Category: Politics

Politics

PENTAGON’S AI BLACKLIST BACKFIRES: Judge Rules Anthropic Punishment Was Unlawful — What Happens Next Could Reshape U.S. Military AI

WASHINGTON — The Pentagon’s escalating battle with artificial intelligence company Anthropic has suffered a major legal setback after a U.S. federal judge ruled that the government’s decision to blacklist the company was unlawful. U.S. District Judge Rita F. Lin ruled on August 27 that the Pentagon’s designation of Anthropic as a national-security “supply chain risk” amounted to unlawful retaliation and violated the company’s constitutional protections. The ruling represents a major victory fo

August 28, 2026

Politics

Trump Eyes a Stake in Venezuela’s Oil Fields—But What Washington Wants Next Could Change the Energy Map

WASHINGTON/CARACAS — The Trump administration is reportedly moving toward a potentially far-reaching agreement with Venezuela that could give the United States an ownership stake in some of the South American country’s major oil fields, a development that could dramatically reshape Venezuela’s energy industry and Washington’s influence over its oil resources. According to a report by Axios cited by Reuters and Channel NewsAsia, U.S. officials are discussing a deal with Venezuela’s interim gover

August 28, 2026

Philippines

Marcos Orders Faster Release of ₱10,000 Cash Gifts for Qualified Senior

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered government agencies to move quickly to resolve delays in the release of cash gifts owed to qualified senior citizens under the Expanded Centenarians Act, after a group of elderly residents in Quezon City filed complaints over the stalled payments. The Palace said the President wants the benefits delivered to eligible senior citizens as quickly as possible, following complaints filed with the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) against

August 27, 2026

Philippines

Supreme Court Scraps “Second-Placer Rule” in Local Elections: What Happens When a Winning Candidate Is Disqualified

MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court has made final its decision abandoning the so-called “second placer rule,” changing how vacancies are handled when a winning candidate in a local election is later found ineligible or disqualified. In an en banc session on Wednesday, August 26, the High Court denied with finality the motion for reconsideration filed by Datu Pax Ali Mangudadatu, whose certificate of candidacy (COC) for governor of Sultan Kudarat had been canceled. The ruling means that th

August 27, 2026

Philippines

Facebook Ban in the Philippines? Palace Says Not for Now—But the Issue Is Far From Over

MANILA, Philippines — A nationwide Facebook ban is not currently on the Philippine government’s immediate agenda, Malacañang clarified Thursday, even as authorities continue pressing Meta to address harmful content, fake accounts, misinformation and online threats involving young Filipinos. The clarification comes just days after Palace officials said the administration was open to studying restrictions on social media platforms that fail to protect users or respond adequately to government con

August 27, 2026

Philippines

Marcos Still Awaiting Recommendations on MUP Pension Reform as Government Review Drags On

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is still waiting for recommendations on the proposed reform of the military and uniformed personnel (MUP) pension system, Malacañang said Thursday, as the government’s review continues beyond the period originally set under an executive order. Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said an inter-agency technical working group tasked with reviewing the pension system has yet to complete its work and submit recommen

August 27, 2026

Philippines

Business Group Demands Zero Tolerance for Corruption in 2027 Philippine Budget

MANILA, Philippines — A leading business organization is calling for zero tolerance for corruption, hidden insertions and questionable spending as Congress scrutinizes the proposed ₱7.2-trillion national budget for 2027, warning that every peso lost to corruption could mean fewer resources for essential public services. The Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) urged the government to institutionalize end-to-end transparency in the budget process, saying the public should be able to t

August 27, 2026

Philippines

Marcos Admin’s ₱1.47-Trillion Infrastructure Push for 2027 Comes With a Catch

MANILA, Philippines — The Marcos administration is proposing ₱1.47 trillion for infrastructure spending in 2027, a major increase that the government says is aimed at reviving economic activity, creating jobs and improving connectivity across the country. The proposed amount is part of the ₱7.2-trillion 2027 National Expenditure Program (NEP) and represents about 4.4% of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). It is also ₱178 billion, or 13.8%, higher than the ₱1.29 trillion infrastructure

August 27, 2026

Philippines

Philippine Senate Pushes Minimum Age of 16 for Social Media Use Under New Child Online Safety Bill

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino children under the age of 16 could soon face new restrictions on creating and maintaining social media accounts as the Philippine Senate moves forward with a proposed law aimed at strengthening protections against online harm. The Senate Committee on Public Information and Mass Media has endorsed Senate Bill No. 2424, also known as the proposed Child Online Safety and Protection Act, for deliberation by the full Senate. The measure, sponsored by Senator Robin Padi

August 27, 2026

Philippines

DPWH Seeks ₱644 Billion for 2027—But Where Will the Extra ₱113 Billion Go?

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is seeking a massive ₱643.95 billion budget for 2027, marking an increase of more than ₱113 billion—or about 21.3%—from its 2026 allocation. The proposed increase has immediately put the country's infrastructure spending under the spotlight, particularly as lawmakers and the public demand stronger safeguards, greater transparency, and better results from government-funded projects. According to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), th

August 27, 2026