Category: Philippines

Malaysia

Australia Sends Strong Message Ahead of Historic BARMM Vote—But the Real Test Comes on Election Day

MANILA, Philippines — Australia has reaffirmed its support for a peaceful, inclusive and credible election in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), just days before the region holds its first regular parliamentary elections. The Australian Embassy in Manila said a senior embassy team visited Cotabato City from September 1 to 3 to assess preparations and meet election and security officials, civil society organizations and election-monitoring groups ahead of the September

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Lifestyle

Sarangani and GenSan Court Investors as Tourism and Retirement Opportunities Take Center Stage

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Philippines — A new investment pitch is taking shape in southern Mindanao as Sarangani province and General Santos City seek to attract more businesses into tourism, retirement facilities and other development opportunities. The push reflects an effort to position the two areas not simply as destinations for short-term visitors, but as places where investors can build tourism-related businesses and facilities that could serve a growing market for longer stays and retirement

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Philippines

Senators Want More Money for the Ombudsman—But the Bigger Fight May Be Over What Happens to the Flood Control Cases

MANILA, Philippines — Senators are moving to strengthen the Office of the Ombudsman’s 2027 budget, saying the country’s anti-graft watchdog needs greater resources as it handles a growing workload, including investigations into alleged irregularities in flood control projects. The Senate Committee on Finance approved at the committee level a ₱7.232-billion proposed budget for the Ombudsman for 2027, clearing the way for further deliberation in the Senate plenary. But the figure remains well be

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Philippines

Consunjis Face a New Semirara Test: Will Decades of Experience Be Enough—Or Will the Government Demand More?

MANILA, Philippines — The Consunji family may have the strongest operational advantage in the battle for the Semirara coal contract—but experience alone may not be enough to secure the country’s biggest coal-producing area. The Marcos administration is weighing whether the government should demand a larger share of the financial benefits from the next contract covering the Semirara coal mine in Antique, potentially raising the stakes for longtime operator Semirara Mining and Power Corp. (SMPC).

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Philippines

DPWH Rethinks Flood Control Strategy as Cebu and Other Cities Face a Bigger Question: Will the New Master Plans Finally Work?

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is moving toward a more integrated and science-driven approach to flood control, as the government reassesses how the country should manage increasingly severe flooding. Instead of treating flooding as a collection of isolated problems requiring individual drainage projects, flood-control planning is increasingly being framed around major river basins, interconnected waterways, upstream runoff and climate risks. The shift is particularly signi

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Philippines

11,000+ Flood-Hit Workers Deployed for Emergency Cleanup Across NCR and Ilocos

MANILA, Philippines — More than 11,000 workers affected by recent torrential rains and flooding are being given emergency employment as government agencies step up efforts to clear debris, unclog waterways and help battered communities recover. The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said 11,196 workers in the National Capital Region and Ilocos Region were mobilized under its Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program. The deployment covers 1,418 worke

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Philippines

Duterte Camp Wants ICC to Put Digital Evidence Under the Microscope—What Happens to Thousands of Files Next?

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — The defense team of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is asking the International Criminal Court (ICC) to tighten its rules for digital evidence, arguing that online materials should undergo additional expert verification before being relied upon in his upcoming crimes-against-humanity trial. In a filing dated Aug. 31, 2026, lead defense counsel Peter Haynes KC asked ICC Trial Chamber III to amend the court's E-Court Protocol by adding an “expert verification”

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Philippines

Bukidnon Airport Gets ₱300-Million Push as Government Targets 2027 Completion

MANILA, Philippines — The long-awaited Bukidnon Airport is moving closer to full operation, with the Marcos administration seeking an additional ₱300 million in the proposed 2027 national budget to help complete the airport and its remaining requirements. The funding proposal comes as the government accelerates work on the airport in Don Carlos, Bukidnon, with officials targeting initial commercial operations before the end of 2026 and expanded jet operations in 2027. The project is expected t

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Business

BIR Loses ₱78.3M VAT Fight vs. Lamborghini-Bentley Dealer—But the Court’s Reasoning Goes Beyond the Tax Bill

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has lost its bid to collect ₱78.32 million in value-added tax (VAT) assessments from Euro Autocars Inc., the company doing business as Lamborghini Manila and Bentley Manila, after the Court of Tax Appeals (CTA) ruled that the government’s collection period had already expired. The CTA Special First Division ruled that the BIR could no longer enforce the assessment covering Euro Autocars’ transactions from January to June 2014. The decision, promulgated on A

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Philippines

3rd Missing Passenger in Tarlac SUV Tragedy Found Dead in Pangasinan—But One Victim Is Still Missing

TARLAC CITY — The search for the passengers of an SUV swept into the Tarlac River took another heartbreaking turn after authorities recovered the body of the third missing passenger, Shiela Mae Taborlupa, 25, in Bayambang, Pangasinan, on Saturday, September 5. Tarlac City Mayor Susan Yap confirmed that Taborlupa’s remains were found partly buried in mud and among banana trunks. She was reportedly wearing black shorts, matching the clothing description provided after the August 29 incident. Tab

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