Manila Times

Coconut Palace Reopens After Restoration Ahead of Philippines’ 2027 ASEAN Summit

The historic Coconut Palace in Metro Manila has reopened following extensive restoration work as the Philippine government prepares the landmark venue to host international dignitaries during the forty-ninth ASEAN Leaders Summit in 2027.

Bangsamoro Peace Process Faces New Stability Test After Deadly Maguindanao Gun Attack

The seventeen-year peace process in the Bangsamoro region is facing renewed security concerns after a politically motivated gun attack in Maguindanao killed twelve people ahead of regional elections.

Bulacan Declares State of Calamity as Monsoon Flooding Forces Mass Evacuations

The Bulacan provincial government declared a state of calamity after southwest monsoon rains caused widespread flooding, prompting local authorities to evacuate thousands of residents and launch relief operations across affected communit...

Manila Raises Commercial Garbage Collection Fees by Twelve Hundred Percent Under New Ordinance

Businesses in Manila are facing sharply higher waste-management costs after the city implemented Ordinance 9151, increasing commercial garbage collection fees by twelve hundred percent to fund municipal waste operations.

Toyota Motor Philippines Named Top Revenue Contributor at Batangas Port as Cargo Volumes Rise

Toyota Motor Philippines was recognized as the largest revenue contributor at the Port of Batangas as national port cargo volumes increased four point thirty-nine percent in the second quarter, reflecting continued strength in automotive...

Philippine Central Bank Allows Time Deposits Under Personal Equity and Retirement Accounts

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas approved tax-incentivized time deposits as eligible investments under the Personal Equity and Retirement Account framework, giving savers another option within the country’s retirement savings system.

Philippines Warns Job Seekers About New Zealand Employment Scams Targeting Overseas Workers

The Department of Migrant Workers has warned Filipinos seeking jobs in New Zealand to verify recruiters and employment offers carefully following a rise in sophisticated illegal recruitment schemes targeting prospective overseas workers.

Philippine Grid Operator Gets More Time to Complete Eight Point Two Billion Pesos in Transmission Projects

The Energy Regulatory Commission granted the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines additional time to complete two transmission projects worth eight point two billion pesos as authorities work to strengthen electricity supply amid...

Philippine Supreme Court Says Banks Must Absorb Losses Caused by Their Own Operational Negligence

The Supreme Court ruled that a financial institution could not reclaim funds from a depositor who withdrew money made available prematurely, establishing that banks must bear losses resulting from their own operational negligence.

Philippine Nickel Miners Seek Faster Government Coordination to Develop Critical Minerals Industry

Nickel mining operators are pressing the Philippine government to improve coordination and attract investment following Executive Order 122, which aims to develop the country’s critical minerals industry and expand domestic processing fo...

Philippines Says Rice Prices and Supplies Remain Stable Despite One Billion Pesos in Monsoon Crop Losses

The Department of Agriculture said domestic rice supplies and prices should remain stable after severe monsoon rains and flooding caused an estimated one point zero seven billion pesos in palay losses across Luzon and the Visayas.

Philippine Government Reports Slight Decline in Involuntary Hunger to Twenty Point Three Percent

The Department of Social Welfare and Development said targeted government programs were helping reduce involuntary hunger after a Social Weather Stations survey put the national rate at twenty point three percent.

Philippine Education Department Tightens Campus Security After Fifty Student-Related Violent Incidents

The Department of Education introduced a nationwide campus security plan after fifty documented violent incidents involving students since June, including a fatal shooting at an Ateneo de Davao campus in Zamboanga.

Philippine Fintech Industry Calls for Equal Regulatory Treatment of E-Wallet Providers

Digital banking and fintech executives are urging Philippine regulators to establish rules that balance consumer protection with the operational needs of e-wallet providers as the country’s digital economy continues to expand.

Pag-IBIG Fund Opens Affordable Rental Housing Project in Antipolo to Address National Housing Shortage

The Pag-IBIG Fund and Barangka Credit Cooperative opened a three-storey affordable rental housing project in Antipolo City, the first development financed under Pag-IBIG’s dedicated rental housing construction program as the Philippines ...

Philippine Startups Clouted and OneLot Named to Forbes Asia Emerging Companies List

Enterprise technology company Clouted and artificial intelligence-driven automotive credit platform OneLot were selected for the Forbes Asia One Hundred to Watch list for 2026, highlighting the growing international profile of Philippine...

Philippines Secures Fourteen Billion Peso French Loan for Blue Economy and Marine Protection

The Philippine government secured a fourteen point zero three billion peso development loan from France to finance marine ecosystem protection and blue economy initiatives intended to create sustainable livelihoods for more than three mi...

U.S.-Backed AI Hub in Clark Faces Scrutiny Over Projected Ninety Million Litres of Daily Water Use

A planned artificial intelligence manufacturing and data center hub in the Clark Freeport Zone is facing regulatory and environmental scrutiny after projections showed the facility could require up to ninety million litres of water each ...

Philippine Defense Department Seeks Ten Billion Pesos More for Armed Forces Modernization in 2027

The Department of National Defense has asked Congress to increase the Armed Forces of the Philippines modernization budget by ten billion pesos next year to support additional bases and storage facilities following completion of the Phil...

Senate Impeachment Trial Examines Confidential Fund Requests and Fictitious Receipts Linked to Sara Duterte’s Office

The Senate impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte heard evidence that her office sought two hundred fifty million pesos in confidential funds before spending plans were prepared, while audit documents cited fictitious names on ...

Philippine Airport Operator Remits Seventy Billion Pesos to Government and Signs Agreement With Philippine Airlines

New NAIA Infrastructure Corporation said it has remitted seventy billion pesos to the government and signed an airport use agreement with Philippine Airlines that sets performance standards for the modernization of Ninoy Aquino Internati...

Marcos Pushes Domestic Electric Vehicle Manufacturing to Reduce Reliance on Imported Fuel

President Ferdinand Marcos Junior announced plans to develop a domestic electric vehicle industry beginning with commercial electric tricycles, as the Philippines seeks to reduce exposure to imported petroleum and global supply chain dis...

Philippines Resupplies Ayungin Shoal Outpost Amid Rise in Reported Foreign Influence Operations

The Philippine Coast Guard deployed two vessels to escort a resupply mission to the military outpost at Ayungin Shoal while Chinese maritime forces shadowed the operation, as defense officials reported a sharp four-month increase in fore...

Philippine Central Bank Seen Raising Interest Rate to Four Point Seventy-Five Percent as Peso Weakens

Financial markets expect the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to deliver a third consecutive rate increase as the peso falls beyond sixty-one to the dollar, with analysts projecting a twenty-five-basis-point hike to contain inflation and curr...

Moody’s Affirms Philippine Baa2 Rating as Analysts Warn of Slower Growth Through 2027

Moody’s Investors Service kept the Philippines at an investment-grade Baa2 rating with a stable outlook, while analysts at Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation warned that weak investment and household spending could leave the country amo...

Raslag Corp. Explores New Renewable Technologies to Diversify Philippine Power Portfolio

Philippine power producer Raslag Corp. plans to explore alternative renewable generation technologies as it seeks to broaden its portfolio beyond commercial solar projects.

Philippine Court Temporarily Suspends Arrest Warrants for Basilan Municipal Executive and Co-Accused

A regional trial court temporarily halted the execution of arrest warrants against a municipal executive and several co-accused in Basilan, adding another legal delay to the local governance case.

Aeta Communities in Zambales Fence Ancestral Lands to Resist Encroachment

Indigenous Aeta communities in Zambales have begun fencing legally recognised ancestral domains to defend their land rights and prevent unauthorised commercial and agricultural development.

Manila Water Surpasses 1.2 Million Service Connections Across Metro Manila and Rizal

Manila Water reported more than 1.2 million household and commercial service connections in the first half of the year, reflecting continued expansion across eastern Metro Manila and Rizal province.

Bohol Faces Severe Drought Risk as Philippine Agencies Warn of Continuing El Niño Threats

Environmental and agricultural authorities have identified Bohol as highly vulnerable to severe drought and are calling for water conservation and agricultural measures to protect food supplies.

First Gen Converts Two Philippine National Bank Properties to 100 Percent Geothermal Power

First Gen Corp. has shifted two major Philippine National Bank properties entirely to geothermal electricity, expanding the use of renewable power in commercial real estate.

Philippine Competition Commission Opens Ticketing Industry Probe Over Pricing Practices

The country’s antitrust regulator launched an investigation into the event ticketing sector following consumer complaints about pricing and possible monopolistic or anti-competitive practices.

Two Philippine Technology Companies Named to Forbes Asia’s 100 to Watch List for 2026

Two Philippine startups were included in Forbes Asia’s 100 to Watch list for 2026, giving regional recognition to the country’s growing technology and digital innovation sector.

Philippine Ombudsman Seeks Recusal of Justice in Bong Revilla Bail Proceedings

The Office of the Ombudsman asked a Sandiganbayan justice to recuse himself from ongoing proceedings, citing his earlier decision to grant bail to Senator Bong Revilla in a corruption case.

Japanese Power Executives Inspect Philippine Pumped-Storage Project as Renewable Investment Interest Grows

Executives from a major Japanese power company inspected the Wawa pumped-storage hydroelectric project in Rizal province, signalling continued foreign interest in expanding the Philippines’ renewable energy infrastructure.

Philippine Education Department Launches National School Security Plan Amid Guard Shortages

Education Secretary Sonny Angara introduced a nationwide security framework for public schools to address shortages of licensed security personnel and strengthen campus safety and emergency preparedness.

Maguindanao Attack Death Toll Rises to 12 as Philippine Forces Intensify Manhunt

Twelve people have died in a coordinated armed attack in Maguindanao, prompting police and military forces to tighten security and pursue the suspected perpetrators.

Philippine Families Report Lower Levels of Involuntary Hunger in Latest National Survey

The Social Weather Stations said the share of Filipino families experiencing involuntary hunger fell in the second quarter of 2026, marking an improvement in reported food security compared with earlier survey periods.

Philippines Repatriates More Than 260 Seafarers From Black Sea After Maritime Attacks

The Department of Migrant Workers helped more than 260 Filipino maritime workers return home from vessels operating in the Black Sea as regional conflict and maritime security risks intensified.

Marcos Open to Targeted Social Media Restrictions Over Harmful Effects on Philippine Youth

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he was open to restricting selected social media platforms amid growing concerns about their psychological effects and harmful influence on young Filipinos.

Philippine Hospital Restricts Emergency Admissions Amid Surge in Leptospirosis Cases After Flooding

The National Kidney and Transplant Institute in Quezon City limited emergency room admissions following a rise in leptospirosis cases after severe flooding, adding to pressure on the health system.

Philippine Digital Payment Transactions Surpass 19 Trillion Pesos on InstaPay and PESONet

Combined transaction values on the country’s two major electronic payment systems exceeded 19 trillion pesos, highlighting the rapid adoption of digital financial services across the Philippine economy.

India’s Largest Airline Prepares Philippine Market Entry to Expand Tourism and Trade Links

India’s largest commercial airline has begun preparations to enter the Philippine market, a move expected to strengthen air connectivity, tourism and broader economic ties between the two countries.

Philippine Anti-Corruption Authorities Launch Lifestyle Checks on Senior Customs and Transport Officials

Government investigators began reviewing the assets and lifestyles of senior officials at the Bureau of Customs, Land Transportation Office and other revenue-generating agencies as part of a renewed campaign against corruption.

Philippine House Panel Hears Testimony on Use of Vice President Sara Duterte’s Confidential Funds

Witnesses told a House of Representatives prosecution panel that confidential funds linked to Vice President Sara Duterte were used by informants to purchase items including medicines and office chairs, intensifying scrutiny of the spend...

Typhoon Obet Drives More Than 500 Million Pesos in Agricultural Damage as Monsoon Rains Intensify

Agricultural losses in Pangasinan have exceeded 500 million pesos as Typhoon Obet strengthens the southwest monsoon, while bad weather has also suspended relief flights for stranded tourists in Batanes.

Philippine Central Bank Seen Raising Interest Rates as Inflation Pressures Persist

Economists expect the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to consider higher borrowing costs to contain inflation, despite concerns that tighter monetary policy could weigh on economic growth.

Philippine Regulators Warn Up to 40 Power Plants Could Face Suspension Over Compliance Issues

Energy authorities said as many as 40 generation facilities could be ordered to suspend operations over regulatory violations, raising concerns about electricity supply if plants are taken offline.