How DBP botched Duterte-era contractor loans: lax checks, billions overdue

Rappler - Oct 13, 2026

Meant to support the former president's Build, Build, Build drive, DBP's ICONS program instead left the bank with P4.09 billion in overdue contractor loans

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Defense reporters reject Chinese's embassy swipe at Filipino journalists

Oct 18, 2026

The Defense Press Corps rejected remarks made by the Chinese Embassy in Manila against Filipino journalists, whom it said have “very limited comprehension” and are only “creating hype.”

Floodwaters submerge graves in South Cotabato cemetery ahead of Undas

Oct 18, 2026

BANGA, South Cotabato — Several graves at the Banga Public Cemetery remain submerged in floodwaters on Sunday following several days of rain, posing a challenge to families preparing to clean and tidy the burial sites of their loved ones ahead of Undas. Some parts of the cemetery have also become muddy and difficult to walk

2 alleged fixers nabbed over disorderly behavior in LTO central office

Oct 18, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — Two suspected fixers were arrested by Highway Patrol Group (HPG) personnel assigned to the Land Transportation Office (LTO) over their disorderly behavior in the agency’s central office. According to the LTO on Saturday, the two men were arrested after they were not allowed to proceed with their transactions in changing license plates

Vietnam signs free trade deal with four European nations

Oct 18, 2026

HANOI — Vietnam and four European nations outside the EU signed a free trade agreement in Hanoi on Sunday, seeking to diversify their markets as US tariffs disrupt global commerce. The deal, between Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing economy and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), which includes Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, eliminates or reduces customs

PDEA seizes P415.6-M illegal drugs, arrests 126 suspects

Oct 18, 2026

MANILA — The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) seized P415.63 million worth of illegal drugs and arrested 126 suspects in 81 nationwide operations Oct. 8 to 14. In a news release Sunday, the PDEA said the operations included buy-busts, interdiction activities, marijuana eradication, search and seizure operations, and the implementation of search warrants. Of those

AFAB, Bataan officials seek solution to long-standing housing row

Oct 18, 2026

MARIVELES, Bataan — A long-standing housing dispute affecting hundreds of residents, mostly former employees of the Bataan Export Processing Zone (BEPZ) and their dependents, may soon be resolved following discussions between the Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB) and local officials. AFAB Administrator and Chief Executive Officer Hussein Pangandaman met with Bataan third

LTFRB: Over 600 TNVS partners under ‘tempo’ status to be regularized

Oct 18, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Sunday said 638 transport network vehicle service (TNVS) partners would be granted regularized status, having already been issued provisional authority. According to the LTFRB, it had received 9,036 applications from TNVS partners with “tempo” status, a practice in which transport network companies (TNCs)

No winner of major lotto games on Sunday as Ultra Lotto jackpot reaches P410 million

Oct 18, 2026

There were no winners of either of the major lotto games played on Sunday, October 18, 2026, with one jackpot now well over P400 million.

Nueva Ecija farmers raise concerns over land near MTerraSolar project

Oct 18, 2026

Farmers in Sitio Sangilo, Gapan City, Nueva Ecija are raising concerns over the MTerra Solar project, saying their livelihood has been affected by road blocks restricting access to their farms.

DepEd, DILG to deploy barangay tanods in schools, link up with 911

Oct 18, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) have forged a partnership to strengthen school safety by deploying barangay tanods within school premises and integrating the agency into the country’s unified 911 emergency system amid incidents of school shootings and other threats. The agreement is

Ejercito: Senate ready to extend courtesy to OVP at budget hearing

Oct 18, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — Whether or not Vice President Sara Duterte attends the hearing to defend her office’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2027, the Senate finance committee assured the Office of the Vice President (OVP) that it would extend the traditional parliamentary courtesy. “Why not? The granting of parliamentary courtesy has long been practiced even

NIA turns over 3 solar-powered irrigation projects in Leyte, Samar

Oct 18, 2026

TACLOBAN CITY — Three solar-powered irrigation projects in Leyte and Samar were turned over to local farmers early this week, providing a more reliable water supply for 42 hectares of farmland as Eastern Visayas faces agricultural challenges from climate change and El Niño. The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Region 8 said the projects are located

How DBP botched Duterte-era contractor loans: lax checks, billions overdue

More News

Defense reporters reject Chinese's embassy swipe at Filipino journalists

Floodwaters submerge graves in South Cotabato cemetery ahead of Undas

2 alleged fixers nabbed over disorderly behavior in LTO central office

Vietnam signs free trade deal with four European nations

PDEA seizes P415.6-M illegal drugs, arrests 126 suspects

AFAB, Bataan officials seek solution to long-standing housing row

LTFRB: Over 600 TNVS partners under ‘tempo’ status to be regularized

No winner of major lotto games on Sunday as Ultra Lotto jackpot reaches P410 million

Nueva Ecija farmers raise concerns over land near MTerraSolar project

DepEd, DILG to deploy barangay tanods in schools, link up with 911

Ejercito: Senate ready to extend courtesy to OVP at budget hearing

NIA turns over 3 solar-powered irrigation projects in Leyte, Samar

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