Philippines

Court Stops SOCOTECO II–Ignite Vote as ‘Railroading’ Claims Grow — But a ₱10-Billion Power Deal Is Still on the Table

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Philippines — A proposed deal that could fundamentally reshape electricity distribution across General Santos City, Sarangani and parts of South Cotabato has entered a far more explosive phase. Former Bayan Muna lawmaker Carlos Isagani Zarate is backing a congressional investigation into the proposed joint venture between South Cotabato II Electric Cooperative Inc. (SOCOTECO II) and Ignite Power and Energy Corp., accusing proponents of trying to rush a decision before membe

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Philippines

₱4 Billion in Workers’ Wages Withheld in NCR? The Shocking Labor Issue Behind Metro Manila’s Pay Crisis

MANILA, Philippines — Billions of pesos in workers’ wages have reportedly been withheld in the National Capital Region, putting renewed attention on labor rights and wage compliance at a time when Metro Manila workers are also facing an ongoing battle over the implementation of a historic minimum wage increase. According to the report by BusinessWorld, around ₱4 billion worth of wages in the NCR had been withheld, highlighting the continuing problem of wage-related violations affecting workers

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Philippines

A ₱6,500 DSWD Cash-Aid Offer Is Spreading Online — But What Scammers Want First Could Cost You Much More

MANILA, Philippines — A message arrives promising ₱6,500 in government cash assistance. All you supposedly have to do is provide your name, cellphone number, address or other personal details. For Filipinos struggling with food prices, medical bills or everyday expenses, the offer can sound believable. The Department of Social Welfare and Development says it isn't. The DSWD has renewed its warning against online scammers offering ₱6,500 in supposed financial assistance in exchange for person

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Philippines

Noblefranca Turns Back National Champion Villegas in Explosive Cebu Fighting Championship Comeback

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Renan “Flash” Noblefranca reminded Cebu’s combat-sports scene why he remains one of its most respected strikers, defeating 2024 National Muay Thai gold medalist Jhan Villegas in the main event of the Cebu Fighting Championship’s “Kumbati Na! Return of the Warriors.” The highly anticipated clash took place Saturday, September 5, at the Barangay Day-as Multipurpose Complex in Cebu City, marking the long-awaited return of the Cebu Fighting Championship after an eight-year

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Philippines

NLEX Motorists Get Toll Relief After Nightmare Flood Gridlock—But Marcos Orders a Bigger Fix

MANILA, Philippines — Motorists traveling between Pulilan, Bulacan and San Fernando, Pampanga have been granted toll relief after severe flooding triggered a traffic nightmare along the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), prompting President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to order urgent action. Beginning September 2, all vehicles traveling between Pulilan and San Fernando, and vice versa, were allowed toll-free passage under the government-backed relief measure. The arrangement was ordered in response to

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Philippines

Habagat Grounds Sea Trips From Bicol to Mindoro and Manila — But the Weather Threat May Not Be Finished Yet

MANILA, Philippines — Travelers heading across some of the Philippines' busiest inter-island routes faced fresh disruption Sunday as the Southwest Monsoon, or Habagat, forced vessels to remain in port across parts of Luzon and Bicol. The Philippine Ports Authority released an updated list of canceled sea trips as of 12 noon on September 6, 2026, covering routes connecting Masbate, Bicol, Mindoro, Batangas, Palawan and Manila. The suspensions came as persistent monsoon rains continued affecting

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Philippines

Philippines Sets 3-KM School Access Standard for Remote Children — But 9,000 Last-Mile Schools Reveal the Bigger Challenge

MANILA — For generations of Filipino children living in mountains, islands and isolated rural communities, getting an education has sometimes begun with a journey measured not in minutes — but in kilometers. A new Philippine law is attempting to change that. Republic Act No. 12321, or the Last Mile and GIDA Schools Act, establishes a national standard under which students should have access to a basic education school within a walkable distance of three kilometers from their homes. Senator Ch

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Philippines

A Distressed Yacht Entered Subic for Repairs — Then Mechanics Found ₱366M in Kush Hidden Across the Vessel

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT, Philippines — A sailing yacht that reportedly entered Subic only because it needed emergency shelter and repairs has now become the center of a potentially international drug-trafficking investigation after authorities discovered more than ₱366 million worth of suspected high-grade marijuana hidden aboard the vessel. The latest breakthrough came when authorities conducting a deeper stripping and inspection found 109 additional packages weighing approximately 123.91 kilograms

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Philippines

Two Filipino Seafarers Die in Hormuz Attack—Marcos Orders Immediate Aid as Questions Mount

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered government agencies to immediately provide assistance, benefits, compensation and applicable insurance proceeds to the families of two Filipino seafarers killed in a security incident involving an oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz. The two Filipino crew members were aboard the Saudi-flagged crude oil tanker SIDR when the vessel was struck by unidentified projectiles while transiting the strategic waterway on August 31, according

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Philippines

Senate Moves to Ban Officials’ Relatives From Government Contracts — But First Cousins Are Only the Beginning

MANILA, Philippines — Government contracts could soon become legally off-limits to a much wider circle of politicians’ and public officials’ relatives after the Philippine Senate unanimously approved a sweeping anti-nepotism procurement bill. By a 15-0 vote with no abstentions, the Senate approved Senate Bill No. 1962, or the proposed Government Contracting and Procurement Integrity Act, on third and final reading on September 2. The measure would prohibit relatives of covered government offic

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