Manila Times

Philippines National Police Expand Transnational Law Enforcement Integration with Japan and South Korea

National security officials finalized new intelligence-sharing and operational coordination agreements with East Asian counterparts to dismantle regional cybercrime and human trafficking networks.

Makati Court Issues Arrest Warrant for Congressman Leandro Leviste

A regional trial court has ordered the arrest of Batangas Representative Leandro Leviste over alleged violations of the Public Service Act, though his legal team claims the move is politically motivated.

Tennis Player Alex Eala Refocuses on Global Tour for Olympic Qualification

Following recent international appearances, the Filipino athlete is preparing for a critical campaign to secure a qualification slot for the 2028 Olympic Games.

Leyte Representative Richard Gomez Apologizes for Physical Altercation at Regional Games

The lawmaker issued a formal apology in Congress for a physical confrontation with a fencing official during the 2025 Southeast Asian Games in Thailand.

Department of Agriculture Funds New Vegetable Processing Facilities in Benguet

Authorities have allocated capital for new cold storage and post-harvest infrastructure in the Cordillera region to reduce crop spoilage and protect highland farmers.

Sugar Regulatory Administration Redirects All Domestic Output to Local Market to Stabilize Prices

Agricultural regulators have halted all sugar exports to ensure the domestic supply remains sufficient to curb rising retail inflation.

World Bank Applauds Philippine Startup Growth While Highlighting Gender Investment Gap

Financial analysts noted the rapid expansion of the Philippine venture capital ecosystem but warned that a very small portion of funding currently reaches women-led technology companies.

Malacañang Defends President Marcos's Visit to Singapore Grand Prix as Diplomatic Effort

The Presidential Palace dismissed criticism of the President's attendance at the Formula One event, describing the trip as a strategic move to attract foreign investment.

Senator Mark Villar Joins Senate Majority Bloc Amid Shifting Political Alignments

The high-scale lawmaker has formally joined the Senate majority coalition, a move that reshapes legislative dynamics during ongoing budget negotiations and the current impeachment trial.

Manila Water Completes 5.7 Billion Peso Pipeline to Secure Metro Manila Supply

The utility provider has finished a large-scale underwater pipeline project from Laguna Lake, aimed at strengthening water security and drought resilience for the capital region.

Semirara Mining Warns New Coal Bidding Rules Could Disrupt Power Supply

The Consunji-led conglomerate warned that proposed changes to federal coal bidding processes could threaten production levels at the Semirara mine, potentially impacting national electricity reserves.

Philippines Targets 50 Percent Reduction in Oil Dependence by 2040

The Department of Energy has released a roadmap to halve the nation's reliance on imported petroleum through increased investment in electric mobility, geothermal energy, and renewables.

BPO Firms Expand into Philippine Provinces to Offset Rising Manila Wages

The Philippine outsourcing sector is scaling operations in regional cities to mitigate the impact of rising inflation and minimum wage increases in Metro Manila.

Department of Energy Warns El Niño Could Trigger Power Outages and Rate Hikes

Energy regulators warned that the intensifying El Niño pattern, expected to peak in December, threatens hydroelectric generation and could lead to significant increases in electricity prices.

Philippine Manufacturing Output Hits Four-Year High Driven by Automation

National manufacturing metrics show the fastest growth in four years as industrial operators increasingly adopt automation and smart systems to improve export competitiveness.

Philippine Data Centers Upgrade Infrastructure to Support Artificial Intelligence Demand

The Data Center Operators of the Philippines alliance is modernizing facilities with high-density power configurations to accommodate advanced AI architectures, mobile banking, and government cloud services.

Philippine Unemployment Rate Rises to 5.3 Percent Amid Economic Pressure

The Philippine Statistics Authority reported an increase in joblessness for August, signaling growing fragility in the domestic labor market despite overall macroeconomic stability.

State Auditors Finalize Disallowance of 73 Million Pesos in Vice Presidential Confidential Funds

The Commission on Audit has officially rejected the rapid expenditure of 73 million pesos in confidential intelligence funds by the Office of the Vice President, ordering the immediate reimbursement of the public funds.

Philippine Infrastructure Spending Drops 36 Percent Due to Procurement Delays

National infrastructure disbursements fell to 457 billion pesos during the first seven months of the year as strict regulatory oversight and procurement bottlenecks slowed progress on the government's "Build Better More" program.

Manila Electric Company Stake Acquisition Reached by Manuel Pangilinan

Billionaire Manuel V. Pangilinan has agreed to personally acquire a 2.2 billion peso stake in Meralco from San Miguel Global Power Holdings, a move that increases his control over the country's primary power distributor.

Over 20 Chinese Vessels Observed in Palawan Waters Despite Philippine Maritime Warnings

The Philippine Coast Guard reported that four Chinese warships and more than 20 maritime militia vessels are operating within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone near Palawan, ignoring radio communications from local authorities.

Philippine Foreign Exchange Reserves Drop to Three-Year Low Amid Gold Price Decline

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas reported that gross international reserves fell to $100 billion at the end of September, driven by declining global gold prices and central bank efforts to stabilize the peso.

Philippine Senate Impeachment Trial Accelerates as Banking Records Link Vice President to Alleged Drug Funds

Prosecutors presented evidence of large bank transfers and checks linked to alleged drug lords during the 35th day of the trial against Vice President Sara Duterte, prompting the Vice President's allies to petition the Supreme Court to h...

Metro Manila Retail and Hospitality Traffic Surges on Major Concert Events

Property developers and commercial operators reported sharp increases in mall traffic and hospitality spending as major international concerts boosted consumer activity across Metro Manila. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="24"}

Philippines Ends Asian Games With Record 29-Medal Haul

Philippine athletes finished the Asian Games in Japan with 29 medals, marking the country’s strongest performance at the regional event in six decades. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="23"}

Philippines Places Disaster Units on Alert Ahead of Possible Tropical Storms

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council raised readiness levels across Central and Northern Luzon after forecasts warned of approaching tropical systems and heavy seasonal rain. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="22"}

Negros Sugar Producers Welcome Local Sourcing Commitments From Beverage Companies

Agricultural groups in Negros welcomed agreements by major beverage manufacturers to source refined sugar domestically rather than relying on imports. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="21"}

PhilHealth Expands Benefits for Seniors and Low-Income Patients

The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation introduced broader outpatient subsidies and chronic disease treatment support for senior citizens and vulnerable households. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="20"}

Philippine Universities Expand AI and Data Science Programs

Universities in Metro Manila are adding courses in artificial intelligence, machine learning and cloud computing to meet rising demand for skilled workers in the digital economy. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="19"}

Philippines Reports Strong Tourism Growth in Cebu, Palawan and Boracay

Tourism authorities reported higher domestic and international arrivals in key destinations including Cebu, Palawan and Boracay, supported by digital promotion and expanded flight connections. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="18"}

Philippine Supreme Court Reinstates Arrest Warrant in Major Drug Smuggling Case

The Supreme Court reinstated an arrest order for a corporate executive linked to a multi-billion-peso narcotics shipment seized at a customs facility. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="17"}

Luzon Tightens Livestock Movement Controls to Contain African Swine Fever

Provincial and municipal authorities imposed quarantine checkpoints and restrictions on live swine transport to contain localized African Swine Fever outbreaks and protect the domestic pork industry. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="16"}

Philippines Tightens Ridesharing Rules in Metro Manila

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board launched a regularisation program for temporary transport network vehicle operators to strengthen compliance and commuter safety standards. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="15"}

Revolut Plans Major Expansion in Philippine Digital Finance Market

Digital banking and payments company Revolut announced plans to deepen its presence in the Philippines as fintech adoption and digital remittance activity continue to grow. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="14"}

Philippine Customs and Police Seize More Than 1 Billion Pesos in Smuggled Goods

Customs and law enforcement agencies reported seizures worth more than 1 billion pesos in September, including agricultural products, pharmaceuticals and other contraband. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="13"}

Philippine Senate Probes Infrastructure Delays and Spending Bottlenecks

Senators opened oversight hearings into repeated delays affecting major public works projects, seeking greater accountability from government agencies responsible for infrastructure delivery. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="12"}

Metro Manila Starts Construction of Underground Rainwater Catchment Systems

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority began work on three underground rainwater collection facilities designed to improve drainage and reduce severe monsoon flooding in the capital region. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="11"}

Philippines Prepares for El Niño Power Risks With Grid and Price Measures

The Department of Energy activated contingency plans and financial measures to reduce the risk of electricity price spikes and supply disruptions in Luzon and Mindanao as severe El Niño conditions strain the power system. :chatgpt-conten...

Philippines and Poland Sign Agreements on Defense, Trade and Technology

Philippine and Polish officials concluded bilateral agreements covering defense modernization, agricultural trade and digital technology cooperation. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="9"}

President Marcos Travels to Singapore for Investment and Bilateral Talks

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. departed for Singapore for meetings focused on foreign investment, aviation links and broader commercial cooperation between the two countries. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="8"}

Mynt Launches Landmark IPO to Fund Digital Finance Expansion

Philippine fintech company Mynt opened its initial public offering to retail investors, backed by institutional demand and aimed at financing further expansion in digital financial services. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="7"}

Bangko Sentral Maintains Tight Policy as Inflation Pressures Build

The Philippine central bank said it would keep a prudent monetary stance to anchor inflation expectations while balancing price stability against slowing domestic credit growth. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="6"}

Philippines Files New Diplomatic Protests Over South China Sea Incidents

The Department of Foreign Affairs lodged formal protests with Beijing over recent maritime and airspace incidents, reaffirming Manila’s position on protecting its sovereign rights under international law. :chatgpt-content-reference{index...

Philippines Releases Video of Chinese Fighter Jet’s Close Intercept in South China Sea

The Armed Forces of the Philippines released footage showing a Chinese fighter jet carrying out a hazardous intercept near a Philippine patrol aircraft over disputed waters, prompting diplomatic protests and international concern. :chatg...

Philippine House Approves 7.2 Trillion Peso Budget Bill on Second Reading

The House of Representatives approved an amended 7.2 trillion peso national budget bill on second reading, with spending priorities including infrastructure, social protection and regional development. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="3"}