The Republic’s fundamentals ‘remain sound’ even amid a more challenging external environment, he adds
Oct 27, 2026
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Tobacco Institute (PTI) called for stronger enforcement against illicit cigarettes, particularly in Mindanao, despite a decline in the share of collected packs classified as illicit in its latest commissioned study. The industry association, which represents tobacco manufacturers and growers, said the findings showed uneven progress against the illegal trade. READ: Illegal
MANILA, Philippines — State witness and former Public Works and Highways-Bulacan District Engineer Henry Alcantara received at least P5 billion worth of alleged kickbacks from contractors, intended to be delivered to project proponents. Alcantara’s former staff Carlo Rivera made the revelation on Tuesday before the Sandiganbayan Third Division’s bail hearing of former House Speaker Martin
MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has suspended its contentious order requiring taxpayers to display their registration seal badges on digital platforms amid growing scrutiny over data privacy concerns. Under Revenue Memorandum Circular No. 113-2026, the BIR said it suspended the requirement until further notice while working with the National Privacy Commission to
SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur — Does an indigent patient need a congressman’s face on a piece of paper to get treatment? A Surigao del Sur lawyer is demanding answers from health and state audit officials over referral slips carrying the portrait and name of 1st District Rep. Romeo Momo Sr.—documents the lawmaker claims his
MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Tuesday said it was “too premature” to discuss who would succeed Vice President Sara Duterte if she were convicted in the impeachment trial. Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano urged fellow senators to reject any offer from Malacañang to take over the country’s second-highest post if Duterte is convicted. READ: Senators still
MANILA, Philippines — Power interruptions may hound Visayas consumers on Tuesday as the grid continues to suffer from insufficient electricity supply. In an advisory, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines said the red alert would be in effect from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. READ: Higher electricity demand seen in 2027 A yellow alert would
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday warned the public against individuals posing as Health Secretary Edwin Mercado to solicit donations. The DOH said it received reports of messages from people introducing themselves as Mercado. READ: DOH warns public vs counterfeit medicines, vaccines “DOH clarifies that any messages or calls requesting donations
The Board of Investments (BOI) on Tuesday has approved P900.06 billion worth of investments in the first nine months of the year, putting the country’s leading investment promotion agency on track to achieve its full-year target of P1 trillion. This marks a 53.05-percent increase from investment approvals recorded in the first three quarters of 2025.
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — To secure the hundreds of thousands expected to pour into congested graveyards and sprawling memorial parks this week, Northern Mindanao’s police force will deploy over 7,200 officers and volunteers starting Saturday, October 31. The Police Regional Office-10 (PRO-10) will go on full alert for the traditional observance of All Saints’
LUCENA CITY — A 20-year-old college student died after his motorcycle collided with a passenger bus along the Maharlika Highway in Gumaca, Quezon, early Tuesday morning. Quezon police said the victim, a resident of Gumaca, was riding along the highway in Barangay Panikihan when the Bicol-bound bus struck his motorcycle at 12:35 a.m. The motorcycle
TUGUEGARAO CITY – The flag-draped coffin of 1st Lt. Angeleo Adrian Peñaflor, who perished along with three other pilots in the October 23 Lipa City midair collision in Batangas, arrived in a Philippine Air Force C-130 transport plane at the Tuguegarao Airport on Tuesday, with family and friends waiting at the tarmac in abject grief.
BACOLOD CITY — Deputy House Speaker and Bacolod Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez has endorsed a shift to electric vehicles as part of efforts to reduce the country’s dependence on petroleum, improve local air quality, and lower long-term operating and maintenance costs for transport operators. Benitez stressed this in a video message at the 2026 Bacolod