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Citicore Renewable Energy Corp. (CREC) in the Philippines reported a 92% year-on-year surge in net income to P1.2 billion for the first half of the year, driven by the activation of new power plants. This marks a significant achievement as the company pursues expansion in the clean energy sector.
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) announced that digital payments reached 64.7% of total retail payments in 2025, meeting its target. This marks an increase from the previous year, with significant growth in digital payment accounts and merchant locations, bolstering the economy's overall digitalization.
The Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP) suggests a three-term calendar can protect teaching and learning amid frequent class suspensions due to monsoons. It emphasizes curriculum triage and teacher adaptability as key to educational resilience.
The Philippine government will extend its fuel subsidy program for public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers until the end of the year, citing persistent volatile pump prices. This measure aims to alleviate income loss for drivers and mitigate impacts on public life.
Allegations of 'budget padding' have surfaced in the Philippines, where figures in the National Expenditure Program (NEP) are significantly reduced by the time they become the General Appropriations Act (GAA). Concerns are particularly high regarding foreign-assisted projects.
Malacañang denied that President Marcos discussed the 'leadership fund' with former DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan. Meanwhile, the Senate finance committee chairman vowed to ensure transparency in the budget process, pushing for open deliberations for the 2027 budget.
Senator-judge Erwin Tulfo has questioned a witness's switch from Tagalog to Bisaya during the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, raising suspicions about the intent behind the language change during testimony concerning alleged misuse of confidential funds.
Senator Loren Legarda of the Philippines has again requested an extension of her medical leave abroad amidst an ongoing Ombudsman investigation into alleged anomalies in solar projects involving her and her son, temporarily suspending her senatorial duties.
The death toll from widespread flooding and landslides caused by an enhanced southwest monsoon in the Philippines has reached 27, with infrastructure damage exceeding P1.646 billion. Over 14,000 people are displaced, and recovery efforts are hampered by continuous rainfall.
Opposing lawyers in the Vice President's impeachment trial shared a hug before a hearing, seemingly bridging a 'generational divide' that had previously fueled courtroom tension.
Around 600,000 families participating in the Department of Social Welfare and Development's Walang Gutom Program (DSWD-WGP) have reported significant improvements in hunger and food poverty, according to a Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey. The program beneficiaries showed notably better outcomes compared to non-beneficiaries.
A former disbursing officer testified at an impeachment trial that Vice President Sara Duterte ordered the release of P125 million in confidential funds to her security aide in 2022. The allocation reportedly lacked detailed activity plans as required by audit regulations.
Torrential rains from the enhanced southwest monsoon have caused widespread and severe flooding in key areas of Metro Manila, rendering roads impassable and forcing residents into evacuation centers. The event highlights the persistent vulnerabilities in the region's infrastructure.
Over 3,189 residents from 831 families in Pasig City are housed in evacuation centers as of Monday night, August 17, due to heavy rains from the southwest monsoon, locally known as 'habagat,' affecting Metro Manila. Eighteen evacuation sites across 10 barangays have been opened.
A lawyer for the prosecution stated that testimony from a former staffer handling confidential funds has removed all doubt regarding whether former President Duterte ordered the transfer of these allocations to a security official assigned to him. This testimony concerns alleged fund transfers to Vice President Sara Duterte.
Confusion and disagreement persist within the Philippine government over a "provisional arrangement" with China concerning resupply missions to Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal. While the Defense Secretary questions its existence, the President affirms its utility, and the DFA highlights its role in preventing conflict.
The incumbent vice mayor and former mayor of Magalang town in Pampanga, Philippines, face a complaint at the Office of the Ombudsman over an alleged 'ghost' housing project, raising suspicions of misuse of public funds.
In the Philippines, a proposed P57 billion restoration to the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) in the 2027 budget faces uncertainty. This follows the government's 2024 diversion of P107.23 billion from PDIC, with the proposed amount lodged under Unprogrammed Appropriations, contingent on excess revenues. The move raises concerns about PDIC's capacity to protect depositors.
Quezon City, Philippines, has evacuated over 10,000 residents to designated shelters due to heavy rains from the southwest monsoon (habagat). Authorities urge continued vigilance.
Luzon, Philippines is experiencing heavy rains from the southwest monsoon, raising concerns about flooding in some areas. There is also a possibility of a tropical depression named 'Neneng' forming, necessitating caution.
On the 16th day of the impeachment trial of Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte, a former special disbursing officer testified that she was instructed to release P125 million in confidential funds to an OVP security officer. This testimony could significantly impact the trial's proceedings.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. led the distribution of 10 kilos of rice and cash assistance to 2,230 low-income beneficiaries, including farmers, fisherfolk, vendors, and laborers, in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental. The "Bawat Bayan Makikinabang" program will continue every two months.
MANILA—The University of Santo Tomas Hospital (UST Hospital) on Monday denied reports of depleted doxycycline stocks, stating it has sufficient supply of the antibiotic for prophylaxis and is actively coordinating with its supply chain.
The Philippine government is moving forward with the bidding of the National Power Corp.'s (Napocor) remaining power assets. This initiative aims to enhance the efficiency of power plants and generate funds for debt settlement. The bidding process is expected to commence between the latter half of 2026 and the first half of 2027.
Manila City will open its health centers for half-day on Tuesday, August 18, to distribute free doxycycline to residents potentially exposed to leptospirosis from wading through floodwaters caused by the southwest monsoon (habagat). This measure aims to protect public health amidst continuous rains.
Senator Panfilo Lacson questioned the effectiveness of the government's flood control spending, highlighting that despite P1.939 trillion allocated to the DPWH's flood management program from 2011 to 2025, floods remain uncontrolled.
Philippine sugar industry stakeholders have agreed to form a national ad hoc committee to coordinate the government's response to the worsening infestation of the Red Striped Soft Shell Insect (RSSI), which is severely impacting sugarcane yield and quality.
Government offices in Ilocos Sur province are implementing alternative work arrangements due to continuous heavy rains from the southwest monsoon. This measure, in line with a presidential directive, aims to ensure employee safety and operational continuity.
The Philippine Department of Agriculture (DA) announced the distribution of P177.67 million in agricultural inputs to farmers and fisherfolk affected by the enhanced southwest monsoon and tropical cyclones, including seeds and fertilizers.
The House of Representatives has canceled its budget briefing scheduled for Tuesday, August 18, and will transition to virtual sessions for its plenary and committee meetings due to inclement weather. Officials and employees are instructed to work from home.
North Cotabato vendors are lamenting the influx of imported pork in Kidapawan City, stating it is killing the local hog industry. The price competitiveness of imported meat has led to a sharp decline in demand for local produce, pushing producers to the brink.
In Zambales, Philippines, schools will shift to alternative learning and government offices will adopt alternative work arrangements on August 18 due to heavy rains from the southwest monsoon. Some local government units have also announced suspension of classes and work.
The Philippine Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has filed a motion seeking to lift a court injunction that halted an P85 wage increase for minimum wage earners in Metro Manila, a move seen as crucial amidst rising living costs.
The water level of Laguna de Bay in the Philippines has risen again to 12.25 meters, nearing its critical high-water threshold and raising concerns for the daily lives of surrounding residents.
The impeachment trial of Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte has been postponed to Tuesday due to inclement weather forecasts. The court made the decision based on the Presiding Officer's instructions, considering the impact of heavy rains and flooding from the Southwest Monsoon.
A pandesal vendor was shot dead in Datu Montawal, Maguindanao del Sur, despite an ongoing election gun ban. The incident occurred as the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) prepares for historic parliamentary elections.