Manila Times

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Seeks Homes for Retired Detection Dogs

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency is accepting public applications to adopt nine retired narcotic detection dogs that served in anti-illegal drug operations across the country.

Philippines and Nicaragua Sign First Agreement on Political Consultations

The Philippines and Nicaragua have concluded their first bilateral agreement on political consultations, marking a step in Manila's efforts to broaden diplomatic engagement and diversify international partnerships.

Philippine Police Say They Have Received No Official Communication on Alleged ICC Warrants

The Philippine National Police said it has not received any formal documents or official notice regarding reports of alleged arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court against national personalities.

Pag-IBIG Fund Introduces Promotional Housing Loan Rates for Middle-Income Families

The state-run Pag-IBIG Fund has launched new housing loan rates for qualifying properties in an effort to improve home affordability and support activity in the residential property market.

Police Crack Down on Fraudsters Targeting Mindanao Earthquake Victims

The Philippine National Police has intensified operations against individuals allegedly posing as public works personnel and exploiting earthquake victims through fake recovery and aid schemes.

Department of Migrant Workers Provides More Than 13 Million Pesos in Livelihood Aid to Returning OFWs

The Department of Migrant Workers has disbursed 13.76 million pesos in assistance to returning overseas Filipino workers to help them establish local livelihood opportunities through the National Reintegration Network.

Commission on Higher Education Approves Medical Programs at Five State Universities

The Commission on Higher Education has authorized new Doctor of Medicine programs at five state universities and colleges as part of efforts to address shortages of healthcare professionals in provincial communities.

President Marcos' 2026 Investment Incentive Plan Takes Effect to Drive Industrial Growth

The new Strategic Investment Priority Plan approved by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. introduces fiscal incentives for industries including agriculture, semiconductors, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity to encourage investment, j...

Mindanao Earthquake Death Toll Rises to 78 as Recovery Efforts Continue

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council has confirmed 78 fatalities from the magnitude-7.8 earthquake that struck Maasim, Sarangani, as authorities continue relief operations and distribute aid across affected areas o...

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Raises Key Interest Rate to 4.75 Percent to Contain Inflation Risks

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas increased its reverse repurchase rate by 25 basis points to 4.75 percent, citing rising global oil and fertilizer prices and the need to keep long-term inflation expectations anchored.

Eraserheads Documentary Debuts on Netflix for Global Audience

A new documentary chronicling the history and cultural influence of the iconic Filipino band Eraserheads has premiered on Netflix, bringing one of the Philippines' defining musical acts to viewers worldwide.

Alex Eala Claims Impressive Debut Victory at Berlin Open

Filipino tennis player Alex Eala defeated Donna Vekic in her first main-draw appearance at the Berlin Open, marking another milestone in her emergence on the international tennis circuit.

Barangay Ginebra Wins PBA Commissioner's Cup in Game Seven Victory Over TNT

Barangay Ginebra San Miguel defeated TNT Tropang Giga in a decisive Game Seven to capture the Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner's Cup title and extend its enduring popularity among Filipino fans.

Immigration Authorities Arrest Four Taiwanese Nationals Over Alleged Illegal Entry Scheme

Philippine immigration officers detained four Taiwanese nationals accused of using fraudulent documents to enter the country as part of a broader crackdown on transnational criminal activities.

Cebu Landmasters Unveils Expansion Plan Following Record Financial Growth

The Visayas and Mindanao property developer has announced a leadership transition and restructuring program as it seeks to expand into Metro Manila and Luzon after posting record revenue growth.

Transport Regulators Suspend 24 Buses After Fatal Crash Near Baguio City

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board has imposed a 30-day suspension on 24 buses operated by North Genesis while investigating fleet safety practices following a deadly accident in the Cordillera region.

Philippines Repatriates Remains of Worker Killed in Lebanon Conflict

Government agencies coordinated the return of an overseas Filipino worker who died in Lebanon, prompting renewed contingency planning for Filipinos living in conflict-affected areas of the Middle East.

Manila Water Upgrades Facilities to Strengthen Climate Resilience Across Eastern Metro Manila

The utility operator has announced significant investments in pumping stations and treatment infrastructure to safeguard water supplies against increasingly severe flooding and tropical weather events.

Acciona Expands Solar Microgrid Projects to Bring Electricity to Remote Philippine Communities

Spanish infrastructure group Acciona has broadened its decentralized solar initiatives, delivering electricity access to more than 21,000 households in underserved areas of the Philippines.

Cebu Allocates Emergency Agricultural Aid as El Niño and Monsoon Conditions Threaten Farms

The Cebu City government has released 30 million pesos in emergency funding and expanded support programs for farmers facing the combined impact of severe drought and monsoon-related weather disruptions.

Lawmakers Press PhilHealth to End Minimum Hospital Stay Requirement for Coverage

Members of Congress are urging the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation to scrap its requirement that patients be hospitalized for at least 24 hours before receiving benefits, arguing that the policy disproportionately affects working...

Alan Peter Cayetano Takes Over as Senate Minority Leader After Leadership Change

Former Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano has assumed leadership of the minority bloc and is mobilizing allied lawmakers to seek Supreme Court intervention over the transition to a new Senate majority.

US Investors Explore Waste-to-Energy Project in Bataan Industrial Zone

American firms Tersis Technologies and Pingkas Capital have opened discussions with the Freeport Area of Bataan on developing a waste-to-energy facility designed to support industrial power needs and strengthen circular economy initiatives.

Lufthansa Technik Expands Aerospace Maintenance Operations at Clark Freeport Zone

Lufthansa Technik is establishing a new base maintenance facility at Clark International Airport, reinforcing the Philippines' position as an aviation services hub while creating skilled jobs and attracting investment.

Philippines Warns Against Settlement on Newly Uplifted Mindanao Coastlines After Earthquake

Environmental authorities have prohibited construction on newly elevated coastal areas in Mindanao, citing geological instability and tsunami risks created by the recent tectonic upheaval.

Government Expedites Recovery Efforts After Magnitude 7.8 Earthquake Strikes Mindanao

Authorities have accelerated rehabilitation measures following the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that affected Sarangani and General Santos City, while regulators ordered insurers to speed up claims processing for displaced residents and dama...

Opposition Groups Form Electoral Alliance Ahead of the 2028 Philippine Presidential Election

Progressive and traditional opposition factions have launched a unified political coalition, marking an early effort to challenge the administration's alliance in the next presidential race.

GCash Parent Mynt Accelerates Preparations for Landmark Initial Public Offering

Mynt, the operator of the Philippines' leading mobile wallet platform GCash, is advancing plans for an initial public offering that could attract significant international investment and reinforce the country's digital finance sector.

Philippine Military Investigates Suspected Chinese Research Activities at Scarborough Shoal

Security agencies have increased surveillance after detecting unauthorized Chinese vessels and floating structures conducting suspected oceanographic and military-related activities in the lagoon of Bajo de Masinloc in the West Philippin...

Philippines Raises $2.5 Billion Through Sovereign Dollar Bond Offering

The Bureau of the Treasury successfully raised $2.5 billion in international debt markets to help finance infrastructure projects and manage fiscal deficits under the government's Build Better More program.

Philippine Stock Market Falls More Than Two Percent Ahead of Central Bank Rate Decision

The Philippine Stock Exchange index dropped 2.1 percent as foreign and institutional investors reduced positions in major companies ahead of an expected policy decision by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

Philippines Considers Defense Pact With Germany Following Presidential Summit in Manila

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the Philippines is open to negotiating a visiting forces agreement with Germany similar to existing arrangements with the United States after hosting German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in Manila.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Meets Vladimir Putin in Russia to Expand Trade and Energy Cooperation

During a high-level visit to Kazan, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on strengthening agricultural trade, energy cooperation and defense coordination amid shifting geopolitical dynamics in t...

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian Elected Senate President Ahead of Sara Duterte Impeachment Trial

A major leadership reshuffle in the Senate has elevated Sherwin Gatchalian to the presidency of the chamber as lawmakers prepare to convene as an impeachment court under Senator Francis Escudero to hear the constitutional case against Vi...

Philippine Basketball Association Heads for Winner-Takes-All Finals Clash Between Justin Brownlee and Chris McCullough

The professional basketball league is preparing for a decisive Game Seven championship showdown that has generated strong television ratings and widespread public interest across the Philippines.

Police Arrest Suspects Accused of Impersonating Public Works Officials to Extort Contractors in Davao City

Authorities detained two individuals accused of conducting fake inspections and soliciting payments from construction firms, highlighting ongoing efforts to combat corruption in public infrastructure projects.

Study Finds Rising Public Confidence in Philippine Health Insurance Providers

New research showed that Filipino households are placing greater trust in public and private health insurers, supported by improvements in digital claims processing and broader medical coverage.

Authorities Seize Smuggled Endangered Tortoises at Ninoy Aquino International Airport

Environmental officials took custody of 50 exotic tortoises intercepted by customs authorities in Manila, underscoring the continuing challenge of wildlife trafficking through the country's transport hubs.

Oriental Mindoro Officials Seek Independent Audit of Electric Cooperative After Repeated Blackouts

Provincial lawmakers called for a technical and financial review of the local power cooperative and its suppliers as recurring outages continue to disrupt businesses and public services.

Farmers' Groups Renew Calls for Agrarian Reform Overhaul and Wider Land Distribution

Agricultural organizations said millions of rural workers remain underserved by existing land reform programs and urged the government to strengthen support systems to improve food security.

Police Report Sharp Decline in Major Crimes Across the MIMAROPA Region

Law enforcement officials said index crimes in Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan fell by 28.45 percent, attributing the improvement to stronger police visibility and community programs.

Environment Department Seeks Explanation From Davao City Mayor Over Alleged Illegal Waste Disposal

National environmental regulators opened an inquiry into allegations of improper garbage dumping linked to the administration of Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte.

University of the Philippines Scientists Call for Watershed Management After Severe Flooding in Metro Cebu

Researchers urged policymakers to adopt comprehensive watershed solutions instead of fragmented flood-control measures, warning that Cebu remains highly exposed to severe flooding during extreme weather.