Category: Politics

Business

Trump Escalates Canada Trade War as Carney Hits Back With Dollar-for-Dollar Tariffs

WASHINGTON — The trade confrontation between the United States and Canada has entered a more dangerous phase after U.S. President Donald Trump sharply criticized America's northern neighbor and signaled that Washington has little intention of backing down from its escalating tariff campaign. Speaking in an interview on Wednesday, August 26, Trump declared that it was time to “teach Canada you can't do this anymore,” arguing that the United States could obtain most of what it needs from other co

August 27, 2026

Philippines

Ombudsman Puts 107 Government Officials Under Lifestyle Check; More May Be Added to List

MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Ombudsman has placed 107 government officials and employees under lifestyle checks, with the number expected to grow as investigators widen their scrutiny of agencies handling significant government revenues and transactions. Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla confirmed the ongoing checks during the deliberations on the Office of the Ombudsman’s proposed 2027 budget at the House of Representatives. Among the agencies being closely examined are the

August 27, 2026

Business

BIR Cracks Down on Unregistered Sabong Betting Systems, Seizes and Seals 297 Machines in Major Operation

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has intensified its crackdown on unregistered betting equipment used in cockpit arenas, sealing or confiscating 297 betting machines, computerized units, servers, and other devices found during simultaneous enforcement operations at 11 cockpits in Metro Manila and South Luzon. The operation, carried out on August 8, was conducted in coordination with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) following covert verification by BIR revenue

August 27, 2026

Philippines

BSKE Postponement Gains Momentum: Will the November 2026 Elections Still Push Through?

MANILA, Philippines — The fate of the November 2, 2026 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) is increasingly uncertain as Congress considers proposals that could extend the terms of barangay and youth officials and potentially push back the nationwide polls. Executive Secretary Ralph Recto said lawmakers are actively deliberating measures related to the issue, signaling that the scheduled November elections could still be affected by legislation. “Tinatalakay ’yan sa Kongreso. Hin

August 27, 2026

Philippines

Bacolod Mayor Orders Police Hunt After ‘Voice of the Mayor’ Allegedly Used in ₱9,900 Scam

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — A late-night phone call that allegedly sounded exactly like Bacolod City Mayor Greg Gasataya has triggered a police investigation after a working student and a local business were allegedly deceived into sending ₱9,900 through digital payment transactions. Mayor Gasataya has ordered the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) to identify and pursue those behind the impersonation scheme, amid concerns that the suspect may have used artificial intelligence-powered voice clon

August 27, 2026

Philippines

Philippine Air Force Completes 32-Unit Black Hawk Acquisition—Fleet Now Reaches 47

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) has completed the delivery of its latest batch of S-70i Black Hawk helicopters, marking a major milestone in the country's effort to strengthen its air mobility and emergency-response capabilities. Seven newly acquired Black Hawks were formally accepted, turned over and blessed on August 26 at Colonel Jesus Villamor Air Base in Pasay City, completing the 32-helicopter S-70i acquisition under the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Modernization Program. The lat

August 27, 2026

Philippines

DSWD: 5.57 Million Households Receive UPLIFT Aid as Government Pushes Nationwide Payouts

MANILA, Philippines — More than 5.57 million poor, near-poor, and low-income households have now received financial assistance under the government’s Unified Package for Livelihood, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) Assistance, as the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) continues the nationwide rollout. The latest figure represents an increase from the 5.39 million households reported by the DSWD on August 17, when the agency said it had already disbursed more than ₱10.791

August 27, 2026

Philippines

Tulfo Pushes Jail Time, Millions in Fines for Social Media Platforms Over Violent Content

MANILA, Philippines — Social media platforms could face millions of pesos in penalties—and potentially jail time for responsible officials—under a proposed measure being finalized by Senator Erwin Tulfo, following renewed outrage over the circulation of graphic and violent material involving children and victims of recent school shootings. Tulfo said he is working on legislation that would impose escalating penalties on social media companies that repeatedly fail to enforce their own community

August 27, 2026

Philippines

Public Infrastructure Still Failing PWDs? Dizon Admits ‘Terrible Compliance’ With Accessibility Law

MANILA, Philippines — Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon acknowledged a major accessibility problem facing persons with disabilities (PWDs), admitting that public infrastructure in the country still has “terrible compliance” with the Accessibility Law. Dizon made the statement during a House of Representatives budget hearing after Akbayan Representative Percy Cendaña asked how well public infrastructure complies with Batas Pambansa Blg. 344, or the Accessibility Law. “Terrible com

August 26, 2026

Philippines

Remulla Issues Stark Warning to Police Ahead of BARMM Polls: Every Officer Will Be Held Accountable if Violence Erupts

PARANG, Maguindanao del Norte — Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla has issued a strong warning to police personnel tasked with securing the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) parliamentary elections, saying every police officer will be held accountable if violence occurs during the Sept. 14 polls. Remulla delivered the warning on Wednesday, Aug. 26, during the final command conference for the first parliamentary elections in BARMM. According to Remulla,

August 26, 2026