House passes anti-spying bill amid civil rights concerns

Inquirer.net - Sep 17, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives on Thursday passed on final reading a bill modernizing the country’s anti-espionage laws, despite concerns from some lawmakers that its broad definition of spying could be used to crack down on dissent. With 224 lawmakers voting for House Bill No. 9642 and 10 against, the lower chamber approved

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Overcast skies, rains to prevail over PH due to LPA

Sep 17, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — The low-pressure area (LPA) off Palawan is forecast to continue bringing rains over Southern Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao until Friday, Sept. 18, the state weather bureau said. In its weather advisory issued at 4 p.m., the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said that gloomy skies with scattered rains and

DOE aims to install 7,000 EV charging points nationwide before 2028

Sep 17, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Energy (DOE) targets installing 7,000 electric vehicle (EV) charging points before 2028, a DOE official told the Senate finance subcommittee on Thursday. The agency’s goal is in line with its commitment to expand and promote the adoption of EVs in the Philippines, reduce the country’s greenhouse gas emissions, and

‘Balutin mo ako’: Pangilinan lightens up DAR budget talk with Sharon hit

Sep 17, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Kiko Pangilinan brought some levity to the Senate committee on finance’s budget deliberations for the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) on Thursday, breaking into a song with a line from his wife Sharon Cuneta’s hit “Bituing Walang Ningning.” After discussing how better-organized farmers could help boost food supply and reduce hunger,

PH backs careful recalibration of global trade rules—official

Sep 17, 2026

GENEVA, Switzerland — Many developing countries, including the Philippines, are open to a careful recalibration of the global trading system that protects its foundation while ensuring fairness, according to a Philippine government official here. Speaking at the launch of the World Trade Organization (WTO) World Trade Report 2026, Ambassador Manuel Antonio Teehankee, the Philippines’ Permanent Representative

PSEi rebounds on bargain hunting but stays below 6,000

Sep 17, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine stocks bounced back on Thursday as investors hunted for bargains following two straight sessions of losses, although the benchmark index remained below the 6,000 level. The Philippine Stock Exchange Index (PSEi) climbed 0.70 percent, or 41.70 points, to close at 5,958.64. READ: PSEi drops below 6,000 on slower growth, geopolitical woes Philstocks

Pansipit River siltation among factors in Taal Lake water rise

Sep 17, 2026

LUCENA CITY — Siltation at the Pansipit River is among the top factors behind the continuing rise in Taal Lake’s water level, according to a multi-agency consultation organized by the Batangas government on Wednesday, Sept. 16. Accumulated soil and sand have slowed waterway discharges. The consultation aimed to establish a unified government response and develop

DOF, IMF to refine economic forecasting

Sep 17, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Finance will work with the International Monetary Fund to enhance its macroeconomic forecasting model and improve fiscal planning projections. In a technical assistance report, the IMF said the DOF agreed to integrate the Comprehensive Adaptive Expectations Model (CAEM) into its existing forecasting tools for revenue predictions. READ: Amro cuts

DOE seeks rules on boarding EVs on ships after MV June Aster tragedy

Sep 17, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — Following the fire on a Palawan ferry that carried an electric vehicle (EV), the Department of Energy (DOE) has sought new guidelines on boarding EVs and hybrids onto vessels from the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina). On Wednesday last week (September 9), M/V June Aster caught fire at sea while on its way

Butuan City acquires 4 new tankers to boost water rationing operations

Sep 17, 2026

SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur — Butuan City’s emergency water rationing operations got a boost with the arrival of four newly-acquired water tankers on Wednesday, amid the continuing disruption in water supply affecting several communities. The additional fleet consists of two high-capacity tankers with a capacity of 20,000 liters each and two tankers capable of

Who may continue receiving 4Ps aid beyond 7 years?

Sep 17, 2026

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said that the extension of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program"s (4Ps) maximum seven-year period will apply only to beneficiary families classified under Level 1 (Survival) and Level 2 (Subsistence).

Ridon still among co-lead prosecs in Duterte trial despite show-cause order

Sep 17, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon will remain one of the co-lead prosecutors in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte in connection with her alleged unexplained wealth. He gave this statement amid the impeachment court’s issuance to him of a show-cause order over a possible violation of the sub judice

Magnitude 4.4 earthquake jolts Leyte, Samar

Sep 17, 2026

TACLOBAN CITY — A magnitude 4.4 earthquake was felt in parts of Leyte and Samar provinces on Sept. 17, with the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reporting no expected damage or aftershocks. Phivolcs said the tectonic earthquake struck at 3:59 p.m., with its epicenter traced to Leyte, Leyte. READ: Magnitude 7 earthquake hits

Palace: Half-day work in gov’t offices on Sept. 28 (Monday) for Family Week

Sep 17, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang has ordered the suspension of work in government offices starting at 1 p.m. on Sept. 28 (Monday) to give government employees and their families an opportunity to observe the 34th National Family Week. The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) made the announcement on Thursday. Included are all government agencies and instrumentalities under the

North-South Commuter Railway full operations moved to Q3 of 2033

Sep 17, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — The scheduled full operation of the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) has been moved from 2032 to 2033 due to cost-cutting measures of the government, Palace press officer Claire Castro announced on Thursday. She said the adjustment was approved by the Economy and Development Council (EDC), chaired by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., during Wednesday

Man stabbed to death for singing loudly in Quezon

Sep 17, 2026

LUCENA CITY – A man was stabbed to death by a neighbor following an argument over his loud singing in San Francisco, Quezon, on Wednesday night. The victim, who was allegedly drunk, was singing loudly as he walked home in Barangay Mabunga at around 8:30 p.m. when the suspect confronted him as he wandered near

Marcos cites benefits, need for food production technologies upgrade

Sep 17, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — There is a need to further study and improve technologies that can accelerate the production of common food products with added nutritional value, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said on Thursday. He made the remarks after inspecting the Nutridense Food Manufacturing Corporation in Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan. READ: DOH aims to reduce stunting to

Naga City Hospital gets P25.1M in medical equipment from PCSO

Sep 17, 2026

NAGA CITY, Camarines Sur — Patients at Naga City General Hospital will get faster and more accessible diagnostic services after the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) turned over P25.1 million worth of medical equipment to the facility on Thursday. The donation included a digital stationary X-ray machine, an ultrasound machine, and a 2D echocardiogram machine.

PNP: EO formalizing anti-drug stance will help legitimize police ops

Sep 17, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday said an executive order to be issued by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. formalizing the government’s anti-drug stance will help legitimize the agency’s operations. “The evolving strategies and stable support system from the national government… serve as the guiding light towards aggressive operations anchored on the

SEC shuts down AIQuest Trading’s unregistered offering

Sep 17, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has ordered AIQuest Trading and its operator to stop soliciting public investments immediately, escalating its action over an alleged unregistered securities offering. The SEC’s Enforcement and Investor Protection Department (EIPD) issued a cease and desist order (CDO) against AIQuest Trading, Erica Aguilar, and their agents after

Missing fisherman in Batangas found dead

Sep 17, 2026

LUCENA CITY – A 47-year-old fisherman who had been missing after his boat was found burning in the waters off Calatagan, Batangas, on Sept.13 was found dead on Thursday morning. The body of Celideño Hernandez, a resident of Barangay Tanagan, was recovered at around 11 a.m. in waters near the area where his fishing boat

Passage of anti-political dynasty law is a congressional priority – Dy

Sep 17, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III on Thursday guaranteed that the passage of an anti-political dynasty law is a congressional priority. Dy made this statement after the Supreme Court (SC) ruled that Congress has a constitutional duty to enact and define a law that prohibits political dynasties. The SC en banc’s unanimous decision

BOC flags misdeclared P1.04-M medical devices at Cebu port

Sep 17, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — Around P1.04 million worth of medical devices were flagged at the Port of Cebu after they were misdeclared as a water purifier tube and bag, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) reported on Thursday, Sept. 17. According to the BOC, two 40-foot containers were found carrying at least 78,720 medical devices during its

NBI sees ‘red flags’ in 47 flood control projects in Paolo Duterte’s district

Sep 17, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has flagged 47 of 100 flood control projects in the district of Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte, NBI Director Melvin Matibag said Thursday. The projects are part of the P1.9 billion worth of flood control projects in Duterte’s district, all of which Matibag said were awarded

'Daulat Tuanku' chants greet Tuanku Muhriz as supporters rally at KLIA

Sep 17, 2026

Rally organiser accuses ruler's rivals of committing treason, calls for action.

Montenegro Lines bans EVs and HEVs on vessels as safety precaution

Sep 17, 2026

Domestic shipping company Montenegro Lines announced that it is banning, "effective immediately," any electric vehicle (EV) or hybrid EV (HEV) from its vessels, whether for passenger or cargo carriage, as a safety measure.

Environment groups decry police ‘harassment’ over Nueva Vizcaya mining

Sep 17, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — Environmental groups on Thursday condemned the Philippine National Police (PNP) for allegedly harassing organizers barricading in Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya to stave off a mining venture there. The groups, spearheaded by the Kasibu Intertribal Response for Ecological Development (Kired), took their grievances to a protest staged outside the PNP headquarters in Camp Crame,

PNP eyeing foreign counterparts to help track Romualdez’s co-accused

Sep 17, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday said it is considering coordinating with its foreign counterparts to track down one of the co-accused in the plunder case against former House Speaker Martin Romualdez. In a press briefing in Camp Crame, PNP public information chief Col. Allen Rae Co assured that manhunt for

Castro on Sept. 21 protests: If groups will stage violent rallies, that’s illegal

Sep 17, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Thursday asked Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) to clarify how it plans to hold its Sept. 21 protest if it is rejecting government’s call for a peaceful demonstration. The Palace is reacting to the statement of Bayan Secretary-General Raymond “Mong” Palatino on the sidelines of a protest outside Camp Crame in Quezon

JV Ejercito admits political clan helped, but backs anti-dynasty bill

Sep 17, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. JV Ejercito on Thursday renewed his call for an anti-political dynasty law despite being part of a political dynasty himself. His statement came a day after the Supreme Court directed Congress to enact a law banning political dynasties under the 1987 Constitution. “I benefited from it when I first entered politics,

Castro: Sara Duterte camp’s inattention leaves VP ‘clueless’

Sep 17, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — Palace press officer Claire Castro on Thursday said the lack of attention from Vice President Sara Duterte’s camp may explain why the vice president appears “clueless” about the administration’s programs. The remarks came after Duterte’s new spokesperson, Salvador Paolo Panelo Jr., said Castro was not a factor in his appointment and that he

Marcoleta ‘happy’ as Duterte appears in ‘good condition’ at ICC

Sep 17, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Rodante Marcoleta on Thursday said he is “happy” as he noted that former President Rodrigo Duterte appeared to be in good condition after appearing before the International Criminal Court (ICC) for the first time. Marcoleta made the remarks after his bail hearing for plunder at the Sandiganbayan Third Division, which allowed

Heavy rains to prevail over Metro Manila, Luzon areas Thursday afternoon

Sep 17, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — Heavy rains are expected to prevail over Metro Manila and 11 other areas in Luzon on Thursday afternoon, Sept. 17, due to localized thunderstorms, the state weather bureau said. In a thunderstorm advisory issued at 2:30 p.m., the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said heavy to intense rains with

AGC: N Sembilan MB, state exco's decision on Tuanku Muhriz invalid

Sep 17, 2026

'State exco's media announcement has no legal bearing.'

DOE: Safety rules on transporting EVs being drafted after MV June Aster tragedy

Sep 17, 2026

The Department of Energy said authorities are working to issue safety regulations on the transportation of electric vehicles (EVs) following the deadly fire aboard the MV June Aster.

Missing sabungeros case continues with only one complainant attending

Sep 17, 2026

There is one complainant left who continues to attend the hearings in the case of the missing sabungeros (cockfighting enthusiasts) after other families were allegedly paid off.

Vietnam's top leader To Lam heads to UN General Assembly and Canada

Sep 17, 2026

Vietnam's Party General Secretary and President To Lam will attend the U.N. General Assembly's high-level general debate in New York and pay a state visit to Canada this month.

Pardons Board to reconvene tomorrow, discuss Najib's pardon bid – report

Sep 17, 2026

However, a Putrajaya source declines to confirm whether there is a meeting.

PCSO Lotto Results: No winners of major jackpot draws on September 17, 2026

Sep 17, 2026

There were no winners of either of the major lotto draws on September 17, 2026, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) announced on Thursday.

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Ilocos power utility backs nuke option

Sep 17, 2026

CALASIAO, Pangasinan —Reviving the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant, which the previous Marcos administration in 1979 billed as a long-term solution to the country’s growing power demand and dependence on imported oil, got the support of the Ilocos Norte Electric Cooperative (INEC). In his lecture “Powering the Countryside: Rural Electrification in the Marcos Senior Era, The

House passes anti-spying bill amid civil rights concerns

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