Manila Times

Health Experts Call for Stronger Maternal Care as Climate Risks Intensify

Philippine health specialists are urging upgrades to maternal healthcare as extreme heat and flooding increasingly disrupt medical access and threaten pregnant women in vulnerable rural and coastal communities.

Philippine Social Security System Launches Digital Microloans for Informal Workers

The Social Security System has introduced a fully digital loan facility offering up to 20,000 pesos to domestic workers and people in the informal economy, aiming to expand access to credit and reduce reliance on predatory lenders.

EU Provides 10.9 Million Pesos in Emergency Aid for Luzon Flood Victims

The European Union has allocated 10.9 million pesos in emergency humanitarian assistance to communities affected by severe flooding across Luzon.

Philippines Seeks $5 Million UN Grant to Cut Climate Super Pollutants

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has applied for $5 million in United Nations funding to reduce high-impact climate pollutants across transport and industrial sectors.

Philippine SEC Proposes Higher Capital Requirements for Stock Brokers

The Securities and Exchange Commission has proposed raising minimum capital levels for brokerages and other financial intermediaries to strengthen market resilience and improve investor protection.

Philippines and Singapore Move to Update Bilateral Tax Treaty

Officials from the Philippines and Singapore have opened talks on modernizing their tax agreement to reduce double taxation and improve conditions for cross-border investment between the two economies.

Polish Delegation Plans Strategic Philippines Visit Focused on Defence and Trade

A senior Polish delegation is preparing for a four-day visit to Manila aimed at expanding defence procurement, maritime security cooperation and bilateral trade links.

Philippine Customs Revenue Reaches Record 757.4 Billion Pesos

The Bureau of Customs says collections have reached 757.4 billion pesos, supported by stronger anti-smuggling enforcement and more digital port procedures, providing additional fiscal resources for government infrastructure spending.

NBI Summons Rodrigo Duterte and Lord Allan Velasco Over Alleged Cash Deliveries

The National Bureau of Investigation has asked former president Rodrigo Duterte and former House speaker Lord Allan Velasco to respond to sworn testimony alleging illicit cash deliveries worth millions of pesos.

Philippine Senate Says No December Deadline Set for Sara Duterte Impeachment Verdict

Senate leaders have clarified that there is no fixed timetable for a verdict in Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial, contradicting earlier suggestions of a December deadline.

Sara Duterte Camp Denies Claims of Funds From China and Drug Syndicates

Vice President Sara Duterte and Mans Carpio have rejected allegations that their family received illicit financial contributions from Chinese entities and drug syndicates, calling the claims politically motivated.

Philippine Authorities Raid Suspected Scam Hubs and Detain More Than 200 Foreign Nationals

Joint law enforcement teams detained more than 200 people, mostly Chinese nationals, during raids on suspected cybercrime and financial scam operations in Zamboanga del Sur and Sibugay.

GCash Parent Mynt Sets IPO Price at 6.60 Pesos a Share

Mynt, the parent company of digital wallet GCash, has finalized its initial public offering price at 6.60 pesos per share, marking a major test of investor demand for Philippine fintech and Southeast Asian digital-economy stocks.

Philippine Inflation Eases to 6.1% as Food Price Pressures Moderate

Inflation slowed to 6.1% in August from 6.2% a month earlier as food and beverage prices eased, though the rate remains well above the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas target range of 2% to 4%.

Philippines Freezes Assets Linked to Alleged Flood-Control Kickback Scheme

The Anti-Money Laundering Council has secured a freeze order on bank accounts and other assets connected to allegedly anomalous flood-control projects, intensifying scrutiny of corruption in public works procurement.

ICC Allows Written Testimony in Rodrigo Duterte Crimes Against Humanity Case

The International Criminal Court has permitted prosecutors to submit written testimony from a key witness linked to the Davao Death Squad, advancing proceedings over alleged crimes committed during former president Rodrigo Duterte’s anti...

Philippine Coast Guard Rejects Chinese Flag-Raising Attempt Near Bajo de Masinloc

Philippine maritime authorities have protested an attempt by Chinese vessels to raise China’s flag near Bajo de Masinloc, reinforcing Manila’s position that it will defend its sovereign rights in the contested South China Sea.

Philippines Launches 14 Million Peso Aquaculture Support Package in Sorsogon

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources introduced a 14 million peso assistance program to improve aquaculture infrastructure and support fishing communities in Sorsogon.

Philippines Recognizes Hungary’s Bird Flu Zoning to Maintain Poultry Imports

The Department of Agriculture recognized Hungary’s regional avian influenza containment zones, allowing imports of poultry products from areas deemed safe.

Fire on Commercial Tanker at Batangas Port Injures Two Crew Members

Emergency crews extinguished a blaze aboard a commercial vessel at the Port of Batangas, preventing wider damage and environmental contamination while two crew members sustained injuries.

Earthquakes Hit Sultan Kudarat and Ilocos Norte, Prompting Class Suspensions

A magnitude 4.9 earthquake struck Sultan Kudarat and a separate magnitude 4.5 tremor hit Ilocos Norte, leading local authorities to suspend classes and carry out structural inspections.

De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde Suspends In-Person Operations After Security Threats

The Manila-based institution halted face-to-face classes and locked down campus facilities after receiving unspecified security threats, prompting a police response.

Professional Regulation Commission Opens Bangsamoro Regional Office

The Professional Regulation Commission opened a new office in Cotabato City to make licensing services more accessible to healthcare workers, engineers, educators and other professionals in the Bangsamoro region.

Philippine Anti-Drug Agents Seize 6.8 Million Pesos of Meth in Bangsamoro

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency confiscated more than 6.8 million pesos worth of methamphetamine during coordinated operations in Tawi-Tawi and Cotabato City.

Naga City Plebiscite on Highly Urbanized Status Set for November 21

The Commission on Elections scheduled a November 21 plebiscite on whether Naga should become a highly urbanized city, advancing a major local governance change despite the broader postponement of village elections.

Philippines Orders Immediate Retrofitting of Aging Bridges in Camarines Sur

Public works authorities ordered urgent reinforcement of older bridges in Camarines Sur after safety inspections identified structural risks along important provincial transport routes.

Marcos Administration Defends Postponement of Barangay and Youth Elections

Malacañang said it will defend the legality of delaying the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections as constitutional challenges move through the courts.

Agusan del Sur Declares Dengue Outbreak as Drought Losses Exceed 3.5 Billion Pesos

Authorities in Agusan del Sur declared emergency measures as a dengue outbreak strained health facilities and severe drought caused more than 3.5 billion pesos in agricultural losses.

Philippine Supreme Court Rejects Challenges to Senate Leadership Reorganization

The Supreme Court dismissed two petitions questioning the constitutionality of the Senate’s June leadership shakeup, upholding the chamber’s use of a 12-member quorum.

Philippine Transport Regulator Summons Ride-Hailing Firms Over Fare Complaints

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board opened inquiries into several ride-hailing operators after complaints that mandated fare adjustments had not been properly implemented in Metro Manila.

Philippine Customs Destroys 1.4 Billion Pesos of Smuggled Vapes

The Bureau of Customs destroyed illegally imported electronic cigarettes valued at 1.4 billion pesos as authorities intensified enforcement against tobacco smuggling.

Philippines Steps Up Rice Purchases Ahead of Expected El Niño Dry Spell

The National Food Authority increased domestic rice procurement to rebuild strategic reserves and protect consumers from potential supply disruptions linked to a severe El Niño event.

Philippine Social Security System Launches Digital Microloan Platform

The Social Security System introduced LoanLite, allowing eligible members to borrow between 1,000 and 20,000 pesos digitally as part of efforts to expand financial access and reduce reliance on predatory lenders.

Philippine Authorities Arrest About 200 in Crackdown on Illegal Online Gambling Hubs

Law enforcement agencies arrested roughly 200 people, including Chinese nationals, during coordinated raids on unauthorized online gambling operations across the Philippines.

Philippines and Singapore Finalize Updated Double-Taxation Agreement

Manila and Singapore concluded negotiations on a revised bilateral tax treaty designed to reduce double taxation and lower barriers to investment between the two economies.

Philippine Stock Index Falls for Fifth Straight Session

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index extended its decline to a fifth consecutive trading day as investors reacted to rising government debt, a weaker peso and higher inflation.

GCash Parent Mynt Sets Final IPO Price at 6.60 Pesos a Share

Mynt, the parent company of digital wallet GCash, set its final initial public offering price at 6.60 pesos per share ahead of one of the most closely watched market debuts in the Philippines.

Philippine Government Debt Hits Record 19.6 Trillion Pesos

The Bureau of the Treasury reported that national government debt rose to a record 19.6 trillion pesos in August, driven by new borrowing and weakness in the peso.

Philippine Inflation Seen at Three-Year High as Energy Costs Rise

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas projected that September inflation likely reached a three-year high, increasing pressure on household purchasing power and complicating the central bank’s interest-rate outlook.

Philippines Rejects China’s Call to Keep South China Sea Disputes Out of UN Forums

The Marcos administration rejected Beijing’s request to exclude West Philippine Sea disputes from United Nations discussions, reaffirming Manila’s strategy of raising its maritime claims through international legal and diplomatic channels.