Manila Times

Quirino Governor Dax Cua Dies at 48

Quirino Governor Dakila Carlo “Dax” Cua, a former congressman and national local-government leader, has died at the age of 48, prompting tributes from political and local-government institutions.

Rare Endemic Plant Rediscovered in Masungi Georeserve After 130 Years

Researchers have confirmed the rediscovery of an extremely rare Philippine plant species in the Masungi Georeserve more than a century after it was last documented, highlighting the conservation value of the limestone landscape.

Lawmakers Debate Human Rights Commission Role on Dangerous Drugs Board

Philippine legislators are debating a proposal to include the Commission on Human Rights in the Dangerous Drugs Board as Congress considers how human-rights oversight should interact with national drug enforcement policy.

Philippine Education Department Partners With More Than 170 Companies on Senior High School Training

The Department of Education is working with more than 170 industry partners to align senior high school programs more closely with workplace requirements and improve employment pathways for graduates.

Senators Seek Stronger Passenger Protections After Domestic Flight Cancellations

Philippine lawmakers are reviewing airline reliability and compensation rules after a series of last-minute domestic flight cancellations disrupted passengers, tourism and business travel.

Zambales Communities Race to Contain Oil Spill Near Protected Coastal Areas

Local authorities and residents are deploying containment equipment along the Zambales coast as an oil spill threatens marine habitats and fishing livelihoods in western Luzon.

New Manila Pumping Equipment Activated to Reduce Urban Flooding

Two new heavy-duty pumps at the Remedios Pumping Station in Malate are now operating as authorities strengthen drainage capacity in flood-prone parts of the Philippine capital.

Philippines Launches Emergency Credit Program for Disaster-Hit Farmers

The Agriculture Department is providing rapid financing to farmers affected by flooding and other severe weather, with emergency loans intended to help producers restart operations and protect food supplies.

BCDA and Standard Chartered Partner on Clark Freeport Investment

The Bases Conversion and Development Authority and Standard Chartered will jointly study sustainable urban projects and investment opportunities across the 35,300-hectare Clark Freeport and Special Economic Zone.

Philippines Backs Regional Electricity Price Caps for Visayas and Mindanao

The Energy Department supports applying secondary price caps separately to the Visayas and Mindanao grids to protect consumers from sharp electricity-price spikes during periods of tight supply.

Central Bank Proposes Tougher Penalties for Bank Executives Involved in Misconduct

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas has proposed a streamlined disciplinary framework that could permanently disqualify banking officials found responsible for serious misconduct.

Philippine Lawmakers Push Development of Domestic AI Models

Senator Bam Aquino is calling for greater public and private investment in Filipino-developed artificial-intelligence systems, citing data-security concerns and the need to prepare the business-process outsourcing industry for technologi...

Overseas Filipino Remittances Reach Seven-Month High of $3.24 Billion

Remittance inflows reached $3.24 billion in July, providing continued support for household consumption as overseas Filipino workers remain an important source of external income for the economy.

Philippine Economy Projected to Average 5.8% Growth Over Next Decade

A regional outlook by Bain & Company, DBS and Vriens & Partners projects the Philippines will become one of Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing major economies through 2035, supported by demographics and infrastructure investment.

Senate Pledges to Protect Funding for Metro Manila Subway and Commuter Railway

Senate finance committee chair JV Ejercito said funding for the Metro Manila Subway and North-South Commuter Railway would be protected as the government accelerates investment in its largest urban rail projects.

Philippine Stocks Fall Below 6,000 as Growth Concerns Weigh on Investors

The Philippine Stock Exchange index dropped 1.5% to 5,916 as global financial pressures and concerns over weather-related disruption to domestic economic activity weakened market sentiment.

Philippine Peso Strengthens to 62.73 as Oil Prices Ease and GCash IPO Approaches

The peso gained against the US dollar as lower global oil prices and anticipation surrounding Mynt’s planned $1.5 billion GCash listing improved domestic market sentiment.

ASEAN Adopts Manila Declaration to Strengthen Regional Disaster Preparedness

Southeast Asian governments agreed in Manila to improve anticipatory action, prevention and regional coordination as the bloc seeks to respond more effectively to increasingly severe natural disasters.

Philippines Rejects China’s Demand to Remove BRP Sierra Madre From Ayungin Shoal

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said Beijing has no right to demand the withdrawal of the Philippine military outpost, as Manila reaffirmed its position that Ayungin Shoal lies within areas where the Philippines holds sovereign ri...

Philippine Senate Weighs Conviction Threshold in Sara Duterte Impeachment Trial

The Senate impeachment court heard competing arguments over the votes required to convict Vice President Sara Duterte while issuing subpoenas, including one for her brother, Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte.

Rodrigo Duterte Appears at ICC Ahead of November Trial Over Drug-War Killings

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte appeared publicly at the International Criminal Court for the first time in more than 18 months as proceedings move toward a November trial over alleged crimes against humanity linked to his an...

Jollibee and Three Philippine Banks Named in Global Best-Companies Ranking

Jollibee Foods Corporation and three Philippine financial institutions were included in an international ranking of the world’s best companies for 2026.

Philippines Launches Real-Time Tourism Data Dashboard

The Department of Tourism has introduced a digital platform tracking international arrivals, tourism revenue and regional travel trends as it seeks to improve industry planning and investment data.

University of the Philippines Team Wins James Dyson Recognition for Portable Dialysis Device

Engineering graduates from the University of the Philippines Diliman received national James Dyson Award recognition for developing a low-cost portable dialysis machine.

Quirino Governor Dax Cua Dies at 48

Quirino Governor Dakila Carlo “Dax” Cua, a former member of the House of Representatives and prominent local-government leader, has died at the age of 48.

IndiGo Applies to Launch Direct Flights to the Philippines

Indian low-cost airline IndiGo has applied to operate direct services to Philippine airports, potentially expanding travel and commercial links between India and the Philippines.

Philippine Corrections Bureau Files Cases Over Women’s Prison Trust Fund Irregularities

The Bureau of Corrections ordered administrative and criminal complaints against personnel at the Correctional Institution for Women following the discovery of irregularities involving inmate trust funds.

Malacañang Plans Executive Order Formalizing Rehabilitation-Focused Anti-Drug Policy

Malacañang says President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. plans to issue an executive order institutionalizing an anti-narcotics policy centred on law enforcement, prevention and rehabilitation rather than the lethal tactics associated with the pre...

Philippines Suspends Fresh Ube Exports to Protect Domestic Planting Supply

The Department of Agriculture has halted exports of fresh purple yam indefinitely to preserve planting materials as international demand for the crop increases.

Megaworld REIT Wins Approval for 27 Billion Peso Property Infusion

Regulators have approved the transfer of 27 billion pesos in commercial properties into Megaworld Real Estate Investment Trust, expanding its portfolio of assets in major Philippine business districts.

ABS-CBN to Cut About 200 Jobs as Advertising Revenue Remains Weak

Philippine media group ABS-CBN plans to eliminate about 7% of its workforce as it reduces costs amid continuing pressure on traditional advertising revenue.

SEC Cites Prospective GCash IPO as Test of Philippine Capital-Market Capacity

The head of the Securities and Exchange Commission pointed to the anticipated listing of digital wallet operator GCash as evidence that Philippine markets can accommodate large capital-raising transactions.

Philippines Projects More Than 500 Billion Pesos in Economic Activity From Sangley Airport

Trade officials estimate the proposed Sangley Point International Airport in Cavite could generate more than 500 billion pesos in economic activity while expanding aviation and logistics capacity around Greater Manila.

Philippine Foreign Debt Service Rises to $7.29 Billion in First Half

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas reported that government external debt servicing increased by more than 3% to $7.29 billion during the first six months as elevated global interest rates raised financing costs.

Two-Day Transport Strike Disrupts Commuters Across Metro Manila

Transport group Manibela launched a 48-hour strike against the public utility vehicle modernization program, leaving thousands of commuters facing disruptions across the capital region.

World Bank Classifies Most of $1 Billion Philippine Energy Loan as Climate Finance

The World Bank has designated roughly three-quarters of its $1 billion Philippine energy financing package as climate finance, supporting coal retirement, power-grid modernization and renewable energy expansion.

Philippines Plans US-Backed Artificial Intelligence Development Hub

The Bases Conversion and Development Authority is preparing an agreement with a US partner agency to establish a dedicated artificial intelligence centre aimed at supporting digital investment and smart infrastructure.

Philippine Anti-Money Laundering Council Secures Third Freeze Order in Flood-Control Graft Probe

Financial intelligence authorities obtained another order freezing bank accounts and assets linked to entities under investigation in the country’s widening flood-control corruption case.

Marcos Calls for Protection of Commercial Ships Carrying Filipino Seafarers

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. urged parties involved in the Middle East conflict to protect merchant vessels carrying Filipino crews as attacks on commercial shipping increase risks for overseas maritime workers.

AMRO Forecasts Philippine Economy to Grow 5.3% Despite Oil Shock

The ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office expects the Philippine economy to expand by 5.3%, supported by domestic consumption and services even as higher Middle Eastern oil prices add inflationary pressure.

Quezon City and Manila Declare Leptospirosis Epidemic After Severe Flooding

Authorities in Quezon City and Manila say leptospirosis cases have crossed epidemic thresholds after weeks of flooding, prompting emergency distribution of doxycycline to vulnerable communities.

Philippine Peso Nears 63 Per Dollar as Oil Prices and Capital Outflows Weigh

Analysts expect the peso to come under further pressure as rising global oil prices, volatile equity markets and Middle East tensions increase import costs and encourage capital outflows.

First Bangsamoro Parliamentary Election Produces Split Result After Heavy Turnout

The Bangsamoro Federalist Party and United Bangsamoro Justice Party emerged as the leading forces in the autonomous region’s first parliamentary election, with turnout above 80% despite isolated violence.

Former House Speaker Martin Romualdez Held in $118 Million Flood-Control Graft Case

Former House Speaker Martin Romualdez faces plunder charges over alleged kickbacks linked to flood-control projects, with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. rejecting claims that his cousin’s arrest was staged for political effect.