Category: Politics

Philippines

Western Visayas LGUs Are Being Told to Stock Up on Something Disasters Can’t Wait For — And Iloilo Still Has a Big Target to Reach

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — When a major accident, typhoon, disease outbreak or other emergency strikes, hospitals may have little time to search for blood donors. That is why authorities in Western Visayas are pushing local governments to treat blood supply not merely as a hospital concern, but as an essential part of disaster preparedness. The Department of the Interior and Local Government in Western Visayas has urged local government units across the region to regularly support voluntary bl

August 26, 2026

Philippines

Sara Duterte Impeachment Trial Day 19: Hostile Witness Returns as Confidential Funds Take Center Stage

MANILA, Philippines — The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte enters Day 19 on Wednesday, August 26, with a key Office of the Vice President official set to return to the witness stand as senators continue examining allegations involving the use of confidential funds. The Senate impeachment court is scheduled to resume the testimony of Lemuel Ortonio, OVP assistant secretary and assistant chief of staff, who was declared a hostile witness during the previous day's proceedings. Ort

August 26, 2026

Philippines

Jinggoy Estrada Pinayagang Lumabas ng Kulungan Para sa Knee X-Ray—Pero May Mahigpit na Utos ang Sandiganbayan

MANILA, Philippines — Pinayagan ng Sandiganbayan ang nakakulong na si Sen. Jinggoy Estrada na pansamantalang lumabas ng detention facility upang sumailalim sa X-ray examination ng kanyang mga tuhod, matapos umanong lumala ang pananakit na nagpapahirap sa kanya sa paglalakad. Sa resolusyon ng Sandiganbayan Fifth Division, pinayagan si Estrada na magtungo sa Cardinal Santos Medical Center sa San Juan sa Miyerkules, Agosto 26, para sa nakatakdang medical procedure. Gayunman, hindi ito isang malaya

August 25, 2026

Philippines

Legarda Pushes Stronger EEZ Protection—But Will Filipinos Finally Benefit From the West Philippine Sea?

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Loren Legarda is calling on Congress to strengthen laws protecting the Philippines' vast marine resources, arguing that the country must do more than simply assert its rights in the West Philippine Sea—it must ensure that Filipinos can safely and sustainably benefit from the resources within the nation's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Legarda said lawmakers should establish a clear legal and policy framework that would allow the Philippines to develop and manage it

August 25, 2026

Philippines

DOJ Still Reviewing U.S. Extradition Request for Apollo Quiboloy — What Happens Next Could Be Crucial

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Department of Justice is still reviewing the United States government's formal request to extradite detained Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) founder Apollo Quiboloy, with officials saying the process must be completed carefully before the case can move to the courts. The latest development confirms that the extradition request is not yet a final decision to send Quiboloy to the United States. Instead, the DOJ is examining the documents and determining whether

August 25, 2026

Philippines

Sara Duterte’s Former Security Chief Says He’s Ready to Testify — And His Answers Could Reshape the Impeachment Trial

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial could be heading toward one of its most closely watched moments yet after former vice presidential security chief Col. Raymund Dante Lachica said he is prepared to testify before the Senate impeachment court if he is formally and lawfully summoned. Lachica, whose name has repeatedly surfaced in testimony involving the Office of the Vice President’s controversial confidential funds, said Tuesday that he has never refused to fa

August 25, 2026

Politics

Japan’s Bond Market Just Pulled In a Record $1.5 Billion—But Investors May Be Betting on Something Much Bigger

Japanese government bonds were once synonymous with ultra-low yields. Now, investors are pouring record amounts of money into Japanese bond exchange-traded funds as rising yields make the country’s debt increasingly attractive. Japanese bond ETFs have attracted a record US$1.5 billion in net inflows so far in 2026, according to Morningstar data reported by Reuters on August 25. The surge comes as Japanese government bond yields have climbed to levels not seen in decades. The shift marks a stri

August 25, 2026

Philippines

QC Lawmaker Pushes National Parent Council as Philippines Confronts Renewed Campus Violence Concerns

QUEZON CITY, Philippines — As concern over school safety intensifies following a series of deadly incidents involving students, Quezon City 5th District Rep. Patrick Michael Vargas is pushing legislation that would give parents a more formal role in preventing violence and protecting young people inside schools. Vargas has filed House Bill No. 5682, or the proposed National Parent Council Act, which seeks to establish a nationwide parent-teacher advisory structure under the Department of Educat

August 25, 2026

Business

The Inventing of Mica Tan : How a self-made “angel investor” sold the Philippine elite a glittering private-equity dream — until the checks bounced, the accounts froze, and the family mansion went up for foreclosure

For years the checks arrived on time. They came on good paper, often carrying the signature of Maria Francesca “Mica” Tan herself or one of a small circle of trusted associates. The amounts were steady: 1 to 1.5 percent a month, packaged as interest on what investors were repeatedly told were private loans. The accompanying story was elegant and exclusive. This was not a public offering. It was angel money. Bridge financing for “sure projects” — diagnostic machines bound for government hospital

August 25, 2026

Business

NBI FLAGS MORE THAN 20 STEEL PLANTS OVER ALLEGED RADIOACTIVE, SUBSTANDARD PRODUCTS— INVESTIGATION WIDENS NATIONWIDE

MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has identified more than 20 steel plants allegedly linked to the production, sale or distribution of substandard and radioactive-bearing steel products, raising fresh concerns over the safety of construction materials being used across the country. NBI Director Melvin Matibag disclosed the development on Tuesday, August 25, saying the agency's investigation, conducted with the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) a

August 25, 2026