Category: Politics

Philippines

GMRC Under the Spotlight: Lawmaker Calls for Stronger Values Education as School Violence Raises Alarm

MANILA, Philippines — As bullying and violence continue to raise concerns inside Philippine schools, Parañaque Rep. Brian Yamsuan is calling for a stronger and more meaningful implementation of Good Manners and Right Conduct (GMRC) and Values Education—arguing that academic excellence alone is not enough to shape the country's future. Yamsuan urged the Department of Education (DepEd) and Congress to revisit and strengthen policies designed to build the moral foundation of Filipino students, str

August 26, 2026

Business

Philippines Wins Back-to-Back Credit Rating Affirmations—But Can Filipinos Feel the Economic Benefits?

The Philippines has received a fresh vote of confidence from two international credit rating agencies—but the bigger question for millions of Filipinos is whether that confidence will eventually translate into more jobs, lower borrowing costs, and better public services. In a back-to-back boost for the country, Japan-based Rating and Investment Information, Inc. (R&I) affirmed the Philippines' A- investment-grade credit rating with a stable outlook, followed days later by Moody's Ratings, which

August 26, 2026

Philippines

Senate Impeachment Court Tightens Rules on Sara Duterte Case as Senator-Judges, Lawyers Barred From Discussing Merits

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate impeachment court has tightened restrictions on public statements surrounding the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, barring senator-judges and lawyers for both the prosecution and defense from publicly discussing the merits of the case while proceedings are ongoing. Presiding officer Francis “Chiz” Escudero announced the ruling on Wednesday, August 26, as the Senate impeachment court continued hearing the case against Duterte. The restriction is

August 26, 2026

Business

DEATH TOLL RISES TO 31: Luis, Maymay, Neneng and Habagat Leave 7.7 Million Filipinos Affected — And the Damage Keeps Mounting

The death toll from the combined effects of Tropical Cyclones Luis, Maymay and Neneng, together with the prolonged Southwest Monsoon or Habagat, has climbed to 31, according to the latest figures from the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) released Wednesday, August 26. The OCD reported 19 injuries and three people still missing as of 6 a.m., as heavy rains, flooding and landslides continued to affect several parts of the country. Benguet records highest number of deaths Benguet recorded the high

August 26, 2026

Philippines

Flood Control Plans Still Incomplete Nationwide—Dizon Reveals What Could Happen Next

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines’ long-running battle with flooding is facing another major hurdle: many of the country’s flood-mitigation master plans remain unfinished or outdated, Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon told lawmakers on Wednesday. Dizon made the disclosure during the House Committee on Appropriations’ briefing on the Department of Public Works and Highways’ proposed 2027 budget, saying the government cannot simply continue relying on old flood-control studies w

August 26, 2026

Philippines

Sara Duterte Confidential Funds Trial: OVP Aide Says VP Knew of Operations as ‘Mastermind’ Remark Sparks Court Clash

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial took another dramatic turn after a senior Office of the Vice President official testified that Duterte knew about the activities involving hundreds of millions of pesos in confidential funds—while prosecutors and the defense clashed over an explosive attempt to describe her as the operation’s alleged “architect” and “mastermind.” The Senate impeachment court ultimately ordered those loaded terms removed from the official reco

August 26, 2026

Philippines

17-Year-Old Dalaga, Patay Matapos Makuryente Habang Tumatawid sa Baha sa Bulacan

CALUMPIT, BULACAN — Nauwi sa trahedya ang pagtatangkang kumuha ng mga gamit para sa evacuation center matapos mamatay ang isang 17-anyos na dalaga na nakuryente at nahulog sa baha sa Barangay San Miguel, Calumpit, Bulacan. Naganap ang insidente noong Agosto 19, 2026, habang tumatawid ang biktima sa isang pansamantalang tulay na gawa sa kahoy sa Sitio Bagong Barrio, ayon sa mga ulat na batay sa impormasyon mula sa Bulacan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO). Madul

August 26, 2026

Philippines

Nearly ₱244M Push Could Turn Iloilo Provincial Hospital Into Major Women and Children’s Healthcare Hub

ILOILO, Philippines — A nearly ₱244-million healthcare push is taking shape in Pototan, where Iloilo officials are betting that a new specialized hospital building can give mothers, newborns and children access to advanced treatment without automatically sending them to Iloilo City. The Iloilo Provincial Hospital (IPH) broke ground on August 24 for a ₱143.78-million Mother and Child Building, a two-story facility designed to accommodate up to 90 patients and substantially expand the province's

August 26, 2026

Philippines

Iloilo Gets ₱344.2 Million Barangay Aid as Over 83,000 Families Targeted for Recurring Rice Assistance

ILOILO — A major government assistance package is reaching communities across Iloilo, with ₱344.2 million allocated to all 1,721 barangays in the province while more than 83,000 families are being targeted for recurring rice assistance under separate national government programs. Executive Secretary Ralph Recto led the rollout of the Bagong Pilipinas Rice Distribution and the Bawat Barangay Makikinabang (BBM) Assistance in Iloilo on Tuesday, August 25, as the national government stepped up effo

August 26, 2026

Politics

Trump Administration Pauses U.S. Visa Appointments Worldwide—But What Happens to Applicants Now

WASHINGTON — Thousands of people hoping to travel, study, work or reunite with family in the United States could face fresh uncertainty after the Trump administration announced a global adjustment to U.S. visa appointments as part of a new training initiative for consular officers. The U.S. State Department said the training is being rolled out at American embassies and consulates worldwide, with visa appointments being adjusted to accommodate the program. However, officials have not announced

August 26, 2026