Category: Politics

Philippines

Bam Aquino Presses House to Pass Budget Transparency Bill—After 7 Months, What’s Holding It Back?

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Bam Aquino is once again urging the House of Representatives to act on a proposed budget transparency law that would give Filipinos a digital way to track how government funds are allocated and spent. Aquino renewed his call for the passage of the Citizen Access and Disclosure of Expenditures for National Accountability (CADENA) Act, or Senate Bill No. 1506, as severe flooding has again affected communities across the country. The senator said greater transparency is

August 23, 2026

Philippines

P125 Million, Four Bags and One Order: The Testimony That Could Change Sara Duterte’s Impeachment Trial

MANILA, Philippines — A former Office of the Vice President (OVP) official's testimony has emerged as one of the most closely watched pieces of evidence in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, after she told the Senate impeachment court that Duterte personally instructed her to turn over P125 million in confidential funds to a security official. House prosecutor and Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon has described the testimony of former OVP special disbursing officer Gina

August 23, 2026

Philippines

NGCP Pays 19 Mandaue Families as Power Project Moves Forward — Then Another 40 Homes Become the Next Flashpoint

MANDAUE CITY, Cebu — Nineteen homeowners in Barangay Tabok have received ₱31,000 each in disturbance fees from the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) as construction moves forward on a major transmission project designed to strengthen electricity supply to Mactan Island. The payments were released on Thursday, August 20, as NGCP began clearing properties affected by the Cebu-Lapu-Lapu 230-kilovolt (kV) Transmission Line Project. Aside from the disturbance fees, the affected hom

August 23, 2026

Philippines

She Just Made Manila Proud: Chi Atienza Lands Among the Philippines’ Top Vice Mayors — But What Comes Next Could Be Bigger

MANILA, Philippines — Manila Vice Mayor Angela Lei “Chi” Atienza has received national recognition after being named the 3rd Outstanding Vice Mayor in the Philippines at the Gawad Pilipino Awards, adding another accolade to her first year in office. The recognition was presented during an awarding ceremony at the AFP Commissioned Officers Club House in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, where local government officials and lawmakers were honored for their work in public service, governance and commun

August 23, 2026

Philippines

₱1.9 Trillion Spent, Yet Filipinos Still Flood: Senate Moves to Scrutinize ₱107-Billion DPWH Budget

MANILA, Philippines — After years of devastating floods and nearly ₱1.939 trillion poured into flood control projects from 2011 to 2025, the Philippine government is once again preparing to spend billions to protect communities from rising waters. But this time, senators say they want answers first. Sen. Panfilo Lacson has vowed to closely scrutinize the ₱107.4-billion flood control allocation proposed for the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) under the government's ₱7.2-trillion

August 23, 2026

Philippines

Marcoleta, Defensor Could Face Perjury-Related Complaint After Guteza Recantation, Lacson Says

MANILA, Philippines — Detained Sen. Rodante Marcoleta and former lawmaker Michael “Mike” Defensor could face a complaint for subornation of perjury following former Marine Orly Guteza’s reversal of testimony in the Senate’s investigation into alleged flood-control corruption, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said. Lacson raised the possibility of criminal complaints after Guteza withdrew his earlier allegations and accused Marcoleta and Defensor of pressuring him to make claims about alleged cash del

August 23, 2026

Philippines

Loren Legarda Has Been Abroad for Weeks Amid a ₱10-Billion Solar Probe—But Ping Lacson Says One Explosive Rumor About Her Is Completely False

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson has pushed back against reports suggesting that Senator Loren Legarda may be seeking asylum abroad, calling the claim “fake news” as scrutiny continues over her prolonged absence from the Senate and an ongoing Ombudsman investigation involving alleged multibillion-peso solar projects. In a radio interview on Saturday, August 22, Lacson said he saw no factual basis for claims that Legarda was attempting to secure asylum overseas. According to L

August 23, 2026

Philippines

More Than Half of This Singapore Flag Was Already Gone—What a Potong Pasir Resident Said Next Has Sparked a Reminder for the Nation

SINGAPORE — A severely damaged Singapore flag spotted in Potong Pasir has prompted renewed discussion over how the National Flag should be displayed, maintained and eventually disposed of when it becomes worn out. According to a report by Stomp, contributor Steven Yong noticed the flag at about 4pm on August 16 while parking his vehicle along Tai Thong Crescent. Video footage submitted to the publication appeared to show extensive damage to the flag, with more than half of it apparently torn a

August 23, 2026

Philippines

Marcos Mobilizes All Government Agencies for Filipino Creatives—But Can a ₱2.12-Trillion Industry Finally Break Through?

MANILA, Philippines — From Filipino films and music to animation, design, digital content and homegrown brands, the country's creative talent is getting a major government-wide push. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has directed national government agencies and instrumentalities—including government-owned or -controlled corporations—to support the celebration of Philippine Creative Industries Month (PCIM) this September, signaling a broader effort to turn Filipino creativity into jobs, investm

August 23, 2026

Philippines

Filipino Degrees Could Soon Open More Doors Abroad—But One Major Step Still Stands in the Way

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino students and graduates could soon find it easier to have their higher education qualifications recognized across the Asia-Pacific, as the Philippines moves closer to formally joining the Tokyo Convention, an international agreement aimed at making the recognition of academic credentials fairer and more transparent. The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) said the country's proposed accession to the Asia-Pacific Regional Convention on the Recognition of Qualifica

August 23, 2026