Manila Times

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.

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.

Philippine Coast Guard Forces Chinese Research Vessel Out of Batanes Waters

The Philippine Coast Guard expelled a Chinese maritime research vessel from waters near Batanes as Manila rejected Beijing’s jurisdictional claims over the area and tensions over maritime sovereignty intensified.

Philippine Senate Impeachment Court Subpoenas 14 Financial Institutions in Sara Duterte Wealth Trial

Prosecutors in Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial subpoenaed representatives from 14 banks and financial firms to testify about alleged discrepancies in her statements of assets, liabilities and net worth.

Carlo Paalam Wins Asian Games Boxing Silver for the Philippines

Olympic medallist Carlo Paalam secured silver in the Asian Games boxing competition, adding to the Philippine delegation’s medal tally in combat sports. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="28"}

Jeus Yape Wins Philippines’ First Virtual Taekwondo Gold at Asian Games

Filipino athlete Jeus Yape won gold in the inaugural virtual taekwondo competition at the Asian Games, adding a new medal for the Philippines in the expanding field of digital sport. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="27"}

Senate Bill Proposes Lowering Sangguniang Kabataan Minimum Age to 15

A bill filed in the Philippine Senate would reduce the minimum age for participation in the Sangguniang Kabataan youth council to 15 in an effort to broaden youth involvement in local governance. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="26"}

SM Investments Commits P1 Billion to New Sports and Leisure Facilities

SM Investments Corporation plans to invest P1 billion in sports and leisure facilities across the Philippines, expanding its presence in domestic lifestyle and entertainment property. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="25"}

PhilHealth Partners With Private HMOs on Integrated Medical Claims System

The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation is working with private health maintenance organisations to create a unified claims process aimed at reducing delays and out-of-pocket costs for patients. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="24"}

Lawmakers Call for Stricter Safe Spaces Act Enforcement After Senate Remarks

Women’s rights advocates and legislators called for stronger enforcement of the Safe Spaces Act after remarks made by a male senator during a congressional hearing were criticised as sexist. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="23"}

Former Fire Protection Chief Pleads Not Guilty to P4 Million Bribery Charges

A former Bureau of Fire Protection chief pleaded not guilty to allegations that he sought P4 million in bribes connected with government procurement contracts. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="22"}

Former Social Welfare Official Convicted Over Pork Barrel Fund Misuse

The Sandiganbayan convicted a former senior social welfare official of graft and malversation in a case involving misuse of the abolished Priority Development Assistance Fund. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="21"}

Agriculture Officials Seek P6 Million for Cloud Seeding as Caraga Drought Worsens

Regional agriculture authorities have requested more than P6 million for cloud-seeding operations in Mindanao as prolonged dry conditions damage crops in the Caraga region. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="20"}

Philippine House Panel Approves Higher Funding for Labour and Local Government Programmes

A House of Representatives budget panel approved increases for labour programmes and local government social funds as policymakers respond to continued pressure from higher living costs. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="19"}

Metro Manila Cities to Reinstate Automated Traffic Enforcement From October 5

Six local governments in Metro Manila plan to restore no-contact traffic apprehension systems from Oct. 5 following legal and public review of automated road enforcement. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="18"}

Former Philippine Prime Minister Cesar Virata Dies at 95

Cesar Virata, who served as prime minister under Ferdinand Marcos Sr. and later held senior roles in banking, has died at the age of 95. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="17"}

NBI Summons Former Sara Duterte Aide Over Alleged Cash Delivery Claims

The National Bureau of Investigation subpoenaed former Davao City information officer Jefry Tupas as part of a probe into alleged plunder, graft and money laundering linked to claims of cash deliveries involving Vice President Sara Duter...

Palawan Confirms African Swine Fever Outbreak and Restricts Pork Movement

Veterinary authorities in Palawan imposed biosecurity controls and restrictions on pork movements after confirming African swine fever, raising concerns for local livestock producers and food supply chains. :chatgpt-content-reference{ind...

Seven Miners Found Dead in Benguet Tunnel After Suspected Gas Poisoning

Police and rescuers recovered the bodies of seven men from an underground tunnel in Itogon, Benguet, after a suspected gas poisoning incident in the province’s small-scale mining sector. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="13"}

National Food Authority Raises Palay Buying Price to Rebuild Rice Reserves

The National Food Authority has increased its procurement price for domestically grown palay as it seeks to replenish national rice buffer stocks before expected drought conditions worsen. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="12"}

Philippines Steps Up El Niño Monitoring as Visayas Faces Food and Water Risks

National science agencies have intensified climate monitoring as forecasts point to a strengthening El Niño that could reduce crop yields and strain municipal water supplies in Cebu and the Eastern Visayas. :chatgpt-content-reference{ind...

Camarines Sur and Agusan del Sur Declare Calamity Over Dengue Outbreaks

Provincial authorities in Bicol and Caraga declared states of calamity as rising dengue cases placed additional pressure on hospitals and triggered the release of emergency public-health funds. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="10"}

Philippine Bank Lending Growth Accelerates to 11% in August

Outstanding loans from commercial and universal banks reached P15.12 trillion in August, with annual lending growth accelerating to 11% despite elevated interest rates and wider regional market volatility. :chatgpt-content-reference{inde...

Philippines and Singapore Finalise Updated Bilateral Tax Treaty

Manila and Singapore completed negotiations on a revised tax agreement intended to prevent double taxation, reduce cross-border financial friction and support investment between the two Southeast Asian economies. :chatgpt-content-referen...

Philippine Central Bank Warns September Inflation Could Reach 7.4%

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index fell nearly 1% and the peso weakened after the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas warned that September inflation could rise as high as 7.4%, well above its target range. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="7"}

GCash Parent Mynt Prices IPO as It Seeks to Raise Up to P89 Billion

Mynt has priced its initial public offering at P6.60 per share and is seeking to raise as much as P89 billion in a listing that would mark a major milestone for the Philippines’ digital finance sector. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="6"}

Trillanes Alleges Firm Linked to Sara Duterte’s Husband Received P319 Million From China

Former senator Antonio Trillanes alleged that a food company partly owned by Vice President Sara Duterte’s husband received more than P319 million from Chinese sources, a claim made after he was withdrawn as a prosecution witness in her ...