Late Cesar Virata, who served as Finance Minister and Prime Minister under the Marcos dictatorship, helped prolong the regime with his economic expertise. However, his skills, dubbed "deodorizing" the regime, left Filipinos impoverished and the nation with massive debt.
A developing El Niño in the Pacific Ocean could be one of the strongest on record, raising concerns for the Philippines about severe impacts including floods, droughts, extreme heat, and crop damage. The World Meteorological Organization anticipates its peak in early 2027, warning of record-breaking temperatures amplified by climate change.
A top Palace official attributed the Philippines' recent economic slowdown to "political noise" from destabilizers and fake news. Undersecretary Claire Castro stated these factors, alongside the Middle East crisis and natural calamities, are deterring investment and hindering growth.
Senator Tito Sotto raised concerns about a potential financial scheme called 'Tinikling,' where unutilized or stale manager's checks are allegedly returned to banks to avoid audits. This surfaced during the impeachment trial of VP Sara Duterte, concerning a P41.7 million manager's check that reportedly remained 'floating' for years.
A joint bank account under the names of Vice President Sara Duterte and former president Rodrigo Duterte was used to purchase a P16-million manager's check payable to businessman Sammy Uy, a bank official testified during the vice president's impeachment trial. The transaction, which allows funds to be removed from account balances, drew questions from lawmakers.
Iligan City has launched a Civil Society Organization (CSO) Academy, a pilot program aimed at strengthening CSOs and promoting their participation in local governance. The initiative is a result of an MOU signed by the city government, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, and the Iligan City People's Council.
Eight lawmakers from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) have pledged financial support from their individual development funds to assist residents in undertaking the Islamic pilgrimage (Umrah) to Saudi Arabia. This initiative aims to facilitate participation in the significant religious obligation for Muslims.
The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) rebounded to the 5,700 level, buoyed by a decrease in the unemployment rate to 5.3% in August. Improved labor market data boosted investor sentiment.
The Philippine Department of Justice has urged Batangas Representative Leandro Leviste to return to the Philippines and submit to the court's jurisdiction following the issuance of an arrest warrant against him. Leviste is currently in France, and his lawyer plans to file motions to lift the warrant.
The Presidential Palace of the Philippines has indicated that bank account balances and transaction histories can be significant evidence in impeachment trials, a statement drawing attention in the context of asset disclosure and anti-corruption efforts for politicians.
A witness testified in an impeachment trial that Vice President Sara Duterte and her husband held a total of P8 million (approximately $134,000 USD) across nine bank accounts as of 2025. The deposits may not have been declared in their asset declarations.
The Philippine Presidential Palace stated that the investigation into claims by former police officer Rodulfo Gracioso Jr. of delivering P2 billion to Vice President Sara Duterte will continue, despite accusations of politicking. Gracioso claims he delivered the money under instructions from a former House Speaker.
The Philippines' Department of Education (DepEd) will introduce mathematics tutorials into its Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) Program starting School Year 2026-2027, aiming to bolster support in a subject area that continues to show challenges in international assessments.
Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte denied knowledge of any undisclosed Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) accounts linked to her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte. However, sources suggest the existence of joint accounts, raising questions about transparency.
Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. announced plans to strengthen the military presence in Palawan. The move aims to bolster territorial defense, internal security, and disaster response capabilities in the region, particularly in light of the South China Sea situation. Plans include enhancing the Army and Marine Corps.
The camp of Batangas Representative Leandro Leviste will file motions to lift the arrest warrant issued against him for alleged violation of the Public Service Act. Leviste is currently in France, and personal appearance may be required for bail proceedings.
The proposed 2027 national budget for the Philippines, set to increase by 6% to P7.2 trillion, faces significant pressure from rising debt servicing costs, leading to projected cuts in crucial social services like education and health, according to a congressional think tank.
RLC has partnered with Pag-IBIG Fund to expand home loan accreditation across its residential portfolio. This move aims to provide buyers with more favorable financing options, particularly for units nearing turnover, thereby boosting sales.
Philippine telco giant PLDT has postponed its planned Initial Public Offering (IPO) for its data center Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) from its initial target to 2027, citing unfavorable market conditions and higher interest rates. The decision impacts the company's debt reduction plans.
The initial public offering (IPO) of Mynt, the parent company of leading Philippine e-wallet GCash, experienced brief disruptions to its trading systems on its first day due to overwhelming investor demand. The rush highlighted strong interest, though questions remain about the offering price and the proportion of secondary shares.
The El Niño phenomenon in the Philippines is driving up electricity demand due to extreme heat, impacting the operation of thermal and hydropower plants. This is leading to a tighter power supply and rising prices in the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM), raising concerns about consumer cost increases.
Police arrested a man and seized 1,380 liters of diesel fuel worth P129,720 in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro, following a tip from a concerned citizen. The incident suggests potential illegal fuel trading.
Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. is pushing for the deployment of a brigade-sized Army force and a stronger Marine presence in Palawan. This move is seen as a response to the escalating tensions and security concerns in the West Philippine Sea.
Philippine National Police (PNP) operations against cigarette smuggling in Mimaropa from January to September resulted in 47 arrests and the seizure of smuggled cigarettes and other items valued at approximately P37.16 million.
The Philippine Department of Agriculture (DA) and major retailer Dali Everyday Grocery are exploring a partnership to enable farmers to sell their produce more directly to the market, aiming to increase farmer incomes and secure stable markets.
The Commission on Audit (COA) has finalized its disallowance of the P73 million confidential fund release by the Office of the Vice President (OVP) in December 2022. The OVP submitted only acknowledgment receipts, failing to comply with COA rules and budget execution standards.
Fishing and sailing in waters off Puerto Princesa and Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park in Palawan will be temporarily banned on October 10, as these areas are designated "drop zones" for potential rocket debris from an upcoming Chinese space launch, announced the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).
Reina Mercedes, Isabela Vice Mayor Harold Respicio has tested negative for illegal drugs following a public confrontation with a local government official. The incident has sparked debate over the cost of drug testing.
The impeachment trial of Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte enters its 35th day with prosecutors continuing to present evidence on alleged unexplained wealth. Bank representatives are scheduled to testify on the financial records of Duterte and her husband.
A comparative look at preparations by the agricultural sector, water utilities, and fire departments in the Philippines in response to strong El Niño forecasts. Distinguishing between forecasts and actual outcomes, this analysis considers the decision-making factors for each sector.
BPI Wealth, a leading trust entity in the Philippines, has revised its 2026 asset under management (AUM) growth forecast down to 17-18% from a previous 20% outlook due to market volatility. Rising inflation and a weaker peso are driving Filipinos to diversify into global assets.
The impeachment trial of Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte enters its 35th day with the continued disclosure of financial records. Prosecutors are set to present more bank records pertaining to her and her spouse's assets, drawing significant public attention.
The Commission on Audit (COA) has finalized its decision disallowing the P73-million confidential funds requested by former Defense and Education Secretary Sara Duterte, marking a significant development in her political career.
The Philippine Commission on Audit (COA) has definitively disallowed P73 million in confidential funds used by the Office of the Vice President under Sara Duterte in late 2022, citing insufficient documentation for intelligence gathering activities.