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The election results in Maguindanao del Norte are crucial as they could determine the future leadership of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). Interim Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua is running in the 3rd district, making his victory vital for his potential to become the region's first elected chief minister.
The Department of Education (DepEd) conducted a nationwide simultaneous safety drill to enhance schools' emergency response capabilities. The exercise aimed to build procedural 'muscle memory' among students and staff without inducing fear or trauma, following recent shooting incidents and emphasizing both physical and mental safety.
Saudi Arabia stated that two Filipino sailors died in an attack on an oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, which it attributes to Iran. The Philippine government has reiterated seafarers' right to refuse high-risk voyages and urged compliance with safety measures.
The Sandiganbayan Third Division has granted Senator Rodante Marcoleta a one-day medical furlough. Marcoleta is currently facing a P75 million plunder charge related to undeclared donations.
The Philippine Department of Finance is proposing higher taxes on luxury and non-essential goods, along with an overhaul of motor vehicle charges, to boost revenue from wealthy consumers and improve tax equity. These measures aim to offset revenue losses from the proposed 'Progress Bill' that offers tax relief to middle-class workers and small businesses.
The Philippine peso plunged to a new record low of 62.565 against the US dollar on Wednesday, as renewed Middle East tensions fueled inflation concerns and boosted demand for safe-haven assets. Despite the central bank raising its inflation outlook, interest rate hikes have had a limited impact.
OCBC Bank has lowered its 2026 GDP growth forecast for the Philippines to 3.2% due to persistent inflation and weak government spending hindering domestic demand, falling below the administration's target.
The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) in the Philippines is set to remove value-added tax (VAT) on system loss charges in electricity bills by mid-September. This move, following an Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) resolution, aims to alleviate the financial burden on consumers.
The Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) in the Philippines has approved the commercial sale of the Avac ASF Vaccine, marking the first such approval in the country. This development is seen as a crucial step in combating African Swine Fever (ASF), which has severely impacted the nation's livestock industry since 2019, and is expected to aid in the recovery of farmers.
Despite rising fuel prices and inflation, Filipino holiday travel demand is expected to remain resilient in 2026, according to online travel platform Klook. Travelers are reportedly tightening budgets and showing a preference for destinations closer to home within Asia.
The Philippines' Department of Agriculture is prioritizing an export strategy, but budget allocation is not keeping pace. The nation lags significantly behind Vietnam in production and export values, highlighting the necessity of increased congressional funding for strategy execution.
Megawide Construction Corp. anticipates P28.3 billion in incremental revenues over the next three years from its participation in the government's "4PH" housing program. This venture is poised to become a significant growth engine for the infrastructure firm, projected to account for 36% of its revenues by 2028.
The upcoming initial public offering (IPO) of Philippine fintech giant GCash could prompt local and foreign investment funds to reshuffle their portfolios to participate in the large offering, according to COL Financial. The IPO is expected to raise over P90 billion.
Philippine telecommunications giant Globe Telecom is considering a future Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) listing for its data center business, driven by booming demand fueled by artificial intelligence (AI). Competitors are also pursuing similar strategies, intensifying competition and growth in the domestic data center market.
Lufthansa Technik Philippines has secured Emirates as the first customer for its new base maintenance facility at Clark International Airport. The airline will conduct heavy maintenance checks on its A380 fleet at the new facility, slated to begin operations in 2028, through 2030.
A critically endangered Mindoro bleeding-heart bird, not confirmed for two decades, has been photographed for the first time in the Philippines' Mindoro Island. Its discovery at higher elevations suggests habitat shifts and the importance of conservation efforts.
Lopez-led First Gen has signed a deal to supply geothermal power to Surigao Doctors’ Hospital Inc. in Mindanao, making it the first medical facility in Surigao del Norte and northeastern Mindanao to transition to renewable energy.
Rehabilitation works for the aging Agus-Pulangi hydropower complex in Mindanao are set to commence in the fourth quarter of 2027. The government aims for contract signing by April next year, with at least four bids received for the project.
The Visayas and Mindanao grids in the Philippines are facing nine-hour red alerts on Thursday due to multiple generating units being offline, leading to projected demand exceeding supply. This situation raises concerns about power shortages and their impact on economic activities.
Senator Jinggoy Estrada declined to enter a plea in the P573 million plunder and graft cases linked to the flood control project. The Sandiganbayan entered a not guilty plea on his behalf, moving the case forward. A former Public Works Secretary was dropped as an accused to serve as a government witness.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. visited the isolated Barangay Sta. Fe in San Marcelino, Zambales, to check on residents' needs. He surveyed flood damage and pledged government assistance for a long-term solution to access issues.
Flooding in San Simon, Pampanga has caused significant traffic slowdowns along the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), particularly in the Tulaoc area. NLEX officials described the situation as unprecedented and are considering infrastructure improvements.
The Philippine Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has clarified tax issues surrounding one-time transactions (ONETT), including property sales and stock transfers. The BIR emphasizes that eCAR issuance does not absolve taxpayers of VAT obligations.
Twelve years after a landmark peace agreement, violence persists in the Bangsamoro region of Mindanao, with clan feuds, political rivalries, and criminal networks flourishing due to weak institutions. The fragile security system remains heavily dependent on the military, hindering true peacebuilding.
Defense counsel Michael Poa testified that Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial was conducted "fairly," despite tense exchanges. Poa was summoned by the prosecution as a witness to scrutinize allegations of the Vice President's misuse of the Department of Defense's funds.
Air quality in Tacloban City, Philippines, has deteriorated to an 'unhealthy for sensitive groups' level due to elevated fine particulate matter, attributed to haze from forest fires in Indonesia. The Environmental Management Bureau reported the increase, highlighting the transboundary pollution issue.
Military certifications submitted by the Department of Education (DepEd) to the Commission on Audit (COA) lacked details on the use of confidential funds, allegedly released for Youth Leadership Summit activities, the House prosecution pointed out.
The head of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), Archbishop Gilbert Garcera, stated that Christian-Muslim peace necessitates more than mere goodwill, requiring a deeper understanding of Islam and Muslim communities. He emphasized the importance of mutual understanding and dialogue among religious leaders.
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has selected five priority projects as part of a planned network of 39 flood-catchment sites. The agency aims to complete the first batch by June 2027, enhancing preparedness for increasingly intense rainfall due to climate change.
The lawyer for Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez has criticized the Office of the Ombudsman, questioning its persistent focus on his client despite alleged lack of evidence. The lawyer suggests a potential political motivation behind the Ombudsman's actions.
The National Police Commission (Napolcom) has ordered an investigation into allegations that a police official assaulted and threatened to kill a college student. The complainant, a 20-year-old student, has identified Senior Master Sgt. Don Carlos Almonidovar of the General Trias Component City Police Station as the alleged perpetrator.
The impeachment trial of Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte took a significant turn as her own defense counsel, former Education Undersecretary Michael Poa, was declared a hostile witness by the prosecution. The Senate impeachment court granted the prosecution the right to ask leading questions, a move that could impact the trial's trajectory.
Philippine House leaders and impeachment prosecutors are amenable to proposals for extended trial days, including full-day sessions, for Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment case. The move aims to expedite evidence presentation by both prosecution and defense before the Senate's focus shifts to the 2027 national budget.
A spokesperson for the House prosecution stated that no Department of Education (DepEd) confidential funds were released to military units for Youth Leadership Summit (YLS) activities in 2023. Three witnesses testified that the funds were not disbursed to the military.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) will suspend permits to carry firearms outside residences in Naga City, Camarines Sur, from September 3 to 21, tightening security for the annual Peñafrancia Festival. Approximately 2,500 police personnel will be deployed to ensure strict security measures.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. lauded the Philippine Air Force's 250th Presidential Airlift Wing (PAW) during its 58th founding anniversary, highlighting its critical role in enabling swift government responses to disaster-stricken communities. The unit's function extends beyond presidential transport to vital humanitarian aid delivery.