Manila Times

President Marcos Declares Additional Local Holidays to Mark Regional Anniversaries

Malacañang issued proclamations creating special non-working days in several municipalities, including San Juan City and Tabaco City, to support local celebrations and encourage domestic tourism.

Top Line Business Development Launches Preferred Share Offering to Fund Fuel Infrastructure Expansion

The Cebu-based fuel retailer began a 1.5 billion peso perpetual preferred share sale after securing regulatory approval, with proceeds earmarked for the development of a major energy hub in the Visayas.

Malacañang Calls for Investigation Into Alleged Independence Day Destabilization Plot

Presidential communications officials urged police and intelligence agencies to investigate reports of a possible attempt to disrupt government operations during Independence Day activities on June 12.

Government Hands Over New Housing Units to Families Relocated From Hazard Zones

Housing authorities and the Social Housing Finance Corporation transferred families in Caloocan City into permanent homes under the national housing program, helping move residents away from high-risk areas.

Marcos Distributes Educational Assistance to Thousands of Manila Students

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. oversaw the release of nearly 90 million pesos in financial assistance to college students from across Manila as part of ongoing education support programs.

Universities Launch Nationwide Childcare Initiative for Students and Working Parents

The Commission on Higher Education and 81 state universities and colleges have launched Project PAG-IBIG, establishing campus-based childcare facilities to improve support for students, faculty and working families.

Authorities Maintain Heightened Monitoring of Mayon Volcano Activity

State volcanologists continue to record crater glow and low-level seismic activity at Mayon Volcano, while disaster management agencies are enforcing safety restrictions around the permanent danger zone.

Philippine Space Agency Identifies Unusual Night Sky Phenomenon as Chinese Rocket Exhaust

Space officials said a luminous cloud observed across parts of the country was caused by sunlight reflecting off exhaust from a recently launched Chinese commercial Long March rocket, easing public concerns over the event.

Marcos Highlights Maharlika Highway Upgrades as Key Driver of Regional Development

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. emphasized the importance of modernizing the Maharlika Highway, describing the transport corridor as central to improving trade links and supporting economic growth in underserved provinces.

National Dairy Authority Moves to Protect Milk Production From Expected El Niño Conditions

Agricultural authorities are deploying veterinary assistance and additional feed supplies across key dairy regions in an effort to reduce the impact of potential drought conditions on domestic milk production.

Government Intensifies Preparations Ahead of Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections

The Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity urged voters to support stable governance ahead of September elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

AirAsia Philippines Rejects Reports of Fleet Grounding as False and Misleading

The airline dismissed claims that its aircraft faced imminent grounding, describing the reports as unfounded and reaffirming the continuity of services for millions of domestic and international passengers.

Police Expand Smuggling Investigation Following Major Tobacco Seizure in Mindanao

Philippine National Police units launched a broader probe into regional smuggling networks after authorities seized more than 22 million pesos worth of illicit tobacco products in Davao del Norte and arrested multiple suspects.

Philippines Ships First Commercial Mango Export Consignment to Canada

The Department of Agriculture completed the inaugural commercial shipment of Philippine mangoes to Canada, supporting efforts to diversify export markets and expand opportunities for domestic growers.

Gaming Revenue Forecast Cut as E-Wallet Restrictions Weigh on Online Betting Activity

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation warned that annual gaming revenue could fall by as much as 19% after the removal of e-wallet links to online betting platforms and weaker international tourism demand linked to Middle East ...

Tropical Depression Ester Triggers Heavy Rainfall Warnings Across Northern Luzon

Weather authorities raised alerts across Batanes, Ilocos and the Cordillera region as Tropical Depression Ester combined with the southwest monsoon, increasing the risk of flooding and landslides in vulnerable areas.

Government and Dutch Partner Launch Five-Year Pasig River Plastic Cleanup Program

Philippine environmental agencies signed a long-term agreement with a Netherlands-based organization to deploy autonomous vessels designed to intercept and remove plastic waste before it reaches Manila Bay.

Social Security System Brings Forward Pension Increase to Ease Cost-of-Living Pressures

The Social Security System advanced the second phase of its pension reform program to June 2026, providing a 10% increase in retirement and disability benefits and releasing more than six billion pesos in additional payments.

National Grid Corporation and Coast Guard Partner to Protect Submarine Power Infrastructure

The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines and the Philippine Coast Guard have formed a strategic alliance to safeguard undersea transmission cables through joint patrols and coordinated emergency response operations.

World Bank Warns Philippines May Miss 2028 Poverty Reduction Goal Without Stronger Reforms

World Bank economists said the Philippines is unlikely to reduce poverty to 9% by the end of the Marcos administration unless growth accelerates and public spending becomes more effective, particularly in infrastructure and agriculture.

Senate Power Struggle Deepens as Rival Factions Hold Separate Investigations

Competing blocs led by Senators Alan Peter Cayetano and Sherwin Gatchalian conducted parallel hearings into disputed flood-control projects, intensifying divisions within the Senate and raising concerns about legislative delays.

Marcos Orders Immediate Action to Stabilize Visayas Power Grid After Repeated Outages

Following a series of yellow and red power alerts across the Visayas since mid-May, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. directed energy officials and grid operators to address forced outages at more than 20 power plants and restore electricit...

Philippines Fails to Secure United Nations Security Council Seat After Losing Regional Vote to Kyrgyzstan

Despite an extensive diplomatic campaign, the Philippines did not obtain the required support at the United Nations General Assembly for a non-permanent Security Council seat for the 2027–2028 term, with Kyrgyzstan winning the Asia-Pacif...

Philippine Space Council Approves National Satellite Constellation and First Domestic Liquid-Fueled Rocket Launch

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has authorized the development of a sovereign Earth-observation satellite network and approved plans for the first domestically operated liquid-fueled rocket launch from Cagayan next year, marking a signifi...

President Marcos Pushes for Anti-Political Dynasty Law Before End of Current Administration

The Marcos administration is seeking to advance long-delayed legislation that would restrict relatives from simultaneously holding elected positions, with efforts underway to reconcile the version approved by the House of Representatives...

Weather Bureau Declares Start of Rainy Season and Warns of Elevated Flood Risks

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration officially announced the onset of the rainy season and urged local governments to activate preparedness measures as stronger monsoon conditions raise the th...

Globe Telecom Advances Cell-to-Satellite Services to Expand Connectivity Across Remote Islands

The telecommunications provider is working with US aerospace partners to introduce direct satellite connectivity for mobile devices, targeting areas with limited network coverage and improving communications during natural disasters.

Trade Deficit Widens to Near Four-Year High as Import Costs Outpace Export Growth

Government data showed the Philippines' trade gap expanded sharply as higher spending on imported fuel and industrial materials outweighed growth in exports, adding pressure to the country's external balance.

Malacañang Rejects Allegations Linking President Marcos to Flood Control Kickbacks

The Presidential Communications Office dismissed accusations that money from questionable infrastructure contracts was delivered to President Marcos, challenging critics to provide evidence supporting the claims.

Senate Power Struggle Intensifies Over Competing Flood Control Investigations

Rival factions in the Philippine Senate clashed over control of inquiries into alleged irregularities in multi-billion-peso flood control projects, exposing deep political divisions within the chamber.

Philippine Coast Guard and National Grid Strengthen Protection of Undersea Power and Communications Networks

A new cooperation agreement between maritime security authorities and the national transmission operator aims to safeguard critical submarine cables and improve responses to potential threats affecting electricity and telecommunications ...

US Reviews Potential Tariffs on Philippine Exports Amid Forced Labour Investigations

Washington is considering additional tariffs on selected Philippine products as part of ongoing forced labour investigations, prompting trade officials in Manila to defend domestic labour standards and protect export competitiveness.

Philippine Banking Assets Surpass ₱30 Trillion as Digital Payments Drive Financial Sector Growth

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas reported record growth in banking system assets, supported by expanding mobile payment adoption, stronger lending activity and wider integration of digital financial services.

Philippine Government Considers ₱30 Billion Strategic Petroleum Reserve to Strengthen Energy Security

The Department of Energy is seeking funding for a large national fuel reserve designed to shield the economy from international oil market shocks and help maintain transport and logistics operations during geopolitical disruptions.

OECD Cuts Philippines Growth Forecast Amid Inflation and Global Trade Headwinds

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development lowered its 2026 growth outlook for the Philippines to 3.2 per cent, citing persistent inflationary pressures and continued disruptions affecting global supply chains.

World Bank Warns Philippines May Miss 2028 Poverty Reduction Goal as Inflation Pressures Households

The World Bank said elevated living costs and the lingering effects of inflation are likely to prevent the Philippines from reducing poverty to nine per cent by 2028, highlighting the challenges facing lower-income families despite econo...

Philippines and Vietnam Renew Defence Cooperation and Reaffirm Commitment to South China Sea Stability

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and visiting Vietnamese President To Lam upgraded bilateral relations and renewed military cooperation agreements, presenting a united position on maintaining stability and security in one of the world's mo...

PropertyGuru Philippines Awards Spotlight Emerging Growth Centers Beyond Metro Manila

The 2026 PropertyGuru Philippines Property Awards have opened nominations with an expanded focus on commercial and industrial development in Central Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao as investment activity spreads beyond the capital.

Philippines Introduces Coding and Digital Literacy Lessons in Public Primary Schools

Education Secretary Sonny Angara announced the nationwide rollout of foundational coding, data privacy and digital literacy instruction to prepare students for a more technology-driven economy.

Bonifacio Global City and Makati Startups Attract Fresh Foreign Venture Capital

International investors have committed new funding to Philippine fintech and software companies, supporting growth in the country's expanding digital economy.

Agriculture Department Deploys Drones and Irrigation Support to Protect Rice Harvests

Authorities have launched cloud-seeding operations and distributed solar-powered irrigation systems across Central and Northern Luzon to mitigate drought risks affecting rice production.

Manila Approves Waterfront Reclamation Master Plan for New Commercial District

City authorities and private developers have finalized plans for a major Manila Bay reclamation project designed to expand office, retail and hospitality capacity in the capital.

Overseas Filipino Remittances Continue to Support Consumer Spending and the Peso

Record-high remittance inflows from overseas Filipino workers remain a key source of economic stability, helping sustain household consumption and support the national currency.