Category: Asia

Philippines

Filipino Athletes Could Soon Keep 100% of Their Rewards — But a Major Hurdle Remains

Filipino athletes who bring home medals and international honors could soon get to keep more of the rewards they earn. A proposal in the House of Representatives seeks to exempt qualified incentives, rewards, bonuses and other financial benefits received by national athletes and their coaches from national and local taxes. But while the proposal could mean bigger take-home rewards for Filipino sports heroes, the measure still has to overcome the legislative process before it becomes law. A P

September 6, 2026

Philippines

Jinggoy Vows to Fight On After Bonoan Is Dropped—What Happens Next in the P573-M Case?

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Jinggoy Estrada has vowed to pursue all legal remedies available to him after the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division approved the removal of former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan as a co-accused in the plunder and graft cases linked to an alleged P573-million flood control kickback scheme. Estrada said he respects the anti-graft court's decision but stressed that the development does not end his own legal battle. “While I respect the decision of the Sandiganbayan,

September 6, 2026

Philippines

The “Constant Stranger” at Cebu Bookstores: The Quiet Life of National Artist Resil Mojares

CEBU CITY — Long before his name became synonymous with Philippine cultural history and before he was formally recognized as a National Artist, Resil Mojares could often be encountered in an unexpectedly ordinary setting: quietly browsing bookshelves. For some readers, he was the distinguished scholar whose books helped explain Cebu and the Philippines. For others, he was simply the familiar yet almost mysterious man they occasionally spotted at bookstores or seated quietly in a coffee shop, ab

September 6, 2026

Philippines

MIDNIGHT DRUG BUST: Police Seize Over P103,000 Worth of Suspected Shabu in Bukidnon—Then This Happened

MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon — A predawn anti-drug operation in this city ended with the arrest of a 48-year-old man and the seizure of more than P103,000 worth of suspected shabu, according to police. The operation was carried out at around 1:20 a.m. on Sunday, September 6, in Purok 6, Barangay Casisang, where operatives from the Malaybalay City Police Station Drug Enforcement Unit, the 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company, and the Provincial Intelligence Unit conducted a buy-bust operation. Poli

September 6, 2026

Philippines

NFA Says It Has Bought Just 22–23% of Its 2026 Palay Goal — But One Number in the Report Doesn’t Add Up

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — The government has money to buy rice from Filipino farmers. It has raised its buying price. It is building new warehouses and mechanical dryers. Yet as the country's crucial wet-season harvest gets underway, the National Food Authority is still far behind its 2026 palay procurement target—and bad weather is exposing one of the weakest links in the Philippine rice system: what happens to freshly harvested grain when farmers cannot dry it. NFA Administrator Larry Lac

September 6, 2026

Philippines

Metro Manila Opens 7,500 New Ride-Hailing Slots — But Gas Cars Are Shut Out of the Biggest Batch

MANILA — Thousands of new ride-hailing slots are coming to Luzon. But if you're hoping to enter the biggest market with a conventional gasoline-powered car, there is a problem. The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board has approved 8,750 additional Transport Network Vehicle Service slots covering Metro Manila, the Ilocos Region and the Bicol Region as the government tries to address growing demand for app-based transportation. Of that number, 7,500 slots are allocated to Metro

September 6, 2026

Philippines

Court Stops SOCOTECO II–Ignite Vote as ‘Railroading’ Claims Grow — But a ₱10-Billion Power Deal Is Still on the Table

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Philippines — A proposed deal that could fundamentally reshape electricity distribution across General Santos City, Sarangani and parts of South Cotabato has entered a far more explosive phase. Former Bayan Muna lawmaker Carlos Isagani Zarate is backing a congressional investigation into the proposed joint venture between South Cotabato II Electric Cooperative Inc. (SOCOTECO II) and Ignite Power and Energy Corp., accusing proponents of trying to rush a decision before membe

September 6, 2026

Philippines

₱4 Billion in Workers’ Wages Withheld in NCR? The Shocking Labor Issue Behind Metro Manila’s Pay Crisis

MANILA, Philippines — Billions of pesos in workers’ wages have reportedly been withheld in the National Capital Region, putting renewed attention on labor rights and wage compliance at a time when Metro Manila workers are also facing an ongoing battle over the implementation of a historic minimum wage increase. According to the report by BusinessWorld, around ₱4 billion worth of wages in the NCR had been withheld, highlighting the continuing problem of wage-related violations affecting workers

September 6, 2026

Philippines

A ₱6,500 DSWD Cash-Aid Offer Is Spreading Online — But What Scammers Want First Could Cost You Much More

MANILA, Philippines — A message arrives promising ₱6,500 in government cash assistance. All you supposedly have to do is provide your name, cellphone number, address or other personal details. For Filipinos struggling with food prices, medical bills or everyday expenses, the offer can sound believable. The Department of Social Welfare and Development says it isn't. The DSWD has renewed its warning against online scammers offering ₱6,500 in supposed financial assistance in exchange for person

September 6, 2026

Philippines

Noblefranca Turns Back National Champion Villegas in Explosive Cebu Fighting Championship Comeback

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Renan “Flash” Noblefranca reminded Cebu’s combat-sports scene why he remains one of its most respected strikers, defeating 2024 National Muay Thai gold medalist Jhan Villegas in the main event of the Cebu Fighting Championship’s “Kumbati Na! Return of the Warriors.” The highly anticipated clash took place Saturday, September 5, at the Barangay Day-as Multipurpose Complex in Cebu City, marking the long-awaited return of the Cebu Fighting Championship after an eight-year

September 6, 2026