Category: Politics

Philippines

Paulit-Ulit ang Landslide, Paulit-Ulit ang Gastos: Tunnel na ba ang Sagot ng Pilipinas sa Mga Kalsadang Sinisira ng Kalamidad?

MANILA, Philippines — Dahil sa patuloy na pinsalang dulot ng malalakas na ulan, pagbaha at pagguho ng lupa sa mga bulubunduking lugar, pinag-aaralan ngayon ng pamahalaan ang paggamit ng tunneling technology bilang alternatibo sa tradisyunal na paggawa at paulit-ulit na pagkukumpuni ng mga kalsada. Iminungkahi ni Presidential Adviser for Cordillera Affairs Assistant Secretary Antonio Tabora na seryosong ikonsidera ng gobyerno ang pagtatayo ng mga tunnel, partikular sa mga mountain road na paulit

August 22, 2026

Philippines

Comelec Says BARMM Elections 95% Ready Despite Rising Security Concerns

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) says preparations for the first regular parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) are now 95% complete, despite security incidents that have raised concerns ahead of the Sept. 14 polls. Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia said the recent attack on the convoy of BARMM Interim Chief Minister Abdulraof “Sammy Gambar” Macacua will not derail the poll body's preparations. According to the Comelec, election activitie

August 22, 2026

Philippines

From ₱1.73B to ₱1.79B in Days: Agriculture Losses Keep Rising After Luis, Maymay, Neneng and Habagat — What Comes Next?

MANILA, Philippines — The combined impact of Tropical Cyclones Luis, Maymay and Neneng, together with the enhanced southwest monsoon or Habagat, has pushed agricultural damage and losses in the Philippines to approximately ₱1.79 billion, according to the latest assessment from the Department of Agriculture (DA). The latest figure, reported by the DA on August 22, represents an increase from the ₱1.73-billion estimate recorded as of August 20, underscoring the continuing toll of prolonged rains,

August 22, 2026

Philippines

Sara Duterte Impeachment Trial Could Stretch Into Late Hours as Senate Majority Backs Afternoon Hearings

MANILA, Philippines — The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte could enter a new phase in September, with a majority of senator-judges reportedly favoring afternoon hearings to give the Senate more time for legislative work while allowing the proceedings to continue into the evening. Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said Saturday that the prevailing sentiment among the Senate majority is to move the impeachment proceedings to the afternoon, with hearings potentially starting at 2:30 p.m.

August 22, 2026

Philippines

Philippines Says Poverty Fell to a Historic 9.7%—But Another Survey Shows 49% of Families Still Feel Poor. Here’s Why

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines has officially pushed poverty below 10 percent for the first time, marking what the government calls a historic breakthrough in its fight against deprivation. But behind the record-low number is a much more complicated question: Does the official poverty line accurately reflect what Filipino families actually need to survive—and live decently—amid rising everyday expenses? New data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that poverty incidence amon

August 22, 2026

Philippines

Lacson Warns of Possible Perjury Fallout as Guteza Recants—Now the Spotlight Turns to Marcoleta and Defensor

MANILA, Philippines — A political controversy surrounding the Senate’s flood-control investigation has taken a dramatic turn after retired Marine Orly Guteza withdrew his earlier testimony and accused Sen. Rodante Marcoleta and former lawmaker Mike Defensor of pressuring and allegedly coaching him to make claims against former House Speaker Martin Romualdez. The development prompted Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson to push for tougher penalties against people who induce or for

August 22, 2026

Philippines

P85 Wage Hike Still Frozen: DOLE Chief Now Demands Answers From Court and Petitioners

MANILA, Philippines — Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino is calling for greater public accountability in the continuing legal battle over Metro Manila’s P85 daily minimum wage increase, saying both the companies that challenged the wage order and the court that halted its implementation should explain their positions to Filipino workers. In an interview with Super Radyo dzBB on Saturday, August 22, Tolentino questioned why public attention has largely focused on the Department of Labor and Emplo

August 22, 2026

Philippines

7.4 Million Filipinos Hit by Habagat, Luis and Maymay—But the Worst May Not Be Over

MANILA, Philippines — The combined effects of the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat and Tropical Cyclones Luis and Maymay have now affected an estimated 7.4 million people, or about 2.1 million families, across several parts of the Philippines, according to the latest report from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). The figure, recorded as of 6 a.m. Saturday, August 22, 2026, represents a sharp increase from the number of people previously reported affected by the we

August 22, 2026

Philippines

MassKara 2026 Arena Competition Gets New Venue Over Safety Concerns—But What Happened at Paglaum Sports Complex?

BACOLOD CITY — A major change is coming to one of the biggest highlights of MassKara Festival 2026, with organizers moving the much-anticipated Arena Dance Competition away from the Paglaum Sports Complex after a safety assessment found the venue unsuitable for the event. MassKara Festival Director Rodney Ascalon confirmed that Paglaum Sports Complex will no longer host the 2026 arena competition following an assessment of the facility. The decision is being made with public safety and crowd m

August 22, 2026

Philippines

PUP Students Started the School Year With a 3,000-Strong Protest—But the ₱12-Billion Funding Gap Explains Why They’re Fighting

MANILA, Philippines — Thousands of Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) students marked the opening of the academic year not only by returning to classrooms, but by taking their demands straight to the streets. An estimated 3,000 students joined PUP’s annual “First Day Fight 2026” protest in Manila on Saturday, August 22, calling for greater government funding for public education, stronger student welfare programs, and opposing a proposal that would strengthen PUP’s status as the co

August 22, 2026