Manila Times

Gilas Pilipinas Boys Crush Vietnam 121–28 in SEABA Basketball Tournament Opener

The Philippines under-18 basketball team opened its SEABA campaign with a dominant 121–28 victory over Vietnam in Krabi, Thailand, showcasing a commanding performance in both defense and scoring.

Department of Health Launches Psychological Support Training for Teachers in Earthquake-Affected Mindanao

The Department of Health began training programs for public school teachers in Mindanao to provide psychological first aid to students affected by the earthquake, aiming to support emotional recovery alongside physical rebuilding.

United Kingdom and Philippines Mark 80 Years of Diplomatic Relations With Security and Technology Commitments

The United Kingdom and the Philippines commemorated 80 years of diplomatic ties in Manila, pledging expanded cooperation in maritime security, technology exchange, and training initiatives to address regional challenges.

Land Transportation Franchising Board Orders Safety Checks on Mindanao Bus Terminals After Earthquake

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board deployed engineering teams to inspect bus terminals and transport hubs across SOCCSKSARGEN to ensure structural safety before normal operations resume following seismic damage.

Department of Tourism Appoints Former Airline Executive Stanley Ng as Undersecretary for Route Development

The Department of Tourism appointed former Philippine Airlines executive Stanley Ng as undersecretary, alongside two other officials, to lead efforts to expand international air routes and boost inbound tourism.

Sandiganbayan Clears Finance Secretary Ralph Recto of Historical Corruption Charges

The Sandiganbayan dismissed long-standing graft and plunder charges against Finance Secretary Ralph Recto, ruling that evidence was insufficient to support the allegations and closing decades of legal proceedings.

National Electrification Administration Restores Power Across Earthquake-Affected General Santos Grid

The National Electrification Administration said it has restored mainline electricity across southern Mindanao within 48 hours after engineers repaired damaged transformers and transmission infrastructure following the earthquake.

Globe Telecom Uses Satellite Technology to Restore Connectivity in Earthquake-Affected Mindanao Areas

Globe Telecom deployed satellite-based mobile connectivity to restore communications in remote communities in Sarangani and Davao Occidental after terrestrial infrastructure was damaged by the earthquake.

Sandiganbayan Allows Hospital Detention for Former Public Works Secretary in Flood Control Case

The Sandiganbayan’s Fifth Division approved hospital detention for former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan while he faces graft and plunder charges linked to a major flood control funding controversy.

Department of the Interior and Local Government Launches Probe Into Davao City Mayor Over Waste Dumping Allegations

The Department of the Interior and Local Government opened an administrative investigation into Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte following allegations of illegal dumping of commercial waste near a regional environmental office.

Department of Human Settlements Orders Loan Payment Freeze for Housing Beneficiaries in Earthquake Zones

The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development imposed a moratorium on housing loan payments for government beneficiaries in earthquake-hit areas of Mindanao to ease financial pressure on displaced families.

Authorities Arrest Former Police Officer in 2016 Kidnapping and Killing Case of South Korean Businessman

Law enforcement authorities arrested former police officer Rafael Dumlao Jr, identified as the alleged mastermind in the 2016 kidnapping and killing of South Korean businessman Jee Ick Joo, ending a long-running manhunt.

Philippine National Police Secures Conviction in Major Drug Case Linked to Multi-Billion Peso Meth Seizure

A provincial court convicted Canadian national Thomas Gordon O’Quinn in connection with a major methamphetamine case involving an estimated 9.5 billion pesos worth of shabu seized in Batangas, marking a significant enforcement outcome in...

Bureau of Internal Revenue Extends Tax Deadlines in Earthquake-Affected Areas of Mindanao

The Bureau of Internal Revenue approved deadline extensions for tax filing and payments in parts of Davao and Soccsksargen to ease pressure on residents and businesses disrupted by the recent earthquake, preventing penalties during recov...

Department of Education Allocates 235 Million Pesos for Earthquake Recovery in Mindanao Schools

The Department of Education released 235.1 million pesos to support learning continuity in earthquake-affected areas of Mindanao, funding temporary classrooms, psychological support services, and rapid infrastructure assessments for dama...

Philippine Stock Market Rallies as Geopolitical Tensions Ease and Investors Return to Risk Assets

The Philippine Stock Exchange index rose 1.12% to close at 5,945.71 points, led by a sharp gain in DigiPlus Interactive Corporation, as markets rebounded on easing geopolitical concerns following signs of a pause in missile exchanges bet...

Philippine National Police Raises Alert After Security Threat Reported in Senate Complex

The Senate was placed under heightened security after authorities identified a credible threat reportedly linked to former bodyguards who allegedly entered the premises during an ongoing investigation, prompting temporary remote work arr...

President Marcos Jr Delays Special Senate Session Amid Leadership Dispute in Upper Chamber

Malacañang said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr will postpone calling a special legislative session until an internal Senate leadership dispute is resolved, warning that continued political gridlock could delay key economic and security le...

Philippine Institute of Volcanology Warns of Potential Magnitude 8.2 Earthquakes Along Major National Trenches

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology warned that six active tectonic trenches across Luzon and Mindanao are capable of generating magnitude 8.2 earthquakes and possible tsunamis, urging coastal communities to maintain r...

Philippines Files Diplomatic Protest Against China Over Floating Barrier at Scarborough Shoal

Manila lodged a formal diplomatic protest after authorities reported the installation of a new floating structure at Scarborough Shoal, with Philippine officials challenging the move and raising concerns over competing maritime claims in...

United States, Japan and Philippines Advance Trilateral Maritime Security Coordination in Indo-Pacific Strategy Talks

Diplomatic officials from the United States, Japan, and the Philippines concluded a trilateral dialogue in Manila focused on aligning foreign security assistance and strengthening naval coordination, as the three countries seek to deepen...

Philippines Pushes to Finalize ASEAN South China Sea Code of Conduct by End of 2026

Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro said the Philippines is working to conclude long-delayed negotiations on a South China Sea code of conduct by December 2026, with accelerated monthly talks aimed at establishing clearer mariti...

Magnitude 7.8 Earthquake Devastates Southern Mindanao as President Marcos Jr Oversees Emergency Response and Relief Operations

The Office of Civil Defense confirmed 45 deaths, 630 injuries, and 17 missing after a powerful offshore earthquake struck southern Mindanao, prompting President Ferdinand Marcos Jr to travel to General Santos City to coordinate disaster ...

Metro Manila Rail and Subway Projects Adopt Enhanced Climate Resilience Standards

Engineering firms overseeing major transport projects announced the integration of green construction standards and flood-mitigation measures to strengthen infrastructure against future climate and typhoon risks.

Government Expands Post-Drought Support to Protect Rice Supply and Food Prices

Agricultural authorities accelerated the distribution of improved seeds and irrigation assistance to farming cooperatives to mitigate the lingering effects of El Niño and help stabilise staple food prices.

Stock Market Extends Gains Despite Regional Headwinds

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index recorded a third consecutive day of gains as local investors continued buying equities despite broader market pressure from rising global energy costs.

Philippine Students Rank Third Globally at International Artificial Intelligence Competition

A team of 12 Filipino students placed third worldwide at the Northern Eurasia Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence, highlighting growing national strengths in machine learning, computer vision, and advanced computing.

Ninoy Aquino International Airport Begins Major Modernisation and Terminal Upgrades

The private consortium led by San Miguel Corporation has started extensive rehabilitation and digitalisation works across the country's main airport to ease congestion and improve passenger experience ahead of peak travel periods.

Green Lane Programme Facilitates 340 Billion Pesos in Renewable Energy Investments

The Department of Trade and Industry said expedited approval processes helped advance more than 340 billion pesos worth of renewable energy projects during the first four months of the year, with thousands of jobs expected to follow.

Unemployment Falls to 4.7 Percent as Services and Tourism Hiring Strengthens

Official data showed the unemployment rate declined in April as businesses in tourism, hospitality, retail, and related service sectors continued expanding recruitment.

Marcos Commissions New Offshore Patrol Vessel as Navy Modernisation Continues

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. formally commissioned the Philippine Navy's newest offshore patrol vessel and called for stronger defence partnerships and continued maritime capability upgrades.

Business Process Outsourcing Industry Sees AI as Driver of Higher-Value Growth

Industry leaders said wider adoption of generative artificial intelligence is expected to increase revenue per employee and create new roles in areas such as prompt engineering and quality assurance rather than trigger widespread job los...

Philippine Peso Nears Record Low as Global Oil Prices and Federal Reserve Expectations Weigh on Markets

The peso weakened to 61.69 against the US dollar as renewed tensions in the Middle East pushed oil prices higher and reinforced expectations that US interest rates could remain elevated.

UN Agencies Deploy Emergency Aid to Support Millions of Students After Mindanao Earthquake

The United Nations Children's Fund and the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs released emergency funding to assist more than three million learners affected by school closures and damage to roughly 6,000 educational faci...

Philippines Unveils New Investment Incentives for Renewable Energy and Digital Industries

The National Economic and Development Authority approved an updated Strategic Investment Priority Plan offering enhanced tax incentives and faster approvals for renewable energy, critical minerals processing, and digital economy investme...

Government Releases 46 Billion Pesos for Nationwide Infrastructure Projects

The Department of Budget and Management authorised the release of more than 46 billion pesos to support 1,700 transport, logistics, education, and public works projects as part of the government's infrastructure expansion programme.

Foreign Investment Commitments Jump 52 Percent in First Quarter Led by South Korean Capital

The Board of Investments reported approved foreign investment pledges reached 42.6 billion pesos in the first quarter, driven largely by South Korean manufacturing and technology projects attracted by ongoing economic reforms.

Senate Sets Pre-Trial Conference in Impeachment Proceedings Against Vice President Sara Duterte

The Philippine Senate, acting as an impeachment court, formally summoned Vice President Sara Duterte and House prosecutors to a June pre-trial conference, marking a significant step in one of the country's most closely watched political ...

China and Philippines Exchange Sharp Statements Over South China Sea Patrols

China's Foreign Ministry called on Manila to halt surveillance flights and maritime patrols near Huangyan Dao after the Philippines intensified diplomatic protests and security operations in contested waters.

Philippines Files Diplomatic Protest Over Suspected Chinese Activity Near Scarborough Shoal

Manila lodged a formal protest after reporting a Chinese floating structure and surveillance personnel near Scarborough Shoal, while Philippine military officials pledged increased maritime and aerial patrols to deter further constructio...

Magnitude 7.8 Earthquake in Southern Mindanao Triggers National Emergency Response

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. mobilised a nationwide disaster response after a powerful offshore earthquake struck Sarangani province, killing at least 37 people, displacing more than 32,000 residents, and causing extensive damage acros...