Philippines

Globe, Smart and PLDT Are Blocking School-Shooting Videos—But the Bigger Problem May Begin Before the Footage Ever Goes Viral

MANILA, Philippines — The country’s biggest telecommunications companies are moving to cut access to websites that host or stream school-shooting footage and other extreme violent content, expanding the national response to a disturbing series of attacks that has pushed online safety, gun access and school security into the spotlight. Globe Telecom, PLDT Inc. and its wireless unit Smart Communications said they would restrict access to websites carrying graphic footage of school shootings and s

August 22, 2026

Philippines

Marcos Calls August 21 ‘Liza Day’ for First Lady’s 67th Birthday—But the Greeting Comes Days After a Controversial Post

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. marked First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos’ 67th birthday with a deeply personal public message, declaring August 21 a special “Liza Day” and describing it as one of the most important dates on his calendar. The President posted the birthday tribute on social media on Friday, August 21, sharing photographs of himself with the First Lady, including an older family picture featuring their three sons. “My dear Liza, we’re celebrating today a most im

August 22, 2026

Business

Candaba Farmers Become Fishermen When the Rains Come—But What Their Nets Pull From the Floodwaters Shows Why This Pampanga Town Is Different

CANDABA, Pampanga — In many farming communities, prolonged rain and flooding can mean damaged crops and lost income. But in the low-lying wetlands of Candaba, Pampanga, the arrival of the rainy season can also signal something very different: the moment when some rice farmers temporarily put down their farming tools and become fishermen. A GMA News report published on August 22 showed residents catching large quantities of freshwater fish from waterways connected to the Pampanga River, continui

August 22, 2026

Philippines

NINOY FACED A HOPELESS PHILIPPINES—THEN HE MADE ONE DECISION THAT CHANGED HISTORY

Forty-three years after the assassination of former senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., his family is urging Filipinos to remember not only his sacrifice—but also the decision that came before it: to act even when the odds appeared hopeless. Ninoy was assassinated on Aug. 21, 1983, shortly after returning to the Philippines from the United States. His return came despite the dangers surrounding his political opposition to the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos. That act of returning home has tak

August 22, 2026

Philippines

A Record-Breaking El Niño Is Building in the Pacific—But Scientists Say Its Biggest Impact May Not Arrive Until 2027

A powerful El Niño gathering strength across the tropical Pacific is raising fears of a turbulent stretch of extreme weather worldwide, with forecasters warning that the developing climate pattern could become one of the strongest ever recorded—and potentially help push 2027 to unprecedented global temperatures. The warning is no longer based on a distant possibility. The World Meteorological Organization said on July 31 that a strong El Niño was already developing and expected to intensify th

August 22, 2026

Philippines

₱20,000 in Free Medicines? Albay PhilHealth Members Can Claim This Benefit—But There’s One Crucial Step You Must Take First

LEGAZPI CITY, Albay — Thousands of PhilHealth members in Albay are gaining access to expanded primary healthcare services, diagnostic tests and essential medicines through the agency’s YAKAP and GAMOT programs—but beneficiaries must first follow PhilHealth’s enrollment and prescription requirements to unlock the benefits. As of July 2026, PhilHealth Bicol reported 54 accredited YAKAP clinics and 30 accredited GAMOT providers in Albay, giving residents more options for accessing healthcare close

August 22, 2026

Philippines

A 17-Year-Old Was Stabbed While Walking With His Girlfriend in Iloilo—But Police Say He May Not Have Been the Intended Target

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — What appeared to be a deliberate attack on a 17-year-old boy in Iloilo City has taken a disturbing turn after police said the teenager may have been stabbed simply because his attackers mistook him for someone they had been feuding with online. The teenager was walking with his girlfriend along a road in Barangay Zamora-Melliza, Iloilo City, when he was allegedly confronted and attacked by a group composed of three minors and an 18-year-old man, according to police in

August 22, 2026

Philippines

Globe Is Moving to Block School-Shooting Videos Online—But the Bigger Question Is What Happens Before They Go Viral

MANILA, Philippines — Graphic videos of school shootings and extreme violence could soon become harder to access through Globe’s network as the telecommunications giant moves to expand its online safety safeguards following renewed alarm over violent content involving minors. The move comes just days after the deadly August 18 school shooting at the Ateneo de Zamboanga University Junior High School campus, an attack that was partly livestreamed online and quickly triggered a national debate ove

August 22, 2026

Philippines

AI Police Photos Are Going Viral—But Davao de Oro Cops Say There’s a Dangerous Catch

DAVAO DE ORO, Philippines — An image showing a police officer in uniform may look convincing enough to pass as an authentic photograph—but authorities in Davao de Oro are warning the public that artificial intelligence can make appearances dangerously deceptive. The Davao de Oro Police Provincial Office (DDOPPO) has urged Filipinos to use AI-generated images responsibly, particularly when the technology is used to create or manipulate images showing people wearing police uniforms, badges or oth

August 22, 2026

Philippines

Paolo Duterte Says Sara’s Impeachment Has a ‘Pre-Determined Narrative’—But Terry Ridon Says One Thing Will Ultimately Decide Her Fate

MANILA, Philippines — The political battle surrounding Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial is moving beyond the Senate courtroom, with House prosecutor Terry Ridon rejecting claims from her brother, Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte, that the proceedings are being driven toward a “pre-determined narrative.” Ridon pushed back on August 21, saying there is no basis to conclude that the outcome of the Vice President’s impeachment case has already been decided. His response ca

August 22, 2026