PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur – A 56-year-old motorcycle rider from Marikina City died on Friday evening, October 16, after his maxi-scooter rammed a parked truck along the national highway in Mahayag, Zamboanga del Sur. In a report released Saturday, Police Capt. Derf Jay Maquinta, spokesperson for the Zamboanga del Sur Police Provincial Office (ZSPPO),

MARAMAG, Bukidnon — More than 65 percent of some 1,500 hectares of sugarcane fields infested by the red-striped soft scale insect (RSSI) in Bukidnon have been treated, as authorities race to save crops before the 2026–2027 sugar milling season opens in November. The Bukidnon Provincial Task Force, led by Gov. Rogelio Neil Roque and Quezon

CALASIAO, Pangasinan — The provincial government of La Union will build a 96-meter bridge in Barangay Bungol in Balaoan to replace a hanging bridge destroyed by Typhoon Emong (international name: Co-May)  in July 2025. The new bridge, which will cross the Nagsipol River, will cost nearly P12 million, funded by the provincial government. Construction is

MANILA, Philippines – Senator Mark Villar is pushing for a measure that seeks to grant tax credits to establishments granting mandatory discounts to senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs), promoting a fairer tax system while ensuring the continued delivery of benefits to these sectors. Under Senate Bill No. 2494, or the proposed “Tax Credit

SAN ILDEFONSO, Ilocos Sur— The provincial government of Ilocos Norte distributed rainwater catchment drums to 37 selected schools as part of efforts to conserve water and prepare for the possible effects of a strong El Niño. In an a statement Saturday, Gov. Cecilia Araneta-Marcos said she led the distribution of the catchment drums at the

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Education (DepEd) is expanding its learner-led peer facilitation network through the My Buddy System alongside structured counseling and teacher check-ins to build safer, more supportive school environments, as part of its mental health and psychosocial support framework. Launched during the observance of National School Safety Week, the My Buddy

MANILA, Philippines – House Speaker Faustino G. Dy III on Friday joined President FerdinandR. Marcos Jr. in celebrating the Philippine Coast Guard’s (PCG) 125th founding anniversary, as the president reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening the agency’s capabilities amid growing maritime challenges. Dy attended the anniversary celebration at the Eva Macapagal Super Terminal in Manila’s

MANILA, Philippines—Vice President Sara Duterte on Saturday denied that she owns a Jollibee franchise amid her links to food company GenCorp Industries Inc., stressing that her investment in the company does not equate to ownership. “I do not own a Jollibee franchise or any other franchise. I previously invested in a company that is part

MANILA, Philippines — Marikina 2nd District Rep. Miro S. Quimbo on Saturday called for the immediate passage of a measure, which seeks to strengthen water management through a stronger national framework, amid the looming threat of a Super El Niño. He said that the passage of the National Water Resources Management Act, or House Bill

MANILA, Philippines – House prosecution panel member and Manila Rep. Joel Chua on Saturday drew a comparison between the impeachment conviction of Chief Justice Renato Corona over undisclosed assets and the unexplained wealth allegations against Vice President Sara Z. Duterte, which a prosecution expert said could allegedly reach P1.5 billion. Chua pointed out that Corona

MANILA, Philippines – House prosecution panel member and Manila Rep. Joel Chua is hoping that the Senate impeachment court will be able to rule on Vice President Sara Z. Duterte’s case by late November or early December now that only the alleged unexplained wealth article remains. Chua said prosecutors narrowed the case partly because they

MANILA, Philippines – A spokesperson for the House prosecution has expressed belief that the evidence against Vice President Sara Z. Duterte’s alleged misuse of confidential funds could still lead to her conviction with the possible initiation of criminal proceedings outside the impeachment trial.   Trial spokesperson and Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong cited the

MANILA, Philippines – The House prosecution panel may submit its formal offer of evidence against Vice President Sara Z. Duterte ahead of the Oct. 23 deadline to help speed up the remaining proceedings in her impeachment trial. House prosecutor and Manila Rep. Joel Chua on Saturday said prosecutors were preparing the submission after formally resting

LEGAZPI CITY — The Diocese of Virac has called for a moratorium on mining projects in Catanduanes, warning that they could threaten human lives, contaminate water sources and damage the island province’s environment and livelihoods. In a pastoral letter dated Oct. 14, Bishop Luisito A. Occiano urged the government to suspend or stop mining operations

LUCENA CITY — Authorities in Talisay, Batangas on Saturday, Oct. 17, urged residents to take precautions after the heat index in the town reached 40°C. The Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (MDRRMC) advised residents to take precautionary measures against the prevailing high heat index, which reached the extreme caution level. “Exposure to elevated temperatures

COTABATO CITY – Acting on tips from concerned citizens, the Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat police confiscated P385,000 worth of smuggled cigarettes during law enforcement operations on Friday, October 16. Brig. Gen. Alan Manibog, director of Police Regional Office (PRO-12), said personnel from Palimbang municipal police station discovered the cigarette boxes stacked and partially covered with a

VALENCIA CITY, Bukidnon — The state weather bureau has warned residents of southern Bukidnon of moderate to heavy rains, particularly in the afternoon and evening. Speaking to the Inquirer on Saturday, October 17, Catherine Asunto, weather specialist at the Mindanao Regional Services Division of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, said the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ)

VALENCIA CITY, Bukidnon — A dawn response to a residential fire in Barangay Batangan here on Friday, October 16, led to the discovery and confiscation of 45 cartons of contraband “Commando Red Label” cigarettes valued at an estimated P1.1 million. Firefighters responded to a distress call at around 11:45 p.m. on Thursday, October 15, regarding

Various government agencies, transportation hubs and cemeteries are preparing for the influx of visitors during the commemoration of All Saints" Day and All Souls" Day, collectively known as Undas.

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato — A rare, threatened amphibian known as the Mindanao caecilian (Ichthyophis mindanaoensis) has been recorded at a biodiversity monitoring site in Mount Apo Natural Park in Cotabato province, according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). The DENR in Region 12 said the species was identified by Marisol Pedregosa,

LANTAPAN, Bukidnon — The ube harvest of local farmers here, who are mostly members of the Talaandig indigenous tribe, is set to enter the United States market after they secured a five-year contract to supply the increasingly globally popular purple yam for export. The contract was formalized last October 5 at the Northern Mindanao Agricultural

Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Jing Quan"s controversial remarks are an example of “wolf warrior diplomacy,” according to defense analyst Renato Castro.

TACLOBAN CITY — Northern Samar posted the highest economic growth rate in Eastern Visayas in 2025, with its economy expanding by 4.6% from 3.4% in the previous year, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) regional office. The PSA- 8 released the latest Provincial Product Accounts (PPA) on Oct. 15, showing Northern Samar outperforming the

TACLOBAN CITY — A red tide warning has been issued for Irong-Irong Bay in Catbalogan City, Samar, after shellfish samples tested positive for paralytic shellfish toxin, prompting authorities to ban the gathering, sale and consumption of all types of shellfish and alamang from the affected waters. The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in

MARAWI CITY – Secretary Nasser Pangandaman Jr., Presidential Adviser for Marawi Rehabilitation and Development, led Saturday’s commemoration of this city’s liberation from the hands of Islamic State-linked militants nine years ago. Soldiers from the Army’s 103rd Infantry Brigade rendered a 21-gun salute for government security personnel who sacrificed their lives to liberate the city. October

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on Saturday questioned the motives of three minority senators who voted in favor of reconsidering a petition seeking to unseat Sen. Erwin Tulfo, saying their decision undermined justice and fairness. In a post on X, Lacson criticized the three senator-members of the Senate Electoral Tribunal (SET) who supported

SAN ILDEFONSO, Ilocos Sur — The provincial government of Ilocos Norte and the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) will rehabilitate the Paoay Golf Course. The plan is to restore it as a public-access recreational destination and boost local tourism. In a statement on Saturday, Gov. Cecilia Araneta-Marcos said she and TIEZA Chief Operating

Vice President Sara Duterte denied claims that she owns a Jollibee franchise, accusing online news platform Rappler of publishing misleading reports about her business interests.

CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro — A man listed as Oriental Mindoro’s most wanted person was arrested, while a former communist rebel surrendered in Occidental Mindoro on Friday, Oct. 16, police said. In a report on Saturday, the Police Regional Office Mimaropa said the 48-year-old wanted man was nabbed at 6:10 p.m. in Barangay Pag-asa, Bansud,

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato — Two farmers drowned while performing a traditional ritual meant to settle a land dispute in Alabel town, Sarangani province on Friday, Oct. 16, police said. The victims were identified as Tonny Bulanon Mansag, 69, of Sitio Ulo Tubay, and Gaspar Tusan Palasanon, 49, of Sitio Katimbol, both in Barangay Datal