Category: Politics

Philippines

Mark Villar Wants ₱360,000 Income Tax-Free — But the Biggest Question Is What Government Must Give Up in Return

MANILA, Philippines — Millions of Filipino workers could eventually keep more of their salaries instead of surrendering part of their income to taxes, as Senator Mark Villar intensifies his push to raise the country’s personal income tax exemption threshold amid slowing household spending and persistent pressure on family budgets. But while the proposal promises more money in workers’ pockets, one question is emerging at the center of the debate: How much revenue can the government afford to gi

September 1, 2026

Philippines

Sara Duterte Impeachment Trial Faces Another Major Shift—Senate Decision Expected Wednesday

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate impeachment court is expected to announce as early as Wednesday, September 2, 2026, whether it will change the schedule of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial as senators seek to speed up the proceedings and keep the case on track for a possible decision before the end of the year. Impeachment court spokesperson Regie Tongol said Tuesday that the court is still finalizing the proposed changes after reviewing the Senate’s calendar, including the sched

September 1, 2026

Philippines

Duterte Wants ICC Prosecutors to Refile His Charges Before Trial — But Judges Have Already Faced a Similar Argument

THE HAGUE/MANILA — With his crimes against humanity trial only months away, former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has launched another major procedural challenge before the International Criminal Court, this time targeting not whether the ICC can prosecute him, but whether prosecutors have told him precisely enough what he must defend himself against. Duterte’s defense team has asked ICC Trial Chamber III to order prosecutors to resubmit or refile the charges, arguing that the current for

September 1, 2026

Philippines

Agana Bridge Horror: One Victim Found Hundreds of Meters Downstream—But 3 Are Still Missing

TARLAC CITY, Philippines — The search for victims of the Agana Bridge collapse has taken a grim turn after authorities recovered the body of one of the passengers whose vehicle plunged into the swollen Tarlac River. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) recovered the body in waters off Barangay Pugaro in Dagupan City, Pangasinan, after a motorbanca operator reported seeing what appeared to be a floating body. Authorities later confirmed that the remains belonged to one of the passengers of the vehi

September 1, 2026

Philippines

Navotas Expands Foster Care With NACC — But the Partnership Is Also Targeting a Darker Problem: Illegal Adoption

NAVOTAS CITY, Philippines — A new agreement between the National Authority for Child Care and the Navotas City government is designed to put more vulnerable children into safe, licensed family environments—but behind the foster-care push is another increasingly urgent concern: illegal adoption and child-selling schemes that authorities say continue to exploit children and desperate families. NACC and Navotas signed a Memorandum of Agreement on Friday, August 28, to strengthen foster care and do

September 1, 2026

Business

₱16B for Farm-to-Market Roads vs. a 55,000-Km Need — But the Budget Gap Is Only Part of the Problem

MANILA, Philippines — The government is proposing ₱16 billion for farm-to-market roads in 2027, but the Department of Agriculture says the amount is nowhere near enough to close a road network gap that still stretches roughly 55,000 kilometers nationwide. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. raised the warning during the House Committee on Appropriations' deliberations on the DA's proposed 2027 budget on September 1. As of August 31, the agriculture chief said around 55,000 kilometer

September 1, 2026

Philippines

Bohol Disappears Behind Thick Haze as Indonesia Fires Send Smoke Toward PH — But When Will the Skies Finally Clear?

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol — Familiar island and mountain views vanished behind a gray curtain Tuesday as thick haze spread across parts of Bohol, prompting authorities to warn residents to limit outdoor exposure and wear protective masks while environmental officials track smoke believed to have traveled hundreds of kilometers from massive fires in Indonesia. Residents of Tagbilaran City and surrounding municipalities woke on September 1 to unusually hazy skies. From several vantage points, Pangla

September 1, 2026

Philippines

Speaker Dy’s “Bagong Kongreso” Promise: Can the House Really Win Back Filipinos’ Trust?

MANILA, Philippines — House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III is doubling down on his call to build a “Bagong Kongreso”, urging lawmakers and House employees to work together to restore public confidence in the institution. Speaking during a surprise birthday gathering organized by House leaders, officials and employees on Tuesday, September 1, Dy said the effort to rebuild Congress has only begun and that the House must remain committed to doing what is right. “Mahaba pa ang laban natin. Nakaka

September 1, 2026

Philippines

DepEd Sets Nationwide School Safety Drill on Sept. 3—But This Time, There’s a Major Change

MANILA, Philippines — Students and teachers nationwide are set to take part in a simultaneous school safety drill on September 3, 2026, as the Department of Education (DepEd) moves to strengthen preparedness for possible active-attack incidents while placing greater emphasis on the psychological well-being of learners. The nationwide drill, which was originally scheduled for August 25, has been rescheduled to Thursday, September 3, at exactly 9 a.m. DepEd has directed public and private element

September 1, 2026

Philippines

Sandiganbayan Clears 19 in ‘Garlic Cartel’ Graft Case — But 3 Accused Remain Beyond the Court’s Reach

MANILA, Philippines — More than a decade after soaring garlic prices triggered investigations into an alleged scheme to control imports and manipulate the market, the Sandiganbayan has acquitted former Bureau of Plant Industry officials and private traders charged with graft in the controversial “garlic cartel” case. The Sandiganbayan Fifth Division ruled on September 1, 2026 that prosecutors failed to prove the guilt of the accused beyond reasonable doubt, effectively clearing 19 defendants wh

September 1, 2026