Manila Times

UFO: Pentagon Releases Video of Unidentified Object Tracked Over Middle East

The 2025 footage is part of a new batch of 41 declassified UAP files released under President Trump’s transparency initiative, but it offers no evidence of an extraterrestrial origin.

Philippines Extends Public School Teachers' Salary Loan Repayment Period to Seven Years

The Department of Education has extended the repayment period for salary loans taken by public school employees to seven years, seeking to ease financial pressure on teachers and other education personnel.

Three Filipino Seafarers Attacked in Suspected Hate Crime in United Kingdom

The Department of Migrant Workers is providing consular and legal assistance after three Filipino seafarers were assaulted in Britain, prompting renewed concern over the safety of overseas Filipino workers.

Marcos Government Denies Destabilization Plot After Witnesses Withdraw Romualdez Bribery Claims

The presidential communications office described the retraction of allegations against House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez as political sabotage after four witnesses withdrew claims that they had delivered illicit cash to him.

Philippine Ombudsman Warns Fleeing Politicians They Will Be Returned to Face Corruption Cases

The Philippine Ombudsman has warned politicians who leave the country while facing plunder investigations that authorities will use international legal mechanisms to secure their return and prosecution.

Tropical Cyclone Maymay Weakens After Triggering Landslides and School Closures in Philippines

Tropical Cyclone Maymay weakened into a low-pressure area after heavy rain and the southwest monsoon caused landslides, flooding and widespread school and government office closures across Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

Philippine Police Investigate Caskets Left Across Manila With Anti-China Messages

Police are investigating the coordinated abandonment of five caskets carrying anti-China messages and images of Chinese President Xi Jinping in Makati, Quezon City and Caloocan, amid heightened political tensions.

Philippine Government Blocks 11 Piracy Websites in Copyright Enforcement Drive

The Philippine government has ordered internet service providers to block 11 major piracy websites operated by YTS, escalating efforts to protect the country's entertainment and creative industries from online copyright infringement.

Microsoft Survey Finds Filipino Professionals Among Global Leaders in AI Adoption

A Microsoft enterprise technology survey found that one in four Philippine professionals use advanced generative artificial intelligence tools, placing Filipino corporate workers above the global average and highlighting rapid adoption a...

Cebu Pacific Plans New Japan Routes as Philippine Airline Expands International Network

Cebu Pacific plans to expand its international network from November with new direct flights between Cebu and Nagoya, targeting Japanese tourism and growing business travel between the two countries.

Philippines Prepares ASEAN Business Summit as Manila Seeks More Foreign Investment

The Philippine government and business leaders are preparing to host a major ASEAN Business Advisory Council summit in Manila, with the event aimed at attracting foreign investment and promoting regional supply chain integration.

Philippine Transport Authorities Secure Land Donation for LRT-1 Extension to Cavite

The Department of Transportation has secured strategic right-of-way properties donated by the Villar Group, removing a major obstacle to the southern extension of Metro Manila's Light Rail Transit Line One into Cavite.

Philippines Seeks Electric Vehicle Investment to Reduce Exposure to Imported Fuel Costs

The Department of Science and Technology is seeking foreign investment in electric mobility and battery manufacturing as the Philippines looks to reduce its exposure to imported fuel costs and develop a regional green transportation hub.

Philippines Plans AI and Digital Infrastructure Hub With US$200 Billion in Long-Term Export Potential

Economic planners estimate that the proposed Pax Silica artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure hub could generate US$200 billion in exports over three decades, as the Philippines seeks to attract hyperscale data centers and s...

Philippines Launches Review of US Extradition Request for Pastor Apollo Quiboloy

The Philippine Department of Justice is reviewing extensive evidence submitted by the United States in support of an extradition request for Kingdom of Jesus Christ founder Apollo Quiboloy, who faces international trafficking charges.

Philippines Deposits Updated Bajo de Masinloc Maritime Charts With United Nations

The Philippines has formally submitted updated nautical charts for the disputed Bajo de Masinloc, or Panatag Shoal, to the United Nations under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, reinforcing Manila's stated maritime claims and econ...

Philippine and Australian Defence Chiefs Condemn Chinese Missile Test and Maritime Actions

Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro and Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles jointly criticized China's maritime actions and an unnotified submarine-launched ballistic missile test over Philippine airspace during tal...

Philippine Reserves Fall to US$103.4 Billion as Central Bank Defends Currency

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said gross international reserves fell to US$103.4 billion in July, a 17-month low, amid heavy external debt payments and operations to support the peso.

Philippine Debt-to-GDP Ratio Rises to 66% as Fiscal Pressures Intensify

The Philippines' national debt burden climbed to 66% of gross domestic product in the first half of the year, increasing pressure on the government as it finances major transport and social welfare programs.

Philippine Economic Growth Slows to 2.3% in Second Quarter, Weakest Since 2021

The Philippine economy expanded at its slowest pace since 2021 as global oil shocks, persistent household inflation and a 32% drop in public infrastructure construction weighed on second-quarter growth.

Maynilad Plans Major Infrastructure Investment After Joining PSE Index

Maynilad Water Services announced expanded capital spending on water distribution and wastewater treatment projects after its inclusion in the Philippine Stock Exchange Index.

Alex Eala Wins Historic WTA Title and Advances at Canadian Open

Filipina tennis player Alex Eala captured the first Women's Tennis Association title of her career before advancing at the Canadian Open, earning praise from the presidential palace for her achievement.

Election Commission Targets High Turnout in Bangsamoro Parliamentary Polls

The Commission on Elections is aiming for a 75 percent voter turnout in next month's Bangsamoro parliamentary elections, viewing broad participation as essential to the region's democratic development and long-term stability.

Education Department Launches Online Tutoring Platform

The Department of Education has introduced a web-based tutoring platform, developed with education technology partners, to help students recover learning losses through more accessible academic support.

Philippines Increases Fuel Subsidies for Public Transport Drivers

The government will raise fuel subsidies for public utility vehicle drivers from mid-August to help offset higher operating costs and reduce pressure for fare increases.

Government Expands Free Internet Access at Tourist Destinations

The Department of Information and Communications Technology has allocated 112 million pesos to expand free public internet services across key tourist destinations to support visitors and local businesses.

Military Kills Five Dawlah Islamiyah Members in Cotabato Operation

Philippine security forces said they neutralised five members of Dawlah Islamiyah during counterterrorism operations in Cotabato, continuing efforts to strengthen security in Mindanao.

Globe Telecom Reports Lower First-Half Profit

Globe Telecom posted an 11 percent decline in first-half net profit to 11 billion pesos as rising operating costs and intense competition weighed on earnings despite continued investment in network upgrades.

Police Arrest Kidnapping Suspects in Angeles City

Philippine police arrested three Chinese nationals and one Filipino suspect over the kidnapping of a foreign citizen in Pampanga, underscoring continued efforts to combat transnational crime.

GCash Adds QR Payments Through Linked Visa Cards

GCash has expanded its digital payments platform by allowing users to make QR code transactions using linked Visa cards, further integrating domestic payments with international card networks.

Agriculture Department Expects Rice Prices to Ease During Harvest Season

The Department of Agriculture said retail rice prices are expected to decline as the harvest season begins, despite weaker farm output caused by the lingering effects of El Niño.

AboitizPower Explores Nuclear Energy to Strengthen Future Power Supply

AboitizPower said it is evaluating opportunities in nuclear energy as part of broader efforts to diversify the Philippines' electricity mix and improve long-term grid reliability.

Philippine Unemployment Edges Higher as Workforce Expands

Official data showed the unemployment rate reached a three-month high in June as more people entered the labour force, highlighting the challenge of creating enough quality jobs to absorb new workers.

Government Denies Reports of Senator Ronald Dela Rosa's Arrest

The Department of the Interior and Local Government dismissed claims that Senator Ronald Dela Rosa had been arrested in connection with the International Criminal Court investigation, describing the reports as false.

Philippine Senators Urge Court to Lift Order Blocking Metro Manila Wage Increase

More than 20 senators have called on the judiciary to remove a restraining order preventing the implementation of an 85-peso minimum wage increase for workers in Metro Manila.

Enrique Razon Becomes the Philippines' First Peso Trillionaire

Ports and gaming billionaire Enrique Razon topped the latest Forbes ranking of the country's richest individuals, with a net worth of US$21.8 billion driven by the performance of his infrastructure and hospitality businesses.

Lufthansa Technik Begins Construction of Clark Aircraft Maintenance Facility

Lufthansa Technik has broken ground on a new maintenance, repair and overhaul facility at Clark International Airport, reinforcing foreign investment in the Philippines' aviation sector.

Apple Pay Launches in the Philippines

Apple has introduced its contactless payment service in the Philippines, expanding digital payment options and supporting the country's growing shift toward cashless transactions.

Tropical Storm Maymay Leaves Six Dead and Displaces Thousands Across Northern Luzon

Authorities reported six fatalities and widespread displacement as Tropical Storm Maymay and the enhanced southwest monsoon triggered flooding, transport disruptions and infrastructure damage across northern Philippines.