Category: Politics

Politics

Bloomberg Won’t Appeal Shanmugam-Tan See Leng Defamation Ruling — Leaving High Court Findings Unchallenged

SINGAPORE — Bloomberg and one of its journalists will not appeal a landmark Singapore High Court ruling that found they defamed two senior Cabinet ministers, bringing one of the city-state’s most closely watched media-law battles to a potentially decisive end. The appeal deadline has expired without Bloomberg or reporter Low De Wei filing an appeal against the judgment in favour of Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security K Shanmugam and Minister for Trade and Industry (E

August 29, 2026

Philippines

Barbers Warns Against ‘Double Standard’ in Sara Duterte Trial — But the Real Test Is Whether Senator-Judges Will Police Their Own

MANILA, Philippines — The battle over Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial is no longer confined to the evidence being presented inside the Senate. A new dispute is emerging over what the people involved in the historic proceedings can say outside the impeachment courtroom — and whether the same restrictions will actually be enforced against everyone. House impeachment team adviser and spokesperson Robert Ace Barbers warned Saturday that there should be no double standard in enforci

August 29, 2026

Philippines

Hundreds Seek Shelter in Parañaque Evacuation Centers as Habagat Triggers Flooding Across Metro Manila

PARAÑAQUE CITY, Philippines — Hundreds of residents sought safety in evacuation centers in Parañaque as persistent rains brought by the southwest monsoon, or habagat, triggered flooding and heightened concerns across Metro Manila on Saturday, August 29. The evacuation came as heavy rains continued to affect the National Capital Region, with authorities monitoring flood-prone communities and urging residents to remain alert as weather conditions remained dangerous. Flooding was reported in seve

August 29, 2026

Philippines

Escudero Warns Senator-Judges to Stay Impartial in Sara Duterte Trial — But the Real Test Comes When They Finally Have to Vote

MANILA, Philippines — The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte entered a potentially decisive new phase after presiding officer Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero ordered senator-judges to demonstrate political neutrality, warned lawyers against “trial by publicity,” and imposed tougher penalties for public comments that could undermine the proceedings. Escudero’s August 26 ruling effectively draws a line around what senators, prosecutors, defense lawyers, witnesses and Duterte herself ma

August 29, 2026

Philippines

CHED Has Billions for Student Aid—So Why Are Scholarship Requests Being Turned Away?

MANILA, Philippines — A lawmaker has called out the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) over allegations that hundreds of students recommended for government assistance were being turned away despite funds allegedly remaining available for scholarships. Bagong Henerasyon Party-list Rep. Robert Nazal confronted CHED over the issue during congressional budget deliberations, questioning why students seeking assistance could be denied while money intended for educational aid had reportedly not be

August 29, 2026

Business

Peso Back Below ₱60? BSP Governor Remolona Has a Blunt Message for Filipinos

MANILA, Philippines — Filipinos hoping to see the Philippine peso quickly return below the ₱60-per-dollar level may have to temper their expectations. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Eli Remolona Jr. has made it clear that the central bank is not prepared to exhaust the country's dollar reserves simply to force the peso back to a preferred exchange rate. The message is straightforward: the BSP can step into the foreign exchange market when conditions become disorderly, but it will n

August 29, 2026

Philippines

Quezon City Orders Forced Evacuations in 13 Barangays as Habagat Floods Surge, La Mesa Dam Overflows

QUEZON CITY, Philippines — What began as another day of relentless Habagat rain escalated into a forced evacuation order Saturday afternoon as Quezon City authorities moved residents out of flood-prone, creek-side and landslide-risk communities while floodwaters continued rising across the city. The Quezon City government ordered forced evacuations in high-risk portions of 13 barangays as of 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 29, as the enhanced southwest monsoon continued to dump heavy rain over Me

August 29, 2026

Philippines

DILG Wants PNP Inside Legal Gun Owners’ Homes — But a 2019 Supreme Court Ruling Could Stop the Plan Cold

MANILA, Philippines — A government push to prevent another deadly school shooting is rapidly turning into a much bigger debate over gun safety, police powers and the constitutional privacy of Filipino homes. Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla wants the Philippine National Police to be able to inspect how legally owned firearms are stored inside residences, arguing that licensed gun owners must prove that their weapons cannot easily fall into the hands of children or other un

August 29, 2026

Philippines

Sara Duterte’s ₱500M Cash Trail Leads to Lachica — So Why Might Prosecutors Never Put Him on the Stand?

MANILA, Philippines — The man repeatedly identified in testimony as having received hundreds of millions of pesos in confidential funds from the Office of the Vice President may never be called by House prosecutors in Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial. And that decision could become one of the most closely watched strategic gambles of the case. House prosecutors say they are considering dropping plans to subpoena Col. Raymund Dante Lachica, Duterte’s former security chief, arguin

August 29, 2026

Philippines

AFP Says It Got No DepEd Confidential Funds — Now Sara Duterte’s Own Lawyer Is Heading to the Witness Stand

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial is moving toward one of its most closely watched confrontations yet, as military officers and a lawyer who once served at the heart of her Department of Education leadership prepare to testify about the agency’s controversial ₱112.5 million in confidential funds. The next hearings could answer a question that has followed the controversy since a congressional investigation in 2024: Why were military certifications connected t

August 29, 2026