Manila Times

US Says It Has Carried Out Heavy Strikes on Iran After Attempted Attacks on Its Forces

US Central Command said dozens of Iranian targets were hit after missiles were fired towards US forces in Jordan, while Iranian media reported civilian deaths on Qeshm island.

Philippines Collects 38 Million Kilograms of Waste Through National Cleanup Campaign

The Department of the Interior and Local Government said more than 26,000 barangays participated in a nationwide campaign that collected over 38 million kilograms of solid waste.

Senate Seeks Greater Support for Small Businesses

Senator Bam Aquino urged lawmakers to increase funding and assistance for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, which account for the overwhelming majority of businesses in the Philippines.

Government Expands Support for Families Living on the Streets

The Department of Social Welfare and Development accelerated the nationwide rollout of the Pag-abot Program to provide housing, livelihood assistance and social services for vulnerable families.

Education Department Expands School Infrastructure Partnerships

The Department of Education launched a digital Adopt-A-School platform and advanced public-private partnership initiatives with the Asian Development Bank to accelerate classroom construction and address infrastructure shortages.

ASEAN Regional Forum Calls for Global Nuclear Disarmament

The ASEAN Regional Forum issued a declaration urging renewed international efforts toward eliminating nuclear weapons while reaffirming support for multilateral diplomacy and regional maritime stability.

Board of Investments Launches New Strategic Investment Incentives

The Board of Investments began implementing the first phase of the Strategic Investment Priority Plan, offering incentives for sectors including advanced technology, modern agriculture and electric vehicle infrastructure.

Philippines Welcomes 2.9 Million Foreign Visitors in First Half of 2026

The Department of Tourism reported 2.9 million international arrivals in the first six months of the year, supported by relaxed visa policies and strong visitor numbers from the United States and South Korea.

Philippines Strengthens Fisheries Infrastructure With Modernized Pangasinan Fish Hub

President Marcos and Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. inspected an upgraded fish hub in Pangasinan designed to improve cold-chain logistics, reduce post-harvest losses and strengthen food security in northern Luzon.

Justice Department Tightens Focus on Major Drug Syndicates

The Department of Justice revised the rules governing its anti-drug task force to prioritize prosecutions targeting large-scale drug manufacturing and organized criminal networks.

Philippines Lowers Economic Growth Forecast Amid Global Uncertainty

The Development Budget Coordination Committee cut the country's growth forecast to 3.5%–4.5%, citing inflation, geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and uncertainty in global trade.

President Marcos Pushes Tax Relief and Social Security Expansion in State of the Nation Address

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. called on Congress to approve income tax exemptions for middle-income earners and expand social security coverage as key priorities during his fifth State of the Nation Address.

US Aircraft Carrier Group Deploys to Western Pacific Amid South China Sea Tensions

The USS George Washington carrier strike group transited the Luzon Strait following recent confrontations between Chinese vessels and Philippine Coast Guard ships near Scarborough Shoal, highlighting Washington's defense commitments to M...

Philippines Submits Extended Continental Shelf Claim to United Nations

The Philippines has filed a partial submission on its extended continental shelf in the West Philippine Sea with the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf, reaffirming its maritime claims under the UN Conventio...

Over 24 Hours in the Air: Qantas Airbus Completes Record-Breaking Test Flight

A modified Airbus A350-1000ULR traveled over 23,000 kilometers from Melbourne to Toulouse, drawing millions of real-time viewers.

Philippines Opens ASEAN Championship With Defeat to Myanmar

The Philippine men's national football team lost 4-1 to Myanmar in its opening match of the ASEAN Hyundai Cup, with Jarvey Gayoso scoring the hosts' only goal.

Senate Considers Schedule Changes for Impeachment Trial

Senate leaders are discussing adjustments to impeachment trial hours to reduce the impact of Metro Manila traffic and improve the efficiency of legislative proceedings.

Senate Schedules Oversight Hearings on Telecommunications and Utility Franchises

The Senate's trade and public services committees will hold oversight hearings to examine compliance, service quality, and transparency among major telecommunications and infrastructure franchise holders.

La Union's Tourism and Agriculture Support Regional Growth

Provincial officials said strong tourism arrivals and stable rice production continue to underpin economic resilience and employment across La Union and surrounding northern provinces.

Government Extends Aid to Sugarcane Farmers Hit by Pest Outbreak

The Departments of Agrarian Reform and Social Welfare launched financial and logistical assistance programs for sugarcane farmers in Negros affected by severe pest infestations.

AMRO Flags Slower Growth and Inflation Challenges for the Philippine Economy

The ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office said moderating economic growth and persistent inflation remain key challenges for the Philippine economy in 2026.

Metro Manila Schools Suspend Classes as Heavy Rains Persist

Several local governments across Metro Manila and nearby provinces announced precautionary class suspensions following forecasts of continued monsoon rains and possible flooding.

Weather Agency Warns of Rain Across Luzon as Low Pressure Area Weakens

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said a low-pressure area within the Philippine Area of Responsibility is expected to weaken while continuing to bring scattered rain and cloudy conditions a...

Study Links Digital Business Permits to Higher Local Tax Revenue

Research by the Development Academy of the Philippines found that local governments using fully automated business permitting systems recorded stronger tax collections and increased investment registrations.

Agriculture and Intellectual Property Agencies Partner to Strengthen Food Exports

The Department of Agriculture and the Intellectual Property Office signed a cooperation agreement to improve branding, intellectual property protection, and export competitiveness for Philippine agricultural and fishery products.

Police Dismantle Alleged Illegal Recruitment Operation in Makati

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group arrested two suspects during an operation targeting an alleged illegal recruitment syndicate accused of offering fraudulent overseas jobs.

National Bureau of Investigation Seizes Counterfeit Cosmetics Worth Nearly ₱13 Million

Authorities confiscated nearly ₱13 million worth of unregistered and counterfeit cosmetic products during coordinated raids in Manila's Binondo and Divisoria districts.

Public Works Department Expands River Dredging to Reduce Flood Risk in Davao City

The Department of Public Works and Highways deployed heavy equipment to clear silted rivers and waterways in Davao City as part of efforts to reduce flooding during the monsoon season.

Philippine Army Reports Clashes With Insurgents in Masbate and Oriental Mindoro

Government security forces said they engaged suspected New People's Army fighters in separate operations in Masbate and Oriental Mindoro, seizing firearms after the encounters.

Advocates File Ethics Complaint Against Senator Pia Cayetano

Women's rights advocates, academics, and civic leaders filed an ethics complaint alleging Senator Pia Cayetano shared a misleadingly edited video during the impeachment proceedings involving Vice President Sara Duterte.

House Prosecutors Reject Use of Fictitious Names in Confidential Fund Records

The House prosecution panel argued that confidential and intelligence funds do not exempt public officials from financial accountability or justify the use of fictitious names in liquidation documents.

GSIS Releases More Than ₱27 Billion in Emergency Loans

The Government Service Insurance System disbursed more than ₱27 billion in low-interest Ginhawa Go loans to over 463,000 government employees, expanding financial assistance for public sector workers.

Finance Department Turns Over ₱205 Million From Seized Luxury Vehicle Auctions

The Department of Finance transferred ₱205 million in proceeds from auctions of confiscated luxury vehicles and other contraband, underscoring ongoing efforts to strengthen revenue collection and combat smuggling.

Justice Department Recovers ₱841 Million in Flood Control Corruption Investigation

The Department of Justice said government recoveries linked to investigations into alleged kickbacks in flood control projects have reached ₱841 million as anti-corruption efforts continue.

Management Association Backs Pax Silica Technology Initiative With Safeguards

The Management Association of the Philippines endorsed the U.S.-backed Pax Silica initiative for artificial intelligence, semiconductors, advanced manufacturing, and critical minerals while calling for safeguards on national security, em...

Bangko Sentral Launches New Digital Payment Services

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and Philippine Payments Management, Inc. introduced Direct Debit Philippines, InstaPay Cash-In, and InstaPay for Business, raising transfer limits for registered businesses to ₱500,000 to support wider dig...

Philippines Defends Maritime Rights in the West Philippine Sea

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said the Philippines is exercising its lawful rights under international law, rejecting accusations that Manila is escalating tensions in disputed waters.

Bureau of Internal Revenue Submits Sara Duterte Tax Records to Impeachment Court

The Bureau of Internal Revenue transmitted Vice President Sara Duterte's tax records to the Senate impeachment court after receiving executive clearance, providing additional documentation for the ongoing proceedings.

President Marcos Highlights Investment Pipeline and Reform Agenda in State of the Nation Address

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the Philippines has secured more than ₱6 trillion in approved investments, outlined proposed energy reforms to reduce electricity costs, and reaffirmed the country's independent foreign policy based on...

Senate Impeachment Court Hears Testimony on ₱612.5 Million in Cash Withdrawals

Officials from the Land Bank of the Philippines told the Senate impeachment court that staff linked to Vice President Sara Duterte withdrew ₱612.5 million in cash through multiple transactions between 2022 and 2023, describing the withdr...

The Great Economic Shift: How China's Tech Surge is Overpowering Germany's Industrial Decline

As the historic German battery giant Varta files for insolvency following the loss of key Apple contracts, China's CXMT achieves a meteoric stock market debut, signaling a massive global pivot in semiconductor leadership.