Manila Times

Metro Manila's EDSA to Host First-Ever Marathon During Independence Day Weekend

Authorities approved an unprecedented marathon along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue, marking a rare effort to temporarily repurpose one of the capital's busiest roads for public recreation and civic activities.

Traditional Austronesian Vessel Sails From Taiwan to the Philippines in Symbolic Cultural Voyage

Indigenous navigators have begun a historic maritime journey linking Taiwan and the northern Philippines, celebrating ancestral connections and longstanding ties across the western Pacific.

Regional Technology Hubs Develop Artificial Intelligence Tools for Agriculture and Healthcare

Startups in Western Visayas have deployed systems to monitor harmful algal blooms and detect diabetic retinopathy, demonstrating the growing reach of digital innovation beyond Metro Manila.

Corruption Complaints Against Representative Rodante Marcoleta Dismissed

Authorities dismissed graft and plunder complaints against Representative Rodante Marcoleta after determining that the allegations were legally insufficient.

Police Identify Seven Suspects in Ateneo de Manila University Drowning Case

Investigators are pursuing homicide and anti-hazing charges after identifying persons of interest in the death of a student, renewing scrutiny of fraternity activities and campus safety standards.

Environment Department Investigates Davao City Mayor Over Alleged Illegal Waste Disposal

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has requested an explanation from Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte following reports of unauthorised waste dumping activities.

Philippine Military and Local Governments Conduct Territorial Defence Exercise in Iloilo

Authorities launched a two-day simulation in Miag-ao and San Joaquin to test coordination procedures for missile attacks, coastal incursions and large-scale civilian evacuations.

Magnitude 6.2 Earthquake Strikes Davao Oriental Amid Ongoing Mindanao Relief Operations

A second strong earthquake hit eastern Mindanao as emergency agencies continued relief efforts following the deadly Sarangani disaster, placing additional pressure on disaster response operations.

China Reportedly Imposes Sanctions on Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro

Political coalition 1Sambayan condemned Beijing's reported sanctions against Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, reflecting worsening diplomatic tensions over the South China Sea.

Senate Leadership Dispute Brings Legislative Proceedings to a Standstill

Competing factions within the Senate are locked in a confrontation over committee appointments and the legitimacy of parallel hearings, creating uncertainty over the upper chamber's legislative agenda.

Manufacturers Urge Government to Accelerate Industrial Reforms After Oil Prices Retreat

The Federation of Philippine Industries called for full implementation of the Tatak Pinoy Act and CREATE MORE Act, arguing that lower energy costs offer an opportunity to restore manufacturing competitiveness.

Fuel Prices Fall Sharply in Philippines as Global Oil Markets Ease

Philippine oil companies cut diesel prices by as much as 5.71 pesos per litre following the diplomatic breakthrough between the United States and Iran, providing immediate relief for transport operators and domestic supply chains.

International Finance Corporation Identifies Philippines as Priority Market for Renewable Energy Investment

Speaking at the Asia Infrastructure Forum in Singapore, the World Bank's private sector arm called for greater private investment in Philippine geothermal, wind and solar projects to support rising electricity demand driven by artificial...

Philippine and Singapore Agencies Renew Infrastructure Partnership to Accelerate Major Projects

The Philippine Public-Private Partnership Center and Singapore's Infrastructure Asia signed an updated memorandum of understanding to expand financing and technical cooperation for transport and urban development projects.

Japan and Philippines to Hold Joint Parachute Drills Near Taiwan

Japanese airborne troops will participate in exercises with Philippine forces in Batanes, deepening bilateral military cooperation and highlighting growing attention to security near the strategically important Bashi Channel.

Visayas Power Grid Placed on Yellow Alert After Multiple Power Plant Outages

The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines warned of potential electricity shortages after 16 generating plants simultaneously went offline, underscoring persistent weaknesses in the country's power infrastructure.

President Marcos Says Military Agreement With Germany Remains Possible

Following talks with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in Manila, President Marcos said a visiting forces agreement with Germany remains under consideration as the Philippines broadens its international defence partnerships.

President Marcos to Hold Talks With Vladimir Putin on Food and Energy Security

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr is preparing for bilateral discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin focused on agricultural supplies, fertiliser procurement and long-term energy stability as the Philippines seeks to strengthen sup...

World Bank and Economists Cut Philippine Growth Expectations Amid Energy Price Pressures

The World Bank maintained its Philippine growth forecast at 3.7% this year while economists from De La Salle University lowered their projection to 3.08%, citing the economic impact of elevated oil prices and instability in the Middle East.

United States and Philippines Prepare US$10 Billion Artificial Intelligence and Semiconductor Hub in Clark

The Bases Conversion and Development Authority is set to sign an agreement with the US State Department to develop the Pax Silica project, an artificial intelligence and green energy industrial hub intended to strengthen semiconductor ca...

Magnitude 7.8 Earthquake Devastates Sarangani and Triggers Tsunami Warnings Across Mindanao

A powerful offshore earthquake near Maasim, Sarangani, killed at least 19 people, injured more than 130 and damaged schools and hospitals across Mindanao on the first day of the academic year, prompting tsunami warnings and a large-scale...

Government Launches 140 Million Peso Program to Develop African Swine Fever Vaccines

The Department of Agriculture has begun a multi-year initiative to support domestic research and production of vaccines against African swine fever, which continues to disrupt hog production and increase reliance on imported pork.

Remittance Growth Slows as Overseas Filipino Workers Face Global Economic Uncertainty

Cash transfers through formal banking channels reached $2.5 billion in April, with annual growth slowing to 2 percent as weaker global conditions and cautious spending weigh on earnings among overseas Filipinos.

Philippines Launches Initiative to Develop Sustainable Aviation Fuel Supply Chains

Civil aviation authorities and local energy producers have signed an agreement to advance research and commercial development of sustainable aviation fuel as the country pursues lower-emission air transport.

Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific Lower Fuel Surcharges Ahead of Peak Travel Season

Reduced fuel surcharge levels approved by regulators will lower ticket prices for domestic and international flights, improving travel affordability as the holiday season approaches.

Globe Restores Most Telecommunications Services in Earthquake-Hit Mindanao

The telecommunications provider said it has restored 97 percent of network infrastructure across thirty-one municipalities in Sarangani and Davao, helping support emergency response and recovery operations.

Electricity Bills Rise as Meralco Passes Through Higher Generation Costs

Residential and commercial customers in Metro Manila and nearby provinces will face higher power bills this month after elevated generation charges and supply constraints pushed up electricity costs.

Philippine External Debt Eases to $147 Billion in First Quarter

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas reported a slight decline in external debt, largely reflecting exchange rate movements and cautious government borrowing amid volatile global interest rates.

Billease Invests 500 Million Pesos to Expand Rural Digital Lending Operations

The financial technology company has injected fresh capital into the Rural Bank of Santa Maria to upgrade banking systems and expand digital lending services for underserved communities across the country.

NAIA Terminal 3 Land Acquisition Clears Path for Airport Modernization

The Manila International Airport Authority has completed the purchase of the Terminal 3 property from the Bases Conversion and Development Authority, resolving longstanding ownership issues ahead of private-sector rehabilitation plans.

Philippines and Sweden Deepen Talks on Energy and Manufacturing Investments

Finance Secretary Frederick Go hosted a Swedish business delegation in Manila to explore investment opportunities in energy digitalization and advanced manufacturing as the government seeks closer economic ties with Europe.

Government Retains Incentives for Electric Vehicle Manufacturers

Trade Secretary Ma Cristina Roque said tax incentives and tariff exemptions for electric vehicle producers will remain in place under a revamped industry program aimed at positioning the Philippines as an alternative manufacturing destin...

Underemployment Climbs to Three-Year High Despite Lower Jobless Rate

The Philippine Statistics Authority reported a sharp rise in the number of employed Filipinos seeking additional work hours, highlighting persistent financial pressure on households coping with elevated living costs.

PLDT Prepares Data Center Unit for $400 Million REIT Listing

The telecommunications group plans to launch a public offering for its data center portfolio by the fourth quarter, seeking to capitalize on rising demand for cloud computing and artificial intelligence infrastructure.

Foreign Direct Investment Inflows Hold Steady at $611 Million Despite Global Uncertainty

Data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas showed net foreign direct investment reached $611 million in March, indicating continued investor confidence in the country's economic fundamentals and digital infrastructure growth.

Philippine IT-BPM Industry Accelerates Artificial Intelligence Training to Protect Two Million Jobs

The outsourcing sector expects to generate $42 billion in revenue this year and is working with US technology firms to train workers in areas such as prompt engineering and data governance as artificial intelligence reshapes the industry.

Fuel Prices Expected to Fall Sharply Following Middle East Ceasefire

The Department of Energy said diesel prices could drop by as much as 5.71 pesos per litre as energy markets respond to the ceasefire agreement and anticipated reopening of key shipping routes.

Philippines Fast-Tracks 344 Billion Pesos in Renewable Energy Projects

The government has granted expedited processing to thirteen major solar, wind and geothermal developments as part of efforts to reduce electricity costs and lessen dependence on imported fossil fuels.

Vice President Sara Duterte Files Pre-Trial Brief Ahead of Senate Impeachment Proceedings

Lawyers representing Vice President Sara Duterte have submitted procedural documents to the Senate impeachment court, setting out proposed legal arguments and factual stipulations ahead of a trial scheduled to begin in July.

Philippines Pushes for South China Sea Code of Conduct by Year-End

Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma Theresa Lazaro said monthly negotiations with Beijing are continuing as Manila seeks to conclude a legally binding code of conduct before the end of the Philippines' chairmanship of ASEAN.

Mindanao Earthquake Damage Exceeds One Billion Pesos as Rescue Operations Continue

The Office of Civil Defense said last week's magnitude 7.8 earthquake in Sarangani destroyed nearly 10,000 homes and severely damaged infrastructure, while a subsequent magnitude 6.6 tremor in Davao Oriental complicated recovery efforts.

Philippine Markets Rally as US-Iran Peace Breakthrough Eases Energy Supply Fears

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index rose 6.14 percent and the peso strengthened to the sixty-per-dollar level as investors welcomed expectations of lower energy costs following the planned reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

World Bank Cuts Philippine Growth Forecast to 3.7 Percent on Middle East War and Infrastructure Delays

The World Bank lowered its economic growth outlook for the Philippines from 4.4 percent, citing high energy costs and slower infrastructure spending despite continued resilience in the country's technology and export sectors.

President Marcos to Co-Chair ASEAN-Russia Summit and Hold Talks With Vladimir Putin in Kazan

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will lead the regional bloc at the commemorative summit in Russia and is expected to hold bilateral discussions with President Vladimir Putin focused on agricultural and energy security amid global inflatio...

China Sanctions Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro and Family Amid South China Sea Tensions

Beijing has imposed travel and financial sanctions on Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro and his family over his criticism of China, marking a further deterioration in relations as Manila continues to assert its maritime claims in the So...