Philippines

Omar Duterte Blasts Sara Arrest Warrant as ‘Political Harassment’—But What Happens Next Could Raise the Stakes

MANILA, Philippines — Davao City 2nd District Rep. Omar Duterte has condemned the arrest warrant issued against his aunt, Vice President Sara Duterte, calling it a “clear act of political harassment” as the Vice President’s legal and political battles continue to intensify. In a statement, Omar Duterte accused those in power of using government institutions to silence political opponents, saying he was deeply troubled by the developments surrounding the Vice President. His remarks came after a

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Philippines

Sara Duterte Says She Feared for Her Life—Now Malacañang Fires Back on the PNP’s Role

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang has defended the Philippine National Police (PNP) amid Vice President Sara Duterte's claims that she feared for her safety, insisting that law enforcers are carrying out their duties in accordance with the law and without political bias. The Palace's response came after Duterte raised concerns about her security following developments surrounding the Quezon City Regional Trial Court, where she appeared in connection with a grave threats case. Palace Press Offic

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Philippines

At Just 10, This Cebu Swimming Prodigy Is Already Making Waves—Now She’s Set for Her Biggest National Test Yet

CEBU CITY — At only 10 years old, Adrianna Erika Ching is already making a name for herself as one of Cebu’s promising young swimmers—and her latest breakthrough is taking her from regional competition to the national stage. The Grade 4 swimmer from Cebu City has continued to turn heads with a string of strong performances in 2026, highlighted by gold-medal finishes, international success and a standout showing in the Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association (CVIRAA). Her rise has been pa

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Philippines

Rescued After Their Boat Takes On Water Off Cagayan — But Another Vessel Sank in the Same Island Town Just Days Earlier

CAGAYAN, Philippines — What began as a routine sea journey between mainland Cagayan and the remote Calayan island group turned into a frightening rescue operation after a passenger motorbanca was battered by strong waves and became partially submerged on Saturday, Sept. 5. The Philippine Coast Guard rescued 18 people aboard motorbanca Geri Ann, according to a PCG-based report by the Manila Bulletin. The group consisted of 11 passengers and seven crew members, and no deaths were reported. Separ

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Business

Power Outages Set in Bulacan, Cavite and Rizal This Week — Is Your Area on Meralco’s List?

MANILA, Philippines — Residents in parts of Bulacan, Cavite and Rizal are being advised to prepare for scheduled power interruptions this week as the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) carries out maintenance, facility upgrades and line works. The interruptions, scheduled between September 9 and September 12, will affect selected communities in Malolos and Meycauayan in Bulacan, several areas in Cavite, and parts of Antipolo City in Rizal. Meralco said planned outages are necessary to allow cre

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Philippines

Romualdez Demands ‘Fair Play’ as Witnesses Recant — But the Ombudsman Says Its Strongest Case May Still Be Coming

MANILA, Philippines — The legal battle surrounding former House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez is entering an increasingly contentious phase, with his camp renewing its demand for “fair play” as Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla signals that cases connected to the massive flood-control controversy are moving closer to filing. The appeal comes amid a rapidly changing investigation marked by witness recantations, conflicting accounts and the controversial emergence of former Public Works Secret

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Philippines

DBM Set to Auto-Release Salary Deficiency Funds by Q4—Government Workers May No Longer Need to Wait

MANILA, Philippines — Government employees who have been waiting for salary adjustments because of promotions, reclassification or other personnel changes could soon face fewer bureaucratic hurdles as the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) prepares to test an automatic system for releasing funds needed to cover salary deficiencies. Budget Secretary Kim Robert De Leon said the agency is working on a policy that would allow DBM to identify salary funding shortfalls through an agency's upda

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Philippines

13,441 Aspiring Lawyers Begin 2026 Philippine Bar Exams Across 15 Testing Centers

ILIGAN CITY, Philippines — The long wait is over. Thousands of aspiring Filipino lawyers began the 2026 Philippine Bar Examinations on Sunday, September 6, as the country’s newest generation of legal hopefuls faced the first day of one of the Philippines’ most demanding professional licensure examinations. In Iligan City, aspiring lawyers and their supporters gathered around Mindanao State University–Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT), one of only two Bar examination centers in Mindanao.

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Philippines

Butuan Declares State of Calamity as Water Crisis Deepens

BUTUAN CITY, Philippines — Butuan City has declared a state of calamity over a worsening water crisis, as prolonged dry conditions continue to squeeze the city's main water sources and disrupt supplies to communities. The Sangguniang Panlungsod approved the declaration amid severe and continuing water-supply disruptions, according to the Philippine News Agency. The move elevates the city's response to the water shortage as authorities confront a crisis that has been building for months—not mer

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Philippines

Alex Eala’s US Open Run Ends in Three-Set Thriller Against Iva Jovic

NEW YORK — Alexandra Eala’s historic 2026 US Open campaign came to a dramatic end Sunday morning in the Philippines after the 21-year-old Filipina fell to close friend Iva Jovic in a grueling third-round battle at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The 17th-seeded Eala pushed the 14th-seeded American to the limit before Jovic prevailed 7–5, 3–6, 7–5 in a match that lasted three hours and three minutes. It was a painful ending for Eala, who had reached the US Open third round for the first time in her career

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