Sat, Oct 24, 2026

Second of three parts PART I: The state of Philippine news: Trust falls amid changing media habits MANILA, Philippines — The press faces an immense challenge in reaching more people at a time when fewer Filipinos trust the news, interest is waning and social media has become the dominant gateway to information. Based o

MANILA, Philippines — The government on Friday placed a P50-million bounty on the head of Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa as the Philippine National Police gave its former chief one week to surrender to face trial in the International Criminal Court (ICC) alongside ex-President Rodrigo Duterte for crimes against humanity

COTABATO CITY — A former member of parliament (MP) of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) denied allegations by law enforcement officials that he was behind the recent foiled shipment of illegal drugs from Laos. In an undated video message posted on social media Thursday night, Sultan Edrieza Ha

MANILA, Philippines — Palace press officer Claire Castro will remain the Marcos administration’s chief mouthpiece following a recent leadership change in the Presidential Communications Office (PCO). PCO acting chief and Secretary Lino Cayetano on Friday confirmed that Castro was staying put even as other appointees fr

MANILA, Philippines — Davao City Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte on Friday filed libel and cyberlibel complaints against several individuals, a television network and its officials and journalists over allegations of bribery that he said were “untrue” and meant to destroy his reputation. Duterte, who personally appeared at

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Friday announced it will bid out next year the P103.6-billion concession for Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3). "Through public-private partnership, we bring in the expertise and investment this line needs," Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez said in

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday said the government is expanding the use of solar-powered irrigation systems amid the threat of the Super El Niño anticipated by year-end until early 2027. He made the remarks during the inauguration of the Tugbong Solar Pump Irrigation Project (SPIP) in Ba

MANILA, Philippines — There is no need for the House of Representatives to recall its 2027 General Appropriations Bill (GAB) in response to a recent Supreme Court decision which declared as unconstitutional key provisions of the 2024 to 2026 national budgets, according to two Senate leaders. Senate President Sherwin Ga

A new price hike for diesel is expected next week due to worsening geopolitical conflicts. In an advisory on Friday, Jetti Petroleum president Leo Bellas said diesel prices may increase by P2 to P2.50 per liter. But motorists may also get small relief, with gasoline scheduled for a rollback of P1 to P1.50 per liter.

MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Office (LTO) will deploy more than 100 personnel under “Oplan Biyaheng Ayos–Undas 2026” to ensure road safety and orderly traffic with the expected surge in travelers. READ: Undas practices continue at home for those absent in cemeteries, columbaria The deployment will cove

CEBU CITY — A 16-year-old boy is now in the custody of state social workers after being accused of grooming minors online and encouraging them to engage in violent activities, including school shootings, the National Bureau of Investigation in Central Visayas (NBI-7) said on Friday. The teenager allegedly participated

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol —The resumption of construction along Bohol’s iconic Loboc River has reignited concerns among residents, tourism operators and environmental advocates over the potential impact of a P3.5-billion flood control project on the river’s natural landscape and tourism industry. Dredging and the installa

The Philippine Coast Guard has dispatched BRP Teresa Magbanua on an extended patrol mission to safeguard local fishermen and uphold maritime territorial rights in the West Philippine Sea.

The National Maritime Council confirmed that additional aerial surveillance and patrol ships have been authorized to maintain regular rotation schedules across critical fishing grounds.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas monetary board opted to pause policy adjustments as core headline inflation fell comfortably within the national target range of 2.0% to 4.0%.

Central bank economists noted that stabilizing rice tariffs and energy costs supported consumer sentiment across key urban distribution hubs.

The Philippines needs to turn its moribund stock exchange into an engine for genuine capital formation

In Nagacadan, Kiangan, Ifugao, the rice terraces were not green when we came. They were resting, and that turned out to be one of the most important things to see.

Thailand welcomes US engagement with Myanmar and expects discussions at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations' November summit in Manila on how to proceed with the member barred since the 2021 coup, Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow told Reuters on Friday.

Security officials reiterated commitment to transparent documentation of all maritime interactions within the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines.

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) has completed nearly 400 prefabricated school buildings designed to withstand super typhoons and strong earthquakes, significantly cutting down construction time from years to a matter of weeks. According to DepEd, 391 modular school buildings have been complete

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un called for the country's army companies to be turned into elite, self-sufficient combat units during a two-day meeting of company commanders in Pyongyang, state media KCNA said on Saturday.

MANILA, Philippines — Several Bangsamoro organizations, civil society, and leaders appealed to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to meet Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Chairperson Al Haj Murad Ebrahim before Oct. 30. Malacañang earlier confirmed that it is arranging a meeting between the two to formally discuss the

Commuters along Osmeña Boulevard experienced streamlined boarding as Cebu City Government and DOTr commenced commercial operations for the initial Bus Rapid Transit segment.

Ukraine and Russia said on Friday they had agreed on a ceasefire in the Russian-occupied Ukrainian town of Oleshky, brokered through US first lady Melania Trump, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said peace negotiators would meet next month for new talks.

MANILA, Philippines—Three players won the ₱15 million MegaLotto 6/45 jackpot on Friday, Oct. 23, 2026, while no player bagged the ₱430.86 million UltraLotto 6/58 jackpot, according to the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. MegaLotto 6/45 draw result: 01-02-25-07-19-03 Jackpot prize: ₱15 million UltraLotto 6/58 draw

MANILA, Philippines — The University of Santo Tomas (UST) suspended in-person classes on Saturday, Oct. 24, following a bomb threat. In an advisory, the university ordered classes in all levels and office work to shift to an enriched virtual mode of instruction and remote work arrangements as precautionary measures. Th

Prosecutors of the International Criminal Court are asking judges to admit an expert report and the previously recorded testimonies of three witnesses into evidence in the crimes against humanity case against former President Rodrigo Duterte.

Mindanao agricultural trade associations reported expanded international cold-chain processing capabilities enabling direct premium fruit shipments to regional partner economies.

SAN ILDEFONSO, Ilocos Sur — Police arrested a 45-year-old man and seized 14.4 grams of suspected "shabu" (crystal meth) worth P98,532. The cops also reportedly seized from the suspect six live rounds of ammunition during a search warrant operation in Bacarra town, Ilocos Norte on Thursday, Oct. 22. The Bacarra Municipa

LUCENA CITY, Quezon — Sea travel for all vessels in northern parts of Quezon province resumed on late Friday afternoon, Oct. 23. This schedule comes after the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) lifted the gale warning in the area associated with Typhoon Rosal. The Phil

BACOLOD CITY – Some 25 associations of backyard hog raisers in Negros Occidental province have joined a three-day “pork holiday” called by the Agricultural Sector Alliance of the Philippines (AGAP) to protest mounting industry losses driven by government import policies and soaring production costs. Ric Lauron, preside

[Updated Oct. 24, 2026, 12:13 a.m.] MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Loren Legarda has officially released a comprehensive, rapid-deployment 10-Point Policy Action Plan to counter an anticipated strong to very strong El Niño. According to a statement issued on Monday, the framework calls for immediate, localized measures to

MANILA, Philippines — National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag said on Friday that he would seek the guidance of the agency's legal team in responding to the libel and cyberlibel complaint filed against him by Davao City Rep. Paolo "Pulong" Duterte. Matibag nonetheless welcomed the filing of

Western Visayas culinary heritage preservation programs received global spotlight as Iloilo City launched an international gastronomic summit celebrating indigenous ingredients and recipes.

MANILA, Philippines — Two SF-260 aircraft were involved in an incident during a training flight at Fernando Air Base in Lipa City, Batangas on Friday afternoon, the Philippine Air Force (PAF) confirmed. PAF spokesperson Col. Alvin Capinguian said the incident occurred at 3:51 p.m., prompting the immediate activation of

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard on Friday warned that debris from China’s Long March 8A rocket may fall within Philippine waters. In an advisory, the Coast Guard District (CGD) – Palawan advised all mariners, fishing vessels, passenger and cargo vessels to steer clear or exercise caution when traveling

P50-M bounty for capture of armed and dangerous Bato Dela Rosa – DILG Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla announced on Friday that Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa is now considered armed and dangerous and placed a P50 million bounty for his capture. Teodoro: China’s attempt to tow BRP Sierra Madre by force an act of war

The University of Santo Tomas (UST) suspended in-person classes on Saturday following a bomb threat that prompted the evacuation of campus buildings on Friday night.

MANILA, Philippines—The law firm representing Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa on Friday questioned the legal basis of the P50-million bounty for the senator's arrest. "Every peso of a government reward must answer one question – for the arrest of whom, in what case, by order of what court?" law office Torreon and Partn

Engineers completed automated tidal flood gates aimed at mitigating high-tide seawater backflow into commercial industrial parks in Metro Cebu.

Rep. Paolo Duterte files a ₱20-M libel and cyberlibel case against GMA executives, news anchors, NBI chief, and a former cop.

MANILA, Philippines — Despite global aviation disruptions from the Middle East, international passenger traffic at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) grew 2.6 percent year-on-year to 19.93 million from January 1 to October 22, 2026. New NAIA Infra Corp.(NNIC) reported that the airport handled 507,772 more

PCCI-Davao Oriental petitions Congress to extend Davao Light's franchise across the province to address chronic power outages.

MANILA, Philippines — A labor group has urged the labor secretary to convene an urgent meeting of the National Tripartite Industrial Peace Council to prepare for the effects of El Niño on workers, farmers and their families. In a statement on Thursday, the WPP, which stands for Workers’ and Peasants&

Environmental expert Geol. Dana Gabrielle Tautho urges Davao City to integrate the proposed WTE facility into a broader waste system.

MANILA/LONDON - Authorities in the Philippines are investigating Thomas Markle, father of Meghan, the wife of Britain's Prince Harry, the Philippine justice undersecretary said on Friday, after allegations he possessed child sexual abuse images.

CDRRMO, Phivolcs, and OCD hold "Walk the Fault" to mark structures along Davao's Tamugan Fault and boost preparedness.

MANILA, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan Third Division affirmed its earlier ruling to deny the move of former Sen. Bong Revilla to bar its chairperson, Associate Justice Karl Miranda, the sole judge who denied his bail petition, from participating in the trial of his malversation case. In a ruling promulgated on Oct 22

DICT and local business leaders inaugurated the expanded Northern Mindanao ICT hub in Uptown CDO, projecting over 2,500 new high-paying engineering positions.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) drove away a foreign fishing vessel from the territorial sea of Lawak Island in the Kalayaan Island Group on Friday.

The GMA-7 chapter of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) on Friday condemned the multi-million-peso libel and cyberlibel complaint filed by Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte against the network. On Friday, the lawmaker filed the case against the network’s executives, news anchors,

MANILA, Philippines—The Commission on Audit (COA) has found several deficiencies in the implementation of over P17.27 billion worth of Department of Health (DOH) infrastructure projects involving the construction and upgrading of health-care facilities across the country. It noted that the projects were either "delayed

MANILA, Philippines—Delivery riders may be protected from penalties for heat-related delays under a proposed labor advisory being drafted by the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) to protect workers from the effects of the El Niño phenomenon and other periods of extreme heat. Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino me

MANILA, Philippines—The Office of the Ombudsman is opening an “Investors’ Window” where business owners and investors can submit concerns about government officials or transactions that impede business operations. Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla made the announcement on Thursday during a dialogue with Cebu “lechoneros”

(Satellite image from Pagasa) MANILA, Philippines — Typhoon Rosal, with an international name ‘Champi,’ slightly intensified as it continued to move away from the country, the state weather bureau said. In its 5 p.m. weather advisory, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pag

Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founding chairman and former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) regional governor Nur Misuari has thrown his full support behind Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua to lead the regular Bangsamoro parliament.

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday gave Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, who has been in hiding following the issuance of an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant, one week to surrender. PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. issued the ultimatum after the Department of the

New direct long-haul international flights and regional budget routes drove significant passenger growth at Luzon’s alternative premier aviation gateway.

Tatlo ang nasawi at dalawa pa ang sugatan matapos silang pagbabarilin ng mga suspek na nagpanggap na bibili ng kanilang produkto sa Cotabato City.

ILOILO City — Western Visayas faces serious gaps in its ability to respond to catastrophic earthquakes and building collapses, with disaster response teams receiving a readiness rating of just six out of 10 following an intensive eight-day search-and-rescue training program conducted by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD

BACOLOD City – The city government secured five recognitions at the 2026 Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP) Pearl Awards, winning three grand winner titles and two first runner-up honors for its tourism initiatives, festivals and promotional campaigns. The awards were presented during the ceremon

MANILA — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Friday announced it is offering a P50 million reward to anyone who can provide information that could lead to the arrest of Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, who is the subject of an International Criminal Court warrant. DILG secretary Jonvic Remulla sa

LONDON – A new species of dinosaur – a long-clawed predator the size of a large tiger – has been identified from a fossil found on the Isle of Wight more than 100 years ago. The dinosaur, named Invictibellatrix amberina, is described in a new paper in the journal Royal Society Open Science and belongs [...]

ILOILO City – The excitement surrounding the 2027 Dinagyang Festival is set to build as Iloilo City officially launches its 100-day countdown today, October 24, at SM City Iloilo, offering the public an early glimpse of the participating tribes and signaling the start of preparations for one of the country’s grandest c

ILOILO City – Minimum wage earners in Western Visayas are a step closer to receiving an additional P40 to P45 in their daily pay after the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB-6) approved a new wage order, although its implementation remains subject to final clearance from the National Wages and Prod

ILOILO – Deaths from leptospirosis in Iloilo Province have surged by 55 percent this year despite a slight decline in infections, raising alarm over the deadly disease that has now reached 41 of the province’s 43 local government units, with farmers emerging as the most vulnerable occupational group. Leptospirosis is a

ILOILO City – Illegal public transport operators and abusive taxi drivers face intensified enforcement across Western Visayas as the Land Transportation Office (LTO) launches a 13-day crackdown beginning October 23 to protect thousands of commuters expected to travel during the observance of All Saints’ Day and All Sou

ILOILO City – Voters and other clients of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) will have to schedule their in-person transactions from Tuesdays to Fridays beginning November 9, 2026, as the poll body suspends face-to-face services every Monday nationwide for nearly five months under a government energy-conservation in

ILOILO – Authorities seized a motorized fishing boat, fishing gear and catch worth a combined P222,500 in the municipal waters of San Dionisio, Iloilo, as the provincial government intensified its crackdown on illegal fishing operations in the Visayas Sea. The Iloilo Provincial Bantay Dagat Task Force (IPBDTF), conduct

LUCENA CITY — A 24-year-old truck helper was killed, while the driver and a second helper were injured on Thursday after their vehicle reportedly suffered brake failure and overturned along the bypass road in Gumaca, Quezon. Quezon police on Friday (October 23) said the truck was carrying 200 plastic crates containing

MANILA, Philippines — Electric vehicle owners can now charge at six tollway service facilities (TSFs) along the North Luzon Expressway, with two more set to open by December, NLEX Corp. said in a statement on Friday. The six stations offer 20 charging points in total, with power ratings from 22 kW to 240 kW. Northbound

Aabot sa 200 Vietnamese ang nasagip matapos salakayin ng mga awtoridad ang isang scam hub sa Olongapo City.

BUGUEY, Cagayan – Thousands of spectators feasted on mangrove crabs stuffed in roasted pigs on Friday during this year's Crab, Mangrove and Nipa Festival in this Cagayan town. The event is an annual environmental and cultural celebration held in Buguey, which is a neighboring community of the Cagayan Economic Zone Auth

MANILA, Philippines — More than 80 individuals were apprehended in Makati City for alleged involvement in an "abusive" lending app operation, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said on Friday. In an interview, NBI Director Melvin Matibag said operators of the online lending app use text-blasting devices to send

LUCENA CITY — A five-year-old boy, who was reported to have been abducted in Calamba City in Laguna, was safely reunited with his family after he was found in the Rizal town of Tanay on Thursday. Calamba City police said a concerned citizen found the child crying outside San Ildefonso Church in Barangay Aldea and

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur — Police operatives arrested a high-value drug suspect, seizing from him around P367,200 worth of suspected meth or shabu during a joint buy-bust operation in Barangay Miputak, Dipolog City on Tuesday evening, October 20. Police Lt. Col. Shellamie Chang, information chief of the Police

SENATE President Sherwin Gatchalian rejected calls on Friday to recall the proposed 2027 National Budget, assuring that the Senate will comply with constitutional requirements during the spending bill’s consolidation process. Gatchalian said the requests from the House Makabayan bloc to recall the measure for rev

A P50-MILLION reward has been offered for information leading to the arrest of Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said on Friday. “As of today, Senator Bato will be considered ‘armed and dangerous.’ We are placing a bounty of P50 million for his capture

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday assured that the government is preparing extensively to cushion the country from the impact of the super El Niño. In his speech during the inauguration of the Tugbong Solar Pump Irrigation Project in Leyte, Marcos said water conservation and modernized irrigation systems

PhilSA unveiled the enhanced multi-mission satellite receiver facility to bolster national disaster response, agricultural crop yield forecasting, and marine conservation.

DEFENSE Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Friday warned that any attempt by China to tow away the grounded BRP Sierra Madre from Ayungin Shoal constitutes an act of war against the Philippines. “We are constantly being threatened, subtly, and now more overtly,” Teodoro said, citing growing pressure on the P

ALL top officials of the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), except Malacañang Press Officer Claire Castro, have submitted their courtesy resignations, PCO Secretary Lino Cayetano confirmed on Friday. Cayetano told members of the Malacañang Press Corps that Castro will retain her position, describin

FORMER Bangsamoro parliamentarian Edrieza Hadji Nasser Rimbang, alleged to be the financier of the botched attempt to smuggle drugs from Laos, took to social media on Friday to deny involvement in the operation. “‘Yung sinasabi po nila na involved po tayo sa Laos, hindi po totoo ’yun. Wala po akong na

THE Supreme Court has set up a system to accredit and financially support nonprofit legal organizations serving marginalized and disadvantaged communities. Approving en banc the rules on “Institutionalizing Support for Developmental and Social Change Lawyering,” the court created a framework to sustain orga

DAVAO City 1st District Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte filed libel and cyberlibel complaints on Friday against National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag, former police officer Rodulfo Gracioso Jr., and several GMA Network executives and journalists over allegations that grease money was de

​ZAMBOANGA CITY — The Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) said human-centered innovation is crucial to reaching Filipinos overseas. ​“Technology must remain people-centered if it is to help transform the diaspora’s willingness to contribute into lasting development gains,” CFO Chairman Secret

MASINLOC, Zambales — Protecting a 7,558-hectare marine and coastal landscape requires more than enforcing environmental laws. It also means working with communities, creating livelihood opportunities, and building partnerships to sustain conservation efforts. For Donaver Guevarra, community environment and natural reso

THE Public Attorney's Office (PAO) marked its 54th year of giving free legal service to indigents Friday. ​“As the PAO commemorates its 54th year of meaningful service, it offers its highest praise and heartfelt thanksgiving to the Almighty for His endless guidance and blessings throughout its journey,” sai

A TOTAL of 248 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) have returned to the Philippines from Saudi Arabia after another 49 workers arrived safely from Dammam on Friday, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) said. The latest group arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport at around 11:30 a.m. aboard Gulf A

​DIESEL prices are expected to go up, while the cost of gasoline is projected to go down next week, local oil industry sources said Friday. ​Diesel prices, they said, are expected to increase from P2.00 to P2.50 per liter, while gasoline prices are projected to decline from P1.00 to P1.50 per liter. ​Sources said that

Nasawi ang isang 91-anyos na lola matapos siyang tagain ng kaniyang 26-anyos na apo na nagalit nang hindi niya mapahiram ng pera sa Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental. Ang suspek, nasawi rin matapos namang saksakin ng kaniyang lolo nang makita ang sinapit ng kaniyang asawa.

LEPTOSPIRA bacteria, which cause leptospirosis, were detected in Estero de Paco in Manila by researchers from the University of the Philippines Diliman and the Philippine Genome Center. ​Researchers Dr. Windell Rivera and Ram Julius Marababol collected soil and water samples from five sites along the waterway and teste

TRANSPORTATION Secretary Giovanni Lopez has set a deadline for bus operators to implement the Department of Transportation's (DOTr) long-standing directive — the "EDSA Busway Left-Side Door Policy." Under this measure, all buses plying the EDSA Busway must have left-side doors, allowing passengers to disembark co

A JOINT anti-smuggling operation in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental, led to the confiscation of about 8,875 reams and 418 packs of illegal cigarettes worth approximately P8.5 million, authorities announced on Friday. Operatives from the Philippine National Police-Regional Intelligence Division, Negros Island Region

SEN. Christopher “Bong” Go extended additional assistance to 349 residents affected by a fire in Barangay 20, Tondo, Manila, as he renewed calls for stronger disaster preparedness and sustained government support for displaced families. Go met with the fire victims on Tuesday after his Senate work, assuring

SEN. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan demanded a full investigation and an immediate overhaul of the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) digital tracking systems after a budget watchdog exposed several multimillion-peso farm-to-market road (FMR) projects whose official coordinates plot directly into the open se

STALLED railway projects in the Philippines have revived questions about the country's decision to drop Chinese financing, with a geopolitical analyst arguing that the government risks missing out on economic opportunities as other Southeast Asian countries advance China-backed projects. Herman Tiu Laurel, president of

Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian yesterday rejected calls from the Makabayan bloc in the House of Representatives to recall the chamber’s budget bill for 2027, saying that the Senate would make the necessary corrections to ensure constitutional compliance without risking a reenacted budget.

Motorists should brace for another increase in diesel prices next week as escalating hostilities in the Middle East threaten to further disrupt global oil supplies.

Saying the gloves are off, the government has put up a P50-million bounty for any information that will lead to the capture of Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, and gave him a week to surrender. In announcing the reward, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said the senator, who is considered “armed and dang

The Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court has requested six more prior recorded testimonies of witnesses to be admitted in the crimes against humanity case against former president Rodrigo Duterte.

Compared to previous impeachment trials, a smaller proportion of Filipinos expect a fair ruling in the ongoing Senate proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte, a survey by Social Weather Stations showed.

Senators are pushing to tighten the proposed estate tax amnesty bill to prevent “fake death” inheritance fraud and discourage taxpayers from deliberately dodging their dues in anticipation of endless government pardons.

Cyprus supports the peaceful settlement of disputes and believes that international law cannot be applied “selectively,” Cypriot Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos said.

Amid the decision of the Chinese embassy to prohibit certain officials and personalities from visiting China, close to a hundred student organizations and youth leaders nationwide declared Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan banned from Philippine schools.

Typhoon Rosal is set to exit the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) today, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.

The government is hastening the completion of projects to minimize the impact of the super El Niño, President Marcos assured the public yesterday as the climate phenomenon is expected to cause drought in many parts of the country until early next year.