Philippines

No Number Coding on Monday—But Here’s What Metro Manila Motorists Should Know Before Heading Out

METRO MANILA, Philippines — Motorists can take a break from Metro Manila's number coding restrictions on Monday, August 31, 2026, as the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) suspends the implementation of the Expanded Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program in observance of National Heroes Day. National Heroes Day, celebrated every last Monday of August, falls on August 31 this year and is listed as a regular holiday in the Philippines. The suspension means vehicles covered by t

August 30, 2026

Philippines

Marikina River Reaches 3rd Alarm, Forcing Residents to Flee—But What Happened Next Will Bring Relief

MARIKINA CITY, Philippines — Residents in flood-prone communities in Marikina and Quezon City were forced to evacuate after the Marikina River reached the third and highest alarm level amid relentless rains brought by the southwest monsoon, or Habagat, authorities and news reports said Sunday, August 30. The river breached the critical 18-meter threshold late Saturday night, triggering the third alarm and mandatory evacuation measures for residents in vulnerable and low-lying areas. GMA News re

August 30, 2026

Philippines

NON-MORO IPs MAKE HISTORY: 2 REPRESENTATIVES CHOSEN FOR BARMM PARLIAMENT—BUT THEIR SELECTION PROCESS IS UNLIKE ANY OTHER

COTABATO CITY — Two representatives of the Non-Moro Indigenous Peoples (NMIPs) have already been selected for the incoming Bangsamoro Parliament, making them among the first members of the region’s regular legislature to be determined ahead of the September 14 parliamentary elections. The representatives are Jo Genna M. Jover of the Teduray tribe, who will occupy the female NMIP slot, and Timuay Leticio L. Datuwata of the Lambangian tribe, who will occupy the male slot. Their selection took pl

August 30, 2026

Philippines

BAGONG SILANGAN FLOODED AS MARIKINA RIVER SURGES — BUT THE WATER LEVEL’S NEXT MOVE COULD DETERMINE WHAT HAPPENS TO RESIDENTS

QUEZON CITY — Floodwaters inundated parts of Barangay Bagong Silangan in Quezon City as heavy rains from the Southwest Monsoon, or Habagat, pushed the Marikina River to critical levels late Saturday night. The situation prompted authorities to raise the third alarm on the Marikina River, with the water level reaching 18.4 meters at around 11:35 p.m. on Saturday, August 29, according to the latest reports from GMA News and local authorities. Under Marikina City's warning system, the third alarm

August 30, 2026

Philippines

BAHAY GUMUHO SA LUBAO: Ilog Unti-Unting Kumakain sa Pampang—At Hindi Ito ang Unang Bahay na Tinangay

LUBAO, PAMPANGA — Tuluyang gumuho ang isang bahay sa Barangay Santo Cristo, Lubao, Pampanga, matapos unti-unting eroded ng rumaragasang tubig ang gilid ng ilog sa gitna ng patuloy na masamang panahon. Ayon sa ulat ng GMA News noong Agosto 30, gumuho ang bahay pasado alas-6 ng gabi. Mabuti na lamang at walang tao sa loob ng bahay nang tuluyan itong bumigay. Ngunit hindi ito isolated incident. Iniulat ng GMA na ito na ang pang-anim na bahay na natangay o nawasak sa lugar dahil sa malakas na ago

August 30, 2026

Philippines

32 DEAD, 8 MILLION AFFECTED BY HABAGAT AND STORMS — BUT THE DAMAGE COULD STILL RISE

MANILA, Philippines — The combined effects of the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat and tropical cyclones Luis, Maymay and Neneng have left at least 32 people dead and around 8 million others affected across the Philippines, according to the latest situation report from the Office of Civil Defense (OCD). The figures highlight the growing scale of the weather crisis, with flooding, landslides, rockslides, drowning incidents and electrocution reported in several provinces and cities. According to the

August 30, 2026

Philippines

Second Bridge Collapses in Tarlac City as Habagat Rains Rage — 4 People Missing After Vehicle Falls Into River

TARLAC CITY — Disaster struck Tarlac City for the second time in less than 24 hours after the Agana Bridge in Barangay Tibag collapsed Saturday night, as relentless Southwest Monsoon or Habagat rains sent powerful currents surging through the Tarlac River. The Agana Bridge gave way at around 8:32 p.m. on August 29, according to the Tarlac City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office. The collapse became even more alarming when a gray Toyota Avanza carrying five people plunged into the Ta

August 30, 2026

Philippines

Ombudsman Remulla Questions Bail Granted to Graft Convicts: “Why Are So Few in Jail?”

MANILA, Philippines — Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla has questioned why relatively few people convicted of graft by Philippine courts end up serving time in jail, raising concerns over the continued granting of bail while criminal convictions remain under appeal. Speaking on his weekly radio program on Saturday, August 29, Remulla said many individuals are convicted by the Sandiganbayan and other trial courts but remain out of detention. “Many are being sentenced. Many are sentenced

August 30, 2026

Philippines

HABAGAT FLOODS METRO MANILA: Floodwaters Nearly Reach Basketball Hoop as Roads Turn Impassable

MANILA, Philippines — Metro Manila was hit by another round of intense rain on Saturday, August 29, as the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat unleashed heavy downpours that flooded roads, disrupted travel and left some communities facing dangerously deep floodwaters. The situation became particularly alarming in Quezon City, where floodwaters in Kaingin Bukid, Barangay Apolonia Samson, were reported to have risen to nearly the height of a basketball hoop at around 1:32 p.m., according to GMA News. Th

August 30, 2026

Philippines

Caught on Camera: Aquino Bridge Crumbles as Tarlac River Roars—What Happened Next Raised New Fears

TARLAC CITY, Philippines — A portion of the Aquino Bridge in Tarlac City collapsed late Friday night as relentless rains and powerful currents from the swollen Tarlac River battered the area, forcing authorities to shut down the vital crossing and warn motorists to stay away. The dramatic collapse was caught on camera at around 11:56 p.m. on August 28, according to footage released by local authorities and reports from GMA News. The bridge was immediately closed to traffic as engineers and disa

August 30, 2026