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The International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor has formally submitted a list of witnesses and evidence for the upcoming trial against former president Rodrigo Duterte for crimes against humanity. The trial is scheduled to commence on November 30.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has urged Congress to restore a P9.12 billion budget cut, warning that the reduction could lead to a shortage of vote-counting machines and delays in preparations for the 2028 general elections.
Department of Education (DepEd) Undersecretary Michael Poa, despite signing replies to a state audit on confidential funds, stated he had no direct knowledge of their liquidation or cash rewards to informants, shifting responsibility to a former special disbursing officer. Discrepancies between his written responses to the audit and his testimony were highlighted during a Senate hearing.
Former Speaker Martin Romualdez's camp criticized the Ombudsman for labeling him the "mastermind" of flood control corruption, alleging prejudgment before evidence is presented. Meanwhile, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada vowed to pursue legal remedies to clear his name in a separate corruption case.
The proposed 2027 budget for the Office of the Vice President (OVP) in the Philippines has been approved at P785.204 million, an 11.7% decrease from the current year's appropriation. Despite the reduction, the OVP has stated its focus remains on implementing priority programs.
NLEX tolls between San Fernando and Pulilan have been temporarily waived due to severe traffic congestion caused by flooding. The toll relief was implemented by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to assist affected motorists.
The Social Security System (SSS) in the Philippines anticipates generating P71.4 billion in investment income by year-end, bolstering its net earnings despite increased pension and benefit payouts. Its investment portfolio is diversified across government debt, equities, and real estate.
Analysts suggest the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) may implement one more 25-basis-point interest rate hike by year-end, driven by concerns over El Niño-induced food price increases and pressure on the peso.
The Philippine stock market declined, reversing previous gains, as investor sentiment soured due to the peso's continued depreciation. Factors like a stronger dollar and rising global interest rates are cited as primary drivers.
Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) has selected units of San Miguel Corp. and the Aboitiz Group as the winning bidders for 600 megawatts (MW) of power supply contracts following a competitive selection process. This significant deal in the Philippine energy sector is expected to influence future electricity rates and supply stability.
The Philippines may forgo exporting sugar to the United States this year due to constraints in domestic sugarcane production, according to the Sugar Regulatory Administration. This follows similar decisions in previous years, with concerns over El Niño and pest infestations further impacting output.
Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc. (RRHI), a major Philippine retailer, has delisted from the stock exchange after nearly 13 years and transitioned to a private company. However, management has pledged to maintain the discipline of a listed entity and continue its business operations, focusing on enhancing customer experience and store expansion.
The Philippine government plans to allocate P69.9 billion for rice programs in the 2027 budget proposal, aiming to boost domestic production, increase farmer incomes, and ensure affordable rice for citizens. This investment focuses on three pillars: enhancing local production, supporting farmers, and providing accessible, low-cost rice.
An American national and his Filipina wife were found dead with gunshot wounds in their home in Dumaguete, Negros Oriental. Police are investigating the possibility of robbery as the motive.
Moody's Ratings forecasts a marginal economic boost for the Philippines from its data center buildout through 2030, citing severe power supply constraints that threaten project delays and limit ripple effects on employment and local output.
The Department of Health (DOH) reported 117,952 dengue cases nationwide from January to August this year, a 41% decrease compared to last year. However, with the onset of the rainy season, an increase in cases is anticipated.
Philippine property giant Ayala Land Inc. has established a new integrated estates group, appointing next-generation leader Jaime Zobel Urquijo to head the division. This move signals a strategic shift in the company's urban development approach.
Two passengers from a vehicle that plunged into a river due to a bridge collapse in Tarlac, Philippines, have been found deceased. While the vehicle was recovered, the search for two other individuals continues.
The Philippines has approved the commercial distribution of a vaccine against African Swine Fever (ASF), bringing new hope for the recovery of the country's beleaguered hog industry. The Vietnam-made vaccine will be the first to become available, expected to help stabilize prices and protect farmers.
Philippine conglomerate JG Summit Holdings Inc. anticipates its revenue growth in the second half of the year to mirror the first half, despite facing risks like inflation and weather disruptions. The company achieved a 7% increase in topline revenue in the first half.
Senator Bong Go visited Calumpit, Bulacan, which has been experiencing prolonged flooding, distributing food packs and pledging to push for legislation to strengthen disaster preparedness.
A fire broke out at the Manila City Hall, reportedly caused by a refrigerator in the Vice Mayor's office. Aging electrical systems are suspected as the cause, raising concerns about temporary disruptions to operations.
Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. sees strong potential for the Philippines to reclaim its position as the company's top market in Southeast Asia. Nissan ASEAN and Thailand president Masao Tsutsumi revealed this during a soft launch of the company's latest electrified vehicle models. The growing importance of the Philippine market is underscored, with Nissan optimistic about infrastructure development accelerating the electrification shift in the region.
Prime Infrastructure Capital Inc. has appointed Tony Hayward, chairman of SierraCol Energy Ltd., Colombia's largest independent oil and gas exploration firm, to its board of directors. This move is expected to bolster the company's global expansion and strategic priorities.
A consumer group in the Philippines has filed a complaint with the Ombudsman against Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) officials for allowing the inclusion of "line rental charges" in electricity bills. The issue is also linked to discussions on renewable energy and nuclear power.
Jobstreet by SEEK is expanding its capacity-building programs for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across the Philippines through partnerships with local government units (LGUs). The platform aims to help MSMEs facing talent acquisition challenges by providing digital recruitment tools and expert consultations to secure necessary talent for business growth.
The Philippines could generate an additional P24.4 billion in annual revenue starting in 2029 with the implementation of a global minimum tax. This measure ensures large multinational groups pay at least a 15% effective tax rate, potentially affecting 1,001 multinational enterprise groups operating locally.
A police officer and a robbery suspect were killed in a shootout in Balayan, Batangas, Philippines. The incident began when the suspect allegedly fired at the officers.
Central Luzon has recorded 435 leptospirosis cases as floodwaters persist across the region. Health authorities are intensifying vigilance against waterborne diseases.
The Philippine government is exploring the use of diverse feedstocks, including corn and palm oil alongside sugarcane, to enhance bioethanol production capacity and reduce costs. This initiative aims to improve the competitiveness of domestic production and stabilize fuel prices.
A woman has been arrested in Quezon for allegedly hiring an assailant to kill her businessman father and his partner. A family dispute is suspected as the motive.
The 21st day of Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial saw heated exchanges during the questioning of former Department of Education Undersecretary Michael Poa, who was declared a hostile witness, allowing prosecutors to intensify their scrutiny.
An SUV plunged off Agana Bridge in Tarlac City, resulting in two fatalities, one rescue, and two individuals still missing. The discovery of a tire about 2 kilometers downstream from the bridge, as river waters receded, aided in identifying the submerged vehicle.
Agricultural losses in the Philippines have surpassed P3 billion as of Wednesday, driven by the enhanced southwest monsoon and several tropical cyclones. Approximately 80,000 farmers and fisherfolk are affected, with damage reported across various commodities including rice, corn, vegetables, and livestock.
Philippine Education Secretary Sonny Angara has directed school officials to integrate a new AI-aided hazard assessment tool, Project Ligtas+, into their disaster preparedness routines to better protect students from disaster-related learning disruptions. The tool aims to assess and mitigate disaster risks for learning institutions.
The removal of value-added tax (VAT) on the widely unpopular system loss charge by electricity distributors may take effect as early as next month, the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) announced. This charge is intended to recover electricity losses during transmission and distribution, and has been a source of public dissatisfaction.