Manila Times

Lea Salonga Receives Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame

Filipina actress and singer Lea Salonga received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, recognising her decades-long career in international musical theatre and film.

Philippines Offers Aid to Families of Two Seafarers Killed Near Strait of Hormuz

The Department of Migrant Workers pledged immediate financial and repatriation assistance to the families of two Filipino seafarers killed near the Strait of Hormuz, highlighting the risks faced by overseas workers in major shipping routes.

Philippine Central Bank Sees Current Account Deficit at 3.3% of GDP

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas expects the current account deficit to reach 3.3% of gross domestic product this year as imports of capital goods rise alongside government infrastructure and technology modernisation projects.

Philippine Treasury Targets 437 Billion Pesos in Fourth-Quarter Domestic Borrowing

The government plans to raise 437 billion pesos from the domestic market in the final quarter to fund major infrastructure projects and meet fiscal requirements under the Build Better More programme.

Philippines Considers Extending Rice Import Ban Through Year-End

The Department of Agriculture is weighing an extension of the rice import ban through the end of the year to support farmgate prices for unmilled rice while balancing food security and inflation concerns.

Philippine Exports Hit Record $54.9 Billion in First Seven Months

Philippine export revenue reached a record $54.9 billion in the first seven months of the year, supported by stronger semiconductor and electronics manufacturing and providing a boost to the broader economic outlook.

Philippines Warns of Leptospirosis Surge as Flooding Raises Risk of Second Wave

Health officials reported a significant rise in leptospirosis cases and warned of a possible second wave by next week as prolonged flooding continues, with more than 60 patients admitted to a regional hospital in Pampanga alone.

Metro Manila Air Quality Turns Acutely Unhealthy as Indonesian Haze Spreads

Health officials urged residents in Metro Manila and parts of the Visayas to stay indoors and wear masks after haze from Indonesian forest fires pushed air quality to acutely unhealthy levels.

Philippine Authorities Move to Freeze Lawmaker Accounts in Flood Control Kickback Probe

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla recommended freezing the bank accounts of several lawmakers and contractors after testimony from a former public works undersecretary linked them to an alleged multibillion-peso kickback scheme inv...

Vice President Sara Duterte Posts Bail on Grave Threats Case as Impeachment Trial Proceeds

Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte posted bail in Quezon City after an arrest warrant for grave threats, while House prosecutors said they remained focused on building their impeachment case over confidential funds, with five key wit...

Philippine Defense Department Rejects Chinese Claim Over Batanes as Research Vessel Stays in Bajo de Masinloc

The Philippine Department of National Defense condemned a Chinese state-backed tabloid’s assertion that Batanes is not part of the Philippines as a drilling-capable Chinese research vessel continued operating in Bajo de Masinloc for a 25...

Thousands Begin 2026 Philippine Bar Examinations Nationwide

Thousands of law graduates, including visually impaired candidates, began the 2026 Philippine Bar Examinations at secure testing centers across the country, an annual milestone for entry into the legal profession.

Philippines Secures Saba Banana Export Deals With Hong Kong and New Zealand

The Department of Agriculture’s Davao Region office signed agreements to export Saba bananas to Hong Kong and New Zealand, opening additional overseas markets for Mindanao producers.

Authorities Value Marijuana Seized From Yacht at Subic Port at 366 Million Pesos

Law enforcement and maritime authorities raised the estimated street value of high-grade marijuana found aboard a yacht at Subic port to 366 million pesos amid efforts to combat international drug smuggling in Philippine waters.

Philippine Navy Seizes 100 Million Pesos of Smuggled Goods in Western Mindanao

Philippine naval forces intercepted about 100 million pesos worth of undocumented goods in Western Mindanao as authorities intensify maritime border operations against illicit trade.

Manila Water Expands East Zone Pipe Network Beyond 5,700 Kilometres

Manila Water has extended its distribution network to more than 5,700 kilometres to improve water security and service reliability for residential and commercial customers across Metro Manila’s East Zone.

LTFRB Opens 8,750 New Ride-Hailing Franchise Slots

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board opened 8,750 new transport network vehicle service slots across Metro Manila, the Ilocos Region and the Bicol Region to address rising urban mobility demand and transport shortages.

Philippine Government Promises Higher Pay for Public School Teachers From 2027

The Department of Budget and Management said public school teachers will receive salary increases and expanded career advancement opportunities beginning in 2027, addressing longstanding concerns over compensation and education funding.

Budget Department Orders Automatic Release of Government Salary Deficiencies

The Philippine Department of Budget and Management said funds covering salary deficiencies for government employees will be released automatically by the fourth quarter, aiming to resolve compensation delays and improve administrative ef...

North Luzon Expressway Traffic Returns to Normal After Eight-Hour Flood Gridlock

Traffic on the North Luzon Expressway gradually normalized after monsoon flooding submerged parts of the San Simon stretch in Pampanga, causing an eight-hour disruption to regional transport and commercial supply chains.

NBI Investigates Armed Civilians Seen at Albuera Police Checkpoint

The Philippine National Bureau of Investigation opened an inquiry after armed civilians were seen operating alongside provincial police at a checkpoint in Albuera, Leyte, raising public safety and human rights concerns.

Iloilo City Warns Power Shortages Could Persist

Iloilo City officials warned residents and businesses that there are no immediate solutions to continuing regional power outages, while provincial offices in neighboring areas introduced energy-conservation measures during peak hours.

Cebu City Extends Remote Learning as Hazardous Haze Persists

Cebu City extended remote learning and suspended outdoor safety drills as hazardous haze continued across the province, prompting hospital alerts and public health warnings for vulnerable residents.

Finance Secretary Ralph Recto Defends 64% Cut to Office of the President Budget

Philippine Finance Secretary Ralph Recto told lawmakers that a proposed 64% reduction in funding for the Office of the President would not disrupt executive operations, describing the change as a fiscal realignment for the upcoming gover...

Environmental Groups Seek Halt to U.S.-Backed Pax Silica Mining Project

Seventy local and national environmental organizations have asked the Philippine government to halt the U.S.-backed Pax Silica mining initiative and reassess its environmental compliance certificate over concerns about ecological damage ...

Philippine Critical Minerals Sector Poised for Growth on Global Technology Demand

The Philippine mining and minerals industry is projected to enter a strong growth period as electronics and semiconductor manufacturers increasingly seek critical minerals used in green technology, electric vehicles and advanced manufact...

Chinese Research Vessel Remains at Contested Panatag Shoal for Three Weeks

The Philippine Coast Guard said a Chinese maritime research vessel maintained an unauthorized presence inside disputed Panatag Shoal for three weeks, adding to tensions over competing claims in the South China Sea.

Philippine Business Confidence Falls as Geopolitical and Economic Risks Mount

Business confidence in the Philippines has declined as corporate leaders and investors cite geopolitical tensions, persistent inflation and uncertainty in international markets as constraints on near-term expansion plans.

Philippines Advances 351 Billion-Peso Flood Control Plan After Severe Disasters

The Marcos administration is accelerating preparations for a 351 billion-peso flood control master plan as lawmakers seek investigations into infrastructure failures following severe flooding in Metro Manila and provincial areas.

Bangsamoro’s First Parliamentary Elections Set for September 14

Philippine electoral authorities scheduled the first parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao for September 14 after four previous postponements, marking a major milestone for regional governance and...

GCash Wins SEC Approval for 92.3 Billion-Peso Initial Public Offering

The Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission approved a 92.3 billion-peso initial public offering for digital payments company GCash, highlighting investor interest in the country’s expanding financial technology sector.

Philippine Inflation Eases to 6.1% in August

National inflation slowed to 6.1% in August, offering some relief to Philippine consumers as the government continues monitoring price pressures and household purchasing power amid global volatility.

Vice President Sara Duterte Posts 360,000-Peso Bail in Grave Threats Case

Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte posted 360,000 pesos in bail after a Quezon City court ordered her immediate arrest in a grave threats case, as she publicly questioned the judicial system and the Philippine National Police.

Philippine Peso Falls to Record Low of 62.59 Against U.S. Dollar

The Philippine peso weakened to an unprecedented 62.59 against the U.S. dollar, raising concerns over purchasing power and import costs as markets react to shifting international interest rates and geopolitical risks.