MANILA, Philippines — Inilarawan ni Sen. Robin Padilla si Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan bilang “edukado, gentleman, at diretsong kausap” matapos silang magkita sa 2026 ASEAN Chinese Business Leaders Summit noong Lunes, Oktubre 19. Sa isang Facebook post, sinabi ni Padilla na malaking pagkakataon ang personal niyang pakikipag-usap sa embahador. Binigyang-diin din niya ang kahalagahan ng harapang pag-uusap upang maiwasan ang hindi pagkakaunawaan at mapanatili ang kapayapaan at k

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) summoned Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan on Monday, October 19, to formally protest his remarks suggesting that China could easily prevail if it resorted to force, describing the statement as provocative and unacceptable. In a statement, the DFA said Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro told Jing that his comments did not contribute to mutual understanding and could further strain the already sensitive diploma

BAGUIO CITY — She left the Philippine Military Academy with its highest academic honors. Twenty-nine years later, Colonel Leah L. Santiago has returned to help shape its future officers—making history anew as its first female Commandant of Cadets. Santiago assumed the post on October 17, 2026, at Fort General Gregorio H. del Pilar, adding another first to a military career spanning infantry leadership, field artillery, personnel management, and military education. A member of

MANILA, Philippines — The plunder case against Senator Rodante Marcoleta may be resolved in less than a year, according to Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla, as prosecutors have completed presenting their witnesses before the Sandiganbayan. State prosecutors formally rested their case on October 8, following the presentation of evidence in connection with the senator’s alleged receipt of ₱75 million in campaign donations ahead of the 2025 senatorial elections. The pros

The House prosecution panel on Tuesday, October 13, announced that it would no longer pursue three of the four articles of impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte, choosing to focus its case on allegations of unexplained wealth. House lead prosecutor and Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro informed the Senate impeachment court that the prosecution would withdraw its pursuit of Articles I, III, and IV, leaving Article II as the sole focus of its case. The three articles inv

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) is investigating the possible involvement of a Davao-based drug syndicate in the seizure of 521 kilograms of suspected crystal methamphetamine, locally known as shabu, aboard a chartered private jet in Laos earlier this month. PDEA Director General Isagani Nerez disclosed on Monday, October 12, that investigators are pursuing leads involving a suspected drug network operating in Mindanao following the arrest of Filipino national D

QUEZON CITY — Nanawagan ang mga grupo ng hog farmers sa pamahalaan na agad ibalik sa 30 porsiyento ang taripa sa pork imports na pasok sa itinakdang quota at 40 porsiyento sa mga lampas dito, sa gitna ng mababang presyo ng buhay na baboy at tumataas na gastos sa produksyon. Sa press conference nitong Biyernes, Oktubre 9, iginiit nina Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG) chairman Rosendo So at National Federation of Hog Farmers Inc. president Chester Tan na kailangan ng

A meeting between Rovelyn Baterbonia, mother of the late student-athlete Rene Baterbonia, and Angelica Yulo, mother of Olympic gold medalist Carlos Yulo, recently drew attention online. Rovelyn shared a photo of the two mothers on social media with the caption, “Basher attack 💔💔💔💔.” Angelica later shared the same photo with the word “FINALLY.” The meeting comes as both women have separately received significant public attention over their family stories. Rovelyn has been

MANILA, Philippines — More than ₱1.4 billion worth of illicit vape products were destroyed Thursday, October 1, after the Bureau of Customs (BOC) described the shipment as the largest single-operation seizure of smuggled vapes in the agency’s history. A total of 3,174 boxes containing vape devices and pods under the brands Chillax, Black Bar, and Shift were condemned and destroyed. The products, valued at approximately ₱1.428 billion, had no visible Bureau of Internal Revenue

Former senator Antonio Trillanes IV is holding a press conference on Friday, October 2, 2026, a day after withdrawing as a witness in the ongoing impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. Trillanes said he personally asked the House prosecution panel to remove his name from its witness list, saying the move would relieve the prosecutors of the pressure they were facing. The prosecution subsequently informed the Senate impeachment court that it would no longer present

MANIBELA chairman Mar Valbuena drew attention online after a viral exchange with First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, just a day after the transport group suspended its planned three-day strike. MANIBELA began its nationwide protest on September 28, calling for government action on rising fuel prices, including the removal of fuel taxes and changes to policies affecting public transport. On the first day of the strike, Valbuena also confronted LTFRB personnel over what he alleged

Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte was declared a hostile witness by the Senate impeachment court on Tuesday, September 29, during the impeachment trial of his sister, Vice President Sara Duterte. During direct examination, House prosecution counsel Theodore Te asked Baste whether he had previously made statements about the impeachment case in media interviews. Baste initially said, “As of now, I do not remember any statement pertaining to the impeachment trials.” Pro

Two-time Olympic gold medalist Carlos Edriel Yulo and longtime girlfriend Chloe San Jose are officially engaged, revealing that they have quietly been engaged for nine months before sharing the milestone with the public on Monday, September 28. San Jose announced the engagement through social media, sharing photos and videos from the proposal and revealing that Yulo popped the question on December 18, 2025. The couple had kept the engagement private, saying they wanted to tre

Father Flavie Villanueva said former police officer Rodulfo Gracioso Jr. sought his help before coming forward with allegations that he delivered suitcases of cash to Vice President Sara Duterte, former President Rodrigo Duterte and Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte. According to Villanueva, Gracioso approached him because his conscience would no longer allow him to remain silent and sought guidance and forgiveness through the priest. “It is when conscience will no l

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has signed into law a measure extending the term of office of barangay officials and members of the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) from four years to five years, while moving the next Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) to 2028. Republic Act No. 12326, signed on September 25, 2026, amends Republic Act No. 12232, which previously fixed the term of barangay and SK officials at four years. The new law sets the next regular BSKE on Novembe

STO. TOMAS CITY, BATANGAS — The National Shrine and Parish of St. Padre Pio in Sto. Tomas City was formally declared an international shrine on Wednesday, September 23, marking a significant milestone for the Catholic community in the Philippines. The declaration makes the St. Padre Pio Shrine only the second Catholic shrine in the Philippines to receive the international designation, highlighting its growing significance as a place of pilgrimage and devotion. The formal decl

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet — Around 200 transport leaders, operators, and drivers gathered outside the Department of Transportation-Cordillera Administrative Region (DOTr-CAR) office here Wednesday, September 23, to rally behind Regional Director PBGen. Glenn G. Dumlao (Ret.) as allegations of an illegal “payola” scheme involving transportation personnel continue to draw scrutiny. Representing tourist vans, taxis, jeepneys, and other transport groups, the participants signed a mani

Lakambini “Lakam” Chiu, the older sister of actress and TV host Kim Chiu, was arrested in Mandaluyong City over 124 counts of qualified theft linked to alleged transactions involving corporate funds. The Quezon City Police District said Lakam was arrested on September 20 in Barangay Wack-Wack after police served a warrant issued by the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 84. The court set the recommended bail at ₱5.838 million. The case stemmed from a complaint filed by K

Victory Liner is urging the government to lift the suspension of an approved bus fare increase, warning that continued fuel price hikes are putting growing pressure on the company and the wider public transport industry. The appeal comes after diesel prices rose by another ₱8.82 per liter on September 22, bringing the total diesel increase to ₱18.31 per liter in just three weeks. Victory Liner said fuel now accounts for around 45% to 60% of its operating costs. The company al

A moviegoer who refused to stay silent when a Philippine Military Academy recruitment advertisement was allegedly disrespected inside a Baguio cinema has received the first challenge coin awarded by PMA’s new superintendent. BAGUIO MAN RECEIVES PMA CHIEF’S FIRST CHALLENGE COIN AFTER DEFENDING RECRUITMENT ADRussel Garcia Jaravata was invited to Fort del Pilar on September 18, nearly a month after the August 24 incident. According to the PMA, a fellow moviegoer made what the Ac