Philippines

Imee Marcos Tells DICT, CICC and NTC to ‘Do Your Jobs’—But the Zamboanga Shooting Exposed a Problem Regulators Can’t Solve Alone

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Imee Marcos has delivered a pointed message to the government agencies tasked with policing the country’s digital space: enforce the rules already under your mandate as fears grow over young Filipinos’ exposure to violent and potentially dangerous online communities. Marcos called on the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), and National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to step up

August 21, 2026

Philippines

Orly Guteza Took Back His Story—But the Ombudsman Says 28 More Witnesses Could Keep Romualdez in the Hot Seat

MANILA, Philippines — Former House Speaker and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez remains under scrutiny in the massive flood control controversy despite the withdrawal of testimony by a key witness, with the Office of the Ombudsman insisting that its investigation is far from dependent on a single account. The latest twist came after retired Marine Orly Guteza, who had previously linked Romualdez to alleged deliveries of cash connected to questionable flood control projects, recanted his earlier clai

August 21, 2026

Philippines

NO CONSPIRACY? Remulla Says Zamboanga School Shooter Planned Attack Alone—But Investigators Are Still Digging Into His Digital Trail

MANILA, Philippines — Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said investigators have found no evidence of a conspiracy behind the deadly shooting at Ateneo de Zamboanga University, saying the young shooter appeared to have planned and carried out the attack on his own. But while authorities have ruled out an organized plot based on their initial findings, the investigation is far from over. Officials are still examining the student's online activities, gaming and messaging hist

August 21, 2026

Philippines

Zubiri backs 7 global deals — but the Senate vote could change how Filipinos travel, study, do business and fight crime abroad

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Senate is moving to deepen the country’s international cooperation after Majority Leader Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri endorsed a package of seven international treaties and bilateral agreements covering aviation security, space activities, taxation, higher education and cross-border criminal justice. Zubiri, who chairs the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, presided over the committee hearing on Thursday, August 20, where lawmakers reviewed the agreements a

August 21, 2026

Philippines

Marcos honors Ninoy Aquino 43 years after his death — then warns Filipinos about threats that could weaken democracy

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. marked the 43rd death anniversary of former senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. on Friday, August 21, honoring the late opposition leader’s courage while urging Filipinos to protect democracy from threats that have evolved far beyond the political battles of the past. In a message commemorating Ninoy Aquino Day, Marcos described Aquino’s legacy as a reminder of the courage Filipinos have shown in standing by their convictions and defending pri

August 21, 2026

Philippines

DOT Has a Bigger Vision for Aurora—And It Starts With Manuel Quezon’s Legacy

BALER, Aurora — The Department of Tourism (DOT) is calling on Aurora to turn its rich cultural identity and history into a stronger tourism asset, with the legacy of former President Manuel L. Quezon serving as an important inspiration. DOT Central Luzon Regional Director Richard Daenos made the appeal during the commemoration of Quezon’s 148th birth anniversary in Baler on August 19, held alongside the Akkaw Baler Coco-Sabutan Festival. Rather than treating Quezon’s legacy as something confin

August 21, 2026

Philippines

Bacolod Urban Poor Group Honors Ninoy Aquino—Then Delivers a Message That Still Hits Home Today

BACOLOD CITY — Decades after the assassination of former senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., his legacy continues to resonate among marginalized communities in Negros Occidental, with an urban-poor organization in Bacolod repeatedly using Ninoy Aquino Day to call for courage, democracy and standing up against abuses of power. The Federation of Urban Poor (FedUp) in Negros Occidental marked Ninoy Aquino Day in 2022 by laying wreaths at the foot of Aquino’s statue along Araneta Avenue in Bacolod

August 21, 2026

Philippines

Tulfo Wants Gun Owners’ Homes Checked Before LTOPF—Could This Become the New Firearm Rule?

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Raffy Tulfo is pushing for tougher firearm-ownership rules, including mandatory inspections of a gun owner’s storage facility before the Philippine National Police (PNP) issues a License to Own and Possess Firearms (LTOPF). Tulfo made the proposal after the deadly Ateneo de Zamboanga University school shooting on August 18, in which two students died, including the alleged shooter. The incident has intensified scrutiny over how minors can gain access to firearms owned

August 21, 2026

Philippines

Only 4 Philippine Dams Gain Water as Habagat Weakens—But a New Weather Threat Could Change Everything

MANILA, Philippines — The recent rains brought some relief to several major Philippine reservoirs, but the latest PAGASA monitoring shows that the upward trend is losing momentum as the southwest monsoon, or Habagat, weakens. Only four of the nine major dams monitored by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) recorded increases in water levels over the past 24 hours as of 8 a.m. Friday, August 21. The reservoirs that gained water were Angat, S

August 21, 2026

Philippines

12 Teachers Trapped as River Swells in Oriental Mindoro—Then Rescuers Rushed In

CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro — What could have become a dangerous disaster turned into a successful rescue after 12 teachers were stranded in a remote community in Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro, when the rapidly rising Bongabong River cut off their only access route. The teachers from Naswak Elementary School were stranded in Sitio Naswak, Barangay Lisap, on Thursday, August 20, after the river surged and caused a bamboo bridge serving as their main access to the area to collapse. With the riv

August 21, 2026