Philippines

Peso Nears ₱62 Per Dollar as Record Low Raises Fresh Economic Concerns

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine peso has fallen to another record low against the US dollar, coming within a fraction of a centavo of the psychologically important ₱62-per-dollar level as renewed Middle East tensions, rising oil prices and uncertainty over US interest rates continue to pressure Asian currencies. The peso weakened to an intraday record low of ₱61.995 against the US dollar on Wednesday, August 19, before recovering slightly to close at ₱61.815. That was still 3 centavos weak

August 20, 2026

Philippines

“If You Want Transparency, Start With Yourself”: Kapunan Puts Sara Duterte on the Spot Over Confidential Funds

MANILA — A call for greater government transparency has triggered a sharper confrontation in Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial, with House prosecution counsel Lorna Kapunan telling the vice president to “start with yourself.” Kapunan made the pointed remark on Wednesday, August 19, after Duterte challenged Malacañang to disclose government travel authorities and the public funds used for official trips. “If you want transparency, start with yourself,” Kapunan said, urging Duterte

August 20, 2026

Philippines

SEC Chief Francis Lim to Mica Tan: Surrender First—But What Happens to the Money After She Faces the Charges?

MANILA, Philippines — Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chairperson Francis Lim is drawing a hard line on any possible settlement involving MFT Group founder Maria Francesca “Mica” Tan: face the criminal charges first, then talk about repayment. Lim’s latest position, reported by Bilyonaryo, reinforces what he has previously told The Philippine Star—that Tan and the MFT Group cannot expect regulators to negotiate a resolution while she remains outside the Philippines and subject to outst

August 20, 2026

Business

Sy, Consunji Go All-In on Mining: Dominion Eyes Tampakan Control as Capital Plan Nears ₱30 Billion

MANILA, Philippines — The Sy and Consunji families are making a much bigger bet on Philippine mining, with Dominion Holdings Inc. emerging as the vehicle at the center of an increasingly ambitious strategy that could eventually put the group behind some of the country's biggest copper and gold assets. The latest move adds another layer to the rapidly developing story: Dominion is reportedly preparing to dramatically expand its capital base as the group positions itself for larger mining investm

August 20, 2026

Philippines

DTI-7, DMW-7 Team Up for One-Window OFW Assistance System in Central Visayas

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Central Visayas may soon find it easier to access government reintegration services as the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 7 and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Region 7 strengthen their partnership through a new One Window Bayanihan Assistance Program (OWBAP) Referral and Tracking System. The two agencies signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) on August 12, 2026, at the DTI Region 7 office in Cebu City

August 20, 2026

Philippines

NUEVA VIZCAYA TURNS TO COMICS TO TEACH CHILDREN DISASTER PREPAREDNESS—BUT WHAT THEY LEARN COULD GO BEYOND THE CLASSROOM

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya — Disaster preparedness is getting a new classroom makeover in Nueva Vizcaya, where the Department of Education (DepEd) is using comic-based learning materials to teach public-school students what to do before, during and after disasters. The initiative, unveiled by Nueva Vizcaya Gov. Jose V. Gambito and Schools Division Superintendent Orlando Manuel, will bring localized disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) information to public schools across the province. A

August 20, 2026

Philippines

Nueva Vizcaya’s ₱85-Million Hospital Expansion Could Transform Healthcare Access in the North

DUPAX DEL NORTE, Nueva Vizcaya — A major hospital expansion is underway in Nueva Vizcaya as the provincial government moves to increase bed capacity and reduce congestion at the Dupax District Hospital (DDH), giving residents of Dupax del Norte and nearby municipalities greater access to hospital care closer to home. Governor Jose V. Gambito recently led the groundbreaking for a ₱85-million, three-story multipurpose building at DDH, a project funded by the Provincial Government of Nueva Vizcaya

August 20, 2026

Business

Rice Prices Jump 22% in Early August—But the September Harvest Could Bring an Even Bigger Shock

MANILA, Philippines — The price of the Philippines’ staple food has started climbing again, with the average retail price of regular-milled rice reaching P49.61 per kilogram in the first five days of August, according to the latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). The increase is striking when compared with the same period last year. The PSA reported that regular-milled rice averaged P40.61 per kilo in August 2025, meaning the latest price was about 22.2% higher year-on-yea

August 20, 2026

Philippines

FIVE ISABELA POLICE OFFICERS GET SPECIAL RECOGNITION AT SCHOOLS — HERE’S WHY THE PNP IS PUTTING COMMUNITY TRUST FRONT AND CENTER

CITY OF ILAGAN, Isabela — Five police personnel have been recognized for exemplary performance and dedication to duty as the Isabela Police Provincial Office (IPPO) brings its campaign for professional, community-centered policing directly into schools. The recognition was held during flag-raising ceremonies at various schools across the province on August 17, 2026, putting the spotlight on police officers not only as law enforcers but also as potential role models for students and partners of

August 20, 2026

Entertainment

Chariz Solomon Finally Gets 50% of Her ‘Tahanang Pinakamasaya’ Talent Fee—But One Question Remains

After months of publicly raising the issue, Chariz Solomon finally has a major update on the unpaid talent fees connected to “Tahanang Pinakamasaya.” The Kapuso host and comedian revealed that she and her fellow hosts have already received 50% of the talent fees that had remained unpaid, bringing partial relief to an issue that had lingered since the noontime show's brief run in 2024. Chariz made the revelation during her appearance on “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda,” where she happily announced t

August 20, 2026