Manila Times

Metro Manila Suspends Number Coding Scheme for Ninoy Aquino Day Weekend

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority suspended the unified vehicle volume reduction program across the capital region for the Ninoy Aquino Day holiday weekend, easing traffic restrictions while monsoon flooding continues to disr...

Metro Manila Commission Hires Dutch Firm to Design Underground Flood-Control Infrastructure

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority commissioned Dutch engineering consultancy Haskoning to design underground cisterns and detention ponds beneath major sites in the capital as part of efforts to improve flood management.

Philippine Legal Teams Say Witness Selection in Political Probes Will Depend on Evidence

Legal counsel involved in ongoing political and anti-corruption proceedings said controversial witnesses will be called only when their testimony is considered necessary to meet evidentiary requirements.

Philippines Orders Alternative Government Work Arrangements Amid Severe Weather

Malacañang ordered remote and alternative work arrangements for government employees in Metro Manila and seventeen provinces as severe weather and flooding threatened public safety and the continuity of government services.

Philippine Government Provides Psychological First Aid to Zamboanga Shooting Victims

The Department of Social Welfare and Development deployed psychological support teams to Ateneo de Zamboanga University to assist students and families affected by the fatal shooting.

Philippines Says Zamboanga School Shooting Was Carried Out by Lone Suspect

The Department of the Interior and Local Government said its investigation found no evidence of a wider conspiracy in the Ateneo de Zamboanga University attack, countering public speculation about coordinated involvement.

Philippines Tracks Tropical Storm Saudel as Country Recovers From Earlier Storms

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration warned that Tropical Storm Saudel could enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility by late weekend, potentially complicating recovery efforts after Tropica...

Philippine Justice Secretary Urges Parents to Monitor Children as Online Threats Increase

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla called on parents to closely monitor minors’ online activities amid concerns over cybercrime and the spread of violent digital content.

Manila Water Strengthens Infrastructure to Maintain Services During Severe Flooding

Manila Water has upgraded resilience measures designed to keep potable water and wastewater services operating during severe Southwest Monsoon flooding and other extreme weather disruptions across eastern Metro Manila.

Philippine Senate Begins Campus Security Consultations After Zamboanga School Shooting

The Senate Education Committee has launched consultations with schools and local governments to strengthen campus security and emergency response procedures following the fatal shooting at Ateneo de Zamboanga University.

Philippine Authorities Seize Thirteen Million Pesos in Equipment During Illegal Mining Raid

Authorities arrested three people and confiscated heavy machinery worth thirteen million pesos during an operation against illegal mining in Iligan City, reinforcing government efforts to curb unregulated resource extraction.

PhilHealth Shifts Focus to Primary Care to Support Long-Term Universal Health Coverage

The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation is prioritising stronger primary healthcare services, with its chief executive arguing that preventive care is essential to sustaining broader medical coverage for Filipinos.

Ombudsman Subpoenas Taguig Infrastructure Records in Expanding Corruption Probe

The Office of the Ombudsman has subpoenaed procurement and financial documents linked to infrastructure projects in Taguig City, according to former Senator Panfilo Lacson, as scrutiny of local government spending widens.

Philippine Justice Secretary Calls for Repeal of Law to Streamline Criminal Justice System

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla called for the repeal of the legislation known as the Robin Padilla law, arguing that removing legal bottlenecks could improve the efficiency of the country’s judicial process.

Philippine Policy Institute Calls for Fiscal Restraint as Inflation Risks Increase

Researchers at the Philippine Institute for Development Studies urged the government to distinguish productive investment from lower-priority spending and maintain fiscal discipline as inflationary pressures build.

Congressman Mikee Romero Resigns From Philippine Military Reserve Amid Review of Military Honors

Representative Mikee Romero has resigned from the Armed Forces of the Philippines Reserve Force following scrutiny over military awards, prompting a broader review of procedures governing recognition for reservists.

Philippine Senate Questions Meta Over Delayed Removal of Zamboanga School Shooting Videos

Senators criticised Meta during a hearing over the delayed removal of graphic footage from the Ateneo de Zamboanga University shooting, raising questions about social media platforms’ responsibilities during violent incidents.

Philippines Rejects Chinese Embassy Claims of Selective Law Enforcement

The Department of National Defense and the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission rejected allegations from the Chinese Embassy that Manila is selectively enforcing the law, defending its nationwide campaign against illegal offshor...

More Filipino Households Report Poverty and Hunger Despite Broader Economic Growth

An OCTA Research survey found a rise in self-rated poverty and involuntary hunger among Filipino households during the second quarter, highlighting persistent cost-of-living pressures despite the government’s broader economic recovery na...

Ombudsman Expands Investigation Into House Speaker Romualdez Despite Witness Recantation

The Office of the Ombudsman said twenty-eight additional witnesses are prepared to testify in its investigation involving House Speaker Martin Romualdez, despite the retraction of earlier accusations by whistleblower Orly Guteza.

Philippines Reports One Point Seven Three Billion Pesos in Agricultural Damage From Severe Weather

Recent tropical cyclones and the Southwest Monsoon have killed twenty-nine people, affected more than six point five million Filipinos and caused one point seventy-three billion pesos in agricultural losses, with fifty-three municipaliti...

Philippine Political Tensions Rise Over Possible Vice Presidential Impeachment Proceedings

Former presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo said a figure identified as Madriaga could become a key witness in a potential impeachment case against the vice president, adding to political tensions within the country’s leadership.

Philippine Inflation Seen Rising as High as Six Percent Amid Climate and Geopolitical Shocks

The Congressional Policy and Budget Research Department warned that Philippine inflation could reach between four point two and six percent in 2026, driven by agricultural disruptions from El Niño and higher global commodity costs linked...

Marcos Orders New Metro Manila Flood-Control Projects as Severe Weather Intensifies

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the deployment and upgrading of thirteen pumping stations and construction of thirty-nine rainwater catchment basins across Metro Manila, with Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank funding supporting...

Philippines Rejects China Military Drills Near Scarborough Shoal as Having No Effect on Maritime Claims

The Armed Forces of the Philippines said recent Chinese naval and airborne exercises near Scarborough Shoal do not alter Manila’s maritime rights under international law, as tensions over the disputed waters continue.

Tropical Storm Saudel Could Strengthen Southwest Monsoon Over the Philippines

The Philippine weather bureau is monitoring Tropical Storm Saudel about 3,000 kilometers east of Mindanao, warning that its peripheral bands could add moisture to the southwest monsoon affecting the country.

Foreign Investors Continue Strong Gross Buying Despite Net Outflow From Philippine Stocks

Foreign investors recorded a net outflow of 232 million pesos in the latest Philippine Stock Exchange session, although gross foreign purchases remained in line with the 30-day median.

Metro Pacific Water Restores Full Service in San Jose del Monte After Disruptions

Metro Pacific Water has restored normal operations in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, after prolonged service interruptions affected residential and commercial customers.

Marikina River Reaches First Alarm Level as La Mesa Dam Nears Critical Threshold

Disaster authorities placed communities in eastern Metro Manila on alert after the Marikina River reached 15 meters and La Mesa Dam rose to 80 meters, prompting preparations for possible evacuations.

Philippine Labor Department Reminds Employers of Worker Protections During Severe Weather

The Department of Labor and Employment said workers should not face disciplinary action for refusing to travel during dangerous typhoons or flooding, while noting that employers are generally not required to pay for hours not worked.

Philippines Cancels and Diverts Domestic Flights as Severe Monsoon Weather Disrupts Aviation

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines cancelled or diverted multiple flights serving airports including Bacolod, Cauayan and Tuguegarao as heavy rain and poor visibility affected runway safety.

Echelon Philippines Technology Summit Urges Startups to Focus on Practical Artificial Intelligence

The Echelon Philippines technology conference urged startups to move beyond artificial intelligence hype and develop practical business applications while confronting rising infrastructure costs.

Quezon City Court Sets Oral Arguments in Grave Threats Case Against Sara Duterte

A Quezon City court has scheduled oral arguments on a motion to quash a grave threats complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte, adding to the legal challenges facing the country’s second-highest official.

Bank of the Philippine Islands Partners With Gogolook to Strengthen Fraud Protection

Bank of the Philippine Islands is integrating digital security technology from Gogolook to protect customers against mobile scams and unauthorized transactions as financial fraud becomes more sophisticated.

ABS-CBN Seeks More Partnerships as It Expands Digital Content Business

ABS-CBN executives said the company remains open to partnerships with rival media networks as it continues shifting toward digital storytelling and independent content production.

Metro Pacific Tollways Reports Six Percent First-Half Profit Growth as Toll Adjustments Offset Lower Traffic

Metro Pacific Tollways reported attributable net income of 3.7 billion pesos for the first half, up six percent, as recently approved toll increases offset a slight decline in average daily vehicle volumes.

Enrique Razon Commits 2.1 Billion Pesos to Upgrade Negros Island Power Infrastructure

Philippine infrastructure and port magnate Enrique Razon plans to invest 2.1 billion pesos in power grid upgrades across the Visayas, targeting reliability problems that have constrained local economic and industrial activity.

Jollibee Takes Full Ownership of Tim Ho Wan North American Operations

Jollibee Foods Corporation has acquired complete ownership of the Michelin-starred dim sum chain Tim Ho Wan’s North American franchise operations, expanding the Philippine restaurant group’s international portfolio.

Philippine Securities Regulator Defends 12 Percent Monthly Lending Cap and Revokes Hundreds of Licences

The Securities and Exchange Commission is maintaining a 12 percent monthly interest ceiling for small unsecured loans and has revoked the licences of more than 400 lending companies as it tightens oversight of the digital credit market.

US and European Business Groups Urge Philippines to Turn Investment Pledges Into Projects Faster

The United States-ASEAN Business Council and HSBC executives called for faster execution of foreign investment commitments, saying global capital remains selective as competition for investment across the region intensifies.

Philippines and Iceland Finalize Air Services Agreement With Seven Weekly Flights

The Philippines and Iceland have finalized an agreement allowing seven weekly passenger and cargo flights between Manila and Reykjavik, with the arrangement aimed at expanding trade, tourism and bilateral connections.

Philippines and United States Complete Tenth Anniversary of Joint Disaster Response Exercises

Military officials from the Philippines and the United States concluded the latest iteration of their decade-long humanitarian and disaster response training at Camp Emilio Aguinaldo, reinforcing cooperation between the two allies.

Philippine Forces Begin Territorial Defense Exercises Across Zamboanga and Sulu

Army units, armored vehicles and artillery are conducting territorial defense drills across the Zamboanga Peninsula and Sulu in coordination with the coast guard and police to strengthen maritime and border security.

Marcos Orders Flood Control Coordination With Quezon City After Severe Urban Inundation

President Ferdinand Marcos Junior directed the public works department to coordinate with Quezon City on a flood control master plan after severe flooding affected major roads including Araneta Avenue.

Philippine Infrastructure and Agriculture Damage From Storms Nears 5 Billion Pesos

The Office of Civil Defense reported more than 3.5 billion pesos in infrastructure damage and 1.4 billion pesos in agricultural losses from the southwest monsoon and successive tropical cyclones, with northern and central Luzon among the...

Monsoon Rains and Tropical Depression Neneng Trigger Flooding and Class Suspensions Across the Philippines

The Office of the President suspended in-person classes and ordered alternative work arrangements across Metro Manila and 17 provinces as torrential southwest monsoon rains flooded urban areas and pushed river levels higher.

House Prosecutors Allege Illegal Transfer of Sara Duterte Confidential Funds During Impeachment Trial

House prosecutors presented testimony from a former special disbursement officer alleging that Vice President Sara Duterte authorized the transfer of 125 million pesos in confidential funds to an unauthorized official during the Senate i...

Philippines Declares Chinese Military Drills Near Scarborough Shoal Do Not Alter Maritime Rights

The Armed Forces of the Philippines said recent Chinese naval and air exercises near Scarborough Shoal have no effect on Manila’s maritime entitlements or exclusive economic zone rights under international law.