Author: WWC NEWSDESK

Philippines

NLEX San Simon Flooding Traps Motorists for Hours — But the Bigger Problem Is Where the Water Has Nowhere to Go

PAMPANGA, Philippines — Motorists heading through the North Luzon Expressway faced another punishing commute Tuesday morning as rising floodwaters around San Simon, Pampanga forced traffic diversions, closed several entry points and left long lines of cars, buses and cargo trucks crawling toward northern Luzon. The disruption centered on the San Simon Interchange and Tulaoc section of NLEX, where floodwater linked to the rising Pampanga River continued to spill into portions of the expressway a

September 1, 2026

Philippines

56 Chinese Vessels Spotted in West Philippine Sea in August—But the Numbers Tell Only Part of the Story

MANILA, Philippines — The presence of Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea increased in August, with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) monitoring 56 Chinese naval and coast guard vessels during the month. The figure represents an increase from the 48 Chinese vessels recorded in July, highlighting the continued presence of Chinese maritime forces around key Philippine-claimed features in the West Philippine Sea. The latest AFP monitoring covers Chinese vessels from the People's Li

September 1, 2026

Philippines

Cayetano Fires Back at Lacson Over ₱3.7-B Taguig Lakeshore Claim: “Show the Evidence”

MANILA, Philippines — The dispute between Senators Alan Peter Cayetano and Panfilo “Ping” Lacson over infrastructure projects and reclamation areas along Laguna Lake in Taguig City has intensified, with Cayetano challenging Lacson to present evidence supporting his claim that billions of pesos in public funds may have been wasted. Lacson recently said that at least ₱3.713 billion in government funds was involved in completed, ongoing and suspended Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)

September 1, 2026

Entertainment

Joy Barcoma Steps Away From ‘Dogshow Divas’ to ‘Protect My Peace’ — But the Story Behind the Podcast Shake-Up Started Months Ago

MANILA, Philippines — Joy Barcoma is stepping away from Dogshow Divas, ending—for now—one of the podcast’s most talked-about hosting combinations just months after her guest appearances turned into a recurring role alongside Baus Rufo. The former beauty queen and television host said she was making the decision as a way of protecting her peace, according to a GMA News report on her announcement. But Barcoma’s exit lands in the middle of a much bigger story surrounding Dogshow Divas: months of

September 1, 2026

Politics

Trump Vows to Hit Iran ‘Hard’ After Missiles Target US Bases — But the Next Flashpoint Could Shake the World’s Oil Supply

WASHINGTON/TEHRAN — The US-Iran conflict is threatening to explode back into open military confrontation after the first major exchange of direct fire in roughly a month, with President Donald Trump promising a forceful response and new attacks putting the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz back at the center of the crisis. The latest escalation began after US forces struck Iranian military positions on Larak Island, an Iranian island sitting inside the Strait of Hormuz. Washington said the

September 1, 2026

Philippines

Olongapo Flood Sparks Solar Farm Controversy—But DENR Reveals a Critical Detail

OLONGAPO CITY, Philippines — Severe flooding in Olongapo has reignited a contentious debate over a solar farm project on a nearby mountain, with residents questioning whether changes to the landscape may have contributed to the unusually high floodwaters. But while residents have pointed to the solar project as a possible factor, authorities and the project's developer have stressed that the actual cause of the flooding has yet to be established. The controversy intensified after heavy rains b

September 1, 2026

Philippines

Simpleng Alitan sa Pagparada, Nauwi sa Pamamaril—7-Taong-Gulang na Bata, Kabilang sa Tatlong Sugatan

HINIGARAN, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL — Nauwi sa pamamaril ang isang pagtatalo tungkol sa nakaparadang sasakyan sa Barangay Dos, Hinigaran, Negros Occidental, na ikinasugat ng tatlong katao, kabilang ang isang 7-taong-gulang na bata. Batay sa paunang ulat ng pulisya na iniulat ng GMA Regional TV Ratsada Balita, nagsimula ang insidente nang hilingin umano ng suspek na bahagyang ilipat ang isang sasakyang nakaparada sa gilid ng kalsada upang makadaan. Sa halip na matapos sa simpleng pag-uusap, uminit uma

September 1, 2026

Philippines

PRA Orders DPWH to Reveal All Laguna de Bay Reclamation Projects—What Will the List Expose?

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) has ordered the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to submit an inventory of projects around Laguna de Bay that may have reclamation components, escalating a government inquiry into controversial development activities along the lake’s Taguig shoreline. The directive comes after questions were raised over projects allegedly involving reclamation work in the Taguig portion of Laguna de Bay and whether the necessary gove

September 1, 2026

Philippines

18-Year-Old Found Tied to Tree in Iloilo With Knife Wound—What Happened Before His Final Moments?

ILOILO CITY — A disturbing killing in Iloilo City is under investigation after an 18-year-old man was found bound to a tree with severe stab wounds in Barangay Calaparan, Arevalo district, on Sunday night, August 30. The victim, identified by Panay News as Aaron Bacolinao, was discovered after authorities received a report from a concerned resident who heard cries for help. He was found tied to a tree in Zone 10 of the barangay and was rushed to the Western Visayas Medical Center. Bacolinao la

September 1, 2026

Philippines

Rodriguez Mayor Says Flood-Hit Residents Should Build Second Floors — But One Question Is Swamping the Plan: Who Pays?

RODRIGUEZ, Rizal — After another night of frightening flash floods sent families scrambling for safety in Rodriguez, Rizal, Mayor Ronnie Evangelista has offered residents of some of the municipality’s most flood-prone communities a stark proposal: build upward. The mayor said households repeatedly exposed to flooding may have to convert their homes into two-storey structures, arguing that Rodriguez — still widely known by its former name, Montalban — sits in a geographic position that makes flo

September 1, 2026