Category: Politics

Politics

208 Balanga Families Get ₱2,000 UPLIFT Aid—But the Bigger Cash Assistance Is Still Coming

BALANGA CITY, Bataan — Two hundred eight poor and near-poor households in Balanga City have received their first ₱2,000 cash assistance under the government’s UPLIFT program, as the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) continues its nationwide effort to help vulnerable families cope with rising living costs. The first payout for the Balanga beneficiaries was conducted on August 14 at Waltermart Balanga, according to the Philippine Information Agency. The recipients belong to Grou

August 17, 2026

Politics

Vice Ganda Takes Aim at Robin Padilla Over Viral Bilibid Remark—But the Story Behind the Joke Is More Complicated

MANILA, Philippines — Vice Ganda once again turned a viral political controversy into comedy after taking a swipe at Sen. Robin Padilla during an episode of It’s Showtime. The comedian-host made the remark on the show's Aug. 15 episode while joking around with fellow hosts Vhong Navarro and Jhong Hilario. What started as a reference to Robin's classic movie image quickly turned into a punchline about the senator's controversial Bilibid claim. Vice noticed Vhong Navarro's outfit and compared it

August 17, 2026

Politics

₱612.5 Million Question: What Sara Duterte’s New Impeachment Witnesses Could Reveal Inside the Senate

MANILA, Philippines — The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte returns to the Senate on Monday, August 17, for what could become another crucial day in the high-stakes proceedings, with the alleged misuse of ₱612.5 million in confidential funds again at the center of the prosecution's case. The Senate impeachment court is now on Day 16 of the trial. According to the latest reports from Philstar.com, GMA News, ABS-CBN News and the Philippine Daily Inquirer, proceedings are expected t

August 17, 2026

Politics

DOST Has a New Plan for Romblon’s Islands—But the Technology Coming Next Could Change How Communities Live

SAN AGUSTIN, Romblon — The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is pushing a different kind of innovation in Romblon—one that starts not in laboratories, but with the actual problems faced by people living across the province’s islands. DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr. said on August 16 that communities must have a direct role in determining what technologies are developed and deployed in their areas. The approach, which DOST calls “fit-for-purpose innovation,” focuses on creating o

August 17, 2026

Politics

Truth Commission, Nagbukas na ng Unang Pagdinig sa Drug War—Pero Ano ang Lalabas sa Mga Kuwento ng mga Pamilyang Ilang Taon Nang Naghihintay ng Hustisya?

MANILA, Philippines — Matapos ang mga taon ng paghihintay, muling nabigyan ng pagkakataon ang mga pamilya ng umano’y biktima ng madugong kampanya kontra droga noong administrasyon ni dating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte na magsalita at maitala ang kanilang mga karanasan. Isinagawa noong Agosto 14, 2026 ang unang public “truth-telling session” ng Philippine Truth Commission, isang independent, civil society-led initiative na naglalayong tipunin at idokumento ang mga salaysay ng mga pamilya at iba pa

August 16, 2026

Politics

51 DEAD, 5,000 EVACUATED: Indonesia’s 7.7 Quake Tears Through Flores — But the Danger Isn’t Over

A powerful magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck eastern Indonesia, killing at least 51 people and forcing around 5,000 residents to evacuate as rescuers battled landslides, blocked roads, damaged infrastructure and continuing aftershocks across Flores Island. The earthquake struck on Saturday, August 15, in East Nusa Tenggara province, with the epicenter located offshore near Flores. The U.S. Geological Survey recorded the earthquake at magnitude 7.7 and placed its depth at about 10 kilometers, clas

August 16, 2026

Politics

Marcos breaks silence after Macacua ambush — then comes a warning ahead of historic BARMM polls

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has condemned the ambush on Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Interim Chief Minister Abdulraof “Sammy Gambar” Macacua and ordered government agencies to intensify security and investigate those behind the attack. Macacua and members of his convoy escaped unharmed after unidentified armed men opened fire on their vehicles in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte, at around 4:45 p.m. on Saturday, August 15. Three vehicles in the

August 16, 2026

Politics

Marcos Makes Bold Spending Promise for Q4—But Can Government Still Catch Up in Time?

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is betting on a sharp acceleration in government spending in the final quarter of 2026, saying the administration is confident it can catch up with and even surpass last year’s public spending level. Speaking at the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP) Presidential Luncheon on Friday, Marcos acknowledged that government expenditures were delayed earlier in the year but said corrective measures have significantly narro

August 16, 2026

Politics

Marcos Issues Fresh Warning Over Infrastructure Corruption—But Who Will Finally Be Held Accountable?

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is renewing his pledge to hold accountable those responsible for allegedly anomalous government infrastructure projects, as the administration faces continuing scrutiny over corruption allegations involving public works and flood-control spending. Speaking before members of the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP) on Friday, August 14, Marcos said accountability must go hand in hand with making sure government project

August 16, 2026

Politics

Sara Duterte Impeachment Trial Takes New Turn: Prosecutors Say Her Court Attacks May Be Worse Than Sub Judice—What Happens Next?

The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte is entering another contentious phase, with House prosecutors warning that her public attacks on the proceedings could be more damaging to the integrity of the Senate impeachment court than the ongoing dispute over the sub judice rule. The prosecution's latest criticism centers on Duterte's public characterization of the impeachment proceedings as an exercise in “bending the law.” Prosecutors argued that statements questioning the credibility

August 16, 2026