Manila Times

President Marcos Declares Local Holidays Across Five Municipalities

Through Proclamation Number 1450, President Ferdinand Marcos Junior has declared special non-working days in parts of Isabela, Cebu, Palawan, Nueva Vizcaya, and Davao del Sur to support regional cultural celebrations.

Police Recover Thirty-Three Protected Animals in Palawan Wildlife Raid

Local law enforcement intercepted a significant wildlife smuggling attempt in Palawan, seizing thirty-three illegally captured animals from sophisticated poaching networks.

Authorities Intercept Illegal Wildlife Trade Operation in Palawan

Environmental protection agencies and law enforcement rescued thirty-three endemic species during a major anti-smuggling operation, highlighting the ongoing struggle against poaching syndicates in Palawan.

Coast Guard Searches for Eight Missing Passengers Following Palawan Ferry Incident

Maritime search and rescue teams have deployed additional vessels to locate eight individuals missing after a commercial passenger ferry encountered severe conditions off the coast of Palawan.

Dengue Outbreak in Camarines Sur Results in Eighteen Fatalities

Provincial health authorities in Camarines Sur have confirmed eighteen deaths due to a surge in dengue fever, prompting emergency vector-control operations as unseasonal weather worsens transmission.

Police Target Flawless Efficiency for Upgraded 911 Emergency System

The Philippine National Police announced new operational targets for the national Unified 911 hotline, aiming to improve upon a recent 96 percent efficiency rate in emergency dispatch.

Typhoon Queenie Intensifies While Moving Out of Philippine Area of Responsibility

The state weather bureau reported that Typhoon Queenie gained strength as it exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility, though maritime warnings and disaster preparations remain in place for eastern seaboards.

National Wages and Productivity Commission Approves Wage Hike for Central Visayas

Over 337,000 formal sector employees in the Central Visayas region will receive a forty-two-peso daily increase as the government moves to align regional compensation with rising living costs.

Sixty Peso Minimum Wage Increase Takes Effect in Metro Manila

The Department of Labor and Employment confirmed a sixty-peso daily wage hike for the National Capital Region, raising rates for smaller enterprises to 718 pesos in an effort to help households cope with inflation.

Department of Labor Overhauls National Employment Programme for Maritime Workers

Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino has signed directives to upgrade the national emergency employment initiative, introducing verifiable skill certifications and pathways for coastal workers to enter the formal economy.

Philippine Senate Flags Thousands of Infrastructure Projects Over Data Anomalies

During deliberations on the 2027 national budget, senators uncovered massive discrepancies across thousands of Department of Public Works and Highways projects, prompting calls for greater accountability in national infrastructure spending.

President Marcos Grants Absolute Pardon to Mary Jane Veloso

The Philippine government has confirmed that former overseas worker Mary Jane Veloso has received executive clemency, ending a long-standing diplomatic and legal battle following her years of incarceration on death row in Indonesia.

Vice President Sara Duterte Denies Bribery Allegations Amid Impeachment Trial

Vice President Sara Duterte has publicly rejected claims from a former congressional aide regarding regular cash deliveries, as House prosecutors scrutinize her corporate interests and links to former special envovers to China.

IMF Downgrades Philippine Economic Growth Forecast to 3.4 Percent

The International Monetary Fund has lowered its projection for Philippine gross domestic product growth, citing weaker public investment, subdued private-sector confidence, and prolonged sluggishness in the property sector.

United States Condemns Chinese Coast Guard Interference in West Philippine Sea

US Ambassador to the Philippines Lee Lipton has issued a strong statement denouncing China's harassment of a Philippine humanitarian resupply mission at Ayungin Shoal, reinforcing Washington's commitment to maritime freedom and regional ...

Mary Jane Veloso Returns to the Philippines After 17 Years

Overseer Filipino worker Mary Jane Veloso has returned to her home in Nueva Ecija following an executive pardon, ending a nearly two-decade legal and diplomatic ordeal.

Geological Survey Finds Potential Uranium Deposits in Camarines Province

Initial assessments have identified potential uranium resources in Camarines, a discovery that could significantly impact the long-term energy and mining landscape of the Philippines.

President Marcos Junior Inspects Post-Typhoon Yolanda Reconstruction in Samar

The President traveled to Samar to personally oversee the ongoing rehabilitation of infrastructure destroyed by Super Typhoon Yolanda as part of a long-term disaster resilience strategy.

Medical Officials Report 40 Deaths from Leptospirosis Outbreak in Metro Manila

San Lazaro Hospital has confirmed 40 fatalities linked to a severe leptospirosis outbreak, highlighting public health risks associated with urban flooding and sanitation.

Drug Seizure at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Totals 18.6 Million Pesos

Customs and airport security officials intercepted 18.6 million pesos worth of high-grade marijuana kush and arrested three individuals at the country's primary international gateway.

Police Review Internal Security Measures to Counter Foreign Espionage

The Philippine National Police has initiated a review of intelligence protocols to strengthen defenses against potential foreign espionage amid rising regional security tensions.

Investigators Identify Flammable Cargo as Cause of Ferry Fire Tragedy

Maritime authorities determined that undeclared flammable cargo sparked the fire on the MV June Aster, as rescuers continue to search for eight passengers still missing.

Criminal Investigation Underway After Rocket Attack on Maguindanao Mayor

Law enforcement has issued arrest warrants for 12 individuals accused of orchestrating a rocket-propelled grenade attack against a local official in Maguindanao.

NBI Probe Into 'Ghost' Projects Follows High-Profile Corruption Concerns

The National Bureau of Investigation is scrutinizing the allocation of public funds following allegations of fictitious infrastructure projects in the Davao region.

Malampaya Gas Supply Resumes to Batangas Power Plant

Energy authorities confirmed that natural gas flows from the Malampaya field have resumed to the Ilijan power plant, a move expected to help stabilize the Luzon electrical grid.

COMELEC Schedules Special Election for Vacant Batanes Congressional Seat

The Commission on Elections has set a date for a special election in Batanes to fill a vacant congressional seat in the strategically important northern island province.

COMELEC Halts Election Preparations Amid Legislative Push to Postpone Local Polls

The Commission on Elections has ordered a halt to all preparatory activities for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections as lawmakers continue to contest the postponement of the local polls.

CHN Orders Closure of 26 Substandard Teacher Education Programs

The Commission on Higher Education has shut down 26 teacher education programs across 11 institutions as part of a national effort to eliminate "diploma mills" and raise professional standards.

Residential Real Estate Growth Hits Seven-Year Low in the Philippines

New economic data shows that Philippine home prices are growing at their slowest rate in seven years as high interest rates and cooling consumer confidence impact the urban development market.

New 60-Peso Minimum Wage Increase Takes Effect in Metro Manila

The Department of Labor and Employment has confirmed the implementation of a 60-peso wage hike across the National Capital Region to provide relief to workers facing high inflation.

Private Sector Council Urges Four-Year Delay on Property Valuation Reforms

The Private Sector Advisory Council has lobbied the government to postpone the Real Property Valuation and Assessment Reform Act for four-four years, warning that immediate implementation could disrupt real estate planning.

President Marcos Junior Pledges Increased Support for Robotics and Industry 4.0

During a visit to an advanced robotics facility, President Ferdinand Marcos Junior committed to expanding state incentives for automation technology to modernize manufacturing and attract foreign investment.

House Concludes Debates on Proposed 2027 National Budget

The House of Representatives has finished plenary discussions on a massive 2027 fiscal plan under President Ferdinand Marcos Junior, which prioritizes defense modernization, social services, and infrastructure.

BSP Mandates One Billion Peso Capital Floor for Transitioning Digital Banks

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas has introduced new regulatory requirements forcing traditional banks to maintain a minimum capital floor of one billion pesos when converting to fully digital operating models.

IFC Approves 4.4 Billion Peso Investment in GCash IPO

The International Finance Corporation has greenlit a 4.4 billion peso investment in the upcoming initial public offering of mobile wallet giant GCash, signaling strong international confidence in the Philippine digital economy.

DICT Investigates Potential Data Breach Affecting 48 Accredited Tech Firms

The Department of Information and Communications Technology has launched an urgent cybersecurity investigation into a widespread data exposure that could impact the privacy and security of 48 accredited companies.

NBI Launches Probe into Suspected 'Ghost' Flood Control Projects in Davao

The National Bureau of Investigation is investigating six flood control initiatives in the Davao region suspected of being fabricated "ghost" projects designed to misappropriate public infrastructure funds.

Philippine Senate Flags 251 Billion Pesos in DPWH Infrastructure Project Anomalies

Lawmakers have issued warnings after discovering data anomalies in over 7,000 Department of Public Works and Highways projects, prompting calls for greater accountability in the execution of national public works.

Defense Secretary Teodoro Says West Philippine Sea Sovereignty Will Define 2028 Elections

Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teress Teodoro stated that defending maritime territory against Chinese incursions will be a central and unavoidable issue in the upcoming 2028 national elections.

IMF Downgrades Philippine 2026 Economic Growth Forecast to 3.4 Percent

The International Monetary Fund has significantly lowered its 2026 growth projection for the Philippines, citing sluggish government infrastructure spending and weak household consumption that may extend the economic slowdown into 2027.

Philippine Senate Prepares for Vice President Sara Duterte Impeachment Trial

The Philippine Senate is moving forward with impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte as the Supreme Court considers legal challenges to a lowered voting threshold that could shift the national balance of power.

Philippines Unveils Strategic Roadmap to Reduce Plastic Pollution by 85 Percent by 2040

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has launched a long-term framework to curb plastic waste through improved recycling infrastructure and stricter corporate accountability for marine pollution.