Explore past headlines, AI summaries and source reporting. Full articles follow the FREE and PRO access rules.
Page 342
Former Education Undersecretary Michael Poa testified that purchasing information with confidential funds does not necessarily guarantee success in information gathering. He also touched upon reporting obligations to the Commission on Audit and the acquisition of military certifications for the use of these funds.
Heavy traffic has paralyzed the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx) in the Philippines due to flooding caused by days of torrential rains. Many drivers were stranded for hours over the weekend, with some netizens lamenting the experience as akin to 'going abroad.' Pampanga province has seen widespread inundation.
The Philippine government plans to allocate P4.04 billion to the Civil Service Commission (CSC) in 2027, a 41% increase driven by the Philippine Civil Service Modernization Project (PCSMP). However, the significant number of contractual workers within the civil service remains a pressing issue.
San Miguel Corp. (SMC) President Ramon Ang attributed the flooding along the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx) to soil and debris from the 2024 NLEX Tulaoc Bridge repair that obstructed the flow of water released from Pantabangan Dam, causing water to back up and inundate the expressway.
The Office of the Vice President (OVP) has proposed a P785.204-million budget for 2027, an 11.7% decrease from its 2026 allocation. The proposed budget prioritizes the continued delivery of assistance and services nationwide.
The Philippine National Police-Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) is pushing for amendments to the SIM Card Registration Act, noting that most cybercrimes still involve SIM cards despite its implementation. Law enforcement aims to enhance crime deterrence.
The Philippine government has approved AVAC ASF LIVE, the first commercially available vaccine against African Swine Fever (ASF). The move aims to revive the pork industry, which has been decimated since 2019, and ensure a stable supply of pork.
The Sandiganbayan, the Philippines' anti-graft court, has dropped graft and plunder charges against former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan, clearing him as an accused in two cases linked to an alleged P573-million kickback scheme.
A budget watchdog has warned that the House of Representatives' swift approval of the proposed 2027 budget for the Office of the President (OP) may have violated constitutional checks and balances. The group expressed concern that this 'tradition' undermines budgetary transparency.
A Catholic bishop has decried reforestation as a "big lie" as approximately 57,000 trees are slated for cutting in southern Palawan for a mining project. He warns against environmental destruction, highlighting the ongoing conflict between economic development and conservation in the Philippines.
The Philippines, alongside Australia and the United States, conducted a Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MMCA) in the West Philippine Sea. This initiative is crucial for the Philippines in asserting its sovereignty and contributing to regional security.
The Department of Finance (DOF) estimates a P10 billion annual revenue loss from removing the 12% VAT on electricity system loss charges. While intended to lower consumer power bills, the move raises fiscal concerns.
Eleven residents of Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya, who were arrested for grave coercion and resistance and disobedience after barricading an area to oppose mining exploration, have been released on bail. They were part of a local opposition movement against the mining project.
Burnham Lake, an iconic tourist spot in Baguio City, Philippines, reopened on its 117th Charter Day after a yearlong closure. The P480-million rehabilitation and improvement project is complete, restoring boat rides.
Two bodies of the four missing occupants of an SUV that plunged into the Tarlac River after the partial collapse of Agana Bridge on Aug. 29 have been recovered. Search operations are ongoing.
President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. announced that the national government will provide P300 million for the repair of bridges in Tarlac City damaged by the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat). He expressed concern over the increasing frequency of extreme weather events due to climate change and emphasized the urgent need to implement a master plan.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) announced an intensified police visibility and patrols in crowded areas like commercial establishments and transport terminals as the country enters the "-ber" months, a period leading up to the Christmas season, aiming to prevent crimes and ensure a safe holiday.
Parañaque City Rep. Eric Olivarez is facing online backlash for performing a dance number at a youth event while some constituents reportedly experienced flooding. While city officials stated no major road flooding occurred that day, residents have expressed frustration and called for long-term solutions.
The Senate impeachment court has ordered the removal of the phrase 'a lawyer who knows nothing' from the records, used by private prosecutor Benjamin Tolosa Jr. to describe Vice President Sara Duterte's counsel Michael Poa during questioning on DepEd confidential fund spending. The defense had called the remark 'rhetoric to provide drama'.
The death toll from tropical cyclones Luis, Maymay, Neneng, and the Southwest Monsoon has reached 39 across the Philippines. Benguet province reported the highest fatalities, primarily due to landslides, with infrastructure and agricultural damages totaling approximately P9 billion.
A consumer advocacy group in the Philippines has called for an immediate, sustained, and resolute crackdown on counterfeit goods circulating on online platforms, warning of significant health and safety risks beyond intellectual property infringement.
A lawyer from the defense panel, Atty. Michael Poa, has been called to testify in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. Declared a hostile witness, Poa is expected to address allegations concerning the disbursement of P112.5 million in confidential funds during Duterte's tenure as Education Secretary.
Following severe traffic disruptions on the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) due to heavy rains, the Department of Transportation (DOTR) and Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) have mandated NLEX to provide timely flood advisories via text messages and electronic road signs, along with alternative route information.
The Senate impeachment court has declared Atty. Michael Poa a hostile witness in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. This allows the prosecution to ask leading questions. Poa is testifying regarding allegations of misappropriation of confidential funds by the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education.
Former Baybay City mayor and ex-Leyte representative Carmen Loreto-Cari died at the age of 90. Known as the ‘Mother of Baybay,’ her extensive public service and contributions to the community were widely recognized, marking a significant loss for the region and those she touched.
The Philippine peso hit a fresh record low against the US dollar, falling to 62.40 on Tuesday. Persistent high oil prices, geopolitical uncertainties, and a broadly stronger dollar weighed on the currency, overwhelming the central bank's recent interest rate hike.
Philippine manufacturing activity surged to its strongest level in nearly a decade in August, sustaining expansion for the fourth consecutive month. Easing inflationary pressures fueled new orders and lifted business confidence, with notable growth in new and export orders.
GlobalSource Partners, a New York-based think tank, has advised the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) against premature monetary easing, emphasizing the need to continue taming inflation. The analysis suggests that real interest rates remain negative, necessitating further tightening to meet inflation targets.
The Philippine economy is projected to surpass 4% growth in the fourth quarter, driven by a surge in infrastructure spending after a weak first half. Economists from UA&P anticipate a tepid 2.3% growth for the third quarter but note emerging 'green shoots' in employment, exports, and remittances signaling a recovery.
Jollibee Foods Corp. (JFC) is advancing its plan to spin off its international business, targeting a separate listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX). This move aims to create an independent company focused on global expansion.
Philippine conglomerate SM is establishing an internal "Gen Z Council" to understand young consumers' preferences, while power giant Meralco is partnering with a US firm to study the feasibility of introducing Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).
Philippine House prosecutors are considering dropping the bribery charge under Article III of the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte, focusing instead on what they deem stronger allegations, with a decision targeted by year-end.
The Philippine Department of Energy (DOE) is seeking a P5.6-billion budget for 2027, with a significant sevenfold increase earmarked for its electric vehicle (EV) program. Funding for conventional energy development and the electric power industry will also see substantial boosts.
The Sandiganbayan, the Philippines' anti-graft court, has dropped plunder and graft cases against former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) secretary Manuel Bonoan. While cleared in one division, his bid to become a state witness remains uncertain as another division denied the Ombudsman's motion to drop graft charges against him.
Transboundary haze from forest fires in Kalimantan, Indonesia, has reached parts of the Visayas, causing air quality to deteriorate in Iloilo City. Authorities are advising vulnerable residents to avoid outdoor activities.
Two military officials testified in the Philippines' impeachment trial concerning former Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sara Duterte's alleged misuse of confidential funds. They signed documents DepEd used for fund liquidation but stated their units received no funds from the department.