Manila Times

Sandiganbayan Orders Romualdez Transfer to Philippine General Hospital

The anti-graft court has ordered a defendant surnamed Romualdez transferred to the Philippine General Hospital because of a serious medical condition while remaining under Bureau of Jail Management and Penology custody.

Philippine Government Sees Falling Fertility as Opportunity to Improve Living Standards

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan says declining fertility could allow the government to direct more resources per person toward education and healthcare and improve long-term living standards.

Philippine Government Says Imelda Marcos Ruling Will Not Affect Chief Justice Selection

Malacañang says recent Supreme Court decisions favourable to former First Lady Imelda Marcos will have no bearing on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s selection of the next Chief Justice.

Philippine Lawmakers Link Confidential Fund System to Duterte-Era Davao Practices

House investigators examining intelligence and confidential funds allege that opaque disbursement methods now under scrutiny were institutionalised during the Duterte family’s tenure in Davao City.

Philippine Authorities Flag Fraudulent Birth Registrations Involving Foreign Nationals

The National Bureau of Investigation says foreign nationals have obtained legitimate Philippine birth certificates through fraudulent late-registration filings, raising concerns over weaknesses in local civil registries.

Philippine Business Group Accuses Tax Examiners of Extortion

The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry has accused some Bureau of Internal Revenue examiners of demanding unofficial payments, warning that the practice raises business costs and discourages foreign investment.

Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific Face Higher Fares as Fuel Surcharge Rises

The Civil Aeronautics Board has raised the aviation fuel surcharge to Level 14, paving the way for higher ticket prices on Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific and other carriers.

Metro Manila Approves 60-Peso Minimum Wage Increase as Unions Protest

The National Capital Region wage board has approved a 60-peso increase in the daily minimum wage, prompting labour groups to argue that the rise remains insufficient to cover higher living costs.

Manibela Announces Two-Day Nationwide Transport Strike Over Jeepney Modernisation

Transport group Manibela plans a nationwide strike on September 14 and 15 in protest against the government’s public utility vehicle modernisation programme, threatening major disruption across Metro Manila commuter routes.

Naga City and Albay Declare States of Calamity as Dengue Cases Surge

Authorities in the Bicol Region have declared states of calamity in Naga City and Albay after dengue infections rose above 1,700 and multiple deaths strained local healthcare facilities.

Metro Manila Declares Leptospirosis Epidemic After Severe Monsoon Flooding

Health authorities say leptospirosis cases in Manila and Quezon City have exceeded epidemic thresholds, putting heavy pressure on hospitals after weeks of flooding and inadequate urban drainage.

Visayas and Mindanao Power Grids Placed on Red and Yellow Alerts

The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines has issued red and yellow alerts across the Visayas and Mindanao, forcing some businesses and industrial operators in Cebu to adjust operations and rely on backup power.

EU and Spain Join Luzon Economic Corridor Infrastructure Initiative

The European Union and Spain have committed support to the Luzon Economic Corridor, bringing additional capital and technical expertise to infrastructure and logistics projects backed by the Marcos administration.

Marcos Travels to BRICS Summit to Push Maritime Security and Open Sea Lanes

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has travelled to New Delhi for the BRICS Summit, where he plans to advocate freedom of navigation and secure international sea lanes amid heightened Indo-Pacific tensions.

Defence Secretary Teodoro Calls for Stronger Response to Chinese Actions at Sea

Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro has called for firmer resistance to Chinese activity in the West Philippine Sea and deeper international defence cooperation to protect the country’s territorial claims.

Philippines Reviews US Extradition Request for Apollo Quiboloy

Justice officials expect to complete their review of the United States extradition request for detained religious leader Apollo Quiboloy within two weeks as authorities navigate domestic legal proceedings and treaty obligations.

Philippines Moves Closer to Visiting Forces Agreement With France

A Philippine Senate committee has approved a Status of Visiting Forces Agreement with France, advancing Manila’s efforts to broaden its defence partnerships and strengthen maritime security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.

Philippine Peso Falls to Record Low as Inflation and Oil Prices Pressure Markets

The Philippine peso has dropped to a historic low against the US dollar as elevated oil prices and persistent inflation concerns weigh on the currency and push the Philippine Stock Exchange Index below 6,100.

Palawan Ferry Disaster Leaves at Least 30 Dead With More Than 80 Missing

Philippine Coast Guard teams have recovered at least 30 bodies from the burned wreckage of the MV June Aster off Coron in Palawan, while more than 80 people remain missing in one of the country’s deadliest maritime disasters this year.

Sara Duterte Calls for Marcos to Resign as Philippine Political Crisis Deepens

Vice President Sara Duterte has publicly demanded President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s resignation and accused him of lying, marking a collapse in their political alliance as lawmakers prepare an impeachment push involving allegations of une...

Gilas Pilipinas Lose 89-85 to Bahrain in Asian Games Opener

The Philippine men’s basketball team opened its Asian Games campaign with an 89-85 defeat to Bahrain, complicating its route toward the medal rounds.

Heavy Monsoon Rain Forces Class Suspensions Across Metro Manila

Local governments across the National Capital Region suspended face-to-face classes as southwest monsoon rains caused flooding and disrupted major transport routes.

Philippines Declares Sept. 12 National Day of Mourning for Resil Mojares

The government ordered flags at public buildings to be flown at half-mast on Sept. 12 to honour the late National Artist for Literature Resil Mojares.

Eight Philippine Banks Included in Forbes Global Ranking

Forbes recognised eight Philippine financial institutions in its annual ranking of leading global banks, reflecting continued profitability, capital strength and digital investment across the domestic banking sector.

ACEN Signs Deal to Supply ACS Manufacturing With 100% Renewable Electricity

Ayala Group energy company ACEN agreed to provide renewable power to ACS Manufacturing facilities nationwide, extending the use of clean electricity in the Philippine industrial sector.

Asialink Finance Expands Developer Network Amid 3.7 Million-Home Housing Backlog

Asialink Finance added four major real estate developers to its accredited financing network as the company seeks to expand housing finance amid a national shortage estimated at 3.7 million units.

Economists Warn Weak Basic Skills Could Erode Philippine Services Competitiveness

Economists and industry leaders warned that deteriorating foundational education outcomes could weaken the Philippines’ position in global service industries as neighbouring economies improve workforce skills.

Philippines Launches Education Programme to Attract International Students and Investment

The Marcos government established the Education Philippines programme to promote the country to foreign students and attract international institutional investment into higher education.

Marcos Pushes AI and Digital Upgrades to Protect Philippine BPO Competitiveness

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. outlined measures to accelerate the use of artificial intelligence and digital technologies across the economy as the Philippines seeks to preserve its position in global business process outsourcing.

Philippines Seeks ASEAN-Wide Rules Holding Social Media Platforms Accountable

The Philippine government is urging Southeast Asian neighbours to support a common regulatory framework that would make major technology and social media platforms legally accountable for digital content.

Philippine SEC Arrests Dermacare Executives Over Alleged Illegal Investment Scheme

Authorities acting on Securities and Exchange Commission directives arrested Dermacare’s owner and chief financial officer following an investigation into an unregistered investment solicitation scheme alleged to have defrauded thousands...

Alice Guo Given Sept. 12 Deadline to Respond to Money Laundering and Crime Allegations

Dismissed Bamban Mayor Alice Guo has until Sept. 12 to submit final counter-affidavits over allegations involving money laundering and illegal offshore gaming operations following her deportation from Indonesia.

Philippine Lawmakers Press Apollo Quiboloy to Face Trafficking and Child Abuse Charges

Lawmakers called on detained religious leader Apollo Quiboloy to address domestic human trafficking and child sexual abuse allegations after he filed cyberlibel complaints against three senators.

Del Monte Pacific Opens Debt Restructuring Talks With Creditors

Del Monte Pacific Limited has begun negotiations with institutional creditors as the food and beverage group seeks to manage its debt obligations and stabilise its balance sheet.

Marcos to Become First Philippine President to Attend BRICS Summit

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is scheduled to attend the upcoming BRICS summit in India, becoming the first Philippine head of state to participate in a leaders’ meeting of the emerging-markets bloc.

Metro Manila Inflation Slows to 4.1% in August

Headline inflation in the National Capital Region eased to 4.1% in August as housing costs stabilised and food prices declined, giving the Philippine central bank more room in upcoming rate decisions.

Bank of America Forecasts Philippines Among Slowest-Growing Major ASEAN Economies

Bank of America expects Philippine economic growth to lag most major Southeast Asian peers through next year, placing its outlook broadly alongside Thailand’s.

Philippine Foreign Direct Investment Net Inflows Rise 35% in June

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas reported a 35% year-on-year increase in net foreign direct investment inflows, with capital moving into real estate, manufacturing and technology.

US Backs Philippine Nuclear and LNG Energy Projects

US diplomatic and financial authorities expressed support for civilian nuclear and liquefied natural gas projects in the Philippines as Manila seeks more reliable power for industrial development.

EU and Spain Join US and Japan in Backing Luzon Economic Corridor

The European Union and Spain committed to participate in the Luzon Economic Corridor alongside the United States and Japan, expanding international support for Philippine infrastructure and industrial development.

Philippine Senate Panel Backs Visiting Forces Agreement With France

A Senate panel approved a Status of Visiting Forces Agreement with France, paving the way for deeper joint military operations and broader Philippine security cooperation beyond its traditional alliance with the United States.

Philippine and US Marines Conduct Joint BrahMos Missile Drills

Philippine and US marine forces simulated deployment of BrahMos anti-ship missiles during the MASA 2026 exercise, demonstrating long-range strike capabilities amid continuing tensions in the South China Sea.

Philippines Issues Power Alerts Across Visayas and Mindanao After Coal Plant Failures

The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines issued red and yellow alerts after several coal-fired plants went offline, raising the prospect of electricity rationing and rotational blackouts across the central and southern regions.