Philippines

House Ends P10.15-B Office of the President Budget Hearing in Under an Hour—But 5 Lawmakers Refused to Stay Silent

MANILA, Philippines — The House Committee on Appropriations abruptly ended its briefing on the proposed ₱10.156-billion 2027 budget of the Office of the President (OP) on Tuesday, September 1, after lawmakers voted to extend parliamentary courtesy and terminate the interpellation. The hearing lasted less than an hour, despite objections from five minority lawmakers who argued that the President’s proposed budget should undergo closer scrutiny. Executive Secretary Ralph Recto presented the OP’s

September 1, 2026

Philippines

Viral ‘Earpiece’ Photo Rocked Sara Duterte Trial — Then Escudero Revealed What Was Really on Ortonio’s Ear

MANILA, Philippines — A viral image that fueled online speculation that an Office of the Vice President official was secretly receiving instructions while testifying in Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial has been publicly debunked by the Senate impeachment court’s presiding officer. Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero said Tuesday, September 1, that OVP Assistant Chief of Staff Lemuel Ortonio was not wearing an electronic earpiece when he appeared before the impeachment court. What could

September 1, 2026

Philippines

PNP Deploys More Cops as Flooded NLEX Leaves Motorists Stranded—But the Traffic Crisis Isn’t Over Yet

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) is intensifying its deployment along flood-prone roads and expressways after severe flooding stranded motorists for hours and triggered massive traffic congestion in parts of Central Luzon. PNP chief Gen. Melencio Nartatez Jr. ordered police units to strengthen road monitoring, maintain visible personnel in vulnerable areas and preposition police vehicles where they can respond quickly to emergencies. The move comes as floodwaters cont

September 1, 2026

Philippines

Meet Lindon Bacquel, Sara Duterte’s Young Defense Lawyer — But His Biggest Test May Be Unfolding in the ₱112.5-M DepEd Fund Case

MANILA, Philippines — As Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial moves deeper into questions surrounding confidential funds, one of the younger lawyers on her defense team is increasingly stepping into the spotlight: Atty. Lindon Miguel C. Bacquel. Bacquel, a senior associate at Fortun, Narvasa and Salazar Law, is among the lawyers defending Duterte before the Senate sitting as an impeachment court. Although he was admitted to the Philippine Bar only in 2022, Bacquel has already taken a

September 1, 2026

Philippines

Who Is Reynaldo Robles? The Lawyer Now Taking Center Stage in Sara Duterte’s Impeachment Trial

MANILA, Philippines — As Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial enters a critical phase, one lawyer is increasingly drawing attention inside the Senate impeachment court: Atty. Reynaldo B. Robles, a veteran litigator now serving as one of the private prosecutors assisting the House prosecution panel. Robles is set to lead the prosecution’s examination of witnesses on Day 20 of the impeachment trial on September 1, as the proceedings focus on allegations involving the use of confidentia

September 1, 2026

Philippines

Marcos Tells 21 New PCG Flag Officers to Lead With Integrity — But Their Biggest Test May Be Waiting in the West Philippine Sea

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has handed 21 newly promoted Philippine Coast Guard flag officers more than new stars and greater authority: he has given them a direct reminder that every promotion carries a heavier obligation to the Filipino public. During their oath-taking ceremony at Malacañang on Tuesday, September 1, Marcos urged the senior Coast Guard officers to lead by example, protect the institution's integrity and prepare the next generation of PCG leaders at a t

September 1, 2026

Philippines

Tarlac Rep. Noel Rivera’s Graft Arraignment Pushed to Oct. 7 — But the Bigger Fight Over His 9 Cases Isn’t Over

MANILA, Philippines — Tarlac 3rd District Rep. Noel Rivera will have to wait longer before entering a plea in graft cases filed against him, after the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division moved his scheduled arraignment to October 7, 2026 while the court considers pending motions challenging how the cases should proceed. Rivera is facing nine counts of alleged violations of Section 3(h) of Republic Act No. 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. Two of those cases are currently before the Sa

September 1, 2026

Philippines

Haze Blankets Occidental Mindoro as Smoke From Indonesia Fires Reaches the Philippines—Here’s Who Needs to Be Extra Careful

OCCIDENTAL MINDORO, Philippines — Residents in several parts of Occidental Mindoro are being urged to limit outdoor activities after thick haze was observed across portions of the province on Tuesday, September 1. The local advisory comes as Philippine environmental authorities monitor haze affecting parts of the country, with smoke possibly linked to ongoing forest and land fires in Kalimantan, Indonesia. According to the Occidental Mindoro Provincial Information Office, the haze may be assoc

September 1, 2026

Business

Fuel Prices Drop by Nearly ₱4/L as September Begins — But the Relief Could Be Short-Lived as Oil Jumps Again

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino motorists are getting a much-needed break at the start of the “Ber” months, with oil companies slashing diesel and kerosene prices by nearly ₱4 per liter beginning Tuesday, September 1. But the celebration at the pump may have to be tempered. While diesel, gasoline and kerosene prices are moving lower this week, fresh tensions in the Middle East have already pushed international crude prices higher again — raising the possibility that this week’s unusually large

September 1, 2026

Business

₱75 MORE FOR EVERY RESORT VISIT? UP STUDY REVEALS WHAT COULD HAPPEN TO MT. MAKILING’S WATER SUPPLY

LAGUNA, Philippines — Would resort-goers be willing to pay a little more to help protect the water resources beneath Mt. Makiling? A study by researchers from the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) suggests the answer is largely yes—with visitors indicating an estimated willingness to pay ₱75 per resort visit for improved groundwater conservation. But there is an important catch: the ₱75 is not an existing environmental fee, nor is it currently being collected from resort visitors.

September 1, 2026