Author: WWC NEWSDESK

Philippines

Palace Calls for Deeper Probe Into Alleged China-Backed Politicians: “Who Is Really Behind Them?”

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang has called for a deeper investigation into allegations that some Philippine politicians may be receiving support from China, stressing that no individual should be publicly identified or accused without sufficient evidence. The issue surfaced after Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. told lawmakers that authorities have grounds to suspect that some elected officials may be receiving support from Beijing, potentially including efforts to amplify narrati

August 26, 2026

Philippines

NUJP, CenterLaw Renew Push to Decriminalize Libel, Warn of Chilling Effect on Press Freedom

MANILA, Philippines — The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) and human rights lawyers are renewing calls to remove criminal penalties for libel, arguing that the possibility of imprisonment can discourage journalists, critics and ordinary Filipinos from speaking on matters of public concern. The renewed campaign comes as the debate over libel and cyberlibel continues to draw attention from media groups, human rights advocates and members of the judiciary. NUJP Secretary-Ge

August 26, 2026

Philippines

Jinggoy Estrada’s Knee ‘Snaps’ Before Scheduled X-Ray as Detained Senator Heads to Hospital

MANILA, Philippines — A medical trip for detained Sen. Jinggoy Estrada took an unexpected turn Wednesday after his left knee reportedly “snapped” while he was preparing to leave detention for a scheduled X-ray at Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan. Estrada’s office confirmed the incident but said it had no further information on his condition at the time. His orthopedic doctor is expected to provide additional details following the medical examination. The development came just days af

August 26, 2026

Philippines

Marcos Brings PCUP, NAPC Back Under Malacañang in Major Anti-Poverty Reshuffle

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has placed two key anti-poverty agencies back under the administrative supervision of the Office of the President, reversing a Duterte-era reorganization and putting programs involving the urban poor and poverty reduction closer to Malacañang. Under Executive Order No. 123, signed on August 18, 2026, administrative supervision over the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP) and the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) was transf

August 26, 2026

Business

Third 8-Car NSCR Trainset Arrives From Japan as Philippines Pushes Toward 2027 Partial Opening

MANILA, Philippines — Another major piece of the Philippines’ long-awaited North-South Commuter Railway has reached the country, bringing the massive rail project another step closer to carrying passengers. The third eight-car Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) trainset for the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) has arrived from Japan and is now undergoing the required importation process through the Bureau of Customs, according to the Department of Transportation. Once customs processing is comple

August 26, 2026

Philippines

EDSA Rehab Work Triggered a Massive Traffic Snarl — Now the Contractor Could Face a ₱50,000 Fine, and That’s Not the Project’s Only Problem

MANILA, Philippines — A weekend road repair meant to improve EDSA instead left motorists trapped in a major traffic bottleneck — and now the contractor behind the rehabilitation work could face a ₱50,000 penalty for allegedly failing to put enough traffic personnel on the ground. The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said it is coordinating with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to penalize the contractor following severe congestion along the Guadalupe-to-Shaw Bo

August 26, 2026

Philippines

43 Gun-Related Incidents Hit BARMM Despite Election Gun Ban as Historic Sept. 14 Polls Near

COTABATO CITY, Philippines — Less than three weeks before the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao holds its historic first regular parliamentary elections, police have recorded 43 gun-related incidents across BARMM since the election gun ban took effect on July 16, leaving 14 people dead and eight others wounded. The latest figures, released by the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR), underline the security challenge facing authorities as approximately 2.3

August 26, 2026

Philippines

Supreme Court’s Baguio Building Gets Heritage Marker, Cementing Its Place in Philippine Judicial History

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — A building that has quietly witnessed decades of Supreme Court deliberations in the City of Pines is receiving new national attention after the National Historical Commission of the Philippines unveiled a historical marker recognizing the significance of the Supreme Court’s Baguio Building. The marker, titled “Gusali ng Korte Suprema ng Pilipinas sa Baguio,” was unveiled at the SC Baguio Compound on August 24, 2026, as the Supreme Court celebrates its 125th anniversar

August 26, 2026

Business

BNP Paribas and KB Kookmin Eye $2 Billion Techcombank Stake—But One Big Hurdle Could Decide the Winner

Vietnam’s booming banking sector may be on the verge of landing one of its biggest foreign investment deals yet—but the price tag could prove to be the ultimate deal-breaker. France’s BNP Paribas and South Korea’s KB Kookmin Bank are reportedly in separate talks to acquire at least a 15% strategic stake in Vietnam’s Techcombank, in a potential transaction valued at around $2 billion, according to sources familiar with the discussions. If completed, the deal would give the winning bidder a majo

August 26, 2026

Asia

Four Missing People Found Dead in Jeju—Now South Korea Is Asking: Who Was Watching the Police?

SEOUL, South Korea — The discovery of four people who had been reported missing and were later found dead on South Korea's Jeju Island has triggered a national outcry, placing the country's police force under intense scrutiny just as it prepares to take on greater investigative powers. President Lee Jae Myung has called for stronger police accountability following allegations that at least two missing-person cases were prematurely closed by the same officer without confirmation that the individ

August 26, 2026