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Height Realty Inc.'s Southlinks Estate has become the first development in Metro Manila to achieve the highest 5-Star BERDE District rating, the Philippines' national green building certification. This recognition highlights its sustainable development plans and focus on resident quality of life.
Classes at all levels in Laguna province, Philippines, were suspended Monday afternoon due to heavy rains from the enhanced southwest monsoon. The governor announced the suspension following a Yellow Heavy Rainfall Warning, directing the implementation of alternative learning modes.
Churches and local governments in Mindoro have launched an initiative to promote renewable energy, aiming to shift away from diesel dependency. This effort addresses both rising electricity costs and environmental protection concerns.
The Department of Education (DepEd) has revealed a complete lack of funding for new teacher hires in its 2027 budget. This comes as the country faces a severe teacher shortage exceeding 14,000, prompting the department to appeal for additional allocations.
Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla expressed personal pain over the arrest warrant execution for former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, a long-time friend, but affirmed his commitment to his duties without taking sides. Romualdez faces charges in a plunder case.
The Office of the Ombudsman has filed a plunder case against former House Speaker Martin Romualdez and others for allegedly receiving kickbacks exceeding P7 billion. The charges stem from suspected illicit payments from contractors involved in infrastructure and other government projects.
Philippine Education Secretary Sonny Angara stated the country's education quality ranks in the middle tier among Southeast Asian nations, indicating room for improvement. Citing international assessments showing Filipino students' low performance in math, reading, and science, he outlined plans to adopt Vietnam as a model for reforms, focusing on enhanced teacher training and budget discipline.
The Philippine government expressed optimism that negotiations for the South China Sea Code of Conduct (COC) between ASEAN and China will be finalized this year. With the Philippines hosting its largest ASEAN-related event in November, there is hope for the "substantial completion" of the COC. Negotiations have been ongoing for over 20 years, with issues like legal bindingness and recognition of arbitral awards remaining challenges.
The Bukidnon Airport construction project in the Philippines is set to be completed by 2027 with a total investment of P3.17 billion. This initiative is expected to boost the region's economy and improve logistics efficiency.
The Philippine Presidential Palace has challenged Vice President Sara Duterte to provide evidence supporting her claims of feeling unsafe and distrusting the police and courts. Law enforcement and investigative agencies state there are no records or reports indicating any threats against the Vice President.
The prosecution team in the impeachment trial against Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte has decided to prioritize the unexplained wealth allegations over the bribery case, while still maintaining both charges. This strategic shift is expected to prolong the proceedings.
Police in Calabarzon, Philippines, seized over P13.3 million (approximately $225,000 USD) worth of illegal drugs and arrested 228 suspects during anti-narcotics operations from August 31 to September 6. High-value methamphetamine was notably seized in Batangas City.
Philippine House Speaker Martin Romualdez faces an arrest warrant over alleged plunder charges amounting to P7.4 billion. Romualdez has denied the accusations, with his lawyer stating readiness to face them in court. His arrest was made at a medical facility.
Manila has declared the leptospirosis situation an 'epidemic' as reported cases have surged past the city's 'epidemiologic threshold.' Hospitals are at full capacity, highlighting an urgent public health crisis.
The prosecution panel in Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial has withdrawn former Department of Education (DepEd) special disbursing officer Edward Fajarda as a witness due to his ongoing recovery from a stroke. Fajarda was slated to testify regarding alleged misuse of confidential funds during Duterte's tenure as education secretary.
Butuan City in the Philippines has declared a state of calamity to address a severe water shortage. This declaration grants immediate access to emergency funds for purchasing water tanks and renting pumps. The city aims to strengthen collaboration with government agencies and the community to overcome the crisis and establish permanent water supply systems.
The Philippines is accelerating efforts to finalize free-trade agreements (FTAs) with the European Union and Canada. The move aims to expand markets for Philippine products, particularly emerging agricultural exports like ube and calamansi, complementing established sectors such as semiconductors and automotive parts.
Former House Speaker Martin Romualdez was arrested in connection with a P7.44-billion plunder case. Meanwhile, Vice President Sara Duterte expressed feeling 'not safe' amid ongoing legal challenges, causing a stir.
Former House Speaker Martin Romualdez has requested continued hospital confinement from the Sandiganbayan, citing cardiovascular and brain conditions, following the issuance of an arrest warrant for a ₱7.4 billion plunder case. The anti-graft court issued the warrant, and booking procedures were conducted at his hospital room.
The House Committee on Appropriations is considering restoring funds to Department of Education (DepEd) programs cut from the proposed 2027 National Expenditure Program (NEP). Concerns are particularly high for special education and school feeding programs.
Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) testimony revealed that deceased individuals and minors as of 2023 were listed as recipients of Vice President Sara Duterte's confidential funds, raising questions about improper disbursement. Evidence presented at an impeachment trial has intensified debate over the alleged misuse of funds.
The Sandiganbayan ordered the arrest of former Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on plunder charges related to a P7.4 billion kickback scheme involving flood control projects, a non-bailable offense.
Vice President Sara Duterte has accused the Marcos administration of political harassment, days after an arrest warrant was served to her. The Interior Secretary denied the allegations, stating the legal process was handled with courtesy. The dispute highlights growing political tensions within the Philippines.
The Philippine government asserts its revenues are sufficient to cover debt obligations, outlining plans to manage rising public debt through tax reforms and revenue enhancement measures. These include income tax cuts for citizens coupled with increased taxes on certain products. The national debt has recently reached a record high.
The Philippine Senate has approved a bill to institutionalize the Presidential Merit Scholarship Program (PSMP), aiming to provide academic and financial assistance to excellent senior high school students from financially constrained families, opening pathways to higher education and vocational training.
The Philippine government is pushing for closer alignment between educational institutions and industries to address skills mismatches, a problem that leaves workers unprepared for evolving job opportunities. President Marcos emphasized the need for workforce development to ensure Filipinos can adapt to changing employment landscapes.
The Philippine Senate has given final approval to ratify and accede to five international agreements concerning taxation, security, education, aviation, and criminal justice cooperation. This move aims to prevent double taxation, enhance criminal investigation collaboration, and facilitate international recognition of higher education qualifications.
President Marcos urged local government units (LGUs) nationwide to adopt Marikina City's integrated waste management system, citing its potential to reduce flooding and address environmental concerns through proper waste collection, recycling, and recovery.
Philippine housing agencies have called for time limits on beneficiaries of a proposed free housing bill (HB 989), citing concerns over indefinite occupancy conflicting with existing laws and the program's sustainability.
The House Committee on Appropriations deliberated on the Judiciary's request for an additional P5.344 billion beyond its original budget proposal. Key focuses include the construction of Halls of Justice and increased hazard pay for judges.
The Philippine government had yet to release P26.13 billion (approximately $450 million) of its National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (NDRRMF) as of end-August, raising concerns about disaster response capabilities, particularly for reconstruction aid to local government units.
The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) has issued a public warning against fake recruitment websites impersonating its official platform, which are suspected of stealing personal information and engaging in fraud. Applicants are urged to use only authorized channels for recruitment.
The Department of Education (DepEd) has proposed a zero budget for hiring new teachers in its 2027 fiscal year budget. This decision comes amid an anticipated shortage of 14,274 teachers in 2027, raising concerns about the impact on the education sector.
Former House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez underwent arrest proceedings in a hospital room after a warrant was issued for his involvement in a P7.4-billion plunder case. Police conducted booking procedures, including fingerprinting, while he was admitted for a cardiovascular event.
The Philippines' Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) sector is benefiting from, rather than suffering due to, the global artificial intelligence (AI) boom, according to HSBC. AI tools are accelerating employment and productivity, with service exports showing steady growth and no "collapse" evident.
The Philippine government plans to bring five coal-fired power plants, totaling 722 megawatts in the Visayas and Mindanao, back into service by October. The move prioritizes resolving power shortages and stabilizing the grid.