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Philippine liquor manufacturers have opposed a proposed substantial increase in excise taxes on distilled spirits, warning of a rise in illicit trade, reduced government revenues, and adverse impacts on legitimate businesses. They advocate for maintaining the current tax structure.
A Philippine survey shows public trust and satisfaction ratings for the Senate have declined, while the House of Representatives saw its ratings improve, with media coverage cited as a factor.
The Philippine government is carefully reviewing a proposed significant increase in Motor Vehicle Users' Charge (MVUC), balancing it against the President's commitment to easing the tax burden on citizens. While the hike could generate over P22 billion annually, its impact on public welfare is a concern.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. has directed government agencies to provide immediate assistance to the families of two Filipino seafarers who died in a security incident in the Strait of Hormuz. Senators are also urging the Department of Migrant Workers to ensure the safety and rights of overseas Filipino workers.
The Philippine Bar Examinations are set to begin on Sunday with a record 14,291 examinees. The Supreme Court has pledged to ensure the exams are fair and safe, with measures in place for orderly conduct across 15 testing centers nationwide.
The Philippine Senate Finance Committee has approved the proposed budgets for the Commission on Audit (CoA) and the Office of the Ombudsman for 2027. The CoA seeks additional funds to address staffing shortages due to salary standardization, while the Ombudsman requests increased confidential funds for enhanced investigations.
The Department of Justice (DoJ) has ordered the filing of frustrated murder and attempted murder charges against a 15-year-old in connection with a school shooting incident in Tacloban City. The minor is believed to have acted in conspiracy with a 14-year-old accomplice.
The Philippine Ombudsman has filed graft and bribery charges against the former Director of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and dismissed him from service over the procurement of ambulances worth P485.6 million. The former chief allegedly received P14.75 million from the supplier.
Central Luzon, Philippines, has been severely affected by widespread flooding and related incidents, impacting over 4.24 million residents. 582 incidents were reported, causing extensive damage to homes, agriculture, and infrastructure, with five fatalities confirmed.
The Sandiganbayan ordered the release of former Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan after junking his plunder and graft cases. Bonoan is being eyed as a potential state witness in the multibillion-peso flood control scandal.
The Philippine Senate has requested the Commission on Audit (COA) to provide a list of flood control projects found to be fraudulent or substandard. This move aims to guide project continuation and enhance fiscal discipline amidst ongoing budget deliberations and impeachment proceedings.
The Department of Transportation (DoTr) expressed optimism about completing 30 flagship projects despite a significant reduction in its proposed budget for the 2027 National Expenditure Program (NEP). While some railway projects were excluded, the department is pursuing private funding avenues.
Experts urge the Philippines to reduce the cost of doing business and pursue constitutional reforms to rebuild credibility with foreign investors, citing a recent slump in FDI as evidence of these structural challenges.
The Philippine government estimates P60 billion is needed to de-risk 2,000 megawatts of potential geothermal capacity. The Department of Energy is looking to partner with the Asian Development Bank for a new de-risking facility to attract investment in this crucial energy sector.
The Philippines' Department of Agriculture (DA) expects to commence construction of farm-to-market roads (FMRs) in October, following the program's transfer from the Department of Public Works and Highways. Bidding began this month after the DA received its Special Allotment Release Order. However, the allocated budget is considered insufficient for the 55,000-kilometer target.
The Makati Business Club (MBC) is strongly urging the Philippine government to implement ease-of-doing-business reforms to restore public confidence. Key among their demands is the swift passage of the Freedom of Information (FOI) law, deemed crucial for attracting investors and enhancing transparency.
The Philippine government plans to deploy power barges and battery energy storage systems (BESS) to resolve persistent grid alerts in the Visayas and Mindanao regions by year-end. Power plant shutdowns and derated capacities have been blamed for the shortages, impacting residents and economic activities.
The Philippine Department of Agriculture is studying the adoption of advanced smart farming technologies from China to modernize the sector and boost productivity, with a particular interest in precision agriculture driven by data platforms.
The Philippines' Department of Education is proposing an executive order to overhaul class suspension and resumption rules, granting local officials and school heads greater authority to decide based on site-specific conditions while prioritizing learner safety and continuity.
Philippine inflation likely remained above six percent in August, slightly easing from the previous month, as economists point to elevated food and fuel prices and a weaker peso as key drivers of price pressures.
A 15-year-old student has been charged with multiple counts of murder and attempted murder in connection with a school shooting in Tacloban City that resulted in three deaths and 20 injuries. The Department of Justice stated the minor acted with discernment.
A retired agricultural scientist urges the Philippine Senate to scrutinize the proposed Pax Silica high-tech manufacturing hub, emphasizing the need for oversight, research, and public consultation to protect national resilience and community welfare from potential risks to water, energy, food security, and finances.
The Sandiganbayan, the Philippines' anti-graft court, has again denied Senator Jinggoy Estrada's bail plea in his flood control corruption case. The court rejected his humanitarian grounds plea, citing past rulings, and stated that a bail amount cannot be set until a hearing determines if evidence of guilt is strong.
Leyte police have launched an investigation into a viral social media video showing armed individuals in civilian clothes alongside police officers at a checkpoint in Albuera, Leyte. Authorities are working to identify the individuals and verify the video's authenticity.
The Department of Education (DepEd) in the Philippines has initiated nationwide safety drills for schools following a series of violent incidents. Students at Mandaluyong Science High School participated in an exercise simulating active threat scenarios, practicing evacuation and response procedures.
Senator Panfilo Lacson accused Senator Alan Peter Cayetano of being 'made to quake' by evidence from his probe into infrastructure and reclamation projects in Taguig City, as the word war between the two lawmakers intensified.
Philippine police confiscated alleged illicit cigarettes worth P7.3 million in a series of anti-smuggling operations across the Zamboanga Peninsula. The crackdown highlights ongoing efforts to combat illicit trade and protect the region's economy.
Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri revealed that Senator Loren Legarda is undergoing treatment for a serious lung illness and aims for an early return, but her return date remains uncertain due to pending medical tests.
A new low pressure area (LPA) has developed and may potentially become a tropical depression, while the southwest monsoon is expected to bring heavy rainfall to more areas in the Philippines, raising the risk of floods and landslides, according to the state weather bureau. No direct impact is expected in the next few days.
Public trust and satisfaction in the Philippine Senate declined in the second quarter of 2026, while the House of Representatives saw an increase in both measures, according to a recent OCTA Research survey. The findings indicate a shifting public perception of the legislative bodies.
The Philippine Commission on Audit (COA) is seeking to revise its 11-year-old joint circular on auditing intelligence and confidential funds, prompted by concerns over transparency highlighted during a Vice Presidential impeachment trial. Key issues include insufficient documentation for payments and the handling of informant anonymity.
Six residents of Baguio City were evacuated on Thursday after a landslide damaged a house in Barangay Guisad Surong. The area is near the site of a larger August 9 landslide that claimed 10 lives.
The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) is set for its historic first parliamentary elections on September 14. Over 2.3 million registered voters will choose from more than 600 candidates vying for 80 seats, marking a significant step in the region's governance.
Philippine Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri defended his remark about being exhausted from working 12 hours a day, stating it was an honest expression of his feelings amidst the Senate's hectic schedule. He cited the simultaneous budget hearings, regular sessions, and the impeachment trial of the Vice President as reasons.
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) in the Philippines has been allocated zero capital outlay in the proposed 2027 budget, with a significant overall reduction. Concerns are raised about the impact on ICT infrastructure and regional office facilities.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has proposed a P35.173-billion budget for 2027 to sustain its operations in national security, diplomacy, and consular services. This figure slightly exceeds the 2026 allocation and includes provisions for enhanced support to overseas Filipinos and the issuance of next-generation passports.