Category: Politics

Business

DOLE Internship Opens Government Career Door for Surigaonon Jobseeker—But Her Story Reveals What Experience Can Really Do

MADRID, Surigao del Sur — For Hilyn A. Estrada, landing a permanent government position did not happen overnight. It began with a temporary opportunity that gave her something many jobseekers struggle to obtain: actual experience inside government service. Estrada, a resident of Barangay Linibonan in Madrid, Surigao del Sur, joined the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) Government Internship Program (GIP) in June 2024. Her assignment brought her to the Barangay Local Government Unit o

August 18, 2026

Politics

Pangasinan Flood Alert Intensifies as Rivers Rise, Rescue Teams Mobilize Across the Province

PANGASINAN is stepping up its flood response as relentless southwest monsoon rains push river levels past critical thresholds, trigger flash floods and disrupt roads across several communities. The Pangasinan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) has mobilized rescue equipment and personnel while coordinating with local government units as authorities prepare for the possibility that flooding could worsen in the coming days. The provincial disaster office raised its

August 17, 2026

Politics

Palace Urges Public to Expose Abuse in Presidential Scholarship Program

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang is calling on Filipinos to speak up if they see abuse, favoritism or other irregularities in the distribution of scholarships under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s flagship Presidential Scholarship Program. The appeal came Monday, August 17, after a social media post questioned why the child of a barangay official reportedly received assistance under the program. Rather than automatically disqualifying the beneficiary, however, the Palace stressed that bein

August 17, 2026

Politics

PRC-CAR Crackdown on Fixers Gets Results: 2 Convicted Over Fake Documents and Illegal Practice

BAGUIO CITY — The Professional Regulation Commission-Cordillera Administrative Region (PRC-CAR) is tightening the screws on fixers and individuals who attempt to bypass professional licensing rules, with two people recently convicted in separate criminal cases involving illegal professional practice, falsified documents and misrepresentation. The convictions, announced by the PRC-CAR on August 17, 2026, underscore a growing warning to applicants and the public: using fake credentials, pretendin

August 17, 2026

Business

Hired Today, Helped Tomorrow: Why Thousands of Vulnerable Ilocanos Are Racing to Qualify for DSWD’s ₱7,000 Work Grant

LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte — Landing a job is often celebrated as the finish line, but for many low-income Filipinos, it's only the beginning of another financial struggle. From medical examinations and government clearances to uniforms, transportation, and temporary lodging, the cost of reporting for work can easily reach thousands of pesos—forcing some newly hired workers to delay or even lose employment opportunities. To bridge that gap, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)

August 17, 2026

Politics

Trump Orders Major Cut to U.S.-South Korea War Drills as Kim Jong Un Ties Take Center Stage

Donald Trump, South Korea military drills, US South Korea military exercises, Kim Jong Un, North Korea, Ulchi Freedom Shield 2026, US South Korea alliance, Korean Peninsula, Trump military drills A major shift is unfolding on the Korean Peninsula after U.S. President Donald Trump ordered the Pentagon to substantially reduce U.S. participation in joint military exercises with South Korea, just as the annual drills were about to begin. Trump said he was unhappy with the exercises, describing the

August 17, 2026

Politics

WHO WILL GET THE NEXT SC SEAT? JBC Opens Race to Replace Amy Lazaro-Javier

MANILA, Philippines — The race for a seat on the Supreme Court is officially underway. The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) has opened applications for the position that will be vacated by Associate Justice Amy C. Lazaro-Javier, who is set to compulsorily retire from the high court on November 16, 2026. Applicants have until 4:30 p.m. on October 1, 2026, to submit their requirements. The vacancy will create an opening among the Supreme Court's 14 associate justice positions. The JBC is tasked wi

August 17, 2026

Politics

DILG Trains Kalinga LGUs to Audit Public Infrastructure as Disaster Threats Loom

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is strengthening the disaster preparedness of local governments in Kalinga by training engineers, planning officers, and disaster risk reduction and management personnel to conduct standardized infrastructure audits. The training focuses on the DILG Infrastructure Audit (IA) Program, which is designed to help local government units (LGUs) determine whether critical public facilities are structurally sound, function

August 17, 2026

Politics

₱10-MILYON AT 1,706 BENEPISYARYO: Vice Mayor at Dating Mayor ng Magalang Kinasuhan sa ‘Ghost Housing’—Pero Saan Napunta ang Pondo?

MAGALANG, PAMPANGA — Umabot na sa Office of the Ombudsman ang kontrobersiya sa isang umano’y “ghost housing project” sa Magalang, Pampanga matapos magsampa ng iba’t ibang reklamo laban kay incumbent Vice Mayor Eller Pecson at dating Mayor Romulo “Romy” Pecson. Sa tulong ng Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC), inihain ang reklamo kaugnay ng housing project na sinasabing inilaan para sa mga mahihirap na pamilya ngunit hindi umano natuloy sa inaasahang konstruksyon. Kabilang sa mga rekl

August 17, 2026

Politics

Bakit Hirap Mag-Tagalog?” Tulfo Confronts Acosta as Impeachment Trial Takes Unexpected Turn

MANILA — A tense exchange over language erupted at the Senate impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte on Monday, August 17, after former Office of the Vice President (OVP) Special Disbursing Officer Gina Acosta was declared a hostile witness for the prosecution. Senator-judge Erwin Tulfo questioned why Acosta appeared to have difficulty answering in Filipino during the proceedings, despite having previously responded in Filipino during a House inquiry into the OVP's confidential funds.

August 17, 2026