No end? 😡

Middle East update: Some 31 OFWs from Israel, Jordan, Palestine, and Qatar were meant to be repatriated this morning from Doha, but their flight got delayed due to the closure of Qatari airspace, according to DMW Secretary Hans Cacdac.

Cacdac says in an updated statement that as Qatari airspace has reopened, the Philippine officials and the group of OFWs are waiting for confirmation of the schedule of their new flight. The DMW and OWWA are shouldering all arrangements for the repatriates' journey home.

The Filipinos are on their way home. Photo from Secretary Cacdac's X post.

https://www.rappler.com/philippines/overseas-filipinos/livestream-owwa-briefing-ofws-amid-israel-iran-tensions-june-24-2025/

There are at least 311 OFWs in Israel who have requested repatriation. That’s just around 1% of the 30,000 based there. OWWA Admin PY Caunan says not all who call to inquire end up pushing through with the repatriation process

The group of 31 OFWs, mostly from Israel, arrives in Manila.

Full recap of the day’s events here: https://www.youtube.com/live/boooVQ_SKlw?si=cxGvhmarjMNfpHn9

LOOK: The Philippines and Lithuania today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Defense Cooperation. Lithuanian Minister for National Defense Dovilė Šakalienė and Philippines Secretary of National Defense Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr. also met bilaterally after the signing of the MOU. (DND photos)

Good morning! Imagine texting a foreign minister to set an appointment 🙄 This - and more in @Bea Cupin - RAPPLER ‘s latest View From Manila. @here https://www.rappler.com/philippines/view-manila-sara-duterte-foreign-policy/

LOOK: Incoming Secretary of Foreign Affairs USec Tess Lazaro is awarded the Order of Sikatuna with the Rank of Datu by President Marcos. She will also be taking her oath shortly as Marcos' second SFA. (MPC pool)

She looks… stern 🙂

@Bea Cupin - RAPPLER profiles the new foreign secretary in this piece. She says Lazaro is most remembered for being the Philippines’ chief negotiator as tensions in the West Philippine Sea rose and the bilateral relationship with Beijing turned cold. @here https://www.rappler.com/philippines/things-to-know-maria-theresa-lazaro-foreign-affairs/

Wow, incoming pa at may award na kaagad? 🤔

She has a superiority complex. But reality proves otherwise. 😁

Old and new -- former foreign affairs secretary Enrique Manalo and freshly sworn-in Foreign Affairs Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro attend the 127th anniversary of the DFA.

LOOK: Sec Maria Theresa Lazaro officially takes over the DFA.

New DFA Secretary, but same actions and results? Boring. 😠

@here Good morning! The Philippine Marines has a new chief https://www.rappler.com/philippines/vicente-blanco-marine-corps-commandant/

LOOK: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. speaks to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on the phone.

Marcos says in a social media post: "We discussed how our two nations can further strengthen and deepen cooperation in trade, defence and maintaining peace in our region. I also conveyed our gratitude for Canada’s swift assistance to the Filipino community in Vancouver following the tragic incident at the Lapu-Lapu Day Festival. We look forward to building on this partnership for the benefit of our peoples."