Category: Asia

Philippines

₱748K Shabu Seized Inside Upscale Cagayan de Oro Subdivision — But the Bigger Question Is Where the Supply Came From

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines — An anti-drug operation inside one of Cagayan de Oro City’s established residential communities ended with two people under arrest and roughly ₱748,000 worth of suspected shabu in police custody—raising fresh questions about how illegal drugs continue to circulate across the city. The operation was carried out at around 5:42 p.m. on Monday, August 31, 2026, inside Villa Ernesto Subdivision in Barangay Gusa, according to an Inquirer Mindanao report. Police said

September 1, 2026

Entertainment

Samar’s Rare Rafflesia Is Fighting for Survival—And the Threat May Be Closer Than Anyone Thinks

TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines — A rare flower found only in Samar is once again at the center of an intensified conservation campaign as environmental officials work with local communities to protect its remaining forest habitat. The focus is the Samar rafflesia (Rafflesia manillana), an endangered species whose survival is closely tied to the forests of Basey, Samar. The Protected Area Management Office of the Samar Island Natural Park (PAMO-SINP), together with the local government of Basey, ha

September 1, 2026

Philippines

Sandiganbayan Clears 19 in ‘Garlic Cartel’ Graft Case — But 3 Accused Remain Beyond the Court’s Reach

MANILA, Philippines — More than a decade after soaring garlic prices triggered investigations into an alleged scheme to control imports and manipulate the market, the Sandiganbayan has acquitted former Bureau of Plant Industry officials and private traders charged with graft in the controversial “garlic cartel” case. The Sandiganbayan Fifth Division ruled on September 1, 2026 that prosecutors failed to prove the guilt of the accused beyond reasonable doubt, effectively clearing 19 defendants wh

September 1, 2026

Malaysia

Tinio Calls Out P4.56-B Secret Funds in Marcos Office Budget: “Why the Different Standard?”

MANILA, Philippines — A fresh budget controversy is emerging in Congress after ACT Teachers party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio questioned why billions of pesos in confidential and intelligence funds remain in the proposed 2027 budget of the Office of the President (OP), even as lawmakers continue to scrutinize similar funds involving other government offices. The issue surfaced on Tuesday, September 1, after the House Committee on Appropriations voted 37-5 to end further questioning on the OP's prop

September 1, 2026

Philippines

20,000 Kilos of Fish Found Dead in Laguna de Bay—But What Triggered the Sudden Mass Fish Kill?

JALA-JALA, RIZAL — More than 20,000 kilograms of tilapia and bighead carp have died in the latest fish kill reported in Laguna de Bay, raising fresh concerns over the lake’s water quality and the livelihood of fish cage operators. The incident affected more than 30 fish cages covering over seven hectares in Jala-jala, Rizal, according to fisherfolk group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya). Initial losses were estimated at around P700,000. Local fishers and fish

September 1, 2026

Philippines

Sotto Draws the Line on Sara Duterte Fund Aliases — But One Question Could Decide What ‘Mary Grace Piattos’ Really Means

MANILA, Philippines — A seemingly simple question over what qualifies as an “alias” has reopened one of the most controversial issues in Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial: Were the unusual names appearing on confidential-fund acknowledgment receipts connected to real people — or were some of them merely fictitious identities? Senator-judge Vicente “Tito” Sotto III raised that distinction before the Senate impeachment court on September 1, saying that an alias presupposes the exist

September 1, 2026

Philippines

Jojo Ang Pleads Not Guilty to Graft Charges—But the Sandiganbayan Case Is Far From Over

MANILA, Philippines — Uswag Ilonggo party-list Rep. James “Jojo” Ang Jr. pleaded not guilty to two graft charges before the Sandiganbayan on Tuesday, September 1, as the lawmaker faces a total of 14 counts stemming from alleged conflicts of interest involving government infrastructure contracts. Ang entered his plea before the Sandiganbayan Sixth Division, which is handling two of the 14 cases filed against him under Republic Act No. 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. The cases

September 1, 2026

Philippines

AFP Colonel Says DepEd Sent No Money for Army Youth Summits — So Where Did the ₱15 Million Go?

MANILA, Philippines — A military officer’s testimony has opened another crucial front in Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial after he told the Senate impeachment court that his Army division received no funding from the Department of Education for youth leadership activities in 2023 — despite military certifications later becoming part of the documentation connected to DepEd’s confidential-fund spending. Retired Army Col. Manaros Boransing II took the witness stand on Tuesday, Septe

September 1, 2026

Philippines

House Ends P10.15-B Office of the President Budget Hearing in Under an Hour—But 5 Lawmakers Refused to Stay Silent

MANILA, Philippines — The House Committee on Appropriations abruptly ended its briefing on the proposed ₱10.156-billion 2027 budget of the Office of the President (OP) on Tuesday, September 1, after lawmakers voted to extend parliamentary courtesy and terminate the interpellation. The hearing lasted less than an hour, despite objections from five minority lawmakers who argued that the President’s proposed budget should undergo closer scrutiny. Executive Secretary Ralph Recto presented the OP’s

September 1, 2026

Philippines

Viral ‘Earpiece’ Photo Rocked Sara Duterte Trial — Then Escudero Revealed What Was Really on Ortonio’s Ear

MANILA, Philippines — A viral image that fueled online speculation that an Office of the Vice President official was secretly receiving instructions while testifying in Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial has been publicly debunked by the Senate impeachment court’s presiding officer. Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero said Tuesday, September 1, that OVP Assistant Chief of Staff Lemuel Ortonio was not wearing an electronic earpiece when he appeared before the impeachment court. What could

September 1, 2026