ILAGAN, Isabela—Isabela province’s economy grew by 4.2 percent in 2025, which was slower than the 6.4-percent registered in 2024. The figure indicates a decrease of 2.2 percent. This is according to the 2025 Economic Performance of Isabela Report on Tuesday (September 29) at the Amphitheater at Isabela Provincial Capitol in Barangay Alibagu. Isabela’s Gross Domestic

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate ratified on Tuesday the bicameral conference committee report on establishing the National Specialty Center for Geriatric Health. Sponsored in the upper chamber by Sen. Risa Hontiveros, the committee report reconciles provisions of Senate Bill No. 1509 and the House Bill No. 6739 or the Philippine Geriatric Center (PGC) Act for

Also present during the historic occasion were House Minority Floor Leader and 4Ps party-list Rep. Marcelino Libanan and town officials.  /mr

MANILA, Philippines – The House of Representatives adopted a congressional resolution on Tuesday posthumously honoring student and scout Chris Lorenz Fabian, praising his courage in shielding fellow students during a June school shooting in Tacloban City. Lawmakers passed by voice vote House Resolution No. 1464 to commend Fabian’s “extraordinary bravery” in securing the door of

CALASIAO, Pangasinan — The Regional Development Council in Ilocos Region (Region I) has approved 30 priority projects that has an estimated P5.497 billion in investment requirement for fiscal year 2028. La Union Gov. Mario Eduardo C. Ortega, RDC chairperson, said the council endorsed projects aimed at strengthening key development sectors covering health, transport and connectivity,

BAGUIO CITY — Fire struck at Baguio’s New Lucban Extension on Tuesday morning (Sept. 29), injuring three people and displacing 14 families (56 individuals). The fire broke out at around 8:28 am, engulfing several residential units and business establishments, according to Baguio City Fire Marshall F/Supt. Mark Anthony Dangatan. READ: A metropolis takes shape around

KORONADAL CITY — The provincial government of South Cotabato was among six institutions in Mindanao recognized by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) for their contributions to the central bank’s programs and advocacies. The recognition was given during the 2026 Outstanding BSP Stakeholders Appreciation Ceremony held in Davao City on Monday. Aside from South Cotabato,

MANILA, Philippines — Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte may have been placed in a precarious position if his claim that he was unaware his sister, Vice President Sara Duterte, had shares in a company that dealt with the local government is true, Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong said. Alonto Adiong said in

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Jinggoy Estrada himself will testify in his graft case trial before the Sandiganbayan Second Division, his counsel told the court during the pretrial proceedings on Tuesday. Estrada’s graft case stemmed from his alleged conspiracy with former Public Works and Highways (DPWH) chief Manuel Bonoan to ensure the inclusion of flood control

MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Ombudsman now has direct access to government procurement records, allowing the anti-graft body to speed up its investigation and prosecution work and prevent corruption. The new arrangement was established through a Data Sharing Agreement (DSA) signed Monday by the Ombudsman and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM),

MANILA, Philippines — The Climate Change Commission (CCC) on Tuesday advised schools and government agencies to shift their schedules ahead of the expected impacts of El Niño in the country. In an interview with Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon, Commissioner Albert dela Cruz suggested that schools adjust their schedules as part of local governments’ implementation of their

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Raffy Tulfo on Tuesday flagged an alleged “palakasan system” (backer system) in the distribution of housing units under the National Housing Authority (NHA). According to the senator, beneficiaries should undergo thorough vetting to ensure that those receiving government housing are qualified. During the Senate committee on finance’s hearing on the proposed

MANILA, Philippines — In-person classes in some areas and universities were suspended on Wednesday, Sept. 30, due to the continuation of the nationwide transport strike. The following schools and local governments announced the suspension of face-to-face classes: Bicol Region Schools and universities  READ: Piston launches transport strike to stop soaring oil prices, taxes Transport group

MANILA, Philippines — A low-pressure area (LPA) being monitored outside the Philippine area of responsibility has a “high” chance of developing into a tropical depression, the state weather bureau said Tuesday. Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) weather specialist Benison Estareja said “the LPA was last spotted more than 3,500 kilometers east of

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. underscored on Tuesday the significance of women"s leadership and representation in driving ASEAN's economy and innovation, urging them to keep asserting their place in leadership.

SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur — The police in the Caraga region arrested four wanted persons in separate operations across the region on Monday. Brig. Gen. Rolindo Suguilon, Police Regional Office-13 (PRO-13) director, said the suspects are wanted for alleged sexual offenses, illegal drugs and robbery. In Dinagat Islands, personnel of the Loreto Municipal Police

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Tuesday said domestic workers in Central Visayas will receive a P500 monthly salary increase starting next month. Under the newly issued Wage Order No. ROVII-DW-06, the minimum monthly wage rate for ‘kasambahays’ or domestic workers in the region, including the provinces of Negros Oriental

China is expanding its claim over more of the Philippines" maritime territory, including waters around Batanes, according to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Raffy Tulfo on Tuesday reprimanded the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) after it revealed that consumer complaints could take up to seven months to be resolved. Tulfo raised concerns about the DTI’s implementation of the No Return, No Exchange policy during the Senate finance subcommittee budget hearing, saying he still

MANILA, Philippines — Counsel for the prosecution Benjamin Tolosa Jr. has revealed that the Senate Impeachment Court admonished him. This happened after he gave his explanation on why he should not be cited for violation of the sub judice rule over his comments during media interviews. Tolosa made the disclosure in a press briefing on Tuesday

ILIGAN CITY—The Catholic prelate here has prayed for the victory of truth over lies as the faithful observe on Tuesday the feast of the city’s patron, St. Michael the Archangel. Over 20,000 devotees, mostly carrying small statues of Saint Michael the Archangel, joined the morning procession around the city to pay homage to the revered image

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday honored 10 outstanding Filipinos for their exceptional dedication to education and national security during the 2026 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos. He presided over the awarding of the Medallion of Excellence to the 10 honorees during a ceremony at Malacañan Palace, where four teachers, three soldiers, and three

COTABATO CITY — A woman was killed while her husband was critically wounded after gunmen opened fire on them inside their home in Esperanza, Sultan Kudarat, on Monday afternoon, police confirmed Tuesday. Major Jeffrey Lazaro, chief of the Esperanza Municipal Police Station (MPS), said the incident occurred at about 5 p.m. in Barangay Laguinding. He

CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro — The southernmost municipality of Bulalacao in Oriental Mindoro is strengthening border monitoring and biosecurity defenses to protect and maintain its African Swine Fever (ASF)-free status after Occidental Mindoro had its first ASF case last week. The move aligns with the Oriental Mindoro provincial government’s broader preventive action, which includes establishing

MANILA, Philippines — New building standards issued by Education Secretary Sonny Angara require new public schools to be disaster-resilient and accessible to persons with disabilities (PWDs), among other things. The new requirements are set in DepEd Order No. 022, s. 2026, which establishes the Enhanced Minimum Performance Standards and Specifications (MPSS) for public basic education

MANILA, Philippines — Defense counsel spokesperson Michael Poa on Tuesday belied claims made by fellow spokesperson Atty. Paolo Panelo Jr. that he supposedly agreed with him that the Senate impeachment court’s ruling modifying the two-thirds conviction threshold against Vice President Sara Duterte was “just a farce.” Poa was referring to the remarks made by Panelo

MANILA, Philippines — Former Department of Public Works (DPWH) chief Manuel Bonoan will remain an accused before the Sandiganbayan Second Division after it affirmed its ruling to deny the prosecution’s bid to discharge him from his remaining graft case. Bonoan’s graft case in this court division stemmed from his alleged conspiracy with Sen. Jinggoy Estrada to

COTABATO CITY — Anti-narcotics agents, backed by Philippine Marines and police, seized over P20.4 million worth of suspected shabu during a buy-bust operation in the seas off Tawi-Tawi on Monday, an official said. Abraham “Datu” Kalim, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PDEA-BARMM) Tawi-Tawi provincial officer, said that an

CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro — A new mobile application developed by information technology students from Mindoro State University (MinSU) is poised to make transactions and information access easier for member-consumer-owners of the Oriental Mindoro Electric Cooperative, Inc. (ORMECO).  Developed by third-year students Marc Jimbell M. Cabatay, Monica C. Bacay, and Neil M. Arguelles, who are

MANILA, Philippines — Why did a food catering company linked to Vice President Sara Duterte keep winning all 19 contracts in Davao City? Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian repeatedly raised this question when Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte testified as a hostile witness in his sister’s impeachment trial on Tuesday, Sept. 29. READ: Impeachment court