Manila Times

UP Alumni Association Names 67 Honorees for Annual Awards

The University of the Philippines Alumni Association selected 67 graduates and distinguished families for recognition at its 67th annual awards ceremony for contributions spanning public service, business and scientific research.

Siquijor Expands Plastic Bans and Recycling Measures to Protect Coastal Environment

Municipal governments across Siquijor have tightened restrictions on single-use plastics and expanded community recycling programs as authorities seek to reduce waste threatening marine ecosystems and tourism.

Ralph Recto Urges Philippine Cities to Replicate Carmona Landfill Conversion

Executive Secretary Ralph Recto called on local governments to adopt Carmona’s model of converting a former sanitary landfill into a nature park and disaster resilience facility.

Negros Occidental Steps Up Drought Measures as El Niño Threatens Crops

Agricultural authorities in Negros Occidental are accelerating irrigation repairs and distribution of drought-resistant crops to protect sugar and rice production from expected severe dry conditions linked to El Niño.

Philippine Supreme Court Cites Bar Review Coach for False AI Exam Claims

The Supreme Court found a Bar review coach guilty of indirect contempt after he circulated unverified social media claims that artificial intelligence would be used to check Bar examinations.

Former House Speaker Martin Romualdez Sent to Philippine General Hospital for Medical Assessment

Sandiganbayan authorities ordered former House Speaker Martin Romualdez transferred to the Philippine General Hospital under jail security for an independent evaluation that will help determine his confinement status.

Philippines and Villar Group Finalize Deal for LRT-1 Las Piñas Extension Station

Transport authorities and private developers signed agreements for a new southern station on Light Rail Transit Line 1 aimed at expanding commuter capacity and reducing congestion in southern Metro Manila.

Maynilad and Manila Water to Raise Tariffs in Fourth Quarter

Metro Manila water concessionaires Maynilad and Manila Water announced higher rates for the final quarter of the year following scheduled rebasing and foreign-exchange adjustments approved by regulators.

Luzon Faces Persistent Rain as Low-Pressure Area Combines With Southwest Monsoon

The Philippine weather bureau warned of continued rainfall across Luzon from the interaction of a low-pressure system and the southwest monsoon, with localized flooding and landslides possible.

Philippine Semiconductor Industry Seeks Faster Incentives and Workforce Training

Industry representatives urged the Department of Trade and Industry to accelerate targeted fiscal incentives and skills programs as the Philippines seeks to defend its position in the regional electronics and semiconductor market.

NBI Ordered to Investigate Alleged Irregularities in Candaba Flood Control Projects

Philippine oversight bodies asked the National Bureau of Investigation to examine multi-million-peso flood control projects in Candaba following reports of structural defects and implementation delays.

Philippine Senate Clarifies Voting Threshold in Sara Duterte Impeachment Proceedings

Senate leaders said 10 senator-judges would be enough to overturn an initial procedural ruling requiring 16 votes to convict Vice President Sara Duterte, setting up a contentious vote over the impeachment court’s rules.

Metro Manila Minimum Wage to Rise by 60 Pesos From September 26

The Department of Labor and Employment said daily minimum wages in the National Capital Region will increase by 60 pesos from September 26 under Wage Order NCR-28, providing additional support for household purchasing power.

Philippines Steps Up Protection Plans for Overseas Workers Amid Middle East Tensions

The Department of Foreign Affairs is maintaining embassy coordination and contingency plans across the Middle East to protect overseas Filipino workers as regional security conditions deteriorate.

Philippines Deploys 108 International Observers for Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections

More than 100 foreign monitors have arrived to observe the September 14 parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, with authorities seeking to reinforce transparency and confidence in the vote.

Bank of America Forecasts Philippine Growth at 2.5%, Trailing Regional Peers

Bank of America maintained its 2.5% growth forecast for the Philippines, citing inflation and fiscal pressures as Vietnam and Malaysia benefit more strongly from artificial intelligence and electronics exports.

Marcos Arrives in New Delhi for BRICS Summit and Talks With Modi

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. arrived in India for the 18th BRICS Summit as ASEAN chair, where he plans to promote regional priorities on peace, security and inclusive growth while discussing defense and economic cooperation with Prime ...

Philippine Senate Panel Approves Visiting Forces Agreement With France

The Senate foreign relations committee cleared a defense agreement with France for plenary ratification, expanding the Philippines’ network of European security partners amid heightened Indo-Pacific tensions.

Philippine Palace Presses Sara Duterte to Answer Impeachment Allegations

Officials in President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration urged Vice President Sara Duterte to respond directly to corruption and abuse allegations before the impeachment court after she called for the president’s resignation.

Palawan Ferry Fire Death Toll Rises to 35 as Search Continues for Missing Passengers

Philippine rescue teams recovered additional bodies from a passenger ferry destroyed by fire off Palawan, raising the confirmed death toll to 35 while dozens remain missing and maritime authorities investigate safety compliance.

Sandiganbayan Orders Romualdez Transfer to Philippine General Hospital

The anti-graft court has ordered a defendant surnamed Romualdez transferred to the Philippine General Hospital because of a serious medical condition while remaining under Bureau of Jail Management and Penology custody.

Philippine Government Sees Falling Fertility as Opportunity to Improve Living Standards

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan says declining fertility could allow the government to direct more resources per person toward education and healthcare and improve long-term living standards.

Philippine Government Says Imelda Marcos Ruling Will Not Affect Chief Justice Selection

Malacañang says recent Supreme Court decisions favourable to former First Lady Imelda Marcos will have no bearing on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s selection of the next Chief Justice.

Philippine Lawmakers Link Confidential Fund System to Duterte-Era Davao Practices

House investigators examining intelligence and confidential funds allege that opaque disbursement methods now under scrutiny were institutionalised during the Duterte family’s tenure in Davao City.

Metro Manila Water Rates Set to Rise After Foreign Exchange Adjustment

The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System has approved foreign exchange adjustments for major concessionaires, resulting in higher monthly water bills for households and businesses across Metro Manila.

Philippines and Villar Group Agree to Build New LRT-1 Station in Las Piñas

The Department of Transportation and Light Rail Transit Authority have signed an agreement with the Villar Group to build a new station in Las Piñas, extending rail access in southern Metro Manila.

Philippines Posts Best-Ever PISA Results

The Department of Education says the Philippines recorded its highest scores to date in the Programme for International Student Assessment, offering an encouraging indicator as reforms continue to address longstanding learning gaps.

Philippines Secures $60 Million Grant for Renewable Energy and Grid Upgrades

The Philippine government has signed a $60 million grant agreement with international development partners to modernise electricity infrastructure and accelerate renewable energy deployment across the country.

Philippines Considers National ID Checks for Social Media Age Verification

The Department of Information and Communications Technology and cybercrime officials are discussing the use of the Philippine Identification System to verify users’ ages on social media platforms and strengthen protections for minors.

Philippine Authorities Flag Fraudulent Birth Registrations Involving Foreign Nationals

The National Bureau of Investigation says foreign nationals have obtained legitimate Philippine birth certificates through fraudulent late-registration filings, raising concerns over weaknesses in local civil registries.

Philippine Business Group Accuses Tax Examiners of Extortion

The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry has accused some Bureau of Internal Revenue examiners of demanding unofficial payments, warning that the practice raises business costs and discourages foreign investment.

Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific Face Higher Fares as Fuel Surcharge Rises

The Civil Aeronautics Board has raised the aviation fuel surcharge to Level 14, paving the way for higher ticket prices on Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific and other carriers.

Metro Manila Approves 60-Peso Minimum Wage Increase as Unions Protest

The National Capital Region wage board has approved a 60-peso increase in the daily minimum wage, prompting labour groups to argue that the rise remains insufficient to cover higher living costs.

Manibela Announces Two-Day Nationwide Transport Strike Over Jeepney Modernisation

Transport group Manibela plans a nationwide strike on September 14 and 15 in protest against the government’s public utility vehicle modernisation programme, threatening major disruption across Metro Manila commuter routes.

Naga City and Albay Declare States of Calamity as Dengue Cases Surge

Authorities in the Bicol Region have declared states of calamity in Naga City and Albay after dengue infections rose above 1,700 and multiple deaths strained local healthcare facilities.

Metro Manila Declares Leptospirosis Epidemic After Severe Monsoon Flooding

Health authorities say leptospirosis cases in Manila and Quezon City have exceeded epidemic thresholds, putting heavy pressure on hospitals after weeks of flooding and inadequate urban drainage.

Visayas and Mindanao Power Grids Placed on Red and Yellow Alerts

The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines has issued red and yellow alerts across the Visayas and Mindanao, forcing some businesses and industrial operators in Cebu to adjust operations and rely on backup power.

EU and Spain Join Luzon Economic Corridor Infrastructure Initiative

The European Union and Spain have committed support to the Luzon Economic Corridor, bringing additional capital and technical expertise to infrastructure and logistics projects backed by the Marcos administration.

Marcos Travels to BRICS Summit to Push Maritime Security and Open Sea Lanes

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has travelled to New Delhi for the BRICS Summit, where he plans to advocate freedom of navigation and secure international sea lanes amid heightened Indo-Pacific tensions.

Defence Secretary Teodoro Calls for Stronger Response to Chinese Actions at Sea

Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro has called for firmer resistance to Chinese activity in the West Philippine Sea and deeper international defence cooperation to protect the country’s territorial claims.

Philippines Reviews US Extradition Request for Apollo Quiboloy

Justice officials expect to complete their review of the United States extradition request for detained religious leader Apollo Quiboloy within two weeks as authorities navigate domestic legal proceedings and treaty obligations.

Philippines Moves Closer to Visiting Forces Agreement With France

A Philippine Senate committee has approved a Status of Visiting Forces Agreement with France, advancing Manila’s efforts to broaden its defence partnerships and strengthen maritime security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.

Philippine Peso Falls to Record Low as Inflation and Oil Prices Pressure Markets

The Philippine peso has dropped to a historic low against the US dollar as elevated oil prices and persistent inflation concerns weigh on the currency and push the Philippine Stock Exchange Index below 6,100.