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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.
President Marcos vowed to ensure credible and peaceful elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) this month, acknowledging that peace-building efforts in Mindanao are ongoing. Speaking at the opening of National Peace Consciousness Month, he highlighted the significance of the 1996 peace deal and expressed hope for regional development through dialogue.
A Philippine senator debunked a viral AI-generated image falsely showing Office of the Vice President official Lemuel Ortonio wearing an earpiece during impeachment proceedings. Senator Francis Escudero confirmed the object on Ortonio's ear was a piercing, not a communication device.
A military officer testified before the Senate that no confidential or surveillance information was provided by the Department of Education (DepEd) for its youth leadership summits, responding to questions about military certifications used to justify DepEd's confidential fund expenses.
Jollibee Foods Corp. (JFC) has chosen Hong Kong over the United States for the planned listing of its international business, a move that advances its strategy to separate and strengthen its domestic and global operations.
The Philippine government is pushing for a public-private partnership (PPP) to upgrade its fuel marking program, enhancing technological and operational capabilities to combat oil smuggling. The PPP Center has provisionally approved P19.16 million for transaction advisory services to support the program's operation, maintenance, and upgrades.
A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck Davao Occidental on Tuesday evening, with its epicenter located 115 kilometers south of Balut Island at a depth of 93 kilometers, according to Phivolcs. No tsunami warning was issued.
Senator Jinggoy Estrada will pursue legal remedies after former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan was dropped as a co-accused in a corruption case. The Sandiganbayan granted the Ombudsman's motion to drop Bonoan, allowing him to potentially serve as a state witness.
The impeachment trial of Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte will feature testimony from a former spokesperson regarding the P112.5 million in confidential funds disbursed during her time as Education Secretary. Prosecutors aim to use this testimony to bolster their case on alleged misuse and irregular liquidation of these funds.
The Philippine Supreme Court ruled that an affidavit of desistance from a victim of exploitation is "highly suspect" and cannot be used to dismiss a trafficking case. The decision was promulgated on February 19, 2026.
During the impeachment trial of Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte, her defense team's spokesperson is set to testify on allegations of misuse of confidential funds during her tenure as Education Secretary. The P112.5 million disbursement is a key focus.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) and National Irrigation Administration (NIA) have requested increased budgets for 2027 to address the potential impacts of El Niño. Key areas of focus include strengthening agricultural infrastructure and improving water resource management.
Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial saw Army officers testify regarding P112.5 million in confidential funds used by the Department of Education (DepEd) in 2023, a key point in the proceedings.
A bill in the Philippine House of Representatives proposing to extend the terms of barangay (village) and Sangguniang Kabataan (youth council) officials to five years, thereby postponing elections until 2028, has sparked a debate among lawmakers. The timing of elections and the extension of term limits are at the center of the dispute.
Haze potentially linked to fires in Kalimantan, Indonesia, may reach western Philippines due to strong winds from the southwest monsoon. The state weather bureau is monitoring the situation.
The legal camp of Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez claims the Ombudsman's office is issuing statements to keep their case alive after witnesses recanted their testimonies.
The Philippines may need to import up to five million metric tons of rice as harvests are threatened by drought from El Niño and monsoon rains, the agriculture secretary revealed during a congressional budget briefing.
Senate President Francis Escudero has ordered a strict prohibition on witnesses using communication devices during testimonies in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, aiming to ensure the integrity of evidence and prevent illicit information exchange.
The Sandiganbayan, the Philippines' anti-graft court, has dropped plunder and graft charges against former Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan. He is no longer an accused in these two cases.
The Philippines needs at least 10 to 12 "mega food hubs" to help farmers and fisherfolk distribute their goods more efficiently, according to Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. The statement was made during a House committee on appropriations briefing on the Department of Agriculture's 2027 budget proposal.
Heavy rains have inundated large parts of the Philippines for a month, causing widespread flooding. In a striking example, a couple exchanged vows inside a Catholic church submerged in hip-deep floodwaters near Manila. The persistent downpours are significantly impacting daily life and infrastructure across the nation.
The Civil Service Commission (CSC) will study the need to cap the number of government workers hired under Job Order (JO) and Contract of Service (COS) schemes, following concerns raised by lawmakers over rising labor costs and efficiency.
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is being cautioned against prematurely easing its inflation control measures in favor of economic growth. Market doubts about the BSP's commitment to fighting inflation persist, with real interest rates remaining negative.
Senator Mark A. Villar urged the Philippines' economic managers to support his proposal to raise the annual income tax exemption ceiling. He believes this will provide immediate relief to Filipino workers and help revive household consumption and economic activity.
Metro Pacific Water (MPW) will invest P23 billion over the next five years to expand its operations in the Philippines and Vietnam. The investment aims to enhance water security in the region through infrastructure development, new water sources, and technology adoption.
Water levels at Lake Lanao in Lanao del Sur and Pulangi Dam in Bukidnon have receded due to insufficient rainfall, raising concerns among officials about potential impacts on power generation and irrigation.
Senator Panfilo Lacson has filed a bill to grant the Office of the Ombudsman its own law enforcement service, empowering it to conduct investigations, arrests, and seizures independently. The proposed Ombudsman Marshall Service aims to enhance the body's effectiveness in combating corruption.
The Philippine Senate is urging civil society organizations to flag questionable items in the 2027 National Expenditure Program (NEP) budget process, aiming to enhance transparency and prevent corruption.
Leptospirosis cases in the Philippines have decreased by 19% compared to last year, despite ongoing heavy flooding across the country. The Department of Health attributes this decline partly to government intervention measures and assures preparedness in medical supplies.
The Department of Agriculture-Davao Region launched 'Kadiwa on Wheels' to sell Davao's produce in Metro Manila. Featuring fruits like durian and mangosteen, the initiative aims to strengthen direct links between producers and consumers.
The Manila Water Foundation has activated its WASH in Emergencies program to provide urgent water, sanitation, and hygiene aid to communities devastated by severe flooding caused by the southwest monsoon in the Philippines.
The Philippines' Department of Agriculture (DA) is requesting a P198.45 billion budget for 2027, an 8% decrease from the current year's allocation. The proposed budget prioritizes strengthening food security through initiatives like improving farm-to-market access and addressing climate change impacts. A key factor for the reduced figure is the normalization of funding for farm-to-market road projects.
The Philippine government is moving to increase the bioethanol blend in gasoline from 10% to 15% to curb pump prices. The Departments of Agriculture and Energy are exploring cheaper domestic feedstocks, such as sugarcane derivatives and corn, to boost local production and reduce import dependence.