Philippines

Cardinal David Says 11 Million Filipinos Are Still Poor—But His Bigger Warning Is About Where Billions in ‘Ayuda’ Are Going

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines has just recorded a major decline in official poverty numbers, but one of the country’s most prominent Catholic leaders says the numbers should not distract from a harder question: Why do millions of Filipino families remain trapped in poverty generation after generation? Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David, bishop of Kalookan and president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, has called for a fundamental rethink of how the country helps its po

August 23, 2026

Philippines

Zambales Under Calamity: Flood Damage Nears ₱690 Million

ZAMBALES, Philippines — Zambales has been placed under a province-wide state of calamity after weeks of heavy rain, flooding and other weather-related impacts caused extensive damage to infrastructure, agriculture and homes. Gov. Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. approved the declaration following the recommendation of disaster officials, as the province continues to assess the full extent of damage caused by the enhanced southwest monsoon (Habagat) and recent tropical cyclones Luis and Maymay. Damage cl

August 23, 2026

Philippines

TULFO WANTS GUN OWNERS HELD CRIMINALLY LIABLE: After Two School Shootings, Could Negligent Firearm Custodians Soon Face Jail?

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Erwin Tulfo is pushing for tougher accountability for firearm owners and legal custodians whose negligence allows children to gain access to guns, arguing that gun ownership must come with a clear legal responsibility to keep firearms out of unauthorized hands. Tulfo renewed the call after two recent school shootings in Tacloban City and Zamboanga City put renewed scrutiny on how minors were able to obtain firearms traced to adult family members. In a privilege speec

August 23, 2026

Philippines

14 Days, Thousands of Acres Searched—But Sofia Is Still Missing: What Happens Next in Sagada?

The intensive 14-day search for 17-year-old Sofia Isabela Magalgalit Oria has officially entered a new phase—but the effort to find the missing Sagada teenager is far from over. The Incident Command Post (ICP) coordinating the large-scale search was closed on Saturday, August 22, after two weeks of intensive field operations. However, the Municipality of Sagada said its Emergency Operations Center (EOC) remains activated, allowing authorities to continue monitoring information and supporting co

August 23, 2026

Philippines

Sara Duterte Impeachment Vote Faces Crucial Twist: Will 16 Votes Still Decide Her Fate?

MANILA, Philippines — A potentially decisive legal question is emerging in Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial: How many votes will ultimately be required to convict her? Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon, one of the House prosecutors, said Saturday that the determination belongs to the Senate sitting as an impeachment court—not to either the prosecution or the defense. Ridon’s statement comes as the Senate trial enters a critical stage and questions continue to surround the c

August 23, 2026

Philippines

PH Officials Fly to Meta After Deadly School Shooting—What Will They Demand From Facebook’s Parent Company?

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine technology officials are set to bring growing concerns over online violence, harmful content and disinformation directly to Meta's regional leadership, following the deadly shooting at Ateneo de Zamboanga University that renewed questions about how quickly major social media platforms respond during a crisis. Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Henry Aguda and Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) Executive

August 23, 2026

Business

QC Has a New Seafood Hotspot—But It’s the “Dampa” Twist That’s Getting Everyone Curious

QUEZON CITY, Philippines — The familiar Filipino dampa experience is getting a modern makeover in Quezon City as Seafood 8 by Olio’s opens at Gateway Mall 2 in Araneta City, bringing fresh seafood, customizable cooking styles and globally inspired sauces into a contemporary restaurant setting. The bistro-style seafood concept officially opened on August 8, 2026, according to reports from The Manila Times and other coverage of the launch. Its arrival gives diners a mall-based alternative to the

August 23, 2026

Philippines

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QUEZON PROVINCE — More students in Quezon could soon have access to public higher and specialized science education as the provincial government pushes plans for a new Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) campus in Sariaya and a Philippine Science High School (Pisay) campus in Lopez. The proposed education projects are part of the province’s broader efforts to bring quality and affordable education closer to students, particularly those who may face financial or geographical barriers

August 23, 2026

Philippines

POLICE OFFICER LOSES LEFT HAND IN CAMARINES SUR BOLO ATTACK — WHAT HAPPENED WHEN HE TRIED TO STOP THE RAMPAGING MAN?

SAN JOSE, CAMARINES SUR — A police response to a report of a man allegedly running amok turned into a violent confrontation on Saturday, August 22, after a police officer was seriously injured by a bolo attack in Barangay Calalahan. The 42-year-old officer, identified in a separate report as Police Staff Sergeant Noli Miraña, suffered the loss of his left hand and sustained injuries to his face while responding to the incident, according to reports from ABS-CBN News and Balita. Authorities sai

August 23, 2026

Philippines

PNP Cracks Down on Electricity Theft—But Why Are So Few Suspects Being Convicted?

MANILA, Philippines — As Filipinos continue to grapple with expensive electricity bills, the Philippine National Police (PNP) is intensifying its crackdown on electricity theft and power pilferage—but a troubling enforcement gap has put the spotlight on whether those arrested are actually being held accountable. PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said police are strengthening efforts against individuals involved in stealing electricity, tampering with power meters and pilfering electrica

August 23, 2026