trust rating.

Nevertheless, Cayetano denied that the Cabinet reshuffle is an alleged direct response on a declining ratings of the President. He emphasized that the reshuffle is a direct response of the administration to the needs of the people, and the President does not focus on the numbers that reflects in the approval ratings.

“It's a direct response sa mga pangailangan ng ating mga kababayan. Our President doesn't look at daily numbers when it comes to approval rating,” Cayetano said

Once the reshuffle takes effect, Dizon was tasked to return to the DOTr to ease the public’s daily commute, while Lopez was assigned to the DPWH to continue and ensure making the reforms last.

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Purple Yam (ube) is one of the most demanded crops in the Philippines, as it supplies drinks and recipes that are popular with the community.

Due to rising demand, the popularity of purple yam has reached other countries, like the United States of America (USA). 

Recently, the US Department of Agriculture has awarded about $34.1 million, or an equivalent of over 2.16 billion pesos, to support the development of the purple yam through the Food for Progress Program. It also aims to strengthen the value chain of the crop.

About 12,500 farmers will benefit from this program over the next five years.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is looking into a possible increase of tariffs on imported pork and a 60-day suspension of imports, following an appeal from the hog raisers to protect the local products.

According to DA Asec, Arnel De Mesa, the agency asked the Tariff Commission to be raised to 30 to 40%.

“Nakapag-submit na ang DA ng request sa Tariff Commission ng 30 hanggang 40%,” he said

The DA also stated that they are also waiting for the results of a review on whether the excessive imports have really caused heavy losses for local hog raisers. Once proven, the government may implement the temporary suspension on pork imports.

“Nabanggit ng ating Secretary, by mid-November, posibleng part ng response, posibleng itigil ‘yong importasyon for about 60 days, para makatulong din sa ating mga magbababoy,” De Mesa said

The possible suspension may cover all pork imports except products needed by food processors. Among the imports that may be halted are pork belly and cutting meat.

The DA also assured that although there is no first border inspection to ensure the safety of meats entering the country, there is a second border inspection, where arriving meats are carefully examined before it leaves the warehouses.

Meanwhile, the pig holiday protest of hog raisers will continue until October 24, 2026.

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