Author: WWC NEWSDESK

Politics

Marcos-Romualdez Bombshell? Palace Tells Erice to Stop Speaking for the President—But One Question Remains

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang has delivered a sharp warning to Caloocan Rep. Edgar Erice: Do not speak as if you know what President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is thinking. The Palace rebuke has opened another political front in the widening controversy over allegedly anomalous flood-control projects, after Erice questioned whether Marcos would really allow his cousin, former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, to face possible criminal charges. Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro rejec

August 16, 2026

Politics

Sara Duterte Impeachment Trial Could End by November—But What Happens Before the Senate Delivers Its Verdict?

MANILA, Philippines — The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte could be wrapped up as early as November, according to Manila 6th District Rep. Bienvenido “Benny” Abante Jr., who argued that the House prosecution has already presented enough evidence for the Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, to convict her. But Abante's November projection is not an official deadline or schedule set by the Senate. It is his assessment of how quickly the proceedings could move if the impeachmen

August 16, 2026

Politics

Chiz Escudero Under Pressure as Sara Duterte Impeachment Hits a New Legal Flashpoint—What Comes Next?

MANILA, Philippines — A new legal battle is taking shape inside the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, this time over a rule that could determine how freely the lawyers, senator-judges and other participants can speak about a case already gripping the nation. The House prosecution panel is urging the Senate Impeachment Court to draw a clearer line on the sub judice rule, arguing that it should not be used to silence legitimate public discussion of proceedings that are being watch

August 16, 2026

Politics

Sara Duterte Impeachment Trial: Prosecutors Warn Gag Order Could Open the Floodgates to Fake News—Then the Defense Fires Back

House prosecutors are warning that tighter restrictions on public discussion of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial could create the very problem the rules are supposed to prevent: an explosion of misinformation and competing narratives online. The warning comes as the Senate impeachment court prepares to clarify how the sub judice rule should be applied to the prosecution, defense, senator-judges and other participants in the proceedings. House prosecutors have argued that factual

August 16, 2026

Politics

Sara Duterte Confidential Funds Trial Takes a New Turn—Two Former Disbursing Officers Are Next

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte is heading into another potentially crucial phase, with two former special disbursing officers (SDOs) expected to take the witness stand as prosecutors dig deeper into how hundreds of millions of pesos in confidential funds were withdrawn and accounted for. Former Office of the Vice President (OVP) SDO Gina Acosta and former Department of Education (DepEd) SDO Edward Fajarda have been summoned to testify before th

August 16, 2026

Politics

105,000 Antique Households Are Getting ₱500 Off Their Power Bills—But the Bigger Question Is What Happens Next

SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique — A provincial program designed to ease the burden of electricity costs has reached another major milestone, with around 105,000 households in Antique now benefiting from the Provincial Electric Power Subsidy (PEPS). The program gives qualified residential consumers a ₱500 monthly deduction from their electricity bills, providing direct relief as households continue to deal with rising living costs. The latest figure was reported by the Philippine News Agency on

August 16, 2026

Asia

Japan and Southeast Asia Are Getting Closer—But the Real Shift Is Happening Beyond Diplomacy

MANILA, Philippines — Japan’s relationship with Southeast Asia is moving beyond traditional diplomacy, trade and government-to-government cooperation, with growing people-to-people exchanges emerging as a major pillar of the partnership. The development comes as Japan and the Philippines mark the 70th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations, a milestone that has highlighted how decades of postwar reconciliation have evolved into broader economic, cultural, tourism and security

August 16, 2026

Politics

Sara Duterte Camp Fires Back Over ‘Sub Judice’ Claims—But the Senate Impeachment Court Is About to Decide

MANILA, Philippines — The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte is heading into another potential showdown as her defense team challenged House prosecutors to bring their accusations over alleged sub judice violations directly before the Senate impeachment court—not through the media. The defense's position comes as both sides trade accusations over what can and cannot be said publicly while Duterte's impeachment trial remains ongoing. Defense deputy spokesman Justin Gular said the

August 16, 2026

Politics

Billions at Risk? Marcos Targets Discretionary Powers as Digitalization Becomes Government’s New Anti-Corruption Weapon

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is pushing a major shift in how government decisions involving public funds are made, saying his administration is working to reduce discretionary powers and expand digital systems to close opportunities for corruption, waste and abuse. Speaking at the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP) Presidential Luncheon in Manila on August 14, Marcos said excessive discretion had allowed decision-making authority to move deeper

August 16, 2026

Politics

Marcos Sets His 2028 Legacy: A Culture of Development, Jobs and Nation-Building—But the Bigger Test Is Still Ahead

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. says he does not expect to leave behind a perfect record when his term ends in 2028. Instead, he wants his administration's lasting legacy to be something more difficult to measure: a culture of development, stronger public confidence in government and a continuing commitment to nation-building. Speaking during a question-and-answer session at the Presidential Luncheon organized by the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines

August 16, 2026