A remnant of the Dawlah Islamiya group, allegedly involved in large-scale drug trafficking, was killed in a shootout with police in the southern Philippines. Authorities are on alert for potential retaliation.
The Philippine peso hit a record low against the US dollar, trading at 62.77 on Monday. The currency was weighed down by rising bets on further US Federal Reserve rate hikes and a stronger dollar fueled by Middle East tensions.
Vice President Sara Duterte initially expressed a preference for detention at Camp Crame, the Philippine National Police headquarters, following the issuance of an arrest warrant. However, her camp later opted for her to proceed directly to the Quezon City court, according to Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) stated that the Philippine economy could still achieve 3.8% growth in 2026, contingent on a rebound in public investment, as infrastructure spending delays have hampered growth.
Former Speaker Martin Romualdez is set to have an arrest warrant served on him, even while hospitalized, as he faces charges of plunder and bribery. The court has issued the warrant for his apprehension.
The Department of Health (DOH) in the Philippines reported a slight increase in influenza-like illness (ILI) cases during the first two weeks of August. The agency also issued advisories concerning food and water-borne diseases.
Philippine Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla challenged Vice President Sara Duterte's camp to present evidence of alleged police harassment during the execution of an arrest warrant. Remulla asserted that the operation was peaceful and devoid of any harassment.
As Vice President Sara Duterte faces an impeachment trial, young lawyer Justine Gular has joined her defense team. Gular, one of the youngest members of Duterte's legal counsel, is serving as part of the defense team in the impeachment proceedings.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) stated that "patience and understanding" are needed regarding Vice President Sara Duterte's distrust of law enforcement, assuring her of the force's commitment to lawful, professional, and impartial operations.
The Philippine government has continued its fuel subsidy program for public transport this month, increasing weekly releases to around P60 million. The subsidy, raised to P12 per liter starting August 15, has benefited over 100,000 public utility vehicles to date.
The Philippines' Department of Energy (DOE) announced that the "One Mindoro Power Grid" project is on track for completion by the end of 2027. This initiative aims to unify the island's power grids, promising a more stable electricity supply and reduced electricity bills for residents.
The Philippine Senate has announced a new session schedule as it navigates the impeachment trial of the Vice President, deliberations for the 2027 budget, and its legislative agenda. The Majority Leader emphasized smooth operations and avoidance of delays.
The Philippines' Department of Education (DepEd) is facing concerns over the continuity of its Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) program, as it received zero funding in the 2027 National Expenditure Program (NEP). While the Education Secretary hopes for its inclusion during budget deliberations, educators express disappointment.
Over 20,000 applicants have applied for 10,000 school counselor associate positions, the Department of Education announced, as part of efforts to strengthen mental health and anti-bullying measures in schools.
The Sandiganbayan, the Philippines' anti-graft court, has issued arrest warrants for former Speaker Martin Romualdez and three others in connection with a P7.4 billion plunder case. The court found probable cause to believe the accused committed the offense. Romualdez's lawyer stated they will face the allegations according to law.
Hog raisers in the Philippines are panic selling their livestock due to fears of an African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak, leading to a drop in pork prices. The Department of Agriculture (DA) is pushing for vaccine approval and domestic production to address the situation.
The Sandiganbayan 3rd Division in the Philippines has issued a warrant of arrest against former House Speaker Martin Romualdez in connection with a P7.44 billion plunder case. Romualdez is reportedly currently confined in a hospital.
Former Department of Education special disbursing officer Edward Fajarda, a key potential witness in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, has been advised to rest for another 30 days due to illness, making his appearance in court impossible for now. This development could impact the trial's proceedings.
A Grade 8 student was stabbed in the neck and abdomen by a Grade 11 schoolmate during an altercation at Buayan National High School in General Santos City. The victim was hospitalized, and the assailant is in police custody. School officials cited a misunderstanding between the students as the cause.
The Visayas grid in the Philippines continues to face a tight electricity situation, with a red alert issued on Monday. Approximately 818.9 megawatts of capacity is unavailable due to forced outages and reduced output from several power plants, increasing the risk of brownouts.
The Philippines' Department of Health (DOH) has secured 602 beds across 20 hospitals in Metro Manila to address a rise in leptospirosis cases. The agency is also bolstering doxycycline supply to affected regions and continues to monitor the spread of the infection.
The Department of Education (DepEd) in the Philippines has drastically shortened the hiring process for school counselors from the usual three to four months to approximately 30 days, in response to concerns over bullying and school violence. The announcement was made during the deliberation of the 2027 budget, with reports also highlighting the strengthening of Child Protection Committees. As a measure against the current situation identified by EDCOM 2 as the "bullying capital of the world," the agency also plans to train teachers in schools lacking guidance counselors.
Saudi Aramco, Saudi Arabia's state-owned oil giant, is considering establishing an oil export hub in Bataan, Philippines, according to the Department of Energy (DOE). This initiative, potentially part of a Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR), could impact the nation's energy security and economy.
The impeachment trial of Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte has entered its 10th week. The House prosecution panel is set to examine the identities of supposed recipients of her confidential funds, with an official from the Philippine Statistics Authority expected to testify.
A recent survey indicates that 83% of Philippine CEOs are confident about their prospects over the next 12 months, a sentiment that remains unchanged from the previous year. However, business leaders also expressed vigilance towards emerging risks.
The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) will introduce a health proxy system to allow designated individuals to make medical decisions during emergencies, reinforcing the 'Right to Care (RTC)' initiative for unmarried couples and LGBTQIA+ partners.
The Philippine peso saw a slight gain against the US dollar but remained near record lows, pressured by escalating Middle East tensions and rising oil prices. The country's heavy reliance on imports is cited as a key factor behind the peso's weakness.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla claimed that Vice President Sara Duterte's camp initially sought to have her photographed in handcuffs or behind bars during the service of her arrest warrant, calling the proposed scenario "drama." Remulla stated that the police did not agree to this.
The Office of the Ombudsman has filed a plunder case against former House Speaker Martin Romualdez and three others for alleged involvement in a flood-control corruption scandal, a charge Romualdez denies.
A motorboat capsized off the coast of Caluya, Antique, resulting in the rescue of eight passengers and the confirmation of one fatality. The Philippine Coast Guard conducted search and rescue operations.
The impeachment article concerning Vice President Sara Duterte's unexplained wealth will be presented earlier than scheduled. The prosecution aims to expedite the case after concluding its presentation on alleged misuse of confidential funds.
The prosecution in the impeachment trial against Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte announced its intention to advance the presentation of evidence concerning allegations of unexplained wealth (Article 2). The bribery charge (Article 3) will also still be presented.
Philippine prosecutors have filed a plunder case against Leyte Representative Martin Romualdez and three others, alleging accumulation of P7.4 billion in kickbacks from government projects. Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla stated it's an "obligation to the nation" and hinted at further filings.
The Department of Education (DepEd) is requesting an additional P10 billion for teacher laptops, as the proposed 2027 budget only allocates funds for 50,000 units. While 283,000 laptops are slated for distribution this year, covering about a third of the 870,000 teachers, funding shortfalls remain a concern.
Malacañang stated that accountability in the plunder case filed against former House Speaker Martin Romualdez will be based on evidence, regardless of political ties. Romualdez is a cousin of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
In Zambales, Philippines, a prolonged relief operation involving Philippine Air Force airdrops delivered food packs to 11 Aeta communities isolated by swollen rivers due to heavy rains. The region faces further rainfall from the southwest monsoon.