Category: Politics

Philippines

Ombudsman Remulla Questions Bail Granted to Graft Convicts: “Why Are So Few in Jail?”

MANILA, Philippines — Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla has questioned why relatively few people convicted of graft by Philippine courts end up serving time in jail, raising concerns over the continued granting of bail while criminal convictions remain under appeal. Speaking on his weekly radio program on Saturday, August 29, Remulla said many individuals are convicted by the Sandiganbayan and other trial courts but remain out of detention. “Many are being sentenced. Many are sentenced

August 30, 2026

Philippines

HABAGAT FLOODS METRO MANILA: Floodwaters Nearly Reach Basketball Hoop as Roads Turn Impassable

MANILA, Philippines — Metro Manila was hit by another round of intense rain on Saturday, August 29, as the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat unleashed heavy downpours that flooded roads, disrupted travel and left some communities facing dangerously deep floodwaters. The situation became particularly alarming in Quezon City, where floodwaters in Kaingin Bukid, Barangay Apolonia Samson, were reported to have risen to nearly the height of a basketball hoop at around 1:32 p.m., according to GMA News. Th

August 30, 2026

Politics

Kim Jong Un Reshuffles North Korea’s Military Leadership—Why Was His Defence Minister Suddenly Replaced?

SEOUL, South Korea — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has overseen a significant reshuffle of the country’s military leadership, replacing Defence Minister No Kwang Chol and appointing Kim Song Gi to the powerful position, according to reports from North Korean state media. The leadership shake-up was decided during a meeting of the ruling Workers’ Party’s Central Military Commission led by Kim Jong Un, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on Sunday, August 30. Kim Song Gi, who previo

August 30, 2026

Philippines

Caught on Camera: Aquino Bridge Crumbles as Tarlac River Roars—What Happened Next Raised New Fears

TARLAC CITY, Philippines — A portion of the Aquino Bridge in Tarlac City collapsed late Friday night as relentless rains and powerful currents from the swollen Tarlac River battered the area, forcing authorities to shut down the vital crossing and warn motorists to stay away. The dramatic collapse was caught on camera at around 11:56 p.m. on August 28, according to footage released by local authorities and reports from GMA News. The bridge was immediately closed to traffic as engineers and disa

August 30, 2026

Philippines

Kiko Barzaga’s Seat Is Vacant—Then His Mother Steps In and Wins Dasmariñas in a Landslide

DASMARIÑAS CITY, Cavite — Just months after former Cavite 4th District Representative Francisco “Kiko” Barzaga was expelled from the House of Representatives, his mother, Dasmariñas City Mayor Jennifer “Jenny” Barzaga, has emerged victorious in the special election held to fill the congressional seat he left behind. Jenny Barzaga was proclaimed the new representative of Cavite’s 4th District after winning the August 29, 2026 special election by a commanding margin, effectively keeping the congr

August 30, 2026

Philippines

Metro Manila Floodwaters Recede After Relentless Rains—But Habagat Isn’t Done Yet

MANILA, Philippines — Floodwaters have started to subside in several parts of Metro Manila after hours of heavy rain battered the capital region on Saturday, but authorities are urging the public to remain alert as the Southwest Monsoon, locally known as Habagat, continues to bring rain across Luzon and parts of the Visayas. The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) reported early Sunday that flooding in several affected areas had eased following Saturday's intense downpour. However,

August 30, 2026

Philippines

Marikina River Water Level Drops—But Second Alarm Remains: What Happens Next?

MARIKINA CITY, Philippines — The water level of the Marikina River may have started to recede early Sunday, August 30, but authorities are keeping the Second Alarm in place as heavy rains brought by the Southwest Monsoon, or Habagat, continue to threaten Metro Manila. According to data from the Marikina City Public Information Office, the river's water level reached 18.1 meters at around 3:30 a.m. before dropping to 17.7 meters at 4:50 a.m. and 17.3 meters as of 5:25 a.m. The decline offered a

August 30, 2026

Philippines

AFP Sounds Alarm: Foreign Influence May Be Hiding Behind the Biggest Issues Dividing Filipinos

MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has raised fresh concerns over what it describes as a growing pattern of foreign malign influence operations exploiting some of the country's most divisive local issues, including the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. AFP spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, retired Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, said information operations that previously focused heavily on geopolitical narratives are increasingly finding

August 30, 2026

Philippines

A House Vanished Into the River Before Their Eyes—Now More Pampanga Families Face the Same Threat

LUBAO, PAMPANGA, Philippines — What began as another day of relentless monsoon rains turned into a nightmare for families living near a river in Lubao, Pampanga, as powerful currents tore away at the riverbank and sent homes collapsing into the raging water. At least five houses were destroyed, forcing 30 families, or 107 residents, to evacuate, according to a report aired by GMA News on Saturday. The disaster unfolded as the riverbank continued to erode, leaving nearby homes dangerously expose

August 30, 2026

Philippines

Marikina River Breaches Critical 18-Meter Mark—What Happened Next Has Residents on Alert

MARIKINA CITY, Philippines — The Marikina River breached the critical 18-meter mark late Saturday night, August 29, prompting authorities to raise the third and highest alarm level as relentless rains brought by the Southwest Monsoon, or Habagat, continued to batter Metro Manila and nearby areas. The river's water level reached 18.4 meters at 11:35 p.m., after first crossing the 18-meter threshold at around 10:29 p.m., according to data cited by GMA News and the Marikina City government. The t

August 30, 2026