Sat, Oct 17, 2026

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato — Police arrested a 44-year-old man classified as a high-value drug suspect and seized more than P404,000 worth of suspected shabu during a buy-bust operation in Polomolok, South Cotabato, on Thursday night, Oct. 15. Police Regional Office 12 (PRO-12) identified the suspect only as alias

MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon — The poorest households in Bukidnon province struggled with a 9.5-percent inflation in September, up from 8.0 percent in August, driven mainly by rising food prices—particularly rice and corn. Data released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) on October 12 showed that the average inf

BAGUIO CITY — Nine people suffered smoke inhalation when a fire damaged a mixed-use building in Holy Ghost Extension here on Thursday evening, Oct. 15. Three of the nine victims were taken to the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center for treatment and were later discharged. The other six received medical attention

COTABATO CITY — The Basilan provincial office of the Bangsamoro Human Rights Commission (BHRC) has asked the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) to investigate the death of a Basilan woman who was killed when a military cargo truck driven by a Marines soldier hit her motorcycle in Manila last week. In a statement issued o

SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur — While it remains officially classified as a first-class municipality, this central trading hub outpaced the province’s lone component city in local revenue generation for fiscal year 2025, according to official financial data published by the Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF). Th

CABANATUAN CITY — A food delivery rider known for his humorous social media videos was shot dead by an unidentified assailant in Barangay Mayapyap Sur here at 9:40 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 15, police said. The victim, known online as Ser Bong TV, was wearing a green long-sleeved Grab uniform, blue jeans and a multicolore

SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur — The Sangguniang Panglalawigan of Surigao del Sur has set a public hearing on a proposed provincial measure banning lewd shows in cockpit arenas following public outrage over a viral video showing scantily clad women performing inside a local gallera in Cantilan town. In a notice dated Oc

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol — The provincial government of Bohol has recorded more than 1,400 individual plants of the critically endangered Bohol Helmet Orchid (Corybas boholensis) during an initial monitoring activity in the Loboc Watershed Forest Reserve in Bilar town. The Bohol Provincial Environment Management Office (

VALENCIA CITY, Bukidnon — Some 35 years after environmental advocate-priest Neri Lito Satur was ambushed and killed by alleged members of an illegal logging syndicate, Bukidnon remembered his sacrifice on Wednesday, Oct. 14, through province-wide tree planting and solemn memorial rites. Around 800 seedlings of endemic,

MANILA, Philippines—A lone bettor won the ₱115.99 million MegaLotto 6/45 jackpot in the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) draw on Friday, Oct. 16, 2026. The winning combination was 08-22-19-10-35-27, with one ticket holder matching all six numbers to claim the jackpot. Meanwhile, no bettor won the ₱401.34 mi

MANILA, Philippines — Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla on Friday said that 13 individuals involved in the Pharmally scandal could no longer be located, making it difficult for his office to move forward with the case. “In the case of Pharmally, there are 46 respondents. That's why it’s taking a while. Many of them have

MANILA, Philippines — A magnitude 4.9 earthquake jolted Don Marcelino town in Davao Occidental on Friday evening, Oct. 16, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs). In its advisory, Phivolcs said the epicenter was located 68 kilometers (km) southeast of Don Marcelino, Davao Occiden

MANILA, Philippines – The impeachment case against Vice President Sara Z. Duterte was built largely on her own official records, financial accounts, declarations and documented actions rather than a narrative manufactured by her political opponents, according to the House prosecution panel. House prosecution spokespers

MANILA, Philippines — A purported bagman-turned-witness was quizzed by the counsel of former House Speaker Martin Romualdez before the Sandiganbayan Third Division, being one of the signatories of a joint affidavit by the so-called “Maleta boys” which contained some allegations eventually taken back by some of his fell

DAVAO CITY — At least 1,000 families lost their homes on Thursday afternoon due to massive fire that hit a residential area in Carpenter, Purok Corias, Barangay Leon Garcia of Agdao District here. Fire Inspector Frances Marie Sendrijas said the fire was reported around 5:06 p.m. The situation immediately reached second

MANILA, Philippines — Both Manases Carpio and former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV may be invited by the House of Representatives once it starts the legislative inquiry on controversial food processing company CALE88 Foods Corporation. House Deputy Speaker Jefferson Khonghun made the statetement in an online interview o

MANILA, Philippines – Two Manila Water Non-East Zone operating units, Estate Water and Boracay Water, have earned international recognition from the International Water Association (IWA) after being named among the Climate Smart Utilities for 2026, highlighting their commitment to climate resilience, sustainable water

BACOLOD CITY — The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) is allocating P13 million for a second phase of cloud-seeding operations scheduled in November. These actions are meant to buffer sugar lands against the threat of an expected Super El Niño. SRA Board Member David Andrew Sanson on Friday (Oct. 16) announced the a

CEBU CITY — Respiratory consultations in some local hospitals increased by 26 percent in the third quarter of this year, compared to the same period last year. This situation prompted the Department of Health in Central Visayas (DOH-7) to call for closer monitoring of respiratory illnesses, amid concerns over poor air

(Satellite image from Pagasa) MANILA, Philippines — Severe Tropical Storm Champi, which is still outside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) may affect the country as early as Monday, Oct. 19, the state weather bureau said on Friday. Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Friday said it is speeding up the construction of relocation sites for families affected by the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) in Pampanga. The 147-kilometer railway system is set to connect Metro Manila with Pampanga and Laguna, with its partial ope

Teodoro: Chinese envoy's remarks a threat, not a ‘slip’ Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Friday backed the Department of Foreign Affairs’ (DFA) assessment of Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan’s remarks, saying his statement about the use of force was a threat meant to intimidate the Philippines. Remulla identifies

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) will issue four labor advisories outlining safety measures for employers and workers amid extreme heat during the El Niño phenomenon, Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino said. The guidelines will cover workplace safety and health, including measures to p

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) advised motorists to take alternative routes as Phase 2 of the rehabilitation works along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (Edsa) is scheduled to start Friday evening, Oct. 16. In an advisory, the DPWH said that it will conduct its rehabilitation act

Screengrab Senate of the Philippines / YouTube MANILA, Philippines — Senators are eyeing the restoration of funding for the Department of Education’s (DepEd) Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (Aral) program. During the Senate Committee on Finance’s hearing on DepEd’s 2027 spending plan on Friday, Senate Preside

MALOLOS, Bulacan—A 17-minute fire broke out at the roof deck of the Malolos City Hall in Bulacan on Friday (October 16) but prompt emergency response immediately quenched the blaze. There was no reported injury or casualty. Reports from the City Information Office said the fire began at 10:58 a.m. It was declared "fire

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) awarded FPJ Panday Bayanihan party-List Rep. Brian Poe the Medal of Merit and the Medal of Disaster Relief and Rehabilitation in recognition of his contributions to public service and disaster response. Poe expressed his gratitude to the PCG, emphasizing that the r

MANILA, Philippines – The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) inspected 65 establishments selling vape products during its nationwide Tax Compliance Verification Drive (TCVD) on October 7, 2026, as part of its intensified campaign against illicitvapor products and tax violations. The operations covered five revenue region

MANILA, Philippines — Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla on Friday said he will ask the House prosecution panel in the Senate impeachment court to submit evidence pertaining to the alleged misuse of confidential funds of Vice President Sara Duterte’s worth P612 million. Remulla also said the Office of the Ombudsman is eva

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate Electoral Tribunal on Friday dismissed once again an amended version of the quo warranto petition to unseat Sen. Erwin Tulfo. This type of petition challenges a person's right to hold a public office. Berteni Causing filed this case versus Tulfo on grounds of supposed “disloyalty to the

MANILA, Philippines – Bamboo plantations that help the soil retain moisture, structures that keep topsoil from eroding, and water impounding systems that provide alternative supplies for farms are among the measures the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is advancing to help upland communities cope

MANILA, Philippines—The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Friday reminded public utility vehicle (PUV) operators and drivers to honor the mandatory 20 percent fare discount for persons with disabilities (PWDs) as millions of Filipinos head to their home provinces for Undas. Violations of t

MABALACAT CITY, Pampanga — Police arrested two suspected drug pushers who allegedly yielded 400 grams of shabu worth P2.72 million in a buy-bust operation in Barangay Dau in Mabalacat City on Thursday night. In a statement, the Central Luzon police said the operation targeted a 35-year-old man classified as a “high-val

CALASIAO, Pangasinan – The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the dismissal of Urdaneta City Mayor Julio “Rammy” Fernandez Parayno III, Vice Mayor Jimmy Dereje Parayno, and six members of the Sangguniang Panglungsod based on consolidated administrative complaints. In its April 15, 2026 decision, the Ombudsman found th

MANILA, Philippines — Finance and investment veteran Victor Alfonso Limlingan has been appointed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as the new president and chief executive officer of the Social Security System (SSS). The state insurer made the announcement on Friday. Limlingan succeeded Robert Joseph Montes de Claro, w

CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro — Oriental Mindoro is celebrating the fourth top-ranking examinee in this year's Physician Licensure Examination (PLE), who has family roots in Calapan City. A graduate of the University of the Philippines College of Medicine, Dr. Israel Miña Aguba, who placed fourth in the exam with a 94

MANILA, Philippines — Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla on Friday said the filing of a plunder case against Sen. Loren Legarda and her son Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste before the Sandiganbayan is forthcoming. Ombudsman investigators accused the mother and son of allegedly conspiring “to secure exclusive gov