Philippines

More Than 400 Filipino Seafarers Caught in Strait of Hormuz Attacks as 3 Die, 1 Remains Missing

MANILA, Philippines — The danger facing Filipino seafarers in the Middle East has escalated, with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) reporting that 421 Filipino seafarers were aboard 31 international vessels involved in attacks in and around the Strait of Hormuz since February 28, 2026. The latest figures come as the Philippine government works to repatriate survivors and assist the families of two Filipino seafarers killed when the Saudi-flagged crude oil tanker Sidr was struck by unident

September 3, 2026

Philippines

₱386.6 Million Aid Released for 49,879 Habagat-Hit Workers in Central Luzon — Emergency Jobs, Livelihood Support Rolled Out

MANILA, Philippines — Nearly 50,000 workers in Central Luzon affected by prolonged flooding and the enhanced Southwest Monsoon, or Habagat, are set to receive emergency employment and livelihood assistance worth ₱386.6 million, as the government shifts from immediate disaster response toward economic recovery. The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said the assistance will benefit 49,879 workers through its Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) program and the DOLE

September 3, 2026

Philippines

Iloilo City Sets Road Closures Near CPU for 2026 Bar Exams — Motorists Urged to Plan Ahead

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — Motorists and commuters passing through Jaro, Iloilo City should prepare for temporary road closures and traffic rerouting as Central Philippine University (CPU) gets ready to host the 2026 Philippine Bar Examinations on September 6, 9 and 13. The Iloilo City government will implement intermittent traffic restrictions along portions of Lopez Jaena Street to help ensure the examinations proceed safely and without unnecessary disruptions. Road closures around CPU Acc

September 3, 2026

Philippines

DBM Releases ₱8.68 Billion for Salary Upgrades of 93,344 Public School Personnel

MANILA, Philippines — More than 93,000 public school personnel nationwide are set to receive salary upgrades after the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) approved the release of an additional ₱8.68 billion for the Department of Education’s (DepEd) Expanded Career Progression (ECP) System. The funding will cover salary differentials for fiscal years 2025 and 2026 for 93,344 qualified personnel whose positions have already been reclassified under the ECP program. The announcement was made

September 3, 2026

Lifestyle

AIA Philippines Unveils Platinum Secure as Filipinos Rethink Retirement and Long-Term Financial Security

MANILA, Philippines — As Filipinos live longer and retirement planning becomes increasingly important, AIA Philippines has introduced AIA Platinum Secure, a participating whole-life insurance plan designed to combine long-term life protection with guaranteed cash benefits. The new product was launched alongside BPI AIA’s ADDvantage in August 2026, with both companies positioning the plans as responses to changing retirement needs, longer life expectancy and rising financial pressures on Filipin

September 3, 2026

Philippines

Tacloban School Shooting: DOJ Orders 10 More Charges vs. 15-Year-Old Suspect

TACLOBAN CITY — The legal case surrounding the deadly Tacloban school shooting has taken a new turn, with Department of Justice prosecutors ordering the filing of 10 additional murder-related charges against the 15-year-old suspect. DOJ Undersecretary Ian Norman Dato said Thursday, September 3, that prosecutors found the teenager acted with discernment and allegedly acted in conspiracy with the other minor involved in the June 22 shooting at San Jose National High School.  The new charges con

September 3, 2026

Philippines

Cebu Tightens Security for 2026 Bar Exams as 1,300 Examinees Prepare for Three-Day Test

CEBU CITY — Security and traffic controls are being significantly tightened around the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Basak Campus as Cebu prepares to host thousands of aspiring lawyers for the 2026 Bar Examinations. The Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) will deploy 102 police officers beginning at 4 a.m. on examination days to secure the testing venue, examinees and Bar personnel. The deployment will include personnel from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit, Quick Reaction Team, Speci

September 3, 2026

Philippines

Sandiganbayan Grants Marcoleta One-Day Medical Furlough Amid ₱75-M Plunder Case

The Sandiganbayan has granted detained Senator Rodante Marcoleta a one-day medical furlough, allowing him to leave the New Quezon City Jail temporarily for medical examinations as his legal battle over an alleged ₱75-million undeclared donation continues. The Sandiganbayan Third Division, chaired by Associate Justice Karl Miranda, approved Marcoleta’s request during proceedings on September 3. His lawyers said he needs examinations that cannot adequately be conducted inside the jail and request

September 3, 2026

Philippines

Visayas Power Crisis Deepens: Cebu Faces More Rotational Brownouts as Grid Falls Into Red Alert

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu is once again facing the threat of rotational brownouts as the Visayas power grid remains under severe strain, with several major generating units still offline and electricity imports from Mindanao limited. The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) placed the Visayas grid under yellow alert from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, September 3, 2026, followed by a nine-hour red alert from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. Another yellow alert was scheduled from 10 p.m. to 11 p

September 3, 2026

Entertainment

Sassa Gurl Turns Producer for ‘Multwoh’ — But This Love Story Takes a Haunting Turn

Sassa Gurl is taking on a bigger role behind the camera as producer and lead star of “Multwoh (Patay na Patay Sa’yo),” a queer horror-comedy that puts love, loss and unfinished feelings at the center of its story. Directed and written by Rodina Singh, “Multwoh” follows a college queer who dies unexpectedly in a dormitory and returns as a ghost. But instead of coming back for revenge, the spirit has unfinished romantic business: finally finding the courage to tell someone, “I love you.” The fil

September 3, 2026