CEBU CITY — At least 41 women, including 10 minors, who were allegedly prostituted by a syndicate, were rescued during two simultaneous operations conducted in Barangays Pajac and Punta Engaño in Lapu-Lapu City last Saturday, October 10, that led to the arrest of five suspects. The said operations were jointly conducted by the National Bureau

MANILA, Philippines — An intensifying El Niño could further complicate the Philippines’ fight against inflation, with a severe episode potentially pushing price growth above 8 percent while adding to the strain on an already weak economy, according to Chinabank Research. In a commentary, Chinabank said El Niño could add 0.25 percentage points (ppt) to headline inflation

AMRO and the IMF have extended their MOU through 2029, aiming to boost regional financial stability, cooperation, and capacity building. The deal highlights the importance of solid coordination amid tough global economic challenges.

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) has issued the guidelines for the 2026 National Literacy Awards (NLA), reaffirming its commitment to recognize partners helping advance literacy in communities nationwide. DepEd issued Memorandum No. 062, s. 2026, which contains the guidelines, through the Literacy Coordinating Council (LCC). According to a DepEd statement issued on

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday launched new employment programs aimed at helping Filipinos develop their skills, access job opportunities, and build sustainable livelihoods. Speaking at the 26th National Public Employment Service Office Congress in Cebu, Marcos introduced the Trabahong-Dagat, SkillPass, and Sagip-Trabaho programs as part of the Department of Labor and

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Wednesday said Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. had ordered the revocation of the sanitary and phytosanitary import clearance for a vessel carrying suspected smuggled rice before it arrived in the Philippines. According to the DA, the decision came after Tiu Laurel received “derogatory” information about the

MANILA, Philippines — New public school buildings will be required to meet updated accessibility and disaster-resilience standards beginning in fiscal year 2027 under a Department of Education (DepEd) policy welcomed by the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA). In a statement, the NCDA said DepEd Order No. 022, series of 2026, establishes enhanced minimum performance

MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian on Wednesday disputed the claim that the Senate is spending P25 million daily in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, saying the amount represented the operating costs of the entire chamber. According to Gatchalian, “The claim that the impeachment trial costs the Senate P25 million a