A former central bank official suggested that weak domestic governance, including corruption and institutional fragility, is the primary driver of the Philippines' economic slowdown, rather than geopolitical risks like Middle East tensions. Restoring investor confidence requires a clear demonstration of a functioning justice system.
Pangasinan Representative Mark O. Cojuangco is urging President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to revive the mothballed Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) as a solution to the country's power shortages and high electricity costs. Cojuangco estimates the BNPP's restoration at $1.5 billion and proposes building new nuclear plants.
The Philippine government plans a record P7.2 trillion spending program for 2027, dubbed 'People-Centered Growth.' While prioritizing education, health, and infrastructure, nearly a quarter of the budget relies on borrowing, raising concerns about rising debt and fiscal deficits.
Eighteen nursing graduates from Mindanao have secured the top 18 spots in the August 2026 Philippine Nurse Licensure Examination (PNLE), highlighting the quality of education in the region.
A murder suspect, listed as the most wanted in Bukidnon province, Philippines, was killed during an armed confrontation while authorities attempted to serve an arrest warrant, according to police reports.
The Philippines' Department of Public Works and Highways is planning revisions to its 2027 national budget, prioritizing flood control projects while also benefiting other infrastructure sectors.
A classroom activity involving the bursting of balloons at Holy Name University in Bohol, Philippines, triggered a false shooting alarm, leading to a police security sweep. No injuries were reported.
A recent Social Weather Survey (SWS) reveals that 30% of adult Filipinos do not disagree with the statement, 'A person like me cannot do anything to reduce corruption in the government,' indicating persistent feelings of powerlessness against graft.
A hypothetical tandem of Vice President Sara Duterte and Senator Robin Padilla leads over Mayor Leni Robredo and Senator Bam Aquino by 12 points in a projected Philippine presidential election, according to OCTA Research. The gap between the two pairings has narrowed.
The camp of former House Speaker and Leyte Representative Martin Romualdez will submit their response by Monday regarding why he should not be preventively suspended by the Sandiganbayan. The anti-graft court had issued an order questioning the grounds for his suspension as a lawmaker.
The Philippines' Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is pursuing talks with social media giant Meta to enhance child protection measures. DICT Secretary Henry Aguda indicated that legal action is a possibility if negotiations fail to yield an agreement, signaling a firm stance on safeguarding minors online.
Former Executive Secretary Victor Rodriguez has asked the Supreme Court to nullify a Senate Impeachment Tribunal ruling that altered the voting threshold for convicting an impeached official, alleging it unlawfully rewrites the Constitution. The challenge questions the constitutional basis of impeachment proceedings.
The Philippine Coast Guard is continuing its search for eight individuals still missing after a passenger ferry caught fire off Coron, Palawan. Search and retrieval operations resumed on Thursday, September 24, in the waters near Bantac Island and Lagat Island.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) intends to request a fund reallocation of approximately P20 billion from lawmakers as the House of Representatives deliberates on the proposed 2027 budget, aiming to adjust funding across various infrastructure projects.
The House of Representatives has concluded budget deliberations for at least seven agencies, including the Departments of Education, Energy, and Transportation, for the fiscal year 2027. The education sector received a record P975.9 billion, reaffirming its status as a national investment.
The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that a Random Manual Audit (RMA) for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) parliamentary election found the automated election system (AES) to be 99.99561% accurate. While a one-vote discrepancy was noted in one race, overall high reliability was demonstrated.
Eleven warships from ASEAN member states and partner nations participated in joint maritime drills in the West Philippine Sea, aimed at strengthening regional security cooperation. China, a partner nation, did not join the exercise and approached the area without responding to communication.
The Department of Education (DepEd) announced that the budget for public schools has doubled in five years, from P30 billion in 2022 to over P61 billion in the proposed 2027 budget. However, some critics have raised concerns about the overall increase in education spending in the 2027 national outlay compared to the current year.
Christian Monsod, a framer of the 1987 Constitution, has criticized senators who objected to lowering the vote threshold for convicting the Vice President in an impeachment trial, sparking debate over constitutional interpretation.
Tropical Storm Queenie has entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility and is forecast to intensify into a typhoon over the weekend, bringing rains to Mindanao and other areas.
Approximately 40 Filipino seafarers aboard the Panama-flagged bulk carrier First Margaux are safe following a collision with a China-registered fishing vessel in the Singapore Strait. No injuries were reported among the Filipino crew, and the Department of Migrant Workers is coordinating support.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $1.5 billion loan to assist the Philippines in addressing the impacts of the Middle East conflict. The funds will support low-income individuals and returning overseas Filipino workers.
The Philippines' Department of Agriculture is considering higher tariffs on imported pork in response to a surge in shipments, with industry groups citing negative impacts on domestic hog raisers. A decision on tariff adjustments is anticipated by the end of 2028.
Senator Erwin Tulfo expressed opposition to reviving the mothballed Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) due to safety concerns, favoring the construction of new facilities instead. He also stressed the importance of public acceptance for nuclear energy.
The Philippines' Department of Finance targets to conclude congressional hearings for its tax reform package, dubbed the Promoting Growth, Revenue, and Equity towards Socio-economic Sustainability (ProGRESS) bill, by November or December, aiming to receive the committee report within the year.
The Philippine government, through the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) and the Pag-IBIG Fund, will assist developers with excess inventory of condominium units priced at P3 million and below. This initiative aims to benefit both homebuyers with low-interest loans and developers facing market challenges.
The Philippines' Department of Agriculture will not suspend rice imports to ensure an adequate supply and prevent price hikes amid El Niño. The policy aims to maintain sufficient stock, especially for the first half of next year, when the dry spell's impact on harvests will be felt.
Police in Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat, seized suspected smuggled cigarettes worth approximately P427,000 from a copra dryer. Regional police are investigating following a tip.
The Sandiganbayan has granted the request of former House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, accused in a plunder case, to attend his pretrial proceedings via videoconference on September 25, marking a procedural step in the ongoing legal process.
The Philippine Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has asserted that there are no hidden motives behind the government's actions concerning online platforms like Discord and Reddit. The DICT, along with its attached agency, the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), announced the lifting of a temporary ban on Discord.
A land dispute has intensified in Mindoro between a developer, Pieceland Corporation, asserting legal ownership of a 302,944-square-meter property, and the indigenous Mangyan-Iraya community, which claims it as part of their ancestral domain. The developer maintains its legal rights while stating no intention to silence the indigenous group's assertions.
Pangasinan 2nd District Rep. Mark Cojuangco criticized the national government for its perceived inaction on the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP). He expressed disappointment over the government's slow pace in considering nuclear energy as an option, urging for a firm decision.
Late Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen led a retreat for the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) at Mirador Jesuit Villa Retreat House in Baguio City in 1975. Known as a pioneer of Catholic media, Sheen is scheduled for beatification rites in the US in September 2026.
The Philippine government has lifted a temporary ban on the messaging platform Discord after it committed to implementing stronger child safety and counter-extremism measures. The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) announced the decision.
Workers in the Philippines' Cagayan Valley are demanding a P100 increase in their daily wage, while employers advocate for maintaining the current P500 minimum. The conflicting stances were presented at a public hearing on September 24th, highlighting a significant gap between labor and business interests.
Senator JV Ejercito has pledged full support for the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to bolster their efforts against cybercrime and online scams, emphasizing the need for adequate funding to enhance their capabilities.