MANILA, Philippines — Transport group Manibela called for immediate government action to support jeepney drivers and operators amid continuing oil price hikes in an open letter posted on social media on Sept. 22. Manibela chairman Mar Valbuena urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and other concerned government agencies to take concrete measures to protect the livelihoods

MANILA, Philippines — The one-time Abatement Program for Micro Taxpayers of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) reported 6,234 applications in the first two months of implementation, as of Sept. 18, with 5,000 of them already approved. According to a BIR statement issued on Tuesday, the approved applications covered ₱84.5 million in tax liabilities and

BACOLOD CITY — The Department of Social Welfare and Development’s ongoing distribution of Emergency Cash Transfers (ECT) to small sugarcane farmers and workers whose crops have been destroyed by red-striped soft scale insects (RSSI) in Negros Island will hit P1.9 billion before the end of this year, Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian said on Tuesday,

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) recorded 10,936 cases of leptospirosis as of Sept. 16, a 38% increase from the 7,931 cases reported during the same period last year. Of the cumulative cases, 7,242, or 66%, were associated with floodwater exposure amid continued rains, according to the DOH. From Aug. 20 to Sept.

MANILA, Philippines — The trough of the tropical depression (TD) will continue to bring rains over Visayas and Mindanao on Wednesday, Sept. 23, the state weather bureau said. Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) weather specialist Benison Estareja said during its 5 p.m. weather advisory that the extension of the TD outside of

KORONADAL CITY — Five days after she was critically wounded in the Banga National High School shooting in South Cotabato, a Grade 9 female student who suffered a gunshot wound in the head is showing signs of recovery. This development comes after the victim underwent surgery at the Cotabato Regional and Medical Center in Cotabato

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — To address growing concerns over Pax Silica, the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro-Commission on Social Apostolate and the Samdhana Institute convened a multi-stakeholder dialogue on Tuesday at the San Agustin Metropolitan Cathedral here. The whole-day event, themed “Opportunities, Risks and Responsibilities for People, Planet and Peace,” gathered members of the

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine and Australian governments have started identifying projects, including those in renewable energy and the digital economy, to fund with a A$45-million grant designed to boost the country’s economic growth over the next five years. In a press briefing, Australian Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Matt Thistlethwaite said the

MANILA, Philippines — The bill seeking to remove system loss costs incurred by electric providers to consumers reached the Senate floor on Tuesday. Sen. Erwin Tulfo stood before the plenary to sponsor Senate Bill No. 2486, otherwise known as the “Systems Loss Charge Removal Act.” READ: Sona promise: Lower power bills as VAT on system

MANILA, Philippines — The Marcos administration needs more than P4 billion to construct five of the 39 proposed rainwater impounding facilities in Metro Manila to address the perennial flooding problem in Metro Manila. The five projects have a combined indicative cost of about P4.05 billion, subject to the applicable government review, approval, budgeting and procurement processes,

MANILA, Philippines — Since the success of Quezon City, Metro Manila’s largest local government unit, relies on strong barangays, its officials should keep strengthening their communities through “honest, responsive, and compassionate leadership.” House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” stressed that message in his address on Monday evening during the 31st Quezon City Barangay Day Celebration at the Grand

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine bond market grew more slowly in the second quarter, even as local yields declined and bucked the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) ongoing rate-hiking cycle, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) said. In its latest “Asia Bond Monitor” report, the Manila-based multilateral lender said outstanding local currency bonds, excluding debt securities with

The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) has given Reddit and Discord 24 hours to establish offices or designate local representatives in the Philippines, as the government moves to strengthen coordination with digital platforms following three school shooting incidents in recent months.

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) thanked the House of Representatives for approving its proposed P975.96 billion budget for 2027, which accounts for 13.55 percent of the P7.2-trillion national budget. “We deeply appreciate the House of Representatives’ strong commitment to education and the leadership of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in advancing the

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano accused the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) of “selective justice” in enforcing rules on reclamation projects. He questioned why the PRA issued a cease-and-desist order against a project in Taguig but not the Laguna Lake Shore Road Network (LLRN). “Ongoing now is a massive [Department of Public Works and

LUCENA CITY — The iconic floating bamboo rafts, or “balsa,” of Lian town in Batangas, are being developed as a local tourist attraction through a sustainable tourism training program launched by the Department of Tourism (DOT)  in Region IV-A and the municipal government. The “Sustainable Balsa Tourism Development” training program, which runs from Sept. 21

MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Ombudsman said their fact-finding probe on the so-called “ghost internet” in the government free WiFi program will center around the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).  DICT, for its part, said it welcomes the anti-graft body’s inquiry, noting that it maintains a policy of zero tolerance against

MANILA, Philippines — The late Batanes Rep. Ciriaco Gato was able to leave a positive impact on legislation as he brought to the House of Representatives a perspective that comes from a caring physician. House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III made the statement on Tuesday as the chamber condoles with the family of Gato, who died

CALUMPIT, Bulacan — Residents of this flood-prone Bulacan town marched in the streets over the weekend to demand full transparency as public works crews proceed with flood control infrastructure that were tied to anomalies last year.  Zul Kifli Magat, spokesperson of the movement Tindig Calumpitenyo, led a 1,500-strong rally on Sunday (September 20); marking the

SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur — Agusan del Sur 2nd District Rep. Adolph Edward Plaza is pushing for a nationwide soil strategy to boost agriculture through state universities and colleges (SUCs). Plaza brought together agriculture officials, scientists, and academic leaders at the Batasang Pambansa complex on Tuesday to explore a collaborative framework that would link

MANILA, Philippines — DragonFi Securities Inc. has secured regulatory sandbox approval to offer Philippine investors access to select global stocks and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Tycoon Edgar Sia II’s DoubleDragon Corp. announced on Tuesday that it had gained admission to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Strategic Sandbox, or Stratbox, in accordance with Memorandum Circular No. 9,

VALENCIA CITY, Bukidnon — Security measures have been heightened across schools in Bukidnon’s 20 municipalities and two cities following a recent shooting rampage in South Cotabato that left three dead and six injured. Capt. Shiela Joy Jangad, Bukidnon Provincial Police Office spokesperson, told the Inquirer on Tuesday afternoon that police increased visibility in various campuses.

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Tuesday reminded gun owners to exercise extra caution in securing their firearms following a series of school shooting incidents that left several people dead and injured. On Sept. 18, at least three students were killed in a shooting at Banga National High School in South Cotabato. One of the fatalities was

MANILA, Philippines — An aviation security personnel lost his job for P5,000. Stating that integrity is non-negotiable in public office, the Supreme Court’s (SC) Second Division through Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen said it did not find any reversible error on the part of the Court of Appeals in affirming the findings of the National

MANILA, Philippines — Detained Sen. Rodante Marcoleta on Tuesday explained the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC)’s silence over his imprisonment, saying that the Church’s lack of reaction or comment must not be construed as “indifference, weakness, or diminished resolve.” According to the senator, “the INC is under no obligation to publicly react to, or even comment

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang believes the Office of the Ombudsman’s investigation on the alleged “ghost internet” scheme should go on. The scam reportedly involves the free Wi-Fi projects of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT). Palace press officer Claire Castro on Tuesday said all those responsible for any misuse of public funds must be

MANILA, Philippines — A motorcycle rider was arrested for allegedly fleeing a police checkpoint and later found carrying an unlicensed firearm and live ammunition in Las Piñas City, according to the Southern Police District (SPD).  The SPD identified the suspect as alias “Romel,” a 31-year-old male residing in Barangay CAA, Las Piñas City.  READ: 3

MANILA, Philippines — Transportation Secretary Giovanni “Banoy” Lopez on Tuesday said the government is continuing efforts to ease the impact of rising fuel prices amid woes in the transportation sector.  READ: OIL PRICE WATCH as of Sept. 22, 2026 Lopez said that the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board’s hearing on the pending fare hike

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Tuesday maintained that no one is above the law amid questions over Vice President Sara Duterte’s business interests. The Palace’s remarks came after Securities and Exchange Commission records showed that Duterte remained a director and shareholder of a private company after assuming office in 2022. READ: SEC records: Sara Duterte stayed

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine stocks fell again on Tuesday as renewed concerns over the economy, elevated oil prices and a weak peso dampened investor sentiment. The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange Index (PSEi) shed 0.50 percent, or 29.23 points, to close at 5,814.56. READ: BMI cuts 2026 PH growth outlook to 3.3% on infra woes READ: