Manila Times

AI Is Remaking the US Economy, From GDP Growth to iPhone Prices

The race to build data centres and buy advanced chips is lifting investment, construction and stock values, while increasing debt, import demand and pressure on technology supply chains.

Indonesia’s Free School Meals Plan Has Been Hit by Poisoning, Corruption and Cuts

President Prabowo Subianto’s flagship nutrition programme aimed to reach tens of millions of children and pregnant women, but its rapid rollout has exposed major failures in food safety and oversight.

Witness Alleges Financial Irregularities in Vice President Sara Duterte's Impeachment Trial

A former Commission on Audit official told the Senate impeachment court that the Office of the Vice President committed multiple liquidation violations and failed to submit required documentation for confidential fund disbursements.

World Bank Maintains Philippines 2026 Growth Forecast at 3.7 Percent

The World Bank kept its 2026 economic growth forecast for the Philippines unchanged at 3.7 percent, citing a slower-than-expected recovery alongside persistent inflation and subdued investor confidence.

Taiwan Reasserts South China Sea Claims After Philippine Submission to the United Nations

Taiwan has reaffirmed its sovereignty claims over disputed islands in the South China Sea following the Philippines' submission of nautical charts defining the baselines of Scarborough Shoal to the United Nations, adding another layer to...

China Condemns Philippine Scrutiny of State-Linked Educational Institutions

Beijing strongly criticized Philippine authorities after national security concerns were raised over Chinese state-linked educational institutions operating in the country, calling Manila's actions a serious political provocation as bila...

President Marcos Approves 60 Billion Peso Incentive Program for Electric Vehicle Manufacturing

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has signed Executive Order 121 establishing a 60 billion peso incentive program to accelerate electric vehicle assembly and battery manufacturing, with fiscal support aimed at expanding domestic production ...

OCTA Survey Shows Bribery Viewed as Most Serious Impeachment Charge Against Sara Duterte

A nationwide OCTA Research survey found that forty-three percent of adult Filipinos considered bribery the most serious accusation in the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte, reflecting public attention on the ongoing Se...

Marcos Administration Defends Pax Silica Project Against Claims of Large-Scale Farmer Displacement

The Philippine government rejected claims that the planned Pax Silica industrial hub in Capas, Tarlac would displace large numbers of farmers, saying the project site is located within designated development areas established earlier for...

Philippine Airports Increase Security After Wave of Hoax Bomb Threats

The Office for Transportation Security urged passengers to remain vigilant after multiple airports received false bomb threats through email and social media, leading authorities to increase security measures nationwide.

ABS-CBN Rejects Reports of Management Transfer to Rival Business Leaders

ABS-CBN denied reports that management control would be transferred to Manuel V. Pangilinan or Ramon S. Ang, saying its relationships with other companies remain limited to existing content partnerships.

Office of Solicitor General Moves to Defend Metro Manila Wage Increase Against Court Challenge

The Office of the Solicitor General said it will challenge the temporary suspension of the Metro Manila minimum wage increase, arguing that courts should not interfere with the wage-setting process conducted by regional labor authorities.

Philippines Announces Fuel Price Cuts After Global Energy Market Volatility Eases

The Department of Energy confirmed reductions in domestic fuel prices, lowering diesel by sixty centavos, gasoline by seventy-three centavos and kerosene by more than two pesos per liter, providing limited relief for consumers and transp...

Philippine Startup Funding Surpasses Two Billion Dollars as Digital Economy Expands

The Philippine startup sector has attracted two point four billion dollars in venture capital investment since 2020, with financial technology, e-commerce and digital payments leading funding activity as investors increasingly explore br...

Philippine Military Says Chinese Exercises Cannot Change Scarborough Shoal Legal Position

The Armed Forces of the Philippines said Chinese military activities in the West Philippine Sea cannot alter the legal status of Bajo de Masinloc, reaffirming Manila’s position as regional attention remains focused on maritime disputes.

Visayas Power Grid Placed Under Yellow Alert After Multiple Plant Outages Reduce Reserves

The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines issued a Yellow Alert for the Visayas grid after six power plants went offline simultaneously, raising concerns about electricity reliability during periods of high demand.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Warns July Inflation May Remain Above Target Due to Energy Costs

The Philippine central bank expects July inflation to stay between five point six percent and six point six percent, well above the government’s two to four percent target range, as elevated fuel and electricity costs continue to pressur...

Philippine Stocks and Peso Recover as Global Oil Prices Fall After Middle East Tensions Ease

The Philippine Stock Exchange index rose one point five seven percent to 6,334 while the peso strengthened beyond 61 against the United States dollar after easing Middle East tensions boosted investor confidence and pushed global oil pri...

World Bank Approves Two Hundred Fifty Million Dollar Project to Upgrade Philippine Water and Sanitation Systems

The World Bank approved financing for the Accelerated Water and Sanitation Project, targeting climate-vulnerable areas including Bohol, Siargao and Jolo to improve water security, support tourism growth and create local infrastructure em...

PLDT, Globe Telecom and Converge Propose Five Hundred Million Dollar Submarine Cable Network Across Philippines

The Philippines’ largest telecommunications companies have submitted plans for a nationwide submarine cable system aimed at improving digital connectivity, strengthening disaster resilience, and supporting the country’s broadband infrast...

Metro Manila Minimum Wage Increase Faces Court Suspension as Labor Groups and Senators Challenge Delay

A Pasig City Regional Trial Court temporarily blocked the eighty-five-peso daily minimum wage increase for Metro Manila workers, triggering protests from labor groups and criticism from senators who said the suspension could deprive mini...

Senate Impeachment Trial of Vice President Sara Duterte Intensifies Over Alleged Misuse of Confidential Funds

The Senate impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte gained momentum after a Commission on Audit auditor testified that confidential funds amounting to one hundred twenty-five million pesos appeared to have been intended for impro...

Health Alerts Issued as Tropical Depression Luis Raises Flood and Disease Risks

Health authorities have warned of higher risks of dengue and leptospirosis following heavy monsoon rains, while communities in Camarines Sur have begun evacuations as Tropical Depression Luis approaches.

Philippine Senate Approves Magna Carta for Barangay Health Workers

The Senate has passed the Magna Carta of Barangay Health Workers on third reading, establishing legal protections, benefits and allowances for frontline community healthcare workers across the country.

Environmental Groups Oppose Waste-to-Energy Plans Backed by Marcos Administration

Environmental organizations have criticized proposals to expand waste-to-energy projects, arguing that incineration poses health and environmental risks and conflicts with sustainable waste management practices.

Senate Bill Seeks to Remove Gross Income Tax for Small Businesses

Senator Mark Villar has introduced legislation to exempt micro, small and medium-sized enterprises from the two percent gross income tax, with the proposal intended to improve business profitability and support domestic economic activity.

Philippines Advances Digital Government Through National eGov Hackathon

The Department of Information and Communications Technology has selected 46 teams for its national eGov Hackathon, seeking technology solutions that simplify government services and accelerate public-sector digitalization.

DigiPlus Expands Into Land-Based Gaming With 12 Billion Peso Casino Acquisition

Digital gaming company DigiPlus is entering the traditional casino sector through a 12 billion peso acquisition, broadening its business beyond online gaming as the domestic tourism and entertainment industries continue to recover.

San Miguel Releases Bond Proceeds to Advance Bulacan International Airport Project

San Miguel Corporation has allocated 471 million pesos from its recent bond issuance to continue construction and land development for the New Manila International Airport in Bulacan, one of the country's largest privately funded infrast...

Transport Groups Announce Three-Day Nationwide Strike Over Rising Fuel Prices

Public transport organizations plan a three-day nationwide strike after successive fuel price increases, raising the prospect of widespread commuter disruption and renewed pressure on the government to address rising transport costs.

Philippine Government Supports Metro Manila Minimum Wage Increase

The Marcos administration has backed efforts to lift a court order that suspended an 85-peso daily minimum wage increase in Metro Manila, aligning with lawmakers seeking higher pay for workers in the capital.

Energy Regulator Orders Meralco to Refund 9.5 Billion Pesos to Consumers

The Energy Regulatory Commission has directed Manila Electric Company to return 9.5 billion pesos to customers, a move aimed at easing electricity costs for households and businesses facing persistent inflation.

Senate Opens Investigation into Alleged 6.7 Billion Peso Flood Control Kickback Scheme

The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee has launched an inquiry into alleged irregularities in flood control projects in Taguig City, following claims of a 6.7 billion peso kickback scheme involving public infrastructure spending.

Philippine Markets Brace for Inflation Data That Could Keep Interest Rates Elevated

Economists expect July inflation to accelerate to between 6.2 and 6.8 percent, increasing the likelihood that the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas will maintain high interest rates as it responds to inflation, supply disruptions, climate-rela...

World Bank Maintains 2026 Philippine Growth Forecast at 3.7 Percent

The World Bank kept its 2026 economic growth forecast for the Philippines at 3.7 percent, citing weak domestic consumption, inflationary pressures linked to currency depreciation and slower public infrastructure spending amid ongoing cor...

Impeachment Proceedings Against Vice President Sara Duterte Focus on Confidential Fund Spending

The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte centered on the use of confidential funds after a Commission on Audit witness testified that office equipment purchases were supported by non-compliant spending vouchers, while the imp...

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Pledges to Pursue Binding South China Sea Code During 2026 ASEAN Chairmanship

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the Philippines will push to finalize a binding Code of Conduct for the South China Sea when it chairs ASEAN in 2026, arguing that clear regional rules are essential to reduce tensions, prevent conflic...

Five Dead After Ferry Fire Off East Java as Search Continues

The Mutiara Sentosa 2 caught fire while sailing from Surabaya to Makassar, forcing passengers and crew into the sea and prompting a multi-vessel rescue operation.

Philippines Records Sharp Drop in Foreign Direct Investment as April Inflows Fall 58 Percent

Net foreign direct investment into the Philippines fell nearly 59 percent year-on-year to $250 million in April, according to data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, with total inflows for the first four months of 2026 down 26 percent...

Former Zamboanga del Norte Representative Romeo Jalosjos Sr. Dies at 85

Former congressman and businessman Romeo Jalosjos Sr. has died at the age of 85, ending a decades-long political career in Zamboanga del Norte. Jalosjos built a powerful local political network and media presence, but his legacy remained...

Philippine Senate Impeachment Trial of Sara Duterte Moves to Confidential Funds Review

The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte is entering an audit-focused phase as House prosecutors prepare to present Commission on Audit officials over allegations involving ₱612.5 million in confidential funds. The proceeding...

Energy Regulatory Commission Orders ₱9.5 Billion Meralco Refund for Customers

The Energy Regulatory Commission has ordered Manila Electric Co. to return ₱9.5 billion to more than eight million customers after finding excess revenues accumulated during a lapsed regulatory period in 2025. Meralco said refunds will b...

Tropical Depression Luis and Enhanced Habagat Bring Flood Risk Across Luzon and Metro Manila

Tropical Depression Luis has prompted storm warnings in parts of the Bicol Region and Quezon as it moves northwest over the Philippine Sea, while its interaction with Typhoon Dolphin strengthens the southwest monsoon. PAGASA warned of he...

Philippine National Police Tighten Security for University Sports Season

The Philippine National Police have coordinated with universities in Metro Manila to deploy additional security and traffic personnel ahead of the opening of the national collegiate sports season.

Subic Bay Approves Regulated Non-Toxic Industrial Waste Imports

Authorities at the Subic Bay Freeport have authorised the import of non-toxic industrial waste for processing at approved facilities under existing environmental protection regulations.