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Several areas in the Philippines have suspended classes on Wednesday, September 2, due to the effects of the southwest monsoon, locally known as habagat. The suspensions cover public and private schools from preschool to senior high school.
The defense team of Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte asserted there was "no irregularity" in the Department of Education's (DepEd) use of Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) certifications for confidential fund liquidation. Prosecutors presented evidence alleging misuse of DepEd funds for AFP youth summits, but the defense argued the certifications served a valid legal purpose.
Philippine Senate Finance Committee Chairperson JV Ejercito announced that no funds will be allocated for new flood control projects in the 2027 budget. The focus will instead be on completing unfinished infrastructure and addressing flood mitigation gaps, particularly in Luzon, following past anomalies.
Atty. Reynaldo Robles, a private lawyer assisting the House prosecution panel, is drawing attention in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. Robles, a veteran litigator, is set to lead witness examination on the 20th day of the trial.
Malacañang stated that public officials should be judged by their performance and service, not by their attire, following criticism of local executives seen in designer clothing during disaster relief efforts. Officials were urged to be sensitive during calamities.
Tropical Depression Pilandok has intensified into a tropical storm, bringing heavy monsoon rains to four areas in northern Philippines. Scattered rain is also expected in other regions, including Metro Manila.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. urged newly promoted Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) flag officers to lead by example and uphold the highest standards of integrity. He highlighted the PCG's crucial role, especially in the West Philippine Sea.
A fabricated news report, featuring AI-generated imagery, falsely claims former President Rodrigo Duterte has returned to the Philippines to attend his daughter's impeachment trial. Duterte remains in ICC custody in The Hague, Netherlands.
An anti-terror operation in Marawi City failed to apprehend a key suspect in the 2023 church bombing, resulting in the deaths of two accomplices and the suspect's escape. Police and military forces are now conducting an extensive manhunt.
Malacañang respects Pampanga Governor Lilia Pineda's remarks urging prayer amid calamities, while affirming the government's commitment and the need for public cooperation. Climate change was also cited as a factor in these disasters.
Following devastating impacts from successive cyclones and the Southwest Monsoon, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has urged government agencies to remain vigilant and avoid complacency in addressing climate change threats, citing past unheeded master plans as contributing to widespread damage.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) is currently assessing the potential impact of the US-led AI and supply chain security initiative, Pax Silica, on the country's agriculture sector, amid concerns over livelihoods and land for farmers in Tarlac province.
The Philippines' Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Reconciliation and Unity and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) have signed an agreement to cooperate in ensuring peaceful elections on September 14 in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). Security forces have also voiced support for the initiative.
Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) researchers urged that poverty statistics should go beyond a single monetary threshold, better accounting for changing living standards, vulnerability, and households' transitions in and out of poverty. They advocated for a multi-dimensional approach and the use of Community-Based Monitoring System (CBMS) data to enable more precise policymaking.
Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David is urging Filipinos to move beyond their lauded 'resiliency' in the face of disasters, advocating instead for 'defiance' to demand accountability for preventable suffering caused by failing infrastructure and negligence.
The camp of Leyte Representative Martin Romualdez claims the Office of the Ombudsman has "prejudged" him as the mastermind in the flood control mess before concluding its investigation, calling for a fair probe.
The Philippines' Department of Agriculture assures sufficient rice supply through 2026, citing massive imports and the start of the harvest season. However, concerns remain regarding the nation's dependence on imports and climate change risks.
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested a Chinese national in Cavite for allegedly using an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) catcher to obtain personal and credit information for fraudulent activities. The NBI urges the public to be cautious of suspicious messages and calls from unknown numbers.
Flooding in San Simon, Pampanga, has caused significant traffic congestion on the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) in the Philippines. MPTC plans to improve infrastructure and coordinate with agencies to address the recurring issue.
The Visayas and Mindanao grids in the Philippines continue to face power supply concerns in September, with risks of brownouts looming. The National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) has issued a red alert for the Visayas and a yellow alert for Mindanao.
The Philippine Senate Committee on Finance will halt new flood control project allocations, prioritizing the completion of existing unfinished works. This move aims to restore public trust and ensure effective infrastructure development following past opaque budget practices.
The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) has invited five senior Supreme Court associate justices to apply for the chief justice position ahead of Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo's retirement in November. This follows a long-standing practice of recognizing seniority.
The House Appropriations Committee has approved a significantly reduced proposed budget for the Office of the President in 2027, amounting to over P10.15 billion. Officials cited reduced operating costs and the completion of ASEAN Summit-related activities, though some lawmakers called for greater transparency.
Colonel Magtangggol Panopio of the Philippine Army testified as a witness in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. Panopio's testimony focused on the Department of Education's confidential funds, stating the military was unaware their issued certifications would be used to justify fund usage.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. urged Filipinos to protect and strengthen the gains of the country's peace process, emphasizing that peace and development are inseparable. He vowed to ensure safe, peaceful, and credible elections, especially with the upcoming parliamentary polls in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
The Department of Education (DepEd) in the Philippines will conduct a nationwide school safety drill on September 3, simulating responses to active shooter scenarios. The drill will exclude fear-inducing elements after consultations with medical groups, prioritizing psychological well-being.
Michael Poa, spokesperson for Vice President Sara Duterte's defense team in her impeachment trial, has stepped down from his role as he is set to testify as a witness. This development could impact the proceedings.
A bill filed in the Philippine Senate seeks to empower the Office of the Ombudsman with arrest, detention, search, and seizure powers to bolster its anti-corruption investigations. The proposed legislation would establish an Ombudsman Marshal Service, enhancing the agency's capacity to enforce its mandate.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. administered the oath of office to 21 newly promoted flag officers of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), emphasizing the agency's vital role in safeguarding the nation's maritime domain.
The Romualdez family in the Philippines has maintained its political influence in Leyte for generations. Despite President Marcos hinting at corruption charges against former Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, the family's local political dominance remains strong.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. lauded the progress of the Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP), urging continued cooperation among stakeholders to build a more efficient and reliable public transport system. The program has seen advancements through vehicle modernization, operator consolidation, and social support initiatives.
SM Supermalls is set to open its newest flagship mall in Nuvali, Laguna, on November 27, featuring a central one-hectare indoor garden. This move signifies a strategic shift away from standardized mall designs, emphasizing adaptation to local communities and reinforcing the company's focus on fast-growing provincial markets.
Atty. Reynaldo B. Robles has been appointed as a private prosecutor in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. Robles is a distinguished legal figure with an extensive career.
During the impeachment trial of Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte, the prosecution alleged that the Department of Education (DepEd) misused military certifications for youth leadership summits to justify confidential spending, despite a lack of military involvement or funding. Military officials testified that their certifications only attested to the summits' conduct, not financial support.
A military official testified in the impeachment trial of the Philippine Department of Education (DepEd) regarding confidential funds, stating that a certification he issued was not meant to attest to the use of those funds. The true intent behind the submitted document is now under scrutiny.
Amid ongoing flooding across the Philippines due to heavy rains, Antipolo Bishop Ruperto Santos has urged voters to scrutinize leaders' track records and avoid reelecting those who fail to fulfill promises, ahead of upcoming elections. The bishop attributed the people's suffering to the corruption and negligence of leaders.