Manila Times

Metro Manila Hosts Major AI Summits as Enterprise Adoption Accelerates

Technology executives and policymakers are gathering in Metro Manila for major artificial intelligence events focused on the expanding use of generative AI across finance, logistics and digital commerce.

Semirara Mining Cuts Nearly 1,000 Jobs After Seawater Inundation Disrupts Major Mine

Semirara Mining and Power Corporation is laying off almost 1,000 employees after severe seawater inflows compromised a major excavation site, disrupting operations at one of the Philippines’ largest domestic coal producers.

Philippine Authorities Arrest 244 in Raid on Illegal Offshore Gaming Hub in Mindanao

Immigration and law enforcement agencies arrested 244 people, mostly Chinese nationals along with several Malaysians, during a raid on an illicit offshore gaming operation in Zamboanga Sibugay as the government intensifies its crackdown ...

Philippine Coast Guard Rejects Chinese Flag-Raising Near Scarborough Shoal

Philippine maritime authorities condemned Chinese vessels for raising the Chinese flag near the contested Scarborough Shoal, adding to persistent territorial friction between Manila and Beijing in the South China Sea.

Central Visayas Seeks Power Emergency Declaration as Grid Reserve Margin Shrinks

Regional economic planners asked the national government to declare a power emergency in Central Visayas after electricity capacity shortages reduced the grid’s operating margin to just 246 megawatts.

Philippines and Japan Hold First Joint Military Operations Under New Logistics Pact

Philippine and Japanese forces carried out their first coordinated exercises under a newly implemented logistics agreement, deepening bilateral defense cooperation as both countries seek to strengthen maritime security in the Indo-Pacific.

Capital Economics Cuts Philippine Growth Forecast to 3% Amid Energy Shock and Corruption Fallout

Capital Economics lowered its Philippine GDP growth forecast for the year to 3%, citing global energy volatility and the domestic impact of a multibillion-peso flood-control corruption scandal that it expects will weigh heavily on econom...

Sara Duterte Faces Allegations of Covert Chinese and Drug-Syndicate Funding

Former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV alleged during the Senate impeachment trial that about 319 million pesos in covert funds from Beijing and illicit narcotics syndicates flowed into businesses linked to the Duterte family, prompting den...

Health Experts Call for Stronger Maternal Care as Climate Risks Intensify

Philippine health specialists are urging upgrades to maternal healthcare as extreme heat and flooding increasingly disrupt medical access and threaten pregnant women in vulnerable rural and coastal communities.

Philippines Speeds Up Special Bus Permits Ahead of All Saints Day Travel

Transport regulators are accelerating approvals for special bus operating permits ahead of the All Saints Day holiday to reduce congestion at major provincial terminals.

Quezon City Completes Detailed Waterway Mapping for Flood Mitigation

The University of the Philippines Resilience Institute has completed a comprehensive map of Quezon City’s major waterways to help local authorities design more effective flood-control infrastructure.

Philippines Approves 15.2 Million Pesos for National Dive Tourism Program

Lawmakers have approved 15.2 million pesos for a tourism campaign promoting the Philippines as a global scuba-diving destination, supporting coastal communities and marine tourism.

Philippines Investigates Hack of Government Testing Website

The Department of Information and Communications Technology is investigating the unauthorized defacement of a government testing portal, drawing renewed attention to cybersecurity weaknesses in public digital systems.

Philippine Regulators Summon Ride-Hailing Firms Over Fare Adjustment Compliance

Transport regulators have ordered major ride-hailing companies to explain alleged failures to implement required fare changes, with penalties possible if operators are found non-compliant.

Philippine Senate Passes Revised Cooperative Code

The Senate has unanimously approved a revised cooperative law aimed at strengthening rural enterprises, agricultural financing and grassroots economic activity.

Six Metro Manila Cities to Restore Camera-Based Traffic Enforcement

Six local governments in Metro Manila will resume the Non-Contact Apprehension Policy from October 5, using traffic cameras to enforce road rules and address congestion.

Survey Finds Most Filipinos Feel Free to Criticize the Government

A Social Weather Stations poll found that a broad majority of Filipinos believe they can openly criticize the Marcos administration without fear of reprisal.

Philippine Social Security System Launches Digital Microloans for Informal Workers

The Social Security System has introduced a fully digital loan facility offering up to 20,000 pesos to domestic workers and people in the informal economy, aiming to expand access to credit and reduce reliance on predatory lenders.

EU Provides 10.9 Million Pesos in Emergency Aid for Luzon Flood Victims

The European Union has allocated 10.9 million pesos in emergency humanitarian assistance to communities affected by severe flooding across Luzon.

Philippines Seeks $5 Million UN Grant to Cut Climate Super Pollutants

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has applied for $5 million in United Nations funding to reduce high-impact climate pollutants across transport and industrial sectors.

Philippine SEC Proposes Higher Capital Requirements for Stock Brokers

The Securities and Exchange Commission has proposed raising minimum capital levels for brokerages and other financial intermediaries to strengthen market resilience and improve investor protection.

Philippines and Singapore Move to Update Bilateral Tax Treaty

Officials from the Philippines and Singapore have opened talks on modernizing their tax agreement to reduce double taxation and improve conditions for cross-border investment between the two economies.

Polish Delegation Plans Strategic Philippines Visit Focused on Defence and Trade

A senior Polish delegation is preparing for a four-day visit to Manila aimed at expanding defence procurement, maritime security cooperation and bilateral trade links.

Philippine Customs Revenue Reaches Record 757.4 Billion Pesos

The Bureau of Customs says collections have reached 757.4 billion pesos, supported by stronger anti-smuggling enforcement and more digital port procedures, providing additional fiscal resources for government infrastructure spending.

NBI Summons Rodrigo Duterte and Lord Allan Velasco Over Alleged Cash Deliveries

The National Bureau of Investigation has asked former president Rodrigo Duterte and former House speaker Lord Allan Velasco to respond to sworn testimony alleging illicit cash deliveries worth millions of pesos.

Philippine Senate Says No December Deadline Set for Sara Duterte Impeachment Verdict

Senate leaders have clarified that there is no fixed timetable for a verdict in Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial, contradicting earlier suggestions of a December deadline.

Sara Duterte Camp Denies Claims of Funds From China and Drug Syndicates

Vice President Sara Duterte and Mans Carpio have rejected allegations that their family received illicit financial contributions from Chinese entities and drug syndicates, calling the claims politically motivated.

Philippine Authorities Raid Suspected Scam Hubs and Detain More Than 200 Foreign Nationals

Joint law enforcement teams detained more than 200 people, mostly Chinese nationals, during raids on suspected cybercrime and financial scam operations in Zamboanga del Sur and Sibugay.

GCash Parent Mynt Sets IPO Price at 6.60 Pesos a Share

Mynt, the parent company of digital wallet GCash, has finalized its initial public offering price at 6.60 pesos per share, marking a major test of investor demand for Philippine fintech and Southeast Asian digital-economy stocks.

Philippine Inflation Eases to 6.1% as Food Price Pressures Moderate

Inflation slowed to 6.1% in August from 6.2% a month earlier as food and beverage prices eased, though the rate remains well above the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas target range of 2% to 4%.

Philippines Freezes Assets Linked to Alleged Flood-Control Kickback Scheme

The Anti-Money Laundering Council has secured a freeze order on bank accounts and other assets connected to allegedly anomalous flood-control projects, intensifying scrutiny of corruption in public works procurement.

ICC Allows Written Testimony in Rodrigo Duterte Crimes Against Humanity Case

The International Criminal Court has permitted prosecutors to submit written testimony from a key witness linked to the Davao Death Squad, advancing proceedings over alleged crimes committed during former president Rodrigo Duterte’s anti...

Philippine Coast Guard Rejects Chinese Flag-Raising Attempt Near Bajo de Masinloc

Philippine maritime authorities have protested an attempt by Chinese vessels to raise China’s flag near Bajo de Masinloc, reinforcing Manila’s position that it will defend its sovereign rights in the contested South China Sea.

Philippines Launches 14 Million Peso Aquaculture Support Package in Sorsogon

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources introduced a 14 million peso assistance program to improve aquaculture infrastructure and support fishing communities in Sorsogon.

Philippines Recognizes Hungary’s Bird Flu Zoning to Maintain Poultry Imports

The Department of Agriculture recognized Hungary’s regional avian influenza containment zones, allowing imports of poultry products from areas deemed safe.

Fire on Commercial Tanker at Batangas Port Injures Two Crew Members

Emergency crews extinguished a blaze aboard a commercial vessel at the Port of Batangas, preventing wider damage and environmental contamination while two crew members sustained injuries.

Earthquakes Hit Sultan Kudarat and Ilocos Norte, Prompting Class Suspensions

A magnitude 4.9 earthquake struck Sultan Kudarat and a separate magnitude 4.5 tremor hit Ilocos Norte, leading local authorities to suspend classes and carry out structural inspections.

De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde Suspends In-Person Operations After Security Threats

The Manila-based institution halted face-to-face classes and locked down campus facilities after receiving unspecified security threats, prompting a police response.

Professional Regulation Commission Opens Bangsamoro Regional Office

The Professional Regulation Commission opened a new office in Cotabato City to make licensing services more accessible to healthcare workers, engineers, educators and other professionals in the Bangsamoro region.

Philippine Anti-Drug Agents Seize 6.8 Million Pesos of Meth in Bangsamoro

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency confiscated more than 6.8 million pesos worth of methamphetamine during coordinated operations in Tawi-Tawi and Cotabato City.

Naga City Plebiscite on Highly Urbanized Status Set for November 21

The Commission on Elections scheduled a November 21 plebiscite on whether Naga should become a highly urbanized city, advancing a major local governance change despite the broader postponement of village elections.

Philippines Orders Immediate Retrofitting of Aging Bridges in Camarines Sur

Public works authorities ordered urgent reinforcement of older bridges in Camarines Sur after safety inspections identified structural risks along important provincial transport routes.

Marcos Administration Defends Postponement of Barangay and Youth Elections

Malacañang said it will defend the legality of delaying the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections as constitutional challenges move through the courts.

Agusan del Sur Declares Dengue Outbreak as Drought Losses Exceed 3.5 Billion Pesos

Authorities in Agusan del Sur declared emergency measures as a dengue outbreak strained health facilities and severe drought caused more than 3.5 billion pesos in agricultural losses.

Philippine Supreme Court Rejects Challenges to Senate Leadership Reorganization

The Supreme Court dismissed two petitions questioning the constitutionality of the Senate’s June leadership shakeup, upholding the chamber’s use of a 12-member quorum.