Palace defends ‘jet-setter’ PCUP official amid lifestyle criticism

Inquirer.net - Oct 20, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Tuesday defended the appointment of Zofia Canlas as commissioner of the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP), amid public scrutiny over her lavish lifestyle and alleged lack of relevant experience for the role. A biology graduate of De La Salle University in 2024, Canlas drew criticism over her “lavish”

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General Santos City heat index hits 55°C Tuesday morning

Oct 20, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — The heat index in General Santos City reached an extremely dangerous 55°C Tuesday morning, according to the state weather bureau. Based on the interactive map of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), General Santos City’s heat index spiked to 55°C at 7 a.m. It was measured at 52°C at

Oriental Mindoro town seeks DA fuel subsidy over drought threat

Oct 20, 2026

CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro — The Bulalacao municipal government in Oriental Mindoro is asking the Department of Agriculture to secure fuel subsidies for farmers, as a prolonged dry spell threatens crop production and the town’s water supply. On his social media page, Mayor Lumelito Cabagay posted that the local government is coordinating with the Municipal

NBI to probe fake birth records, illegal property acquisitions of foreigners

Oct 20, 2026

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is set to launch a nationwide investigation into the alleged fraudulent procurement of Philippine birth records and the unlawful acquisition of property by foreign nationals, many of whom are suspected to be Chinese, NBI Director Melvin Matibag said Tuesday.

Super Typhoon Rosal enters PAR; Signal No. 1 in 5 Luzon areas

Oct 20, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — Super Typhoon Rosal (international name: Champi) entered the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) on Tuesday morning with Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 raised over parts of Northern Luzon and Southern Luzon, according to the state weather bureau. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said that Rosal entered

1PWD Party-list files complaint vs 'Machong Chismisan' over Joshua Aquino remarks

Oct 20, 2026

John Daniel Castro of 1PWD Party-list on Tuesday filed a complaint against the producers and hosts of the podcast "Machong Chismisan" over the remarks made about Joshua Aquino, a son of Kris Aquino.

YAKAP health caravan serves 1,600 in Sulu

Oct 20, 2026

The government"s Yaman ng Kalusugan Program para Malayo sa Sakit (YAKAP) benefitted up to 1,600 people at an elementary school in Sulu, according to the Department of Education (DepEd) on Tuesday.

Red alert declared over Visayas anew

Oct 20, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — The Visayas grid is facing another red alert on Tuesday, with potential brownouts threatening residents and businesses amid tight power supply. In an advisory, the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) said the red alert status will be in effect from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. READ: Visayas grid faces new yellow