🇵🇭Philippines

Ombudsman bares probe of Cagayan lawmaker Lara, kin

MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Ombudsman on Saturday said it had initiated a preliminary investigation of Cagayan Rep. Joseph Lasam Lara and members of his family over alleged financial interests in construction companies that bagged billions of pesos worth of government contracts. In a statement, the Ombudsman said the Laras were being investigated

Lasting gift that keeps Angeles City reading

ANGELES CITY — When city librarian Erma Manalo thanked the children of Renato “Katoks” Tayag for their father’s donation of land for a city library 54 years ago, she recalled a legacy built over three generations of two families. Manalo described the 1,690-square-meter property as a “gift” during a commemoration of the late lawyer and

Cagayan Rep. Lara under probe for possible plunder

MANILA, Philippines—The Office of the Ombudsman on Saturday said it has initiated a preliminary investigation against Cagayan Rep. Joseph Lasam Lara and members of his family over alleged financial interests in construction companies that bagged billions worth of government contracts. In a statement, the Ombudsman said Lara is being probed for possible plunder under Republic

NCDA says mocking PWDs risking fines, imprisonment - The Manila Times

NCDA says mocking PWDs risking fines, imprisonment The Manila Times

QC solon takes legal action vs ‘fake’ news sites

Quezon City 5th District Rep. Patrick Michael Vargas presents the formal complaint and digital evidence before the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Friday, Oct. 16. (Photo from the office of Quezon City 5th District Rep. Patrick Michael Vargas) MANILA, Philippines — Quezon City 5th District Rep. Patrick Michael Vargas filed a cyber libel complaint

LTFRB summons 5 online shopping firms’ list of delivery service partners

MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Saturday ordered five popular online shopping platforms to submit records of their accredited truck-for-hire service providers. The order comes as the board intensifies its crackdown on illegal delivery operators. Acting LTFRB chair Greg Pua Jr. said he had issued subpoenas directing the service providers

Elderly man held over hacking of drinking buddy in Batac City

SAN ILDEFONSO, Ilocos Sur — A 71-year-old man was arrested after allegedly hacking a 46-year-old man during a drinking session in Barangay Bungon, Batac City in Ilocos Norte, police said Saturday, Oct. 17. Based on the initial police investigation, the suspect and the victim were drinking alcoholic beverages at the suspect’s residence when the incident

Sara Duterte camp: NBI probe another persecution

MANILA, Philippines — The camp of Vice President Sara Duterte on Friday accused the Marcos administration of using the National Bureau of Investigation to persecute her politically, even branding the bureau’s findings on her alleged misdeclared properties a “shameless smear campaign.” Duterte’s spokesperson Salvador Paolo A. Panelo Jr. questioned NBI Director Melvin Matibag’s decision to

NBI summons podcast hosts over remarks vs Kris Aquino’s PWD son

MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation on Friday said it has issued subpoenas to the hosts of the now-terminated podcast “Machong Chismisan,” which drew online outrage and criticism following their remarks mocking the autism spectrum of Kris Aquino’s eldest son Joshua. According to NBI Director Melvin Matibag, the five hosts were summoned to

Suspected Dawlah Islamiya leader, 3 others killed in Maguindanao clash

COTABATO CITY — Government forces killed a suspected sub-leader of the extremist group Dawlah Islamiya (DI) and three of his followers during a joint law enforcement operation in Sultan Mastura town, Maguindanao del Norte on Friday afternoon. Lt. Col. Eugene Balugo, officer-in-charge of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group–Regional Field Unit 15 in the Bangsamoro

Solon: Proposed Socoteco II-Ignite Power deal a ‘corporate takeover’

MANILA, Philippines — General Santos City lone district Rep. Shirlyn Bañas-Nograles on Friday called the proposed joint venture of South Cotabato II Electric Cooperative Inc. (Socoteco II) with Ignite Power and Energy Holdings Inc. a “corporate takeover”. Bañas-Nograles said, in a statement, that the proposed Conditional Joint Venture Agreement (CJVA) warrants “serious scrutiny”, primarily as

SRA allots P13M to induce rains over sugar lands

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 allocation. His statement comes

LTFRB to PUVs: Honor mandatory PWD discounts, ensure accessibility

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 the discount rule carry a fine of P5,000 for the

Victor Limlingan named new SSS chief

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, who was appointed secretary of the Department of

Major shareholder announcement - The Manila Times

Major shareholder announcement The Manila Times

Merger Discussions - The Manila Times

Merger Discussions The Manila Times

NBI summons ‘Machong Chismisan’ hosts over derogatory remark

MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Friday said it has already issued subpoenas to the hosts of the now-terminated podcast, “Machong Chismisan,” which drew widespread criticism after their derogatory remarks about actress Kris Aquino’s eldest son, Josh. READ: ‘Macho’ hosts turn meek, apologize for mocking Kris Aquino son Josh NBI Director

Fox Factory Announces CEO Transition - The Manila Times

Fox Factory Announces CEO Transition The Manila Times

VP camp accuses Marcos admin of political persecution over NBI probe

MANILA, Philippines — The camp of Vice President Sara Duterte on Friday accused the Marcos administration of using the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to persecute her politically, calling the bureau’s findings on her alleged misdeclared properties a “shameless smear campaign.” Duterte’s spokesperson, Salvador Paolo Panelo Jr., questioned NBI Director Melvin Matibag’s decision to publicize

From Duterte to Big Tech: Maria Ressa’s blueprint on fighting back

MANILA, Philippines – In a wide-ranging discussion with WNYC’s Brian Lehrer for the second edition of Democracy Dialogues on October 16, Nobel Peace Prize laureate and Rappler CEO Maria Ressa warned again of the growing, still unaddressed threats to democracy posed by authoritarian governments, powerful technology companies, and now, artificial intelligence. Play Video The conversation, held at...

CICC warns vs. QR code, love scams ahead of holiday season

The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) warned Filipinos against scams, including love scams, investment scams and the emerging QR code (Quick Response) scam, which may become more prevalent as the holiday season approaches. “During the Christmas season, that’s the time when the money or bonuses come in, so expect that you’ll receive a lot of offers,” Robert S. Paguia, divis...

NCRPO relieves Pasay police chief; orders probe into anti-drug ops

MANILA, Philippines — Pasay City Police Chief Col. Joselito de Sesto has been relieved of his post, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) confirmed on Friday. In a Viber message to the INQUIRER, NCRPO spokesperson Maj. Hazel Asilo said de Sesto’s relief took effect on Sep. 29. “[He was] administratively relieved pending investigation,” Asilo

Ombudsman probes Cagayan’s Jojo Lara for potential plunder over construction ties

MANILA, Philippines – The Office of the Ombudsman launched a preliminary investigation into Cagayan 3rd District Representative Jojo Lara for possible plunder. The probe comes a year after Rappler first reported about Lara’s ties to JLL Pulsar, which has bagged P3.7 billion in contracts from the DPWH since 2020, coinciding with Lara’s congressional career. “There was supposed to be a divestment...

Lance Gokongwei, Chito Salazar named MAP Management Persons of the Year

The Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) on Friday named JG Summit Holdings, Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer Lance Y. Gokongwei and Phinma Corp. President and Chief Operating Officer Chito B. Salazar as the two recipients of the MAP Management Person of the Year 2026 award. In a statement, the MAP said it chose Mr. Gokongwei “for his business leadership and management qual...

P21,500 settlement ‘cut’ lands ex-fiscal in jail

MANILA, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan Fifth Division has found a former Taguig City senior assistant prosecutor guilty of three counts of violating the code of conduct and ethical standards for government workers after he took P21,500 as his “share” of the settlement in a homicide case in 2014. In a decision handed down on Oct.

6 firms in ‘onion cartel’ face P1.76-B fines, raps

MANILA, Philippines —After a yearslong investigation, the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) has imposed a record P1.76 billion in fines on six businesses and their officers for operating an onion cartel that was uncovered after onion prices surged to as much as P800 per kilogram in late 2022. At a press conference on Thursday, the antitrust

Tesla unveils next generation Roadster sports EV with SpaceX thrusters

SAN FRANCISCO — Tesla unveiled a redesigned Roadster equipped with thrusters on Thursday, nearly nine years after it first showed a next-generation version of its electric sports car and said it would start production in 2028. Tesla demonstrated the two-seater vehicle, developed in collaboration with CEO Elon Musk’s rocket company SpaceX, showing it driving upside down on a ramp using a suction...

WATCH: Trump says he wants death penalty for anyone who kills a firefighter - The Manila Times

WATCH: Trump says he wants death penalty for anyone who kills a firefighter The Manila Times

Park Aerospace Corp. Chairman and CEO Comments on Certain Incorrect Reporting About the Robustness of the Ramp-Up of the Company’s Commercial Aircraft Jet Engine Business - The Manila Times

Park Aerospace Corp. Chairman and CEO Comments on Certain Incorrect Reporting About the Robustness of the Ramp-Up of the Company’s Commercial Aircraft Jet Engine Business The Manila Times

SNDL Announces 2026 Annual and Special Shareholders Meeting Results, Select Preliminary Third Quarter Results and Capital Return Initiatives - The Manila Times

SNDL Announces 2026 Annual and Special Shareholders Meeting Results, Select Preliminary Third Quarter Results and Capital Return Initiatives The Manila Times

Alliance Select shareholders approve equity restructuring - The Manila Times

Alliance Select shareholders approve equity restructuring The Manila Times

NBI to subpoena ‘Machong Chismisan’ hosts over insensitive remarks

MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) will subpoena Machong Chismisan podcast hosts over their insensitive remarks directed at Kris Aquino’s firstborn son, Josh, who is on the autism spectrum. In a Viber message on Thursday, Matibag said the bureau will conduct an investigation into the insensitive remarks against Josh. READ: Podcast hosts

NBI chief details 3 more ‘misdeclared’ Sara Duterte properties

MANILA, Philippines — National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag on Thursday detailed three more alleged properties of Vice President Sara Duterte that were supposedly misdeclared in her Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN). In a press conference on Thursday, Matibag mentioned properties in Davao and Paranaque City supposedly belonging to the

1PWD party-list filing complaint vs Machong Chismisan hosts

MANILA, Philippines — 1PWD party-list Rep. JD Castro said that his group will file a complaint before the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) against Machong Chismisan podcast hosts over their insensitive remarks directed towards people with disabilities (PWD). The five male hosts faced backlash after they made comments about Joshua “Josh” Aquino, the eldest son

Building Bacolod with Bayanihan: Robinsons Land looks beyond its developments

The Bacolod City Government and Robinsons Land Corp. (RLC) signed a memorandum of agreement on Oct. 8 to support Creative Bacolod, the city government’s tourism and cultural platform. Mayor Greg Gasataya and RLC President and CEO Mybelle V. Aragon-GoBio led the ceremony at the Bacolod City Government Center. The agreement makes Bacolod the first city where RLC will put “Hand in Hand for Progres...

NBI chief dares Sara Duterte’s camp to file case over bias claims

MANILA, Philippines — National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag on Thursday challenged Vice President Sara Duterte to file a case against him if her camp believes he is acting improperly amid the bureau’s investigation into allegations involving her. Matibag was responding to a statement from the vice president’s camp describing him as “evidently

RESULTS: October 2026 Physicians Licensure Examination

The following is a press release from the Professional Regulation Commission . The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announces that 4,165 out of 4,447 passed the Physicians Licensure Examination given by the Board of Medicine in NCR, Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Koronadal, Legazpi, Lucena, Pampanga, Rosales, Tacloban, Tuguegarao and Zamboanga this October 2026. The result...

Truth Commission seeks probe into ‘drug war’ rewards

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — A Philippine National Police (PNP) non-uniformed personnel recalls a tense meeting over eight years ago between key police officials in Northern Mindanao and then-PNP chief Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa. “I remember when Sir Bato visited here in 2018; he was so mad that there were only a few drug suspects

Matibag: NBI will also check Paolo Duterte’s SALN

MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) will also check on the Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) of Davao City First District Rep. Paolo Duterte, according to Director Melvin Matibag. Matibag said this in a press conference on Thursday after mentioning that a mansion near a resort—not the resort itself—on

LTFRB pursues private vehicles giving transport services to online sellers

MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Thursday said it launched a crackdown against private vehicles operating as transport or logistic services without proper permit or registration. According to LTFRB, it conducted a probe upon receiving reports from legitimate operators that several private vehicles are being used for truck-for-hire for

PCC fines onion traders P1.76B after cartel probe

THE Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) said it imposed a record fi ne of P1.76 billion on onion traders found to have operated a cartel that brought prices to as high as P800 per kilo in late 2022. In a brie fi ng on Thursday, PCC Executive Director Kenneth V. Tanate said the traders had cornered nearly 50% of all approved import clearances for red and yellow onions. The traders were found...

DoE says 15% bioethanol blend being considered

THE GOVERNMENT is considering raising the mandatory bioethanol blend in gasoline to 15% (E15) to help temper pump prices and expand domestic production, the Department of Energy (DoE) said. Energy Undersecretary Alessandro O. Sales said the National Bioefuels Board is studying an increase in the blend to E15 from the current E10. “It could help temper gasoline prices,” Mr. Sales told reporters ...

EO seeks nat’l carbon market plan

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. directed the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to draft a national carbon market policy framework to mobilize green investments, in line with the Philippines’ international climate commitments. Under Executive Order (EO) No. 127, signed on Oct. 13, the DENR was given 30 days to set up the operational guidelines, subject to approval by a ne...

LIVESTREAM: Maria Ressa, WNYC’s Brian Lehrer discuss democracy in the age of AI

MANILA, Philippines – Nobel Peace Prize laureate and Rappler CEO Maria Ressa will join WNYC host Brian Lehrer for a conversation on democracy in the age of artificial intelligence (AI) on Thursday, October 15, in New York (Friday, October 16, Philippine time). The event, “Democracy Dialogues,” is co-presented by New York Public Radio (NYPR) and Rappler and will take place at The Greene Space in...

Consumers make fewer, longer mall visits — Megaworld

CONSUMERS are visiting shopping malls less frequently amid higher fuel and parking costs but are spending more time during each visit, according to an executive of listed property developer Megaworld Corp. “They don’t go as frequently as before but when they go, they spend longer. Also, because, like you’re saying, parking is a little more expensive, fuel is a little more expensive. You also ma...

Philex Mining reaches labor settlement

PHILEX Mining Corp. has reached a settlement with the Philex Padcal Rank-and-File Union to resolve a labor dispute, with the union agreeing to immediately lift its strike following the signing of an agreement on Wednesday. In a disclosure to the stock exchange on Thursday, the listed mining company said the settlement was reached during a conciliation-mediation conference facilitated by the Nat...

RESULTS: October 2026 Optometrists Computer-Based Licensure Examination

The following is a press release from the Professional Regulation Commission . The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announces that 394 out of 423 passed the Optometrists Computer-Based Licensure Examination given by the Board of Optometry in the National Capital Region this October 2026. The members of the Board of Optometry who gave the licensure examination are Dr. Maria Lalaine C. Du...

Cronos Completes Acquisition of CanAdelaar, Europe’s Largest Adult-Use Cannabis Company - The Manila Times

Cronos Completes Acquisition of CanAdelaar, Europe’s Largest Adult-Use Cannabis Company The Manila Times

WATCH: DSWD demos water filtration system ahead of Super El Niño

MANILA, Philippines – Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Sec. Rex Gatchalian demonstrates a bucket-based water filtration system during a press briefing in Malacanang on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026. The demonstration aims to show how the filtration technology can help provide safer drinking water amid the anticipated effects of Super El Niño. /dp READ:

Beam Global's Pending Drone Company Acquisition ScoutDI Wins Milestone Order from Nuclear Sector Customer - The Manila Times

Beam Global's Pending Drone Company Acquisition ScoutDI Wins Milestone Order from Nuclear Sector Customer The Manila Times

PCC slaps onion cartel with record fine of P1.76B

MANILA, Philippines – Almost four years since the country’s onion crisis, the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) imposed a combined P1.76-billion fine against onion cartel members that colluded in an “illegal market allocation scheme in the importation, cold storage, and wholesale distribution of red and yellow onions.” In late 2022, onion prices in the Philippines skyrocketed to over P800...

DA chief urged to take leave amid rice import probe

US states seek children’s data protections in Character.AI bankruptcy

A group of 40 state attorneys general on Wednesday, October 14, urged a US bankruptcy judge in Delaware to protect young users of Character.AI and keep their data safe during the AI companion company’s bankruptcy. Character.AI filed for bankruptcy late on Monday and is seeking to use its Chapter 11 case to resolve the states’ investigations and lawsuits, license its technology to Disney for $20...

IBM Study: Eight in Ten EMEA Enterprises Escalate AI Incidents to Board or C-Suite as AI Agents Test Governance - The Manila Times

Group seeks House probe on alleged Socoteco II plebiscite issues

Wall Street grills Bank of America over money laundering fine - The Manila Times

Cops arrest top drug suspect, 7 others in Eastern Visayas

Padilla seeks Senate probe into NCAP fairness, due process

A Pie in the Face for a Purpose: Legend Senior Living’s CEO, COO, and CFO Get Pied to Support the Alzheimer’s Association - The Manila Times

Ex-soldier, cop nabbed over alleged illegal firearms sale in Pangasinan