A protest marking the 54th anniversary of Martial Law in the Philippines saw diverse reactions from bystanders on Mendiola. While protesters called for accountability, children expressed curiosity, vendors saw business opportunities, and long-time residents noted increased safety.
The Philippine Senate impeachment court ruled to refer to Vice President Sara Duterte as 'respondent-accused.' The House prosecution had sought clarification, arguing the impeachment proceedings were not criminal in nature.
The defense team of Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte argued that a Senate impeachment court's ruling on the voting threshold for conviction is final and unappealable. The prosecution panel countered that including absent senators in the calculation could lead to an unjust acquittal.
Reports of protester deaths during the September 21, 2026 rallies commemorating the 54th anniversary of Martial Law under the Marcos regime in the Philippines have been confirmed as false. Police authorities have denied any fatalities occurred.
The Office of the President is "seriously considering" granting an absolute pardon to former overseas Filipino worker Mary Jane Veloso on humanitarian grounds. Veloso, who was once a death row inmate in Indonesia, is currently detained in the Philippines on drug charges.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) forecasts a slowdown in the Philippine economy due to persistent Middle East crisis uncertainty and severe dry weather from El Niño. GDP growth projections for 2026 and 2027 have been revised downward, with inflation also expected to rise.
The prosecution in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte argues that senators unable to participate in the proceedings should not be allowed to vote. This stance could alter the number of votes required for conviction, significantly impacting the trial's outcome.
Philippine bus operators are urgently appealing to the government to lift the suspension of fare hikes, approved in March, due to continuously rising fuel prices. They express concerns about the sustainability of operations and call for fair and sustainable fares.
Philippine Airlines (PAL) announced a flash sale offering a 50% discount on Manila-Dubai flights, coinciding with the resumption of its nonstop service on October 2, 2026. The sale, valid for one day on September 23, 2026, will be exclusively available on PAL's website and mobile app using promo code "PALDXB50".
A heated debate has erupted in the Philippines' impeachment trial over the number of votes required for a conviction against the Vice President. The House prosecution panel argues against including absent senators in the tally, while the defense maintains the established threshold of 16 votes.
Economists at Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ) predict the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) may implement one final 25-basis-point rate hike to conclude its tightening cycle. This move aims to counter volatility from a hawkish US Federal Reserve, support inflation control, and stabilize the peso.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is advancing concrete projects for its Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA), slated to take effect next year. Led by Singapore, the initiative aims to facilitate regional trade and payments.
The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) has received approval from the Investment Coordination Committee-Cabinet Committee for its P2.48-billion National ID system upgrade project. This initiative, which will involve the private sector, now allows the PSA to proceed to the procurement stage.
Mynt Inc., the operator of GCash, is seeing strong demand from global institutional investors for its upcoming initial public offering (IPO). This robust interest is boosting prospects for what could become the largest listing in Philippine history, with major players like IFC, BlackRock, Capital Group, and Schroders reportedly seeking to participate.
International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) has secured a $1-billion loan from BDO Unibank Inc., signaling its commitment to an aggressive expansion strategy both domestically and internationally.
Smart Communications Inc., the wireless arm of Philippine telco giant PLDT Inc., anticipates its newly launched artificial intelligence (AI) platform will become a significant new revenue stream. The company is actively exploring the integration of this AI technology into e-commerce and other digital transactions.
Aboitiz Power-backed solar startup Solviva Energy is poised for expansion outside the National Capital Region, citing new government regulations that have streamlined solar rooftop installations and spurred demand. The company aims to establish a presence in Cebu and Davao.
Speculation is rife in the Philippine financial sector as a high-ranking treasury executive at a major local bank is reportedly on the verge of leaving or losing his post due to alleged irregularities. Authorities are believed to be investigating the matter.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor has urged judges to reject a bid by former President Rodrigo Duterte's defense team to block evidence related to eight additional incidents. This marks a significant development in the ongoing investigation into the "war on drugs" in the Philippines.
The Philippines' Department of Transportation stated that fare hikes would be a last resort, as the government explores alternative measures to support drivers and transport operators amid soaring fuel prices.
Former President Rodrigo Duterte's defense team has requested the International Criminal Court (ICC) to reject the testimony of witness P-1100, arguing it lacks sufficient relevance and probative value to the case's disputed matters.
A company declared by Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte as one of her business interests secured nearly P36 million in government contracts during her term, with a significant portion awarded by the Davao City government, according to testimony from a procurement official.
Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte's declared net worth has reportedly surged by P33 million since she took office, raising questions about the source of her increased wealth. Prosecutors are now pursuing a money trail involving corporate records and contracts from Davao City.
Senator Rodante Marcoleta has withdrawn from participating in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, citing procedural flaws and potential constitutional violations in the Senate's voting threshold discussions.
The Philippines has declared November 16-18, 2026, as special non-working days in Metro Manila to facilitate the 49th ASEAN Summit and related meetings, aiming to ease traffic and ensure participant safety.
In response to a series of school shooting incidents, the Philippine government will soon formalize a memorandum of agreement between the DILG and DepEd to deploy 'visible patrols' within public schools. The deployment of security personnel, particularly women, is being considered. President Marcos Jr. has also described the situation as 'very disturbing' and ordered immediate action.
The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) has signed a memorandum of understanding with Port of Antwerp-Bruges International (PoABI), Europe's second-largest port operator, to enhance the capacity, design, and standards of local port terminals. This move aims to accelerate infrastructure modernization ahead of a looming free trade agreement (FTA) with the European Union.
Southeast Asian nations are accelerating efforts to build the interconnected ASEAN Power Grid, driven by surging regional electricity demand and the need to share renewable energy resources. With the Philippines holding the ASEAN chairmanship, the project's urgency is highlighted as a critical infrastructure development.
The Philippines' local currency bond market saw a slower growth rate in the second quarter compared to the previous period, with bond issuance falling sharply by 45 percent, according to a report by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
The Philippine economy likely experienced a slowdown in Q3, with BMI flagging risks to the 2026 government growth target. Factors cited include subdued public spending due to corruption probes and weak consumption impacted by high inflation and unemployment.
Solviva Energy, a solar startup backed by Aboitiz Power, plans to expand beyond Metro Manila, targeting Cebu and Davao. The move aims to capture growing demand for rooftop solar amid high electricity prices and energy market volatility. The company offers zero-down payment and rent-to-own options to mitigate upfront costs.
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has filed charges against 14 individuals, including its own personnel and a trading firm, for the illegal shipment of P17.5 million worth of onions and carrots misdeclared as 'chicken lollipops.' This action underscores efforts to protect domestic agriculture and combat smuggling.
Caritas Philippines, the social action arm of the Catholic Church, has expressed concern over the proposed Pax Silica industrial and technology hub, citing insufficient consultation with affected communities, particularly indigenous Aeta groups. They are calling for greater transparency regarding the project's environmental and social impacts.
The impeachment trial of Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte enters its 29th day with a heated debate over the required votes for conviction. The Senate, facing absences of several senators, is divided on constitutional interpretation.
The impeachment trial of Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte is focused on the voting threshold for conviction. While the prosecution panel insists on 16 votes based on the total Senate membership, some former Supreme Court justices have suggested a lower threshold based on actively participating senators. The impeachment court is set to vote on the matter.
The impeachment trial of Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte concluded its 28th day with no witnesses testifying, shifting focus to oral arguments on the conviction-vote threshold. The Senate impeachment court allocated 15 minutes for each party's arguments.