Philippines

DOJ Still Reviewing U.S. Extradition Request for Apollo Quiboloy — What Happens Next Could Be Crucial

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Department of Justice is still reviewing the United States government's formal request to extradite detained Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) founder Apollo Quiboloy, with officials saying the process must be completed carefully before the case can move to the courts. The latest development confirms that the extradition request is not yet a final decision to send Quiboloy to the United States. Instead, the DOJ is examining the documents and determining whether

August 25, 2026

Philippines

3 Kabataan Tinangka Umangkin ng Holdaper sa Bacolod—Pero Isang Pagkakamali ang Biglang Nagpabago sa Lahat

BACOLOR CITY, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL — Isang tangkang panghoholdap sa tatlong kabataan sa Barangay Villamonte, Bacolod City, ang napurnada matapos madapa ang lalaking humabol sa mga biktima, ayon sa ulat ng GMA News. Naganap ang insidente noong Sabado, Agosto 22, 2026, at nakuhanan ng CCTV ang mga pangyayari. Makikita sa footage na naglalakad ang tatlong kabataan nang biglang huminto ang isang tricycle malapit sa kanila. Maya-maya, bumaba ang lalaking pasahero at mabilis na sinubukang hilahin ang i

August 25, 2026

Business

BANK ERROR, BANK’S LOSS? Supreme Court Says BDO Cannot Recover ₱76,000 After Its Own Mistake

MANILA, Philippines — A bank cannot simply demand that a depositor return money withdrawn from an account when the bank’s own gross negligence caused the funds to become available in the first place, the Supreme Court has ruled. The decision, involving BDO Unibank and depositor Cristina Barcellano, puts a sharp focus on the unusually high standard of care required from Philippine banks—and on who should bear the consequences when a financial institution fails to follow its own safeguards. The

August 25, 2026

Philippines

Sara Duterte’s Former Security Chief Says He’s Ready to Testify — And His Answers Could Reshape the Impeachment Trial

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial could be heading toward one of its most closely watched moments yet after former vice presidential security chief Col. Raymund Dante Lachica said he is prepared to testify before the Senate impeachment court if he is formally and lawfully summoned. Lachica, whose name has repeatedly surfaced in testimony involving the Office of the Vice President’s controversial confidential funds, said Tuesday that he has never refused to fa

August 25, 2026

Philippines

Psychiatrists Warn Active-Shooter Drills Could Traumatize Students as DepEd Postpones Nationwide Exercise

MANILA, Philippines — A nationwide school safety exercise designed to prepare Filipino students and school personnel for active attacks is facing growing scrutiny from mental health and medical experts, who warn that highly realistic simulations could cause psychological distress without clear evidence that they actually reduce casualties. The Philippine Psychiatric Association (PPA) and the Philippine Society for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (PSCAP) have called on the Department of Educatio

August 25, 2026

Philippines

QC Lawmaker Pushes National Parent Council as Philippines Confronts Renewed Campus Violence Concerns

QUEZON CITY, Philippines — As concern over school safety intensifies following a series of deadly incidents involving students, Quezon City 5th District Rep. Patrick Michael Vargas is pushing legislation that would give parents a more formal role in preventing violence and protecting young people inside schools. Vargas has filed House Bill No. 5682, or the proposed National Parent Council Act, which seeks to establish a nationwide parent-teacher advisory structure under the Department of Educat

August 25, 2026

Philippines

100 Travelers Were Ready to Leave Batanes — Then Dangerous Winds Stopped the Mercy Flight at the Last Minute

BATANES, Philippines — About 100 tourists and local travelers hoping to finally leave Batanes were forced to return to their accommodations on Tuesday after dangerous winds and heavy rain prevented a Philippine Air Force mercy flight from taking off. The passengers had already gathered at Basco Airport for a special PAF C-130 flight on August 25, but the mission was postponed after weather conditions exceeded aviation safety limits, according to the Batanes Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction an

August 25, 2026

Business

The Inventing of Mica Tan : How a self-made “angel investor” sold the Philippine elite a glittering private-equity dream — until the checks bounced, the accounts froze, and the family mansion went up for foreclosure

For years the checks arrived on time. They came on good paper, often carrying the signature of Maria Francesca “Mica” Tan herself or one of a small circle of trusted associates. The amounts were steady: 1 to 1.5 percent a month, packaged as interest on what investors were repeatedly told were private loans. The accompanying story was elegant and exclusive. This was not a public offering. It was angel money. Bridge financing for “sure projects” — diagnostic machines bound for government hospital

August 25, 2026

Business

NBI FLAGS MORE THAN 20 STEEL PLANTS OVER ALLEGED RADIOACTIVE, SUBSTANDARD PRODUCTS— INVESTIGATION WIDENS NATIONWIDE

MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has identified more than 20 steel plants allegedly linked to the production, sale or distribution of substandard and radioactive-bearing steel products, raising fresh concerns over the safety of construction materials being used across the country. NBI Director Melvin Matibag disclosed the development on Tuesday, August 25, saying the agency's investigation, conducted with the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) a

August 25, 2026

Philippines

26 Zamboanga City Employees Earn ‘Cada Dia Temprano’ Award After Perfect Attendance in 2025

Twenty-six employees of the City Government of Zamboanga have been recognized for an achievement that demands consistency every working day: perfect punctuality and attendance throughout the entire year of 2025. The employees received the “Cada Dia Temprano” Award, or “Every Day Early” Award, during a recognition ceremony held Monday, August 24, 2026, at the City Hall grounds following the regular flag-raising ceremony. According to SunStar Zamboanga, the 26 awardees had no recorded tardiness,

August 25, 2026