Category: Politics

Philippines

Nearly 1 Million Filipinos Now Call Canada Home—But Manila’s Next Move Is Focused on Their Children

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine government is stepping up efforts to build stronger ties with one of the country’s largest and fastest-growing overseas communities, as the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) seeks deeper engagement with Filipino Canadians beyond traditional migrant services. CFO Chairperson Secretary Dante “Klink” Ang II reaffirmed the agency’s support for Filipino Canadian organizations during engagements connected with the Filipino Canadian National Congress (FCNC), h

August 22, 2026

Philippines

Marcos Calls August 21 ‘Liza Day’ for First Lady’s 67th Birthday—But the Greeting Comes Days After a Controversial Post

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. marked First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos’ 67th birthday with a deeply personal public message, declaring August 21 a special “Liza Day” and describing it as one of the most important dates on his calendar. The President posted the birthday tribute on social media on Friday, August 21, sharing photographs of himself with the First Lady, including an older family picture featuring their three sons. “My dear Liza, we’re celebrating today a most im

August 22, 2026

Philippines

NINOY FACED A HOPELESS PHILIPPINES—THEN HE MADE ONE DECISION THAT CHANGED HISTORY

Forty-three years after the assassination of former senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., his family is urging Filipinos to remember not only his sacrifice—but also the decision that came before it: to act even when the odds appeared hopeless. Ninoy was assassinated on Aug. 21, 1983, shortly after returning to the Philippines from the United States. His return came despite the dangers surrounding his political opposition to the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos. That act of returning home has tak

August 22, 2026

Philippines

Paolo Duterte Says Sara’s Impeachment Has a ‘Pre-Determined Narrative’—But Terry Ridon Says One Thing Will Ultimately Decide Her Fate

MANILA, Philippines — The political battle surrounding Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial is moving beyond the Senate courtroom, with House prosecutor Terry Ridon rejecting claims from her brother, Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte, that the proceedings are being driven toward a “pre-determined narrative.” Ridon pushed back on August 21, saying there is no basis to conclude that the outcome of the Vice President’s impeachment case has already been decided. His response ca

August 22, 2026

Philippines

29 Isabela Barangays Are Getting Marcos-Backed Aid—But Half of Every ₱200,000 Comes With a Major Condition

BENITO SOLIVEN, Isabela — Twenty-nine barangays in this Isabela municipality are receiving solar streetlights and educational assistance under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s Bawat Barangay Makikinabang Program, part of a nationwide initiative that could channel roughly ₱8.4 billion directly to more than 42,000 villages across the Philippines. The latest rollout in Benito Soliven puts a local face on one of the Marcos administration’s largest direct barangay assistance programs, with each comm

August 21, 2026

Philippines

DAR Lawyers Are Going Straight to Farmers’ Communities—But the Land Problems They’re Hearing Reveal a Bigger Struggle

MIMAROPA, Philippines — For thousands of Filipino farmers, receiving land is only part of the battle. Keeping it, understanding their legal rights and resolving disputes over boundaries, ownership and possession can become an entirely different fight. That is the problem the Department of Agrarian Reform is trying to address through its “Lawyers to the Benepisyaryo” program, an initiative that sends DAR lawyers directly into farming communities instead of requiring agrarian reform beneficiaries

August 21, 2026

Philippines

3,194 Cordova Residents Got Free Rice—But the ₱25 Million Behind the Distribution Tells a Bigger Story

CORDOVA, Cebu — Thousands of residents in this coastal Cebu municipality have received government rice assistance, but the August distribution was only one part of a much larger national program combining food relief, local infrastructure funding and support for vulnerable communities. A total of 3,194 Cordova residents received 10 kilograms of rice each on August 13 under the Marcos administration’s Bagong Pilipinas Rice Program, according to the Philippine Information Agency. Among them was

August 21, 2026

Business

Marcos Gives PUV Drivers ₱12 Off Every Liter—But the Amount Government Rejected Could Change the Debate

TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines — Public utility jeepney and UV Express drivers in Eastern Visayas are getting additional breathing room at the fuel pump after the Marcos administration increased the government’s fuel discount to ₱12 per liter, but the relief comes as transport workers continue to warn that high operating costs are eating deeply into their daily income. The expanded discount took effect on August 15, 2026, raising the previous government assistance of ₱10 per liter by another ₱2. U

August 21, 2026

Philippines

Antique Barangays Are Getting ₱200,000 Each From Marcos’ BBM Program—But Half the Money Comes With One Major Condition

ANTIQUE, Philippines — Barangay officials in Antique are welcoming the Marcos administration’s Bawat Barangay Makikinabang (BBM) Program, a nationwide initiative that puts ₱200,000 directly within reach of every barangay—but the bigger test will be whether that relatively modest amount can produce visible and lasting improvements in communities that need help the most. Punong barangays and provincial officials interviewed by the Philippine Information Agency said the program could help villages

August 21, 2026

Philippines

Perci Cendaña Threatens Legal Action Over Artwork Mocking His Disability — But the Law His Critics Could Face Changes the Story

MANILA, Philippines — Akbayan Party-list Rep. Percival “Perci” Cendaña is drawing a line between political satire and discrimination, warning that people behind online materials allegedly mocking his medical condition could face legal action. The dispute, reported by The Manila Times on August 21, centers on artwork and online content that Cendaña says have gone beyond criticism of his politics and instead targeted the physical effects of a medical condition. Cendaña, who has publicly identifi

August 21, 2026