Malacañang on Wednesday urged former Speaker Lord Allan Velasco, who has been abroad since August, to clear his name following allegations of cash deliveries to members of the Duterte family.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources reported that air quality in parts of Metro Manila reached 'very unhealthy' levels, attributed to transboundary haze likely from fires in Kalimantan, Indonesia, causing elevated PM2.5 concentrations.
Operations at the Hall of Justice in Olongapo City were temporarily suspended on Wednesday following a bomb threat. Police bomb disposal units responded, evacuating employees and securing the premises while investigations are underway.
Philippine Interior and Local Government Secretary Juanito Victor "Jonvic" Remulla has vowed to apprehend members of the criminal group True Brown Style (TBS) for recruiting minors through robbery initiations, stating authorities are actively gathering intelligence.
First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos humorously urged the president of a transport workers' group to refrain from future strikes during a rice distribution event for affected workers, a day after the group held a nationwide strike, hinting at ongoing tensions between the government and the transport sector.
Eleven passengers were injured when a jeepney overturned in Santa Maria town, Romblon, Philippines. All injured individuals received immediate medical attention. Police are investigating the cause of the accident.
Mynt, the parent company of Philippine mobile payment giant GCash, is reportedly considering an Initial Public Offering (IPO). This move signals significant growth in the Philippine fintech sector and potential economic implications for the nation.
A dismissed policeman has named the alleged sources of large sums of cash that he claims were delivered from a former Speaker to various personalities, including the Vice President. The ex-cop alleges the money came from certain lawmakers and contractors. Both the Vice President and former Speaker deny the claims.
The Philippine Supreme Court dismissed petitions challenging the Senate impeachment court's ruling on the vote threshold for conviction, with the impeachment tribunal spokesperson stating the decision erected a "firewall" protecting its independence.
The Philippine Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) has announced wage rules for special non-working days during the ASEAN Summit and for holidays in 2027. Private sector employees working during these periods will receive additional premium pay on top of their basic wages.
A bill mandating the use of a national tourism campaign slogan for at least 15 years has been endorsed to the Philippine Senate plenary. The measure aims to strengthen the country's tourism branding by ensuring consistency and preventing dilution of brand recognition due to frequent slogan changes.
The Philippine Senate Finance Committee has approved the Office of the President’s (OP) proposed P10.15-billion budget for 2027, reflecting reduced operational needs after the ASEAN Summit hosting. However, significant cuts to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) could lead to the closure of IBC-13 and halt renovations for the PIA.
A consumer group and former employees have filed a complaint with the Ombudsman against officials of the San Juan del Monte Water District and PrimeWater Infrastructure Corp. over a 2018 joint venture agreement, citing alleged violations of anti-graft laws and previous audit findings.
A magnitude 4.7 earthquake struck offshore northeast of Isabela, Philippines, early Wednesday. The tremor, with an epicenter 39 km north-northeast of Maconacon town at a shallow depth of 10 km, was felt in parts of northern Luzon. No damage or casualties were reported, and no tsunami warning was issued.
Forty students in the Soccsksargen region of the Philippines are receiving counseling from psychologists after allegedly issuing online threats to attack schools. Authorities are treating them as individuals in need of intervention, highlighting the importance of early action following past incidents.
Twenty-eight Filipinos injured in a bus accident in Bavaria, Germany, are either back in Milan or en route, according to the Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt. Three remain hospitalized, while two fatalities are being repatriated. Authorities are thoroughly investigating the cause of the crash.
The Philippine Congress has ratified a bill to strengthen healthcare for the elderly, establishing the nation's first Geriatric Center. This initiative aims to enhance the well-being of seniors and provide better support for their families.
Philippine senators have grilled officials from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) over delays in fund releases for housing and disaster assistance projects. The lack of timely disbursements is hindering vital resettlement and emergency housing programs, impacting citizens.
A youth training program on good governance monitoring has been launched in the Philippines' BARMM region, aiming to equip young leaders with the skills to enhance transparency and accountability in their communities.
A dismissed policeman underwent a second lie detector test at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) regarding his affidavit alleging cash deliveries to the Vice President. The NBI reported 99% truthfulness in his statements, though such results have limited admissibility in court.
Construction on four National Food Authority (NFA) facilities in Nueva Ecija, Philippines, will resume, significantly increasing drying and storage capacity. The initiative aims to expand direct palay procurement from farmers and stabilize rice supply.
The Philippines' National Government debt reached P19.607 trillion by the end of August, a 12.24% year-on-year increase. This rise was driven by domestic and foreign borrowings, with the peso's depreciation significantly boosting the peso value of foreign-currency denominated debt. The debt stock now represents over 99% of the projected borrowing level for the end of 2026.
The Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) has reinstated a 30-day filing timeline for merger and acquisition (M&A) transactions, effective October 3. This move aims to strengthen competition and protect consumer welfare.
Japan Tobacco International (JTI) Philippines stated that the Department of Finance's proposed rationalization of excise taxes on e-liquids could help curb misdeclaration and smuggling, as the current tax rate difference creates opportunities for illicit activities.
The Philippine government has institutionalized a unified digital platform, the COMPASS Portal, to consolidate and publish government budget and expenditure information, enhancing transparency, accountability, and public participation. This allows citizens to track public spending.
The Philippines is moving towards mandatory e-invoicing, but many taxpayers face challenges with system readiness and the lack of accredited service providers. As the year-end deadline approaches, regulatory requirements appear to be outpacing business preparedness.
The Philippine government's mass resettlement program is causing public schools to exceed capacity due to inadequate planning for educational facilities at relocation sites. Cavite's Naic town, for example, requires 135 new classrooms to accommodate a surge in student enrollment within a single year.
The Philippine Senate impeachment court ruled that Vice President Sara Duterte cannot be compelled to admit to evidence, including bank account ownership, citing the constitutional right against self-incrimination. Prosecutors stated the decision is not a setback and they will continue to present their case through witnesses and documents.
The Philippines has institutionalized the Centralized Open Monitoring Platform for Appropriations and Spending Statistics (COMPASS), a digital platform allowing the public to track government funds. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed an executive order making the platform a permanent fixture in government systems, enhancing transparency and public access to budget utilization.
The Philippines' Climate Change Commission warns that urban areas could experience a heat index of up to 50 degrees Celsius due to an impending Super El Niño. The lack of green spaces is expected to exacerbate heatwaves, increasing health risks for residents.
The Philippine Supreme Court has dismissed petitions challenging the interpretation of the two-thirds vote threshold required for conviction in the Vice President's impeachment trial, upholding the Senate Impeachment Court's ruling.
Allegations of public funds being diverted to non-existent or incomplete school construction projects have emerged in the Philippines. Teacher groups are demanding a thorough nationwide investigation beyond Davao del Norte province.
Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro, Philippines, canceled all levels of classes on Wednesday after a magnitude 5 earthquake struck the municipality. The Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office recommended the cancellation due to expected aftershocks.
False information regarding the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte has been circulating on social media in the Philippines throughout September. Fabricated, altered, and AI-generated content is being used, making it crucial to distinguish truth from fiction.
Hostilities between rival factions of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) flared anew in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao del Sur, forcing civilians to flee their homes. Local officials intervened to defuse the situation, but concerns over ongoing instability persist.
Philippine Congressman Gracioso will undergo a lie detector test to ascertain the truthfulness of his past statements regarding alleged cash deliveries to politicians, a move aimed at verifying his controversial testimony.