Category: Politics

Philippines

“If You Want Transparency, Start With Yourself”: Kapunan Puts Sara Duterte on the Spot Over Confidential Funds

MANILA — A call for greater government transparency has triggered a sharper confrontation in Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial, with House prosecution counsel Lorna Kapunan telling the vice president to “start with yourself.” Kapunan made the pointed remark on Wednesday, August 19, after Duterte challenged Malacañang to disclose government travel authorities and the public funds used for official trips. “If you want transparency, start with yourself,” Kapunan said, urging Duterte

August 20, 2026

Lifestyle

America’s Debt Has Hit a Historic $40 Trillion — But the Next Number Could Be Even More Alarming

WASHINGTON — The United States has crossed a financial milestone that was once almost unimaginable: the nation’s gross federal debt has surpassed $40 trillion for the first time. U.S. Treasury data showed total outstanding federal debt reaching approximately $40.047 trillion on Wednesday, August 19, marking another record for the world’s largest economy. The figure includes both debt held by the public and debt held by government accounts. Reuters reported that roughly $32.27 trillion was held

August 20, 2026

Politics

Trump Cuts South Korea Military Drills as Iran and $350 Billion Investment Dispute Explodes—What Happens Next Could Test the Alliance

U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to scale back joint military exercises with South Korea is emerging as more than a military-policy shift. South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said Wednesday that Trump’s move appears to be part of broader pressure on Seoul over several unresolved issues—including South Korea’s reluctance to support U.S. efforts in the Iran war and its still-unresolved $350 billion investment commitment in the United States. Speaking at a parliamentary hearing in Seoul

August 20, 2026

Philippines

SEC Chief Francis Lim to Mica Tan: Surrender First—But What Happens to the Money After She Faces the Charges?

MANILA, Philippines — Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chairperson Francis Lim is drawing a hard line on any possible settlement involving MFT Group founder Maria Francesca “Mica” Tan: face the criminal charges first, then talk about repayment. Lim’s latest position, reported by Bilyonaryo, reinforces what he has previously told The Philippine Star—that Tan and the MFT Group cannot expect regulators to negotiate a resolution while she remains outside the Philippines and subject to outst

August 20, 2026

Business

Sy, Consunji Go All-In on Mining: Dominion Eyes Tampakan Control as Capital Plan Nears ₱30 Billion

MANILA, Philippines — The Sy and Consunji families are making a much bigger bet on Philippine mining, with Dominion Holdings Inc. emerging as the vehicle at the center of an increasingly ambitious strategy that could eventually put the group behind some of the country's biggest copper and gold assets. The latest move adds another layer to the rapidly developing story: Dominion is reportedly preparing to dramatically expand its capital base as the group positions itself for larger mining investm

August 20, 2026

Philippines

DTI-7, DMW-7 Team Up for One-Window OFW Assistance System in Central Visayas

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Central Visayas may soon find it easier to access government reintegration services as the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 7 and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Region 7 strengthen their partnership through a new One Window Bayanihan Assistance Program (OWBAP) Referral and Tracking System. The two agencies signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) on August 12, 2026, at the DTI Region 7 office in Cebu City

August 20, 2026

Philippines

NUEVA VIZCAYA TURNS TO COMICS TO TEACH CHILDREN DISASTER PREPAREDNESS—BUT WHAT THEY LEARN COULD GO BEYOND THE CLASSROOM

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya — Disaster preparedness is getting a new classroom makeover in Nueva Vizcaya, where the Department of Education (DepEd) is using comic-based learning materials to teach public-school students what to do before, during and after disasters. The initiative, unveiled by Nueva Vizcaya Gov. Jose V. Gambito and Schools Division Superintendent Orlando Manuel, will bring localized disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) information to public schools across the province. A

August 20, 2026

Politics

U.S. Drops “Indo” From Pacific Command — Is Washington Quietly Leaving India to Face China in the Indian Ocean?

The United States has restored the name U.S. Pacific Command (USPACOM), reversing the 2018 decision to rename it the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) — a move that is fueling fresh questions about Washington’s strategy toward China, India and the wider Indian Ocean. The Pentagon announced the change on June 16, 2026, saying the restoration of the Pacific Command designation honors the command’s long military history and regional partnerships. The command was originally established in 194

August 20, 2026

Philippines

Nueva Vizcaya’s ₱85-Million Hospital Expansion Could Transform Healthcare Access in the North

DUPAX DEL NORTE, Nueva Vizcaya — A major hospital expansion is underway in Nueva Vizcaya as the provincial government moves to increase bed capacity and reduce congestion at the Dupax District Hospital (DDH), giving residents of Dupax del Norte and nearby municipalities greater access to hospital care closer to home. Governor Jose V. Gambito recently led the groundbreaking for a ₱85-million, three-story multipurpose building at DDH, a project funded by the Provincial Government of Nueva Vizcaya

August 20, 2026

Politics

CHINA IS EYEING A NOVEMBER SUMMIT WITH SOUTH KOREA — BUT WHAT XI JINPING AND LEE JAE MYUNG COULD DISCUSS MAY MATTER FAR BEYOND SEOUL

SEOUL — China is “actively considering” a summit between President Xi Jinping and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Shenzhen this November, South Korea’s Foreign Ministry said. The possibility emerged during Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to Seoul, where he met South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun for talks on bilateral relations, economic cooperation and the increasingly sensitive security situation

August 20, 2026