From Hermès bags to $20M penthouse, Singapore sells off its biggest money laundering haul

VNExpress - Sep 17, 2026

Singapore has opened online bidding on hundreds of luxury handbags and jewelry pieces seized in its largest money laundering case, launching a series of 15 auctions that will run through May 2027.

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Former associate justice Azcuna says the Supreme Court may reverse the Senate's ruling on the conviction threshold, but retired chief justice Panganiban says the High Court should not intervene

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They note the state exco's earlier backing of the state ruler and an interim court injunction to preserve status quo.

Carpio will seek SC help if Congress passes House's anti-political dynasty bill

Sep 17, 2026

Retired Supreme Court (SC) Associate Justice Antonio Carpio on Thursday said they will seek recourse from the High Court should Congress pass the controversial anti-political dynasty bill principally authored by Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III and House Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos.

Romualdez co-accused, personal assistant Joselyn Serenio has left PH

Sep 17, 2026

The co-accused and personal assistant of Leyte Representative and former House Speaker Martin Romauldez in his plunder case has left the Philippines, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said Thursday.

Australia to ban international students from bringing partners and children

Sep 17, 2026

Australia will stop foreign students from bringing their partners and children to accompany them while they study and tighten rules for temporary migrants to switch visas, media reported on Thursday, ahead of a minister's ‌speech on immigration changes.

LIVE UPDATES: Impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte

Sep 17, 2026

Bookmark this page for Rappler's comprehensive coverage of Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial at the Senate

Only 21 senators qualified to vote in Sara Duterte impeachment -- Carpio

Sep 17, 2026

For retired Supreme Court (SC) Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, only 21 senator-judges are qualified to vote in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

16 or lower? Ex-SC justices guide impeachment court on conviction threshold issue

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The amici curiae give solicited advice to the impeachment court on the crucial issue

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Perak seems to be the hardest-hit state today, with several areas recording in the 180 range.

Part of donor's tax for Marcoleta's P75M campaign fund paid by his employee --witness

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Part of the donor's tax for the P75 million worth of funds donated to Senator Rodante Marcoleta was paid by his employee, a witness told the Sandiganbayan on Thursday.

OpenAI’s rogue agents probed Hugging Face for weaknesses 2 months before major hack

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The newly uncovered malicious activity shows that the rogue agents' efforts to find a way into Hugging Face began earlier than was publicly known

Peninsula politicians should learn from Borneo, Anwar says as stony-faced Zahid looks on

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Jabs in Malaysia Day address come amid tensions in Putrajaya.

AI transforming, not cutting PH outsourcing jobs – study

Sep 17, 2026

The artificial intelligence (AI) boom has not yet caused a decline in the Philippines’ service-export revenues or employment, ING Bank N.V. said, arguing that AI is so far changing what gets outsourced rather than reducing demand for outsourced work. In a report, Deepali Bhargava, head of Asia-Pacific research at ING, said there was evidence that

Gov’t spending yet to pick up pace

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MANILA, Philippines — Government budget releases remained slightly behind last year’s pace by end-August, putting greater pressure on agencies to accelerate spending in the remaining months of 2026. Latest data from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) showed that allotment releases had reached 94.1 percent, or P6.391 trillion of the P6.793-trillion budget in the

DBS bets on strong PH growth rebound but flags energy risk

Sep 17, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines has the potential to grow by an average of 5.8 percent a year from 2026 through 2035, according to DBS Bank Ltd., though it warned that the country’s heavy reliance on imported energy could weigh on that expansion. In a report copublished with Bain & Company and Vriens & Partners,

Toyota protests exclusion of hybrid cars from TNVS slots

Sep 17, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — Toyota Motor Philippines Corp., is questioning the exclusion of hybrid electric vehicles (EVs) from the 7,500 new ride-hailing slots in Metro Manila opened by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB). Under Memorandum Circular No. 2026-084, which took effect on Aug. 27, the LTFRB allocated additional Transport Network Vehicle Service (TNVS) slots

Lower rice, corn harvests expected in Q3

Sep 17, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — Production of palay (unmilled rice) and corn could post double-digit declines this third quarter, according to the latest estimates of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), with smaller harvest areas expected to gnaw on output. Based on standing crops as of Aug. 1, the PSA estimated palay production in the July-to-September period at 3.19

Excise tax hikes seen to push 2027 inflation to 4.5%

Sep 17, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — An increase in excise tax on sweetened beverages, alcohol and tobacco could push inflation to as high as 4.5 percent in 2027, adding to price pressures as the country continues to grapple with the oil shock fallout. This is according to Chinabank Research’s latest commentary, which said the tax increases proposed by the

BSP to tighten disciplinary actions vs erring banks, officials

Sep 17, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is proposing a more streamlined process for disciplining errant banks and their directors, officers and employees, with penalties ranging from reprimands and fines to suspension, removal from office and disqualification. The BSP is collecting comments from stakeholders on a draft circular that will spell out how the

‘Kiss’ for substandard steel bars

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The expression “Keep it simple, stupid (Kiss)” has been the advocacy of the Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI) in addressing the dangerous problem of substandard products, especially steel bars. Given climate change, this has become urgent; though some at the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) favor this, such as Assistant Secretary Regino Mallari, others

GCash IPO success goes beyond P10 price point, expert says

Sep 17, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — The success of GCash parent Mynt Inc.’s blockbuster initial public offering (IPO) should not be judged by whether it fetches the maximum P10-per-share price, as the quality of investors and demand after listing may prove more important. Capital market expert Jonathan Ravelas said the P10 maximum offer price in Mynt’s regulatory filing

Alternergy eyes P2B from maiden notes issuance

Sep 17, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — Alternergy Holdings Corp., a listed renewable energy company, is making its debut in the debt market to raise P2 billion, as it rolls out more clean power facilities. The company on Wednesday said its board of directors had given the go-ahead to issue green fixed-rate notes worth P2 billion. READ: Alternergy inks

Standard Chartered sizes up Clark investment opportunities

Sep 17, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) is bringing in one of Asia’s oldest banks to scout investment and financing opportunities across its Clark properties, which form part of the foreign-backed Luzon Economic Corridor. Under a memorandum of understanding, Standard Chartered Bank Philippines—the first foreign bank established in the country—will jointly study with

SM Prime, WWF enter 5th phase of conservation project

Sep 17, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — SM Prime Holdings Inc. has renewed its nearly two-decade partnership with World Wide Fund for Nature-Philippines (WWF-Philippines) to strengthen marine conservation efforts at Hamilo Coast in Nasugbu, Batangas. SM Prime said on Wednesday that, through leisure resort residences developer Costa del Hamilo Inc. (CDHI), it entered the fifth phase of the Hamilo Coast

Meralco unit tapped for Filinvest’s EV needs

Sep 17, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — Filinvest Group has tapped the green mobility subsidiary of Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) to equip its properties with solutions supporting electric vehicles (EVs). In a statement on Wednesday, Movem Electric Inc. said the partnership would cover the deployment of EV requirements across Filinvest’s commercial, residential and office developments. READ: Toyota cautious but

Grab takes the reins of fintech Atome Financial

Sep 17, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — Grab is deepening its push into financial services with a $1.49-billion deal to acquire a controlling stake in Atome Financial, the Singapore-based buy now, pay later (BNPL) fintech that operates in the Philippines and four other Southeast Asian markets. On Tuesday, Grab said it would acquire a 60-percent equity interest in Atome Financial

Rodrigo Duterte's ICC appearance indicates he is fit for trial, Colmenares says

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Rodrigo Duterte"s ICC appearance indicates he is fit for trial, Colmenares says

Houthi blitz leaves Saudi Arabia exposed, Iran emboldened

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The lack of international military support for Saudi Arabia, particularly from the US, has emboldened Iran and its allies, complicating the geopolitical landscape in the region

2 of Oriental Mindoro’s most wanted, another suspect arrested

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CALAPAN CITY, ORIENTAL MINDORO, Philippines — Two provincial most wanted persons and another wanted individual were arrested in separate police operations in Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro, on Wednesday, Sept. 16. Police identified the suspects as the provincial top 4 and top 5 most wanted persons, both arrested in Barangay San Jose, and another wanted person apprehended

SNAPSHOT | Cops take Hadi's statement over alleged US offer to help overthrow govt

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Foreign students in South Korea hit record 500,000 as culture boom drives demand

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The number of foreigners entering South Korea for study and training surpassed a record 500,000 in 2025, marking more than a sixfold increase since 2021, driven by the global expansion of Korean pop culture.

PM announces RM1.5b for Sarawak, BudiDiesel perks, RM500 flight aid for students

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This comes amid friction with Umno, Borneo support needed for stability.

YOURSAY | Pardons Board should stop hiding behind the King

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Hanoi rainfall exceeds 150 mm overnight, causing widespread flooding

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Rainfall exceeding 150 mm in several parts of Hanoi from Wednesday night to Thursday morning has caused widespread flooding, with some schools switching to online classes.

Widespread flooding disrupts traffic, business in Hanoi after heavy rain overnight

Sep 17, 2026

Rainfall exceeding 150 mm in several parts of Hanoi from Wednesday night to Thursday morning has caused widespread flooding that paralyzed traffic and forced shop closures.

Rep. Teodoro: Strong anti-drug policy should go beyond enforcement

Sep 17, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — While he was responsible for defending the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) proposed budget for 2027, Marikina Rep. Marcelino Teodoro has admitted that the government needs to have a strong anti-drug policy that goes beyond mere enforcement. In his sponsorship speech delivered on Wednesday, to defend DDB’s P526.5 million budget for 2027, Teodoro

Aquino urges creation of Filipino-made AI, warns of risks from foreign models

Sep 17, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Bam Aquino on Wednesday urged the government to develop a Filipino-made artificial intelligence (AI) model, warning that continued reliance on foreign-made ones could influence Filipinos’ culture, language, and perspectives. Aquino raised the concern during the Senate committee on finance’s budget hearing on the 2027 spending plan of the Department of Science

US officials met Iran-backed Houthis in Oman over the weekend, sources say

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A US State Department spokesperson says safeguarding freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and preventing the export of terrorism from the Middle East are core US interests

From Hermès bags to $20M penthouse, Singapore sells off its biggest money laundering haul

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Can impeachment court decisions be appealed to SC?

N Sembilan crisis: Customary council says Tuanku Muhriz still ruler, ex-MB, lawyers cry treason

Carpio will seek SC help if Congress passes House's anti-political dynasty bill

Romualdez co-accused, personal assistant Joselyn Serenio has left PH

Australia to ban international students from bringing partners and children

LIVE UPDATES: Impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte

Only 21 senators qualified to vote in Sara Duterte impeachment -- Carpio

16 or lower? Ex-SC justices guide impeachment court on conviction threshold issue

Unhealthy air quality recorded in 28 areas nationwide

Part of donor's tax for Marcoleta's P75M campaign fund paid by his employee --witness

OpenAI’s rogue agents probed Hugging Face for weaknesses 2 months before major hack

Peninsula politicians should learn from Borneo, Anwar says as stony-faced Zahid looks on

AI transforming, not cutting PH outsourcing jobs – study

Gov’t spending yet to pick up pace

DBS bets on strong PH growth rebound but flags energy risk

Toyota protests exclusion of hybrid cars from TNVS slots

Lower rice, corn harvests expected in Q3

Excise tax hikes seen to push 2027 inflation to 4.5%

BSP to tighten disciplinary actions vs erring banks, officials

‘Kiss’ for substandard steel bars

GCash IPO success goes beyond P10 price point, expert says

Alternergy eyes P2B from maiden notes issuance

Standard Chartered sizes up Clark investment opportunities

SM Prime, WWF enter 5th phase of conservation project

Meralco unit tapped for Filinvest’s EV needs

Grab takes the reins of fintech Atome Financial

Rodrigo Duterte's ICC appearance indicates he is fit for trial, Colmenares says

Houthi blitz leaves Saudi Arabia exposed, Iran emboldened

2 of Oriental Mindoro’s most wanted, another suspect arrested

SNAPSHOT | Cops take Hadi's statement over alleged US offer to help overthrow govt

Foreign students in South Korea hit record 500,000 as culture boom drives demand

PM announces RM1.5b for Sarawak, BudiDiesel perks, RM500 flight aid for students

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Aquino urges creation of Filipino-made AI, warns of risks from foreign models

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