Manila Times

Philippines Warns of Heavy Monsoon Rains as Super Typhoon Saudel Threatens the Country

The state weather bureau is monitoring Super Typhoon Saudel and two other tropical cyclones offshore as the Southwest Monsoon brings intense rain to Luzon, prompting local authorities to suspend classes and government work in several pro...

Marcos Administration Prioritizes Critical Minerals for Clean Energy and Semiconductor Supply Chains

President Ferdinand Marcos Junior has issued an executive order aimed at accelerating the extraction and processing of critical minerals, positioning the Philippines to benefit from rising demand for materials used in clean-energy and se...

Philippine Government Orders Review of One Hundred Seven Billion Peso Flood Control Budget

Lawmakers are preparing a detailed audit of national flood-control spending managed by the Department of Public Works and Highways after typhoons and monsoon rains caused widespread damage across the country.

Philippines Raises 2026 Inflation Forecast to Six to Seven Percent as Growth Risks Increase

Economic officials now expect average inflation to reach six to seven percent in two thousand and twenty-six, well above earlier projections and raising concerns about household purchasing power and the pace of economic expansion.

Philippine Central Bank Expected to Raise Interest Rates Again as Inflation Remains Above Target

Analysts expect the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to raise its benchmark rate by twenty-five basis points to five percent, prioritizing inflation control even as weaker economic growth increases pressure for policy support.

Philippine Senate Reshapes Schedule for Extended Impeachment Trial of Vice President Sara Duterte

Senators agreed to move regular sessions to the morning to allow potentially prolonged afternoon and midnight hearings as prosecutors prepare to present a former disbursing officer as a key witness against Vice President Sara Duterte.

Chinese Maritime Militia Vessels Mass Near Second Thomas Shoal as Regional Security Concerns Rise

More than two hundred Chinese vessels have gathered at Mischief Reef near the Philippine-controlled outpost, raising concerns about a possible escalation ahead of planned Chinese live-fire exercises in the South China Sea.

Swiss Tourist Sentenced to One Year in Prison for Insulting Bali's Sacred Day of Silence

An Indonesian court convicted twenty-six-year-old Luzian Andrin Zgraggen of blasphemy after he breached strict holiday restrictions and posted an explicit video from an empty beach.

Father Reprimanded After Leaving Seven-Year-Old Son Alone on Mount Fuji During Summit Climb

Japanese police intervened after the child was discovered abandoned for hours in rainy, foggy conditions at 2,000 meters while his father continued hiking toward the peak.

Philippine Police Kill Suspect Linked to Eight Murders in Lanao del Norte Gunfight

A suspect wanted in connection with eight murder cases was killed during a gun battle with officers attempting to serve an arrest warrant in Lanao del Norte.

Bangsamoro Maritime Police Seize 14 Million Pesos Worth of Smuggled Cigarettes

Bangsamoro maritime officers have intercepted an illegal shipment of untaxed cigarettes worth fourteen million pesos, targeting smuggling networks operating through the southern Philippines.

Philippine Authorities Seize 2.3 Million Pesos Worth of Methamphetamine in Misamis Oriental

Anti-narcotics officers in Misamis Oriental have seized methamphetamine valued at more than two point three million pesos and arrested a high-value suspect in a coordinated operation against provincial drug networks.

Philippine Police Launch Nationwide Crackdown on Electricity Theft

The Philippine National Police is coordinating with power distributors to target illegal connections and meter tampering, seeking to reduce system losses that contribute to higher electricity costs for legitimate consumers.

Philippines Repatriates 26 Distressed Workers and Four Dependents From Dubai

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration has brought twenty-six Filipino workers and four dependents home from the United Arab Emirates after they encountered serious employment and immigration difficulties.

Philippine Science Agency Funds 10 Million Peso Smart Farming Program in Bukidnon

The Department of Science and Technology is funding a precision agriculture project in Bukidnon that will use sensors and data analytics to modernize farming and increase production of higher-value crops.

Coast Guard Evacuates Residents in Occidental Mindoro After Dike Collapse

Hundreds of residents in Santa Cruz and nearby communities were evacuated after monsoon rains destroyed a road dike and caused widespread flooding, prompting an emergency humanitarian response.

House Considers Calamity Pay for Essential Workers During Extreme Weather

Philippine lawmakers are considering legislation that would provide additional calamity pay to essential workers required to report for duty during severe typhoons, state of calamity declarations and other extreme weather disruptions.

Philippines Intensifies Crackdown on Counterfeit Fertilizers to Protect Farmers and Food Supply

The Department of Agriculture has launched a nationwide campaign against fake fertilizers, seeking to prevent crop losses and soil damage while protecting farmers and domestic food production.

Philippine Army and Police Arrest Lanao del Sur Vice Mayor Wanted on Murder Charges

Police have arrested a sitting vice mayor in Lanao del Sur who was wanted on murder and frustrated murder charges, as authorities intensify efforts to curb political violence in Mindanao.

Philippines Moves to Restrict Social Media Access for Children Under 13

A bill filed by Pasig Representative Roman Romulo would prohibit social media use by children aged thirteen and below and impose tighter usage rules for teenagers through age seventeen.

Philippine Authorities Arrest 19 for Violating Bangsamoro Election Gun Ban

Security forces have arrested nineteen people for carrying unauthorized firearms as authorities enforce a gun ban ahead of parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Philippines Plans Major River and Coastal Dikes to Protect Flood-Prone Bulacan Communities

The Department of Public Works and Highways is planning large river and coastal dikes to protect municipalities in Bulacan from recurring flooding, extreme weather and rising sea levels along Manila Bay.

Philippine Power Grid Issues Yellow Alert for Visayas as Reserves Tighten

The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines has placed the Visayas grid under yellow alert after operating reserves fell below required levels, renewing concerns over regional power supply and generation capacity.

Philippine Army Begins Territorial Defence Exercises in Sulu

The Philippine Army has launched territorial defence exercises in Sulu to strengthen troop readiness for protecting southern maritime borders and the strategically important island province.

National Kidney and Transplant Institute Reaches Full Capacity Amid Leptospirosis Surge

The government hospital in Quezon City says all beds are occupied as leptospirosis cases rise following typhoons and widespread flooding in the National Capital Region, putting additional pressure on the public health system.

Philippine Impeachment Prosecutors Highlight Vice President’s Office Disbursement Testimony

Prosecutors in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte have emphasized testimony from a disbursing officer, alleging that the evidence connects her office to the misuse and mismanagement of millions of pesos in confidential ...

Philippine Coast Guard Receives Two US Patrol Boats to Strengthen Maritime Operations

The Philippine Coast Guard has accepted two Marine Protector-class patrol vessels donated by the United States, expanding its capabilities for maritime law enforcement and search-and-rescue operations amid continuing tensions in the West...

Philippine Peso Falls to Record Low Near 62 to the US Dollar

The Philippine peso briefly approached the 62-per-dollar level, setting a new record low as a stronger US dollar and domestic inflationary pressures weigh on financial markets and raise import costs.

Philippine Senate Opens Inquiry Into 107 Billion Peso Flood Control Budget After Severe Flooding

Senators are scrutinizing the national flood control budget following destructive monsoon flooding in Metro Manila and nearby provinces, with public works officials facing demands for greater accountability over infrastructure failures.

Philippine Senate Expands Impeachment Trial Schedule for Vice President Sara Duterte

Senators have agreed to hold afternoon and evening sessions for the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, allowing more time for witness testimony as the proceedings move forward.

Philippine Military Rejects Chinese Claims Over Ayungin Shoal and Defends Maritime Rights

The Armed Forces of the Philippines has rejected Beijing’s account of the grounded vessel at Ayungin Shoal, reaffirming Manila’s position on its exclusive economic zone and its commitment to international maritime law in the South China ...

Philippines-Japan Defence Logistics Pact Takes Effect, Expanding Scope for Joint Operations

A reciprocal access and logistics agreement between the Philippines and Japan has entered into force, allowing the two countries to deploy forces for joint training and disaster relief while strengthening defence cooperation in the Indo-...

Marcos Administration Prioritizes Critical Minerals to Attract Investment and Expand Industrial Supply Chains

President Ferdinand Marcos Junior has ordered stronger development of the Philippines’ critical minerals sector, targeting greater extraction, processing and exports as the country seeks a larger role in renewable energy and electronics ...

ASEAN Business Council Calls for Greater Support for Small and Medium Enterprises

ASEAN Business Advisory Council Chair Joey Concepcion has called on governments and financial institutions to expand mentoring, financing and market access for micro, small and medium enterprises across Southeast Asia.

Indigenous Leaders Released on Bail After Protest Against Mindanao Mining Project

Three indigenous community leaders arrested during protests against a large mining operation in Mindanao have been released on bail, renewing debate over indigenous land rights, environmental protection and resource development.

Philippines Orders Geological Investigation Into Repeated Kennon Road Landslides

The national government has ordered a detailed geological investigation into repeated landslides that have disrupted Kennon Road, seeking a permanent engineering solution for the major route between Baguio City and the lowlands.

Philippine Police Seize One Million Pesos Worth of Methamphetamine in Iloilo

Police in Iloilo arrested a suspected high-value drug trafficker and seized methamphetamine estimated to be worth about one million pesos in an operation targeting regional narcotics networks.

Arrest Warrants Issued for Basilan Mayor and Seven Others Over Fatal Political Attack

A regional trial court has issued arrest warrants for Basilan Mayor Hadji Muhtamad Meyer Kahing Nanoh and seven others over a May attack that killed three people, highlighting continuing concerns about political violence in the Bangsamor...

PLDT Blocks Websites Showing School Violence Content in Expanded Child Protection Effort

Philippine telecommunications company PLDT has blocked access to international websites carrying material related to school shootings and extreme violence, expanding network-level measures intended to limit young people’s exposure to har...

Philippine Senate Committee Advances Seven International Treaties for Ratification

The Senate foreign relations committee has endorsed seven international treaties for plenary approval, advancing agreements covering diplomatic, economic and security interests and strengthening the Philippines’ participation in internat...

Philippine Insurance Premiums Surpass Two Hundred Eighty Billion Pesos in First Half

Insurance premiums in the Philippines exceeded two hundred eighty billion pesos during the first six months of the year, according to the Insurance Commission, as greater financial literacy supports continued expansion of the sector.

Philippine Senators Propose Ten Thousand Peso Monthly Pay Rise for Public School Teachers

New Senate legislation would provide a ten thousand peso monthly salary increase for public school teachers nationwide, with lawmakers citing inflation, education quality and teacher retention as key concerns.

Philippine Health Insurer Plans Digital Overhaul to Cut Red Tape and Fraud

The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation is modernizing its information technology and claims systems to speed hospital reimbursements, reduce bureaucracy and address concerns over fraud and financial management.

Philippine Government Launches Davao Occidental Recovery Plan After Major Earthquake

The national government has begun a broad rehabilitation program for Jose Abad Santos in Davao Occidental, deploying national resources to rebuild communities and infrastructure damaged by a magnitude seven point eight earthquake.

Marcos Invokes Ninoy Aquino Legacy in Call for Political Unity and Less Disinformation

President Ferdinand Marcos Junior used Ninoy Aquino Day to urge Filipinos to reject political disinformation and promote national unity, invoking the legacy of the assassinated opposition leader amid continuing political divisions.