Philippines

Two Filipino Seafarers Killed in Saudi Tanker Attack as Strait of Hormuz Becomes Deadlier Flashpoint

MANILA — Two Filipino seafarers have been killed aboard a Saudi oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, turning another attack on commercial shipping into a deadly reminder of how rapidly one of the world's most important energy corridors is becoming a frontline in the widening Middle East conflict. Saudi Arabia's national shipping company Bahri confirmed Wednesday, September 2, that its Saudi-flagged tanker SIDR was involved in a security incident while transiting the Strait of Hormuz on the night

September 2, 2026

Philippines

Luzon Floods Refuse to Recede After Habagat as NLEX Gridlock, Evacuations Deepen Crisis

MANILA, Philippines — The rain may have weakened in parts of Luzon, but for thousands of families trapped by stubborn floodwaters, the disaster is far from over. Days after torrential monsoon rains inundated communities across Central Luzon and other parts of the country, floodwaters remained dangerously high in several areas Wednesday, September 2, disrupting highways, isolating communities and keeping families inside evacuation centers. The prolonged flooding has transformed what began as a

September 2, 2026

Philippines

Balanga Launches Citywide Cleanup After Habagat Flooding as Bataan Shifts From Rescue to Recovery

BALANGA CITY, Bataan — Balanga has launched a citywide post-disaster cleanup after another stretch of punishing rains and flooding linked to the southwest monsoon, or Habagat, as authorities race to clear communities and waterways before the next round of heavy weather arrives. The cleanup operation, reported by the Manila Standard on September 2, comes after days of weather disruptions across Bataan and much of western and Central Luzon. But for Balanga, the bigger challenge may go beyond cle

September 2, 2026

Philippines

Lazatin Gives Angeles Cops ₱100,000 After Five Robbery Suspects Are Caught in Three Days

ANGELES CITY, Pampanga — A three-day police operation that led to the arrest of five people linked to robbery incidents in Angeles City has earned local officers a ₱100,000 cash incentive from Pampanga First District Rep. Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin Jr., putting renewed attention on the city’s campaign against street crime. The five suspects were arrested in separate police actions conducted from August 25 to 27, 2026, according to reports from Pampanga News Now and Punto Central Luzon. The operatio

September 2, 2026

Business

PLDT Dominates 22ND Philippine Quill Awards With 21 Major Wins

PLDT Group is showing that corporate communication is no longer simply about making announcements—it can be a strategic tool for building trust, changing behavior, strengthening communities and supporting business goals. The telecommunications group was named Company of the Year at the 22nd Philippine Quill Awards, taking home 21 awards, including eight Awards of Excellence and 13 Awards of Merit. The recognition covered initiatives involving PLDT, Smart Communications and partner organizations

September 2, 2026

Business

FROM LOCAL TO NATIONWIDE: Filipino Entrepreneurs Are Taking Homegrown Products Online — But the Real Secret to Scaling May Be Where They Started

MANILA, Philippines — For many Filipino entrepreneurs, the path to bigger markets is no longer about abandoning their local roots. Instead, more homegrown businesses are discovering that their communities, traditions and locally made products can become their biggest competitive advantage in the digital economy. A new wave of Filipino entrepreneurs is using e-commerce to take products that once served mainly local customers to buyers across the Philippines—while keeping the stories and communit

September 2, 2026

Philippines

More Than 10,000 Army Personnel Deployed for Historic BARMM Elections as Security Risks Come Into Focus

MANILA, Philippines — More than 10,000 Philippine Army personnel have been deployed across the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao as authorities mount one of the most closely watched election-security operations in the region’s recent history ahead of the September 14, 2026 Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections. The Army said 10,031 soldiers and CAFGU Active Auxiliary members from the 1st, 6th and 11th Infantry Divisions have been mobilized to support security operations surrounding t

September 2, 2026

Business

Cavite Takes Over Imus Retarding Basin as DPWH Says Major Flooding Has Sharply Eased

IMUS CITY, Cavite — One of Cavite’s biggest flood-control facilities is officially moving into its next phase, with the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Japan International Cooperation Agency turning over the Imus Retarding Basin to local authorities—putting the long-term success of the massive project increasingly in the hands of local government. The 35-hectare floodwater catchment facility in Barangay Anabu 1-G can store about 1.12 million cubic meters of water, roughly equiva

September 2, 2026

Philippines

GSIS RETURNS ₱19 BILLION TO 700,000+ MEMBERS — BUT THOUSANDS MAY STILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR MORE

MANILA, Philippines — More than 700,000 government workers and other qualified GSIS members have already received a combined ₱19 billion in loan-payment refunds under the Government Service Insurance System’s Balik Ginhawa programs, giving families additional financial breathing room amid rising everyday expenses. As of August 31, 2026, GSIS said the refunds covered nearly 1.3 million loan contracts, bringing the pension fund closer to its ₱20-billion target before the enhanced Balik Ginhawa 2

September 2, 2026

Business

AFAB Locks In ₱1.36-Billion Water Deal for 25 Years—But One Number Shows How Big the Problem Really Is

BATAAN, Philippines — The Freeport Area of Bataan is preparing for one of its biggest utility upgrades in years, with a ₱1.358-billion public-private partnership aimed at rebuilding and expanding the economic zone’s aging water and sanitation network. The Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB) has entered into a 25-year Joint Venture Agreement with a consortium composed of Tubig Pilipinas Group Inc. and FB Infrastructure Corporation, handing the private partners a long-term mandate to

September 2, 2026