Philippines

Impeachment Court Strikes ‘Scam,’ ‘Mastermind’ From Record in Sara Duterte Trial

MANILA, Philippines — A tense exchange during Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial on Tuesday, August 25, drew attention after the Senate impeachment court ordered the words “scam,” “nagsisinungaling” (lying), and “mastermind” stricken from the record. The remarks were made by private prosecutor Atty. Mae Divinagracia while questioning Office of the Vice President (OVP) Assistant Secretary and Assistant Chief of Staff Lemuel Ortonio about the handling of confidential funds. Senate i

August 26, 2026

Philippines

Babaeng Rider Patay Matapos Magulungan ng 10-Wheeler Truck sa Amlan, Negros Oriental

AMLAN, NEGROS ORIENTAL — Nauwi sa trahedya ang pagtatangkang mag-overtake ng isang 21-anyos na babaeng motorcycle rider matapos siyang magulungan ng isang 10-wheeler truck sa Amlan, Negros Oriental, nitong Martes, Agosto 25. Ayon sa imbestigasyon ng pulisya na iniulat ng GMA News, kapwa patungong northbound ang motorsiklo at truck nang tangkain umano ng rider na lampasan ang truck habang nasa tulay sa Barangay Bio-os. Batay naman sa ulat ng Digicast Negros, nang isagawa umano ng rider ang pag-

August 26, 2026

Philippines

Zero Balance Billing, No Co-Payment: What Filipino Patients Need to Know Before Checking Into a Hospital

For many Filipino families, one of the biggest fears that comes with hospitalization is not only the illness—but the hospital bill waiting at the end. That is why the government's Zero Balance Billing (ZBB) and No Co-Payment Policy are drawing renewed attention after PhilHealth and St. Luke's Medical Center–Global City signed an agreement to expand no-co-payment access to eligible patients in private hospitals. But there is an important distinction: “zero balance” does not mean every hospital

August 26, 2026

Philippines

COA Eyes Tougher Rules for Confidential Funds as Billions Face Renewed Scrutiny

The Commission on Audit (COA) is moving to revisit the rules governing the use and auditing of confidential and intelligence funds, amid growing concerns over how billions of pesos in public money are being released, spent and accounted for. The issue dates back to August 2023, when then-COA Chairman Gamaliel Cordoba told lawmakers that the agency was open to updating the nearly decade-old Joint Circular No. 2015-01, which sets the rules for the entitlement, release, utilization, reporting and

August 26, 2026

Philippines

Western Visayas Rape Cases Drop 56% as Focus Crimes Fall Nearly 23% — But PRO-6 Says the Region Cannot Relax Yet

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — Reported rape cases in Western Visayas have fallen by more than half over a three-month period, while the region’s most closely monitored crimes dropped by nearly 23 percent — one of the clearest signs yet that the region’s crime numbers are moving downward. But Western Visayas’ top police official is warning that the improving statistics are not a signal for authorities or communities to lower their guard. Data from the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) showed that 3

August 26, 2026

Philippines

COA Seeks ₱2.2 Billion to Bring Back Pre-Audit System Amid Government Project Concerns

The Commission on Audit (COA) is seeking an estimated ₱2.2 billion in additional funding and more personnel to revive its pre-audit system for government projects, as lawmakers push for stronger safeguards against alleged irregularities, including the discovery of purported “ghost” infrastructure projects. COA Chairperson Gamaliel Cordoba said during the House Committee on Appropriations’ deliberations on the agency’s proposed 2027 budget that the commission currently does not have enough perso

August 26, 2026

Philippines

M4GG Mayors Renew Push for Good Governance, Transparency as Accountability Takes Center Stage

MANILA, Philippines — More than 100 local chief executives under the Mayors for Good Governance (M4GG) have renewed their commitment to transparent, accountable and people-centered leadership, putting responsible management of public funds and stronger citizen participation at the center of their governance agenda. The commitment was reaffirmed during the M4GG 3rd Anniversary Good Governance Summit and General Assembly held on August 22, 2026, at the Diamond Hotel Manila. The gathering brought

August 26, 2026

Philippines

Western Visayas LGUs Are Being Told to Stock Up on Something Disasters Can’t Wait For — And Iloilo Still Has a Big Target to Reach

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — When a major accident, typhoon, disease outbreak or other emergency strikes, hospitals may have little time to search for blood donors. That is why authorities in Western Visayas are pushing local governments to treat blood supply not merely as a hospital concern, but as an essential part of disaster preparedness. The Department of the Interior and Local Government in Western Visayas has urged local government units across the region to regularly support voluntary bl

August 26, 2026

Philippines

Sara Duterte Impeachment Trial Day 19: Hostile Witness Returns as Confidential Funds Take Center Stage

MANILA, Philippines — The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte enters Day 19 on Wednesday, August 26, with a key Office of the Vice President official set to return to the witness stand as senators continue examining allegations involving the use of confidential funds. The Senate impeachment court is scheduled to resume the testimony of Lemuel Ortonio, OVP assistant secretary and assistant chief of staff, who was declared a hostile witness during the previous day's proceedings. Ort

August 26, 2026

Philippines

13-Year-Old Boy Vanished After Swimming at Baseco Beach—7 Days Later, His Remains Were Found in an Unexpected Place

MANILA, Philippines — A week-long search for 13-year-old Rhomel Baluyot ended in tragedy after authorities found his remains at a landfill in Navotas, near the boundary with Obando, Bulacan. Rhomel had been reported missing after swimming with a friend at Baseco Beach in Manila. According to reports, he was swept away by strong currents during the southwest monsoon, or Habagat. His friend survived the incident. Authorities eventually located the boy's body at the Navotas landfill on Sunday eve

August 25, 2026