Philippines

Strongest: MMDA GM Torre Apologizes Over EDSA Busway SUV — But the Mismatched Government Plate May Be the Bigger Problem

MANILA, Philippines — Metropolitan Manila Development Authority General Manager Nicolas Torre III will remain in his post for now as the Land Transportation Office investigates a vehicle linked to him that was caught using the EDSA Busway — a case that has expanded beyond a possible lane violation into questions over the SUV’s license plate, registration and ownership. MMDA Chairman Romando “Don” Artes said Torre acknowledged that the vehicle captured on video traveling along the EDSA Busway on

September 4, 2026

Philippines

PATA Wants East Asia’s ‘Super 10’ to Stop Fighting for Tourists — But One Major Barrier Could Decide Whether It Works

CEBU, Philippines — Ten major tourism regions across East and Southeast Asia are being challenged to stop fighting over the same travelers and start selling themselves as a connected tourism powerhouse — a proposed “Super 10” that could reshape how destinations compete for Asia’s rapidly growing travel market. But turning that vision into reality may depend on something far less glamorous than beaches, temples and marketing campaigns: whether tourists can actually move easily between the destin

September 4, 2026

Entertainment

Gilas Takes 11-Man PBA Core to Asian Games — But One Open Roster Spot Could Change Everything

MANILA, Philippines — Gilas Pilipinas is heading into its Asian Games title defense with an almost entirely rebuilt cast, an 11-man PBA core and one potentially game-changing question still hanging over the roster: Will Justin Brownlee be healthy enough to join them in Japan? Head coach Tim Cone has brought Robert Bolick, RJ Abarrientos, Sedrick Barefield, Adrian Nocum, Jerrick Ahanmisi, Don Trollano, Zavier Lucero, Justin Arana, Justine Baltazar, Brandon Bates and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser into

September 4, 2026

Philippines

Romualdez Camp Questions Bonoan’s Removal From Plunder Case as Ombudsman Eyes Him as Key Flood-Control Witness

MANILA, Philippines — The legal battle surrounding the Philippines’ massive flood-control controversy took another turn after former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan was removed as an accused in a plunder and graft case, clearing the way for him to cooperate with prosecutors — a development that has raised fresh concerns from the camp of former House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez. Romualdez’s lawyer and spokesperson, Atty. Ade Fajardo, said the former Speaker’s camp was surprised by th

September 4, 2026

Philippines

Indonesia’s Wildfire Haze Has Reached Capiz — But Officials Warn the Air-Quality Threat May Not Be Over Yet

CAPIZ, Philippines — Smoke from massive forest and land fires burning hundreds of kilometers away in Indonesia has reached parts of the Philippines, prompting health authorities in Capiz to warn residents that the hazy skies could carry more than just reduced visibility. The Capiz Provincial Health Office and the Office of Civil Defense have advised residents to reduce unnecessary outdoor exposure as transboundary haze associated with wildfires in Kalimantan, Indonesia, continues to affect part

September 4, 2026

Philippines

Sara Duterte Supporters Say There’s Still ‘No Smoking Gun’ After 21 Trial Days — But Ridon Says They’re Missing What’s Already on Record

MANILA, Philippines — After 21 days of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial, House prosecutor and Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon is pushing back against supporters who insist prosecutors have yet to produce a decisive “smoking gun.” His message was pointed: listen again to what has already been presented. Ridon told reporters that critics claiming the prosecution has failed to establish a significant case should “unmute the video,” arguing that weeks of testimony and documen

September 4, 2026

Business

Philippines Inflation Slows to 6.1% for Fourth Straight Month — But Rice Prices Are Moving in the Opposite Direction

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine inflation eased for a fourth consecutive month in August, offering another sign that the surge in consumer prices earlier this year may be losing some momentum. But behind the improving headline number, several pressure points remain: rice inflation accelerated to 19.4%, transport inflation climbed to 13.5%, and inflation experienced by the country's bottom 30% income households remained much higher at 8.2%. The Philippine Statistics Authority said Friday that

September 4, 2026

Philippines

21 Filipino Seafarers Caught in the Hormuz Crisis as 2 More Die — But the Bigger Danger May Still Be Ahead

MANILA, Philippines — The deadly attack on a Saudi-flagged oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz has pushed the human cost of the worsening maritime crisis closer to home, with Philippine authorities saying 421 Filipino seafarers aboard 31 vessels have now been affected by attacks connected to the strategic waterway since February 28. Two Filipino crew members were killed in the latest incident involving the crude oil tanker SIDR, operated by Saudi Arabia's national shipping company Bahri. The ve

September 4, 2026

Philippines

NBI Files Qualified Human Trafficking Complaint Against Leviste and 6 Others — But the Evidence It Says It Has Could Open Another Fight

MANILA, Philippines — What began as an investigation into an alleged plan to use women to manufacture damaging accusations against Executive Secretary Ralph Recto has escalated into a major criminal complaint involving a sitting congressman, a former lawmaker, four lawyers and the talent manager whose testimony helped expose the supposed operation. The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Friday, September 4, formally filed a complaint for qualified trafficking in persons before the Depart

September 4, 2026

Philippines

PRO-6 Warns Filipinos Against Posting Real-Time Travel Plans — Your Vacation Update Could Reveal More Than You Think

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — That airport selfie, beach check-in or countdown to a long-awaited family vacation may seem harmless. But police in Western Visayas are warning that posting those details in real time could also tell the wrong people something far more important: your home may be empty. The Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) has urged residents to avoid publicly sharing their real-time locations, travel schedules and prolonged absences on social media as the Philippines enters the exten

September 4, 2026