Manila Times

Philippine Financial Institutions Expand Impact Investing for Community Startups

Domestic financial institutions are developing investment frameworks that support youth-led social enterprises, combining venture funding with mentoring to encourage sustainable community innovation.

National Bureau of Investigation Probes Death Threats Against Senator Risa Hontiveros

Authorities have launched an investigation after opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros received hundreds of death threats, underscoring heightened political tensions during ongoing inquiries into corruption and illegal offshore gaming opera...

Senate Opens Inquiry Into Alleged Irregularities in Taguig Infrastructure Projects

A Philippine Senate panel will investigate allegations of ghost projects and corruption involving public works in Taguig City, renewing attention on transparency and accountability in local government spending.

Vice President Sara Duterte Maintains Strong Public Support in New Survey

A Pulse Asia poll found that half of Filipinos continue to prefer Sara Duterte for the presidency, highlighting shifting political dynamics despite ongoing scrutiny over her confidential funds and accountability proceedings.

United States Tariffs Raise Fresh Concerns for Philippine Exporters

New US import tariffs of between 10% and 12.5%, introduced over forced labour concerns, are expected to complicate supply chain compliance for Philippine exporters and trade officials.

Tropical Storm Kiyapo Triggers Flooding, Evacuations and Service Disruptions

Heavy rain linked to Tropical Storm Kiyapo and the enhanced southwest monsoon forced evacuations and prompted class and government office suspensions across Metro Manila, Northern Luzon and Western Visayas.

Angat Dam Falls to Historic Low as Metro Manila Faces Water Supply Pressure

Water levels at the capital's main reservoir have dropped to unprecedented lows, prompting authorities to warn of possible supply restrictions while utilities activate alternative water sources to reduce the impact on households and busi...

Marcos Administration Sets Record ₱1.5 Trillion Infrastructure Budget for 2026

The government has allocated the equivalent of 5% of projected gross domestic product to fund 194 flagship infrastructure projects, with railways, airports and digital connectivity at the centre of efforts to strengthen investment and re...

Philippine Economic Zone Authority Approves ₱152 Billion in New Investments

Investment approvals rose 16% between January and July, with manufacturing, logistics and information technology projects driving fresh capital into export-oriented economic zones across Luzon and the Visayas.

Philippine Peso Falls to Record Low as Oil Price Surge Fuels Inflation Concerns

The peso weakened beyond 61.84 against the US dollar after Brent crude climbed above US$100 per barrel, increasing expectations that the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas may intervene to limit imported inflation.

Chinese Coast Guard Uses Water Cannon Against Philippine Vessels Near Bajo de Masinloc

The Philippine Coast Guard and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources said a Chinese vessel used a water cannon and carried out dangerous manoeuvres during a fuel subsidy mission near Scarborough Shoal, further raising tensions in...

OpenAI Sued After ChatGPT Allegedly Discouraged Emergency Care Before Near-Fatal Embolism

Former Florida pastor Scott Winters says the chatbot presented personalized medical guidance with unwarranted confidence, encouraged prolonged inactivity and failed to recognize symptoms preceding a life-threatening pulmonary embolism.

BINI Begins North American Concert Tour

Filipino pop group BINI departed for its Signals World Tour across the United States and Canada, reflecting the growing international reach of Philippine music and entertainment.

Cebuana Lhuillier Wins Top Honors at Asia-Pacific Content Marketing Awards

Financial services company Cebuana Lhuillier emerged as the most awarded Philippine company at the 2026 Asia-Pacific Content Marketing Awards, highlighting its digital communication and financial literacy initiatives.

Justice Department Expands Legal Response to School Bullying

The Department of Justice is preparing a nationwide directive requiring local prosecutors to directly receive and handle serious bullying complaints, strengthening legal protection for children.

Philippines Moves to Block Imports Made With Forced Labor

Trade and customs authorities announced stricter measures to prevent the importation of goods produced with forced labor, aligning Philippine trade practices with international supply chain standards.

Sorsogon Fish Port Expansion Moves Ahead

The Philippine Fisheries Development Authority accelerated work on the Bulan Fish Port Complex in Sorsogon to improve seafood processing, reduce post-harvest losses and strengthen the regional fishing economy.

Marcos Opens Upgraded Children's Medical Center

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. inaugurated a modernized children's medical facility with expanded capacity and upgraded technology, reinforcing the government's investment in public healthcare infrastructure.

Philippine Vehicle Sales Continue Mid-Year Recovery

Automakers and distributors reported strong vehicle sales, reflecting resilient consumer demand and improving business activity across Metro Manila and other growing urban centres.

Manufacturing Strength Supports Philippine Export Growth

The Department of Trade and Industry said stronger shipments of industrial equipment and semiconductors helped sustain export growth during the first half of the year despite global supply chain challenges.

Bangsamoro Election Period Opens Without Poll-Related Violence

The Commission on Elections reported a peaceful start to the parliamentary election period in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, providing an encouraging sign for the region's democratic transition.

Philippines and Sweden Deepen Defense Cooperation

Defense officials from Manila and Stockholm agreed to strengthen military cooperation and explore potential acquisitions of Swedish aerospace and naval technology as part of the Philippines' armed forces modernization program.

MariBank Philippines Receives Digital Banking License

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas granted MariBank Philippines a digital banking license, adding a new competitor to the country's financial technology sector and supporting broader digital payments adoption.

Philippines and Oman to Hold Investment Forum in Manila

Government and business leaders from the Philippines and Oman will meet in Manila for the Oman-Philippines Strategic Majlis, with discussions focused on expanding investment in infrastructure, energy and the digital economy.

Transport Group Manibela Calls Two-Day Nationwide Strike

Transport group Manibela announced a nationwide two-day strike to press for a 23-peso minimum jeepney fare and lower fuel taxes, citing rising operating costs driven by higher global oil prices.

Pax Silica and BCDA Partner on Three-Gigawatt Renewable Energy Project

Pax Silica signed an agreement with the Bases Conversion and Development Authority to develop dedicated renewable energy facilities capable of generating three gigawatts of electricity for its operations, easing pressure on the national ...

Philippine Budget Deficit Widens but Remains Within Government Targets

The Bureau of the Treasury reported a larger fiscal deficit in the first half of the year as infrastructure and social spending increased, while officials said the shortfall remained within the administration's medium-term fiscal framework.

Senate Opens Inquiry Into Alleged Taguig Ghost Projects

The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee launched an investigation into alleged double appropriations worth 100 million pesos for infrastructure projects in Taguig City after Senator Panfilo Lacson raised concerns over possible irregularities.

Philippines Expands Farm Support Ahead of Expected Super El Niño

The Department of Agriculture increased financial assistance and irrigation support to help farmers prepare for an anticipated super El Niño, aiming to protect food production and stabilize prices during an extended dry season.

Metro Manila Urged to Conserve Water as Angat Dam Falls to Lowest Level Since 2010

The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System appealed for immediate water conservation after Angat Dam, the source of most Metro Manila's drinking water, fell to its lowest level since 2010.

Tropical Storm Kiyapo Triggers Class Suspensions Across Northern Luzon

Authorities suspended classes in parts of Northern Luzon as Tropical Storm Kiyapo approached Cagayan, with weather officials issuing wind warnings and mobilizing disaster response teams alongside the southwest monsoon.

Philippine Police Tighten Security Ahead of State of the Nation Address

The Philippine National Police deployed extensive security measures across Metro Manila before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s State of the Nation Address, preparing for protests, a planned transport strike and heightened political tens...

Philippine Senate Presses Ahead With Sara Duterte Impeachment Trial

The impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte continued after the Senate rejected her request to use public funds for staff catering, while prosecutors argued that political popularity does not exempt public officials f...

Defense Chief Gilberto Teodoro Condemns China Coast Guard Actions Near Philippine Waters

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro described recent China Coast Guard water cannon attacks on Philippine vessels as deliberate provocation, reflecting Manila's firmer diplomatic and security stance on maritime disputes.

Philippine Foreign Minister Lodges Protest With China Over Ayungin Shoal Incident

Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro raised a formal protest with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi during the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Pasay City, condemning the China Coast Guard's actions against Philippine Navy pers...