Manila Times

Philippine Senate Maintains Higher Trust Ratings Than House, OCTA Poll Finds

An OCTA survey found the Senate retained stronger public trust and performance ratings than the House of Representatives during the second quarter amid heightened political investigations and tensions between institutions.

7-Eleven Philippines Prepares to Open 5,000th Store in Cebu

Philippine Seven Corporation, the country’s exclusive 7-Eleven licensee, is preparing to open its 5,000th convenience store in Cebu as the chain continues expanding across the archipelago.

Philippine Coast Guard Warns Ships After 46 Containers Fall Overboard Off Batangas

The Philippine Coast Guard launched recovery operations and issued navigation warnings after severe weather caused 46 cargo containers to fall into shipping lanes off Batangas.

Philippine Authorities Seize 162 Million Pesos of Marijuana From Yacht at Subic Bay

Customs and law-enforcement officials intercepted marijuana valued at 162 million pesos aboard a private yacht at Subic Bay Freeport as authorities investigate maritime drug-smuggling networks.

Megawide Targets Record 70 Billion-Peso Order Book on Affordable Housing Projects

Megawide Construction Corporation expects its order book to reach a record 70 billion pesos as government-backed affordable housing contracts become a larger part of the company’s business.

Marcos Signs Law Prioritising Poorest Students for State College Subsidies

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed legislation changing the allocation of tertiary education assistance so that limited state subsidies are directed first toward students from the most economically vulnerable households.

Google Philippines Report Says AI Could Generate 1.8 Trillion Pesos in Economic Value

A Google Philippines report estimated that wider artificial intelligence adoption across retail, finance and government could create 1.8 trillion pesos in economic value, while noting barriers including implementation costs and legacy te...

Jollibee Chooses Hong Kong for International Division Listing

Jollibee Foods Corporation selected Hong Kong rather than New York for the planned public listing of its international business, giving the Asian exchange another major Southeast Asian corporate offering.

Marcos Orders Emergency Measures to Ease North Luzon Expressway Congestion

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. directed transport agencies and the tollway operator to address severe congestion on the North Luzon Expressway, including suspending toll collection during extreme flooding events.

Philippine Health Department Warns of Second Leptospirosis Wave After Monsoon Flooding

Health officials reported rising leptospirosis infections in Metro Manila and surrounding provinces following extensive floods, prompting additional medical deployments to hospitals facing higher patient admissions.

Former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan Pleads Not Guilty in Flood-Control Graft Case

Former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan denied corruption charges linked to national drainage and flood-control projects, with the Sandiganbayan ordering his release from hospital detention.

Philippine Energy Department Seeks Major Reform of Power-Sector Law

The Department of Energy urged Congress to amend the Electric Power Industry Restructuring Act and strengthen the Energy Regulatory Commission as authorities seek to reduce electricity costs for households and businesses.

Indonesian Forest-Fire Haze Triggers Philippine Air-Quality Alerts and Manila Class Suspensions

Smoke from agricultural fires in Kalimantan spread across parts of the Philippines, prompting unhealthy-air warnings in Metro Manila, the Visayas and Mindanao and forcing the suspension of in-person classes in the capital region.

Philippines Releases 46.2 Billion Pesos for More Than 1,700 Infrastructure Projects

The Department of Budget and Management released 46.2 billion pesos for road, urban mobility and school construction projects nationwide as the government seeks to accelerate its Build Better More infrastructure programme.

Saudi and UAE Investors Offer to Finance Philippine Oil Storage Facilities

The Philippine Department of Energy said investors from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have proposed funding strategic petroleum depots that could increase domestic reserves and reduce exposure to global supply disruptions.

Philippines Targets $110 Billion in Annual Semiconductor and Electronics Exports

Executive Secretary Ralph Recto unveiled a national roadmap focused on advanced chip design, research and semiconductor packaging, with the Philippines aiming to capture 7% of the global assembly and packaging market by the end of the de...

Philippine SEC Clears GCash for 92.3 Billion-Peso Initial Public Offering

The Securities and Exchange Commission approved a planned 92.3 billion-peso listing by GCash, clearing the way for one of the largest initial public offerings in the history of the Philippine Stock Exchange.

House Prosecutors Obtain Sara Duterte’s Bank and Tax Records for Impeachment Case

Lawmakers handling the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte obtained financial records belonging to her and her husband as they prepare evidence for a possible Senate trial over alleged misuse of public and confide...

Philippines Tracks Chinese Research Vessel After 25 Days Inside Exclusive Economic Zone

The Philippine Coast Guard said a Chinese drilling-capable research vessel remained near Bajo de Masinloc for 25 days, raising concerns over possible seabed exploration and resource activity within the Philippine exclusive economic zone.

Chinese Armed Jets Intercept Philippine Aircraft Over Scarborough Shoal

Philippine defence officials said Chinese JL-10 aircraft carrying air-to-air missiles drove away a Philippine patrol plane over Bajo de Masinloc, marking a more militarised confrontation around the disputed South China Sea shoal.

Philippine Court Orders Arrest of Vice President Sara Duterte Over Alleged Threats

A Quezon City Regional Trial Court ordered Vice President Sara Duterte’s arrest over grave-threat allegations involving President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the First Lady and the House Speaker as separate impeachment proceedings continue in ...

Alex Eala Reaches Third Round of US Open

Filipina tennis player Alex Eala advanced to the third round of the US Open after a commanding victory, extending her international run and drawing widespread attention in the Philippines.

Philippine Government Says More Than 5,000 High-Value Drug Targets Neutralized or Arrested

The Department of the Interior and Local Government said more than 5,000 high-profile drug suspects have been arrested or otherwise neutralized since the current administration began its recalibrated anti-narcotics campaign.

Metro Manila Sets Penalties and Traffic Rules for Electric Tricycles

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority has finalised new regulations and fines governing electric tricycles on major roads as authorities seek to balance growing micromobility use with traffic safety.

Philippines Moves to Standardise School Suspension Rules During Extreme Weather

The Department of Education has submitted a draft executive order seeking nationwide standards for suspending and resuming classes during severe weather, aiming to protect students while limiting learning disruption.

Batangas Authorities Recover 46 Containers Lost Overboard in Severe Storms

The Philippine Coast Guard and port authorities in Batangas are recovering 46 shipping containers that fell from a cargo vessel during violent open-sea squalls, temporarily disrupting maritime operations.

Philippines Urges Mindanao Farmers to Prepare for Prolonged El Niño

The Department of Agriculture has advised farming cooperatives across Mindanao to prepare emergency irrigation systems and drought-resistant crops ahead of an expected prolonged El Niño extending into early next year.

Cebu Hospitals Put on Alert as Transboundary Haze Worsens Air Quality

Health authorities in Cebu City and nearby parts of the Visayas have placed hospitals on heightened alert as haze from Indonesian peatland fires worsens air quality and raises respiratory risks.

Philippine Senate Proposals to Lower Conviction Thresholds Spark Due Process Debate

Senators have introduced measures that would lower evidentiary voting thresholds for court convictions, prompting debate among legal experts over constitutional rights, judicial efficiency and due process.

Sandiganbayan Orders Release of Former Public Works Official Bonoan

The Philippine anti-graft court has ordered the release of former public works official Bonoan after considering new legal motions, allowing him to prepare for further hearings involving infrastructure fund allocations.

Philippines Expands Welfare and Reintegration Support for Overseas Filipino Workers

The Department of Migrant Workers has broadened financial assistance and reintegration programmes for returning overseas Filipino workers and their dependants amid rising geopolitical risks in international labour markets.

Philippine Police Seize 18.5 Million Pesos of Suspected Shabu in Multi-Province Raids

Police confiscated 2.7 kilograms of suspected shabu worth 18.5 million pesos and arrested five suspects during coordinated anti-drug operations in Pampanga, Iloilo and Batangas.

Philippine NBI Prepares Criminal Complaints Over Alleged Honeytrap Plot

The National Bureau of Investigation has finalised complaints against several prominent figures, including Leviste and Paras, over an alleged entrapment and honeytrap scheme targeting executive officials.

Philippine Health Department Expands Digital Medical Aid Programme Nationwide

The Department of Health is extending its electronic medical assistance programme to local-government hospitals nationwide after the system served more than 32,000 patients in its first month.

Philippine Central Bank Holds Course as Peso Trades Near 62 Per Dollar

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas signalled that it will maintain its current interest-rate path as the peso trades near 62 to the US dollar, balancing domestic growth concerns against imported inflation from higher energy costs.

Typhoons and Monsoon Rains Cause 3.6 Billion Pesos in Philippine Agricultural Losses

Agricultural damage from tropical cyclones Luis, Maymay and Neneng and enhanced monsoon rains has reached 3.6 billion pesos, affecting more than 86,000 farmers and fishers across Luzon.

Philippines Suspends In-Person Classes Across Metro Manila and 15 Luzon Provinces

The government has ordered schools in Metro Manila and 15 Luzon provinces to shift to alternative learning because of heavy monsoon rains and hazardous air quality linked to regional haze.

Philippines Expands Defence Cooperation With South Korea at Seoul Dialogue

Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. plans to pursue deeper bilateral security and technology cooperation with South Korea during the Seoul Defense Dialogue as Manila strengthens its regional defence partnerships.

Marcos Signs Law Expanding Access to State-Supported Tertiary Education

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has signed legislation broadening the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, expanding scholarships and state support for students from lower-income households.

Philippine Inflation Slows for Fourth Month to 6.1% in August

Headline inflation eased to 6.1% in August, marking a fourth consecutive monthly slowdown and offering some relief to consumers as authorities continue to monitor volatile global commodity prices.

Philippines Launches Semiconductor Roadmap to Attract Foreign Investment

The Department of Trade and Industry has unveiled a national semiconductor and electronics roadmap aimed at drawing multibillion-dollar investment, upgrading supply chains and expanding the country’s role in high-end chip packaging and t...

Marcos Orders Assistance for Families of Filipino Seafarers Killed Near Strait of Hormuz

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has directed government agencies to provide financial and other assistance to the families of two Filipino seafarers killed in a military attack on an oil tanker near the Strait of Hormuz.

Bangsamoro to Hold First Regional Parliamentary Elections on September 14

Authorities in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao said its inaugural parliamentary elections will proceed on September 14 after four previous postponements, marking a major step in regional self-government and the peace ...

Philippine Government Debt Reaches Record 19.4 Trillion Pesos

The Philippines’ outstanding national government debt has risen to a record 19.4 trillion pesos as continued fiscal deficits and infrastructure financing requirements drive domestic and foreign borrowing.