Senator Panfilo Lacson has refuted claims by the Vice President's spokesperson that P500 million was spent on an impeachment trial, questioning the calculation. The spokesperson cited daily operating costs, but the Senate President countered that direct expenses were significantly lower.
Major repairs on a landslide-hit mountain highway connecting Butuan City and Bukidnon province are nearing completion. This crucial route, vital for agricultural trade between the Caraga and Northern Mindanao regions, is expected to significantly boost economic activity.
In the impeachment proceedings against Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte, prosecutors admitted to dropping three articles of impeachment, citing concerns that the defense would aim to prolong the trial through delaying tactics.
The Philippine government will begin distributing bucket-type water filtration kits next week to prepare for water shortages and quality issues expected from "Super El Niño." The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will lead the initiative to ensure public water safety.
Manila Electric Company (Meralco) is reinforcing its power supply grid in anticipation of increased demand due to a very strong El Niño phenomenon. This weather event poses a risk of severe water and power shortages across the Philippines.
The Philippines hosted the ASEAN Finance Ministers' Meeting and a dialogue with the World Bank Group, reportedly discussing regional economic challenges and cooperation. While specific agenda details are not yet available, the event highlights the Philippines' role in regional economic affairs.
A 22-year-old woman was arrested in Cainta, Rizal, with an estimated P1.7 million worth of shabu (crystal meth). Police apprehended the suspect during a buy-bust operation after she allegedly sold the illegal drug to an undercover officer.
Former Representative Carlos Isagani Zarate has called for a congressional investigation into alleged paper stock losses of nearly P40 billion at the Social Security System (SSS), also raising concerns about the pension fund's investment risk controls.
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) of the Philippines plans to fully implement its Customs Processing System (CPS) by June or July 2027, a digital platform aimed at streamlining import and export transactions for greater speed and transparency.
Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte declared she will not resign from her post amid an impeachment trial and allegations against her. Meanwhile, former president Rodrigo Duterte appeared before the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Prosecutors stated that evidence presented during the impeachment proceedings will not go to waste, suggesting it could be utilized in ongoing legal cases concerning the Vice President's confidential funds.
Vice President Sara Duterte's lawyer accused National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag of being "evidently politically biased" against her. The lawyer also cited Matibag's alleged "conflict of interest" in his probe into accusations from a former associate.
Quezon City Police District (QCPD) has relieved the chief of its Police Clearance Section pending an investigation into alleged disruptions in its services at Quezon City Hall. The move comes as concerns rise over the impact on citizens' administrative processes.
Authorities in Lanao del Norte seized over P2 million worth of suspected smuggled cigarettes cleverly hidden in fish ice boxes during a checkpoint operation. The contraband was found in an Isuzu Elf truck that was flagged down by joint police and military operatives.
Veteran journalist and host Arnold Clavio has filed a cyberlibel complaint against Mario Ceniza Jr., the alleged former bodyguard of ex-congressman Zaldy Co. Ceniza had accused Clavio of accepting a bribe from Co.
A nationwide survey indicates that approximately 44% of Filipino voters anticipate a conviction for Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio in her impeachment trial, with 31% expecting an acquittal. Public interest in the proceedings remains high, with online news and television being primary information sources.
The Philippine government will distribute household water filtration kits and establish community water depots nationwide as immediate measures against water scarcity threatened by El Niño. Calamity-stricken areas and urban communities with low water pressure will be prioritized, with kits provided free of charge.
The Philippine Supreme Court ruled that senior citizen discounts cannot be combined with promotional rates, requiring individuals to choose the more advantageous option. This aims to balance the welfare of seniors with the financial viability of businesses.
Baguio City is planning a major public transport overhaul aimed at improving reliability and stabilizing driver incomes. However, jeepney transport groups are demanding adequate safeguards and meaningful consultations to ensure modernization does not displace workers.
The Ministry of Labor and Employment in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) has provided assistance to 64 minors through its Bangsamoro Child Labor Sagip Program (BCLSP), aimed at combating child labor. The program offers school supplies and cash aid to children from impoverished families to support their education and household needs.
Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman John Patrick C. Gregorio has called for an amendment to the commission's charter, citing its current focus solely on amateur athletes, which limits support for professionals. During a Senate briefing, Gregorio highlighted the need to expand PSC's mandate to include professional players, especially as they now compete in international events like the Olympics.
Senator Panfilo Lacson urged Vice President Sara Duterte's spokesperson to correct a "misleading" P500 million estimate for impeachment proceedings against her, stating that only P27 million was allocated for the trial.
House Majority Leader Sandro Marcos has left the ruling Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP), chaired by his father President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., to join the Lakas-CMD party, sources confirmed. This move suggests a potential realignment within Philippine politics.
Philippine Acting Budget Secretary Kim Robert De Leon stated that government agencies spending 98% of their budget does not necessarily equate to effective service delivery to the public. He emphasized prioritizing actual accomplishments over mere budget utilization rates.
Philippine Finance Secretary Frederick D. Go urged multilateral lenders like the IMF and World Bank to provide more flexible financing for countries transitioning to upper-middle income status, citing their evolving needs as the Philippines itself has been reclassified.
Ilocos Norte Representative Sandro Marcos, the eldest son of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., has officially joined the Lakas-CMD party, leaving his father's Philippine Future Party (PFP). This political maneuver signals potential shifts in the country's political landscape.
In a Philippine vice presidential trial, the defense has not agreed to the prosecution's proposal for alternating presentations of evidence. This development could impact the trial's proceedings and the manner of evidence disclosure.
The Philippine stock market declined to the 5,600 level on Wednesday, weighed down by selling pressure on heavyweights and concerns over the economic growth outlook. A downward revision of growth forecasts by the IMF also dampened investor sentiment.
The Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) is expected to bring rains to the Visayas and Mindanao, increasing the risk of flooding and landslides, according to PAGASA. Scattered rains and thunderstorms are anticipated within the next 24 hours.
The Palawan Council for Sustainable Development announced the discovery of a dead male dugong along the coast of Puerto Princesa, highlighting urgent concerns for marine wildlife protection in the region.
A search and rescue operation is underway for a 54-year-old fisherman who went missing off the coast of Gasan, Marinduque. His empty boat was discovered adrift, prompting authorities to launch a full-scale search.
Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, a prominent figure in the Philippine Catholic Church, has been elected Dean of the College of Cardinals by Pope Leo XIV. This marks a significant moment for the Philippines, elevating a Filipino to the highest position within the global Catholic hierarchy and potentially expanding the nation's international influence.
The Social Security System (SSS) of the Philippines has reported over P200 billion in gains from its equity investments over the past 57 years, highlighting a successful long-term asset management strategy.
A coalition of political parties has secured a majority in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Parliament, paving the way for the formation of a new government two weeks before its inaugural session. The interim chief minister announced that 46 members of parliament are expected to join.