Manila Times

AICON Manila Pushes Philippine-Led Approach to Artificial Intelligence

More than 800 technology executives, policymakers and academics gathered in Makati for AICON Manila 2026, promoting artificial intelligence frameworks for schools, businesses and government that reflect Philippine priorities.

Philippine Senate Warns Vice President Sara Duterte Over Impeachment Trial Statements

Senate President Francis Escudero has warned Vice President Sara Duterte over public comments concerning her impeachment proceedings, invoking sub judice rules as House prosecutors examine allegations involving the misuse of confidential...

Philippine Justice Department Investigates Senator Dela Rosa’s Escape From Senate Custody

The Department of Justice has opened a preliminary investigation into a May 2026 shooting at the Senate complex that enabled Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa to escape protective custody after an International Criminal Court arrest warran...

China Completes Militarized Artificial Island as Scarborough Shoal Surveillance Plans Advance

Satellite imagery indicates China has completed construction of a militarized artificial island at Antelope Reef, while Chinese state science institutes have approved a marine observation network covering Scarborough Shoal, adding to ten...

Metro Manila and Luzon Floods Kill 32 and Affect Nearly 8 Million People

An enhanced southwest monsoon and recent cyclones have caused widespread flooding across Metro Manila and Luzon, with red rainfall warnings in the capital and landslide alerts covering more than 8,800 barangays nationwide.

AMRO Cuts Philippines’ 2026 Economic Growth Forecast to 3.4%

The ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office has lowered its Philippine GDP growth forecast to 3.4%, citing weak public infrastructure investment, softer domestic demand and persistent inflation intensified by higher global energy costs.

Philippine Peso Hits Record Low Beyond 62 to the US Dollar

The Philippine peso fell to an all-time low of 62.265 per US dollar on Friday as hawkish Federal Reserve signals, higher global oil prices and external geopolitical pressures outweighed domestic monetary policy measures.

Alex Eala Seeded 17th in US Open Qualifying Draw

Filipina tennis player Alex Eala has secured the 17th seed in the US Open qualifying draw as she seeks to advance at the Grand Slam tournament.

SM Seaside Cebu Arena Drives Expansion of New Entertainment District

Construction of the SM Seaside Cebu Arena is spurring commercial property development around the project as investors seek to build a larger lifestyle and entertainment district aimed at tourism and domestic demand.

Dinagat Islands Introduces Emergency Water Rationing Amid Severe Shortage

Provincial authorities have deployed mobile water distribution units and introduced rationing measures across affected municipalities as the Dinagat Islands contend with an acute water shortage.

Several Philippine Senators Waive Salaries While Unable to Attend Legislative Duties

Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian says several senators who are detained, at large or on medical leave, including Loren Legarda, have waived their government salaries while unable to perform on-site legislative duties.

Philippine Government Rules Out Facebook Ban as Meta Cooperates With Regulators

The Marcos administration says it will not ban Facebook after parent company Meta cooperated with government authorities addressing concerns over platform accountability and content moderation.

Philippines Searches for Missing Filipino Doctor After Himalayan Flash Floods

Philippine diplomats are coordinating with authorities in Nepal to locate a Filipino medical professional reported missing after catastrophic glacial flooding struck the Nepal-China border region.

Activist Groups Challenge Marcos Over Family Wealth and $3 Billion Estate Tax Dispute

Philippine civil society groups have disputed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s statements denying that his family possesses ill-gotten wealth and renewed demands for payment of an estimated $3 billion in unpaid estate tax.

Philippine Fuel Prices Expected to Fall by Up to Four Pesos Per Litre

Domestic fuel prices are projected to decline by as much as four pesos per litre next week as global crude prices ease alongside reduced market concerns over conflict in the Middle East.

Philippine Senate Panel Advances Plan to Postpone Local Elections Until 2028

A Senate committee has approved proposed legislation delaying barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections until 2028 and extending the terms of incumbent officials to five years, sending the measure toward plenary debate.

Philippine Justice Department Opens Investigation Into Senate Complex Shooting

The Department of Justice has begun a preliminary investigation into a shooting and security breach at the Senate complex that reportedly enabled a detained person to escape.

Philippine Education Department Backs School Safety Bill After Campus Shootings

The Department of Education has endorsed legislation intended to strengthen security protocols at schools following recent violent incidents on campuses.

Philippines Considers Police Home Inspections for Licensed Gun Owners

The Department of the Interior and Local Government is seeking authorization for police to inspect the residences of licensed firearm owners as part of efforts to tighten weapons controls and prevent unauthorized circulation.

Philippine Education Groups Protest 3.34 Billion Peso Cut to State Universities

Teachers and academic organizations have criticized a proposed 3.34 billion peso reduction in funding for state universities and colleges, warning that lower spending could undermine the quality of public higher education.

Philippine Regulators Face Calls to Maintain Crackdown on Chinese-Linked Steel Companies

Domestic industry groups are urging the government to resist foreign diplomatic pressure as regulators pursue Chinese-linked steel manufacturers accused of breaching local operating and environmental standards.

Philippines Intensifies Crackdown on Agricultural Smuggling

The Bureau of Customs has declared zero tolerance for illegal agricultural imports as authorities seek to protect domestic farmers and limit pressure on food prices.

Quezon City Orders Forced Evacuations as La Mesa Dam Reaches Spilling Level

Authorities have ordered residents near creeks and low-lying slopes to evacuate after La Mesa Dam reached its spilling level during torrential rainfall, adding to flood risks across Metro Manila.

Philippine Prosecutors File Charges Over 77 Million Peso Ghost Flood-Control Project

State prosecutors have filed graft and malversation complaints against several people, including Zaldy Co, over an allegedly fraudulent 77 million peso flood mitigation project.

Philippines Investigates Reported Child Deaths Linked to Measles-Rubella Vaccination Drive

Health authorities have opened an epidemiological investigation into reported child deaths allegedly associated with the third phase of the national measles-rubella immunization campaign.

Philippines Reviews US Extradition Request for Religious Leader Apollo Quiboloy

The Department of Justice says it will closely evaluate the US government's formal request to extradite Kingdom of Jesus Christ founder Apollo Quiboloy, with Chief State Counsel Dennis Chan pledging that the process will proceed without ...

Leptospirosis Death Toll Reaches 23 in Manila as Hospitals Fill After Floods

San Lazaro Hospital has reported 157 leptospirosis admissions and 23 deaths following widespread flooding, while medical facilities in Olongapo have also reached capacity amid the post-flood outbreak.

Philippine Peso Falls to Three-Week Low Near 62 to the US Dollar

The peso has weakened to nearly 62 against the US dollar, making it one of Asia's worst-performing currencies and raising concerns about imported inflation and pressure on household purchasing power.

Sara Duterte Impeachment Tribunal Summons Military and Education Officials Over Confidential Funds

The Philippine Senate impeachment tribunal has called military witnesses and former Department of Education officials to provide evidence on the liquidation of confidential funds used during Vice President Sara Duterte's tenure as educat...

Severe Monsoon Rains Flood Metro Manila and Central Luzon

Philippine weather authorities have issued red rainfall warnings as an intensified southwest monsoon floods major roads, displaces residents and disrupts economic activity across Metro Manila and parts of Central Luzon.

Philippines Overhauls Public Works Budget to Cut Poorly Planned Infrastructure Projects

Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon has imposed a no-plan, no-budget policy across regional and district offices, reducing the number of projects planned for next year by more than half in an effort to curb wasteful infrastructure spending.

Philippines Submits 7.2 Trillion Peso National Budget for 2027

The proposed 7.2 trillion peso budget has been filed in the House of Representatives, opening deliberations over the Marcos administration's spending priorities for infrastructure, defence and social services.

Quezon City Converts Major Public Parks Into Floodwater Retention Areas

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte has ordered the Quezon Memorial Circle and City Hall lagoon to be used as large rainwater retention basins as the city expands efforts to reduce flooding during periods of extreme rainfall.

Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office Remits ₱98 Billion to Government for Healthcare and Social Programs

The state gaming agency says it has contributed nearly ₱98 billion in taxes and mandatory dividends since 2022, helping finance the government's expansion of universal healthcare and social protection programs.

Health Department Investigates Reported Child Deaths Following Measles-Rubella Vaccination Campaign

The Department of Health has ordered an epidemiological investigation into reports of child deaths following the third phase of a national supplemental immunization campaign, seeking to establish the cause and prevent a wider loss of con...

Bohol Declares Province-Wide Dengue Outbreak as Cases Surge

Bohol health authorities have activated emergency measures and requested national assistance after a sharp rise in dengue infections strained hospital capacity and raised concerns for the province's tourism-dependent economy.

Land Authorities Probe Alleged Illegal Titles Covering 39 Hectares of Laguna Lake Reclamation

The Land Registration Authority is investigating property titles covering nearly 39 hectares of allegedly unauthorized reclamation along Laguna de Bay in Taguig City following congressional inquiries led by Senator Panfilo Lacson.

Mayon Volcano Remains at Alert Level Two After Renewed Ash Explosions

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology recorded new phreatic eruptions producing ash plumes up to 150 metres, prompting authorities in Albay to restrict access to the permanent danger zone and prepare for possible evacuat...

Occidental Mindoro Reports ₱2 Billion in Agricultural Damage From Monsoon Rains

Persistent southwest monsoon rainfall has severely disrupted farming and rural infrastructure in Occidental Mindoro, prompting local authorities to consider a province-wide state of calamity as damage threatens food supplies and could ad...

Ombudsman Prepares Plunder and Graft Cases Against Senators Loren Legarda and Leandro Leviste

Anti-graft investigators say they are preparing criminal indictments against Senator Loren Legarda and renewable energy executive Leandro Leviste over alleged financial irregularities involving legislative figures and private-sector cont...

Philippine Congress Speeds Up Review of Marcos Administration's ₱7.2 Trillion 2027 Budget

Lawmakers are accelerating deliberations on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s proposed national budget, with spending priorities including infrastructure, human capital and agricultural modernization as the government seeks to sustain eco...

Police File Homicide Charges Over Ateneo de Zamboanga School Shooting

The Philippine National Police has charged the father of the student shooter and a campus security guard with reckless imprudence resulting in homicide following the August 18 attack that killed two people and injured 23 others.

Supreme Court Reviews Metro Manila Minimum Wage Dispute After ₱85 Increase Is Halted

The Supreme Court has ordered the parties to submit comments on a temporary restraining order blocking an ₱85 increase in the minimum wage across Metro Manila, bringing the contentious labour dispute before the country's highest court.

Justice Department Opens Investigation Into May Senate Shooting

The Department of Justice has begun a preliminary investigation into gunfire inside the Senate complex in May, when government agents attempted to serve an International Criminal Court arrest warrant on Senator Ronald dela Rosa.

Philippine Economic Zone Authority Approves ₱216 Billion in Investments as Manufacturing Expands

The investment promotion agency had reached 72 percent of its annual target by August, with approved investments more than doubling from a year earlier on strong foreign capital inflows into manufacturing, digital services and logistics.