Philippines

Alex Eala Gets Her US Open Rematch—But the Opponent She’ll Face Has Beaten Her Twice Before

NEW YORK — Alex Eala's historic US Open campaign has taken another dramatic turn. After powering into the third round for the first time in her career, the 21-year-old Filipina will now face a familiar—and particularly difficult—opponent: American rising star Iva Jovic. Jovic booked the highly anticipated showdown by defeating Britain's Francesca Jones, 6-4, 6-4, in the second round. That means Eala and Jovic will meet again, but this time with a place in the US Open Round of 16 on the line.

September 4, 2026

Philippines

Steel Plant Raids Leave Hundreds Without Jobs—Now Labor Leaders Want DOLE to Step In

MANILA, Philippines — The government’s expanding crackdown on steel manufacturers accused of violating safety, labor and product regulations is now facing a new question: Who will protect the workers left behind when the factories shut down? Federation of Free Workers (FFW) president Sonny Matula is urging the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to take a more active role in government operations involving steel plants, particularly when raids result in workers being displaced. Matula sa

September 4, 2026

Philippines

Prosecution Drops Lachica, Nolasco and Madriaga as Witnesses—So What Happens to the P612.5-M Confidential Funds Case?

MANILA, Philippines — The House prosecution panel has decided not to call three controversial figures—former Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group (VPSPG) chief Col. Raymund Dante Lachica, former VPSPG deputy commander Col. Dennis Nolasco, and former Duterte aide Ramil Madriaga—as witnesses in Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial, saying the evidence already presented is sufficient to support its allegations involving confidential funds. The decision marks a significant shi

September 4, 2026

Entertainment

6cyclemind Turns 25 With a Free OPM Rock Celebration—But the Biggest Surprise Is Who’s Joining Them

Twenty-five years after helping shape the sound of Filipino pop-rock, 6cyclemind is celebrating a major milestone with a free anniversary concert that brings together multiple generations of OPM artists. The veteran band will headline its 25th Anniversary Concert on September 12, 2026, at Eton Centris in Quezon City, with doors opening at 4 p.m. and the show beginning at 5 p.m. Admission is free. And while the celebration is built around 6cyclemind's quarter-century journey, the lineup makes t

September 4, 2026

Philippines

Bonoan Faces Arraignment in Remaining Flood Control Graft Case—But His Legal Battle Is Far From Over

Former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel “Manny” Bonoan appeared before the Sandiganbayan on Friday for arraignment in the remaining graft case tied to the alleged flood control kickback scandal, even as a separate court ruling has already removed him as an accused in two other cases. The development comes just days after the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division granted the Office of the Ombudsman’s request to drop Bonoan from the plunder and graft cases involving former S

September 4, 2026

Philippines

Metro Cebu Air Quality Eases—But Experts Warn Residents Not to Let Their Guard Down

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Metro Cebu’s air quality has shown signs of easing, but residents are being urged not to become complacent as haze linked to wildfires in Indonesia continues to affect the region. The latest development comes after several days of deteriorating air quality that pushed Metro Cebu into the “Acutely Unhealthy” category, prompting class suspensions and heightened preparations by health authorities. The situation is now being closely watched by environmental and health offi

September 4, 2026

Philippines

Bacolod Dengue Cases Drop 40.6%—But 3 Children Have Died. What’s Behind the Warning?

BACOLOD CITY — Dengue cases in Bacolod City have dropped sharply compared with last year, but health officials are warning residents not to let the improvement create a false sense of security after three children have died from dengue-related complications this year. The Bacolod City Health Office (CHO) recorded 448 dengue cases and three deaths from January 1 through August 22, 2026, according to city surveillance data. That represents a 40.6% decline from the 754 cases recorded during the sa

September 4, 2026

Philippines

50 FAMILIES EVACUATED IN ILOCOS NORTE AS HABAGAT UNLEASHES HEAVY RAINS — BUT THE BIGGER THREAT MAY NOT BE OVER

ILOCOS NORTE — Fifty families have been evacuated to designated shelters in Ilocos Norte as persistent heavy rains triggered flooding concerns in several communities, prompting local authorities to intensify disaster-response operations. The latest situation report from the Ilocos Norte Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) showed that nearly 3,600 families, or more than 12,000 individuals, across 118 barangays had been affected by the prevailing weather disturbance.

September 4, 2026

Philippines

Tulfo Grills New FDA OIC Over Teston Ties: “Bakit Ikaw ang Na-appoint?

MANILA, Philippines — A Senate budget hearing turned tense on Friday after Sen. Raffy Tulfo questioned newly appointed Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Officer-in-Charge Director General Franklin Anthony Tabaquin IV over his appointment and alleged close association with former FDA chief Paolo Teston. Tulfo raised questions about why Tabaquin was chosen to lead the country’s drug and food regulator despite the senator’s assertion that other long-serving FDA officials may have had greater inst

September 4, 2026

Philippines

NBI Set to File Qualified Human Trafficking Charges vs. Leviste, 6 Others Over Alleged ‘Honey Trap’ Plot

MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation is preparing to file qualified human trafficking complaints against Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste, former Negros Oriental lawmaker Jacinto “Jing” Paras, and five others in connection with an alleged “honey trap” operation targeting Executive Secretary Ralph Recto. NBI Director Melvin Matibag said Friday that the complaints would be filed before the Department of Justice, following the bureau’s investigation into allegations

September 4, 2026