Philippines

Woman Rescued in Calaparan, Arevalo After Residents Spot Her in Distress

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — Quick action by barangay personnel and concerned residents helped rescue a woman who was found in distress near the shoreline of Barangay Calaparan in Arevalo, Iloilo City, on Friday. According to Bombo Radyo Iloilo, the woman had reportedly gone repeatedly into a deeper section of the water before barangay tanods and residents intervened and brought her to safety. Barangay Kagawad Jerry Beduyas told the station that the woman appeared to have consumed alcohol and wa

August 29, 2026

Philippines

Hundreds Seek Shelter in Parañaque Evacuation Centers as Habagat Triggers Flooding Across Metro Manila

PARAÑAQUE CITY, Philippines — Hundreds of residents sought safety in evacuation centers in Parañaque as persistent rains brought by the southwest monsoon, or habagat, triggered flooding and heightened concerns across Metro Manila on Saturday, August 29. The evacuation came as heavy rains continued to affect the National Capital Region, with authorities monitoring flood-prone communities and urging residents to remain alert as weather conditions remained dangerous. Flooding was reported in seve

August 29, 2026

Business

The Big One Could Hit Anytime—But Are the Philippines’ Lifeline Systems Ready?

MANILA, Philippines — The question is no longer simply whether Filipinos can survive the shaking of a massive earthquake. A growing concern is what happens after the ground stops moving. As the Philippines prepares for the possibility of the long-feared “Big One,” disaster resilience experts are raising alarms over gaps that could disrupt the country's ability to restore electricity, water, telecommunications and other essential services when they are needed most. Atty. Michael Toledo, an advi

August 29, 2026

Philippines

Escudero Warns Senator-Judges to Stay Impartial in Sara Duterte Trial — But the Real Test Comes When They Finally Have to Vote

MANILA, Philippines — The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte entered a potentially decisive new phase after presiding officer Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero ordered senator-judges to demonstrate political neutrality, warned lawyers against “trial by publicity,” and imposed tougher penalties for public comments that could undermine the proceedings. Escudero’s August 26 ruling effectively draws a line around what senators, prosecutors, defense lawyers, witnesses and Duterte herself ma

August 29, 2026

Lifestyle

DOH Sounds Alarm Over Leptospirosis Risk After Habagat Floods: What Filipinos Need to Know

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) has renewed its warning against leptospirosis as widespread flooding caused by the southwest monsoon, or Habagat, continues to expose communities to potentially contaminated floodwaters. While the country has recorded fewer leptospirosis cases so far this year compared with the same period in 2025, health officials are closely watching for a possible rise following recent heavy rains and floods. Latest DOH data cited in recent reports showed

August 29, 2026

Entertainment

Facebook Ban Shelved as Meta Gives PH Government New Commitments — But the Bigger Crackdown Is Just Beginning

MANILA, Philippines — Facebook is staying online in the Philippines for now. But the threat of tougher government action against social media platforms has not disappeared — it may simply be entering a far more consequential phase. Malacañang backed away from the immediate prospect of blocking Facebook after officials said its parent company, Meta, had become more responsive to government requests involving misinformation, violent material and other harmful content. Palace Press Officer Claire

August 29, 2026

Philippines

CHED Has Billions for Student Aid—So Why Are Scholarship Requests Being Turned Away?

MANILA, Philippines — A lawmaker has called out the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) over allegations that hundreds of students recommended for government assistance were being turned away despite funds allegedly remaining available for scholarships. Bagong Henerasyon Party-list Rep. Robert Nazal confronted CHED over the issue during congressional budget deliberations, questioning why students seeking assistance could be denied while money intended for educational aid had reportedly not be

August 29, 2026

Business

Peso Back Below ₱60? BSP Governor Remolona Has a Blunt Message for Filipinos

MANILA, Philippines — Filipinos hoping to see the Philippine peso quickly return below the ₱60-per-dollar level may have to temper their expectations. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Eli Remolona Jr. has made it clear that the central bank is not prepared to exhaust the country's dollar reserves simply to force the peso back to a preferred exchange rate. The message is straightforward: the BSP can step into the foreign exchange market when conditions become disorderly, but it will n

August 29, 2026

Philippines

Quezon City Orders Forced Evacuations in 13 Barangays as Habagat Floods Surge, La Mesa Dam Overflows

QUEZON CITY, Philippines — What began as another day of relentless Habagat rain escalated into a forced evacuation order Saturday afternoon as Quezon City authorities moved residents out of flood-prone, creek-side and landslide-risk communities while floodwaters continued rising across the city. The Quezon City government ordered forced evacuations in high-risk portions of 13 barangays as of 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 29, as the enhanced southwest monsoon continued to dump heavy rain over Me

August 29, 2026

Philippines

DILG Wants PNP Inside Legal Gun Owners’ Homes — But a 2019 Supreme Court Ruling Could Stop the Plan Cold

MANILA, Philippines — A government push to prevent another deadly school shooting is rapidly turning into a much bigger debate over gun safety, police powers and the constitutional privacy of Filipino homes. Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla wants the Philippine National Police to be able to inspect how legally owned firearms are stored inside residences, arguing that licensed gun owners must prove that their weapons cannot easily fall into the hands of children or other un

August 29, 2026