Category: Politics

Philippines

2028 Iloilo Race Heats Up: Defensor–Debuque Tandem Floated as Political Talks Intensify

ILOILO — The 2028 Iloilo elections may still be two years away, but early political maneuvering is already putting names and possible alliances under the spotlight. Among the combinations being discussed is a possible tandem involving Iloilo 3rd District Rep. Lorenz “Nonoy” Defensor and Vice Gov. Nathalie Ann “Lee Ann” Debuque. However, there is no confirmed 2028 candidacy or formal agreement between the two. The speculation comes as Gov. Arthur “Toto” Defensor Jr. approaches the end of his t

August 26, 2026

Philippines

Iloilo Justice Complex Gets Green Light as Prosecutor Surge and Safety Concerns Push Need for New Facility

ILOILO CITY — A long-awaited new justice hub is moving closer to reality as the Iloilo City Government formally turned over 7,000 square meters of city-owned land in Barangay San Pedro, Molo District, for the construction of a new Hall of Justice and centralized prosecution complex. The project comes as Iloilo's justice sector faces two major pressures: the rapid increase in prosecutors assigned to Western Visayas and continuing concerns over the condition and functionality of the decades-old C

August 26, 2026

Philippines

Puerto Galera Councilor Barred From Privilege Speech Over Controversial P50 Environmental Fee

CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro — A growing dispute over Puerto Galera’s controversial Environmental User’s Fee (EUF) escalated this week after municipal councilor Aristeo “Aries” Atienza was prevented from delivering a privilege speech opposing the policy during a regular session of the Sangguniang Bayan. Atienza said he intended to use the privilege speech to voice opposition to the P50 EUF being imposed on residents of Oriental and Occidental Mindoro and to call for the restoration of the exe

August 26, 2026

Philippines

Impeachment Court Strikes ‘Scam,’ ‘Mastermind’ From Record in Sara Duterte Trial

MANILA, Philippines — A tense exchange during Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial on Tuesday, August 25, drew attention after the Senate impeachment court ordered the words “scam,” “nagsisinungaling” (lying), and “mastermind” stricken from the record. The remarks were made by private prosecutor Atty. Mae Divinagracia while questioning Office of the Vice President (OVP) Assistant Secretary and Assistant Chief of Staff Lemuel Ortonio about the handling of confidential funds. Senate i

August 26, 2026

Philippines

Zero Balance Billing, No Co-Payment: What Filipino Patients Need to Know Before Checking Into a Hospital

For many Filipino families, one of the biggest fears that comes with hospitalization is not only the illness—but the hospital bill waiting at the end. That is why the government's Zero Balance Billing (ZBB) and No Co-Payment Policy are drawing renewed attention after PhilHealth and St. Luke's Medical Center–Global City signed an agreement to expand no-co-payment access to eligible patients in private hospitals. But there is an important distinction: “zero balance” does not mean every hospital

August 26, 2026

Philippines

COA Eyes Tougher Rules for Confidential Funds as Billions Face Renewed Scrutiny

The Commission on Audit (COA) is moving to revisit the rules governing the use and auditing of confidential and intelligence funds, amid growing concerns over how billions of pesos in public money are being released, spent and accounted for. The issue dates back to August 2023, when then-COA Chairman Gamaliel Cordoba told lawmakers that the agency was open to updating the nearly decade-old Joint Circular No. 2015-01, which sets the rules for the entitlement, release, utilization, reporting and

August 26, 2026

Business

Canada Hits Back With US$20 Billion in Tariffs—Is the US-Canada Trade War About to Get Worse?

OTTAWA — Canada is hitting back hard after trade talks with the United States collapsed, announcing retaliatory tariffs on roughly US$20 billion worth of American goods in a dramatic escalation of a trade dispute between two of the world's closest economic partners. The Canadian countermeasures, scheduled to take effect on September 8, will apply duties ranging from 15% to 50% on more than 700 U.S.-made products, according to reports by Channel News Asia, Reuters and other international news or

August 26, 2026

Philippines

COA Seeks ₱2.2 Billion to Bring Back Pre-Audit System Amid Government Project Concerns

The Commission on Audit (COA) is seeking an estimated ₱2.2 billion in additional funding and more personnel to revive its pre-audit system for government projects, as lawmakers push for stronger safeguards against alleged irregularities, including the discovery of purported “ghost” infrastructure projects. COA Chairperson Gamaliel Cordoba said during the House Committee on Appropriations’ deliberations on the agency’s proposed 2027 budget that the commission currently does not have enough perso

August 26, 2026

Business

U.S. Plans Mass Visa Revocation for Up to 200,000 Asylum Seekers — Here’s Who Could Be Affected

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration is preparing to revoke the U.S. business and tourism visas of as many as 200,000 foreign nationals who have applied for or are currently seeking asylum in the United States, a move that could become the largest mass visa revocation in American history. The planned action targets B-1 business and B-2 tourist visas issued between 2016 and 2026 to people who entered the United States as temporary visitors and subsequently filed asylum claims. The State Departm

August 26, 2026

Philippines

M4GG Mayors Renew Push for Good Governance, Transparency as Accountability Takes Center Stage

MANILA, Philippines — More than 100 local chief executives under the Mayors for Good Governance (M4GG) have renewed their commitment to transparent, accountable and people-centered leadership, putting responsible management of public funds and stronger citizen participation at the center of their governance agenda. The commitment was reaffirmed during the M4GG 3rd Anniversary Good Governance Summit and General Assembly held on August 22, 2026, at the Diamond Hotel Manila. The gathering brought

August 26, 2026