MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court has declared “unconstitutional” certain provisions of the 2024 and 2025 national budgets, as well as key unprogrammed appropriations in the 2026 budget, after finding that Congress increased funding beyond the amount recommended by the president. In a 121-page decision penned by Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen, the SC said

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — A 56-year-old man tagged as Northern Mindanao’s second most wanted fugitive was captured in Zamboanga del Norte over the weekend, after months in hiding, police said Tuesday. In a statement, the Police Regional Office-10 (PRO-10) identified the suspect as alias “RK,” a resident of Barangay Diguan in Ozamiz City, Misamis

MANILA, Philippines — Saying that agency heads traditionally appear before Congress to defend their budgets, Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian questioned Vice President Sara Duterte’s absence at the Senate on Thursday to defend her office’s proposed P785.2-million appropriation for 2027. Instead of Duterte, her chief of staff, lawyer Zuleika Lopez, and other Office of the Vice

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday vowed a smooth transition of Sulu province from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to Region 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula). On Sept. 9, 2024, the Supreme Court upheld the validity of Republic Act No. 11054, or the Bangsamoro Organic Law, but ruled that Sulu was not

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Mark Villar is pushing for mandatory free health maintenance organization (HMO) coverage for government employees to shield them and their families from costly health emergencies. “Our government employees are valuable partners for promoting progress and bringing services to the public. It’s just right that their health and welfare are ensured, especially in

MANILA, Philippines — House prosecutors are ready to turn over the trove of evidence they collected for Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial. However, the panel prefers to await a formal subpoena before surrendering the files, Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro said on Tuesday. Luistro, the chief prosecutor, said the team will promptly respond to a

Spotify welcomes its 2026 class of RADAR Creators: local podcast voices who go beyond the conversation and build communities people want to belong to.

Nobu Manila at City of Dreams Manila brings a  distinctive hip vibe in a Halloween party entitled “Unattached & Unbothered” with influencer and entrepreneur Tommy Tiangco hosting the chic venue’s month-ender socials on Friday, October 30, 2026, as doors open at 6:30 pm.   Meet the host Nobu signatures and handcrafted cocktails set the mood with

SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur — The waters off Dinagat Islands will host military live-fire war games this week, with the provincial government backing the drill. Gov. Nilo Demerey Jr. issued Executive Order No. 10-05, enjoining provincial government employees to support and participate in activities lined up for the war games off Melgar Bay, dubbed

MANILA, Philippines —  Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 was hoisted over more areas in Luzon due to Super Typhoon Rosal off Central Luzon, the state weather bureau said. In its 5 p.m. weather advisory, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) raised TCWS No. 1 over the areas as follows: As

The COA flagged what it saw as DSWD double beneficiaries in 2025, but the latter agency maintained that there were no funds wasted and most of the issues had a sound explanation.

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Tuesday expressed hope for a bigger budget for the Bureau of Customs (BOC) under the 2027 national budget after its proposed funding was reduced from P29.9 billion to P5.9 billion. At a briefing, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the original allocation would help the BOC strengthen its anti-smuggling operations,

MANILA, Philippines—Dengue and leptospirosis cases nationwide declined in the latest reporting period, according to the Department of Health (DOH).  Dengue cases In the latest two-week reporting period, dengue cases stood at 22,095 from Sept. 17 to Sept. 30, two percent lower than the 22,479 cases recorded from Sept. 3 to Sept. 16. The decline was

MANILA, Philippines—The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) is investigating a viral video showing a reported commotion outside the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Quezon City on Monday. The scene reportedly involves a person who identified himself as a media worker, allegedly used profanity and kicked several cops. “Initial reports indicate that a verbal altercation

LEGAZPI CITY — The Department of Agrarian Reform distributed 1,136 land titles covering 1,741.43 hectares to 1,052 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) across Bicol on Tuesday. Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado M. Estrella III led the distribution during a regionwide land titling event at the Legazpi City Convention Complex in Albay. The titles cover agricultural lands under

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) will seek the cooperation of Laos authorities in its probe of the attempted smuggling of P3.5 billion worth of illegal drugs into the Philippines.

IBA, Zambales — Six wild animals were released into a forested area of Aurora Memorial National Park, a protected area spanning parts of Aurora and Nueva Ecija provinces, after undergoing rehabilitation, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Central Luzon said on Tuesday. Artemio Almazan Jr., head of the DENR’s Provincial Environment and Natural

MANILA, Philippines — Lawyer Romulo Macalintal, an advocate for the rights of senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs), on Tuesday urged authorities to pursue an investigation into the “Machong Chismisan” podcast hosts to the fullest extent of the law over their insensitive remarks about Kris Aquino’s eldest son, Josh, who is on the autism

A year after a break-in at the Louvre, the suspects are in jail awaiting trial, but police have no leads to locate the stolen crown jewels

MANILA, Philippines — Former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co switched from duraboxes to “maleta” (suitcases) to transport kickbacks worth up to P40 million per delivery due to durability issues, state witness and former Public Works engineer Henry Alcantara said on Tuesday. Alcantara made the statement during his testimony before the Sandiganbayan Third Division at former

Tennis is receiving much attention these days due mainly to Filipino player Alex Eala who continues to make the country proud in international tournaments. This is partly why the Philippine Columbian Association (PCA) is optimistic that it will draw over a thousand entries for the 43rd PCA Open 2026.  The annual tennis tournament is special this year as it has partnered with Palawan Group of Companies whose founder and chair Bobby Castro is committed to supporting Filipino athletes and the growth of local sports. “Earlier this year, in May, we held the Palawan Open where many players, both seasoned and starting, competed. Aside from the prizes at stake, it was a venue for veteran players to showcase their talents and inspire the youth,” Castro said in his opening remarks. Eala’s participation in Pala-wan-supported tournaments early in her career also highlights the value of local competitions. “Here at Palawan Group, we believe that Filipinos have so much potential. We just need to provide opportunities for them to develop their skills, gain experience, and show the country, and maybe later, the world, what they can do,” Castro said. “This is one of the reasons why we are proud to support the Palawan PCA Open as a major sponsor. For us, this isn’t just about supporting this tournament but it is also about supporting the athletes themselves and helping create more opportunities for Filipino talent to grow,” he added. Dubbed the “Wimbledon of the Philippines,” the PCA Open will run from Nov. 2 to Dec. 13, at the PCA clay courts in Paco, Manila. The tournament is expected to draw more than 1,000 entries across eight categories. The junior events begin on Nov. 2, while the men’s and women’s Open main draws are scheduled Dec. 5 to 13.  Founded in 1907, the PCA has a long history of bringing people together through sports and community, with tennis remaining an important part of its tradition. The PCA Open continues to bring together players of different ages and skill levels, from junior competitors to those vying for the men’s and women’s Open titles. “We want to keep the sport accessible, give players opportunities to compete, and inspire more Filipinos to experience the excitement of the game. We thank Palawan Group for supporting this shared goal,” said Ivan Ong, PCA Open Committee representative. Athletes devote years to training and development, demonstrating discipline, dedication, and perseverance. Each player who steps onto the court brings extensive experience while continuing to refine and elevate their skills. “We want to support that journey and help give our athletes more opportunities to compete and excel. At the same time, we also want to encourage more Filipinos, especially the youth, to excel in tennis,” Castro said.  During the tournament launch on Oct. 15, members of the media participated in a mini-tennis clinic, where coaches and young tennis players introduced them to the fundamentals of the sport through a series of on-court activities. “As a proudly Filipino company, we see supporting Philippine tennis as another way to put our commitment to the communities we serve into action,” said Bernard Kaibigan, chief marketing officer of the Palawan Group of Companies. “Beyond the tournament itself, we hope initiatives like the Palawan PCA Open will encourage more Filipinos to discover the sport and see it as something they can learn, enjoy, and pursue,” Kaibigan added. By backing established tournaments such as the PCA Open, Palawan Group hopes to help sustain opportunities for Filipino players. Additional information and tournament updates are available through the official social media accounts of the Palawan PCA 43rd Open.

Sugar isn’t poisonous. But in the amounts we tend to eat, sugar can act a lot like poison.  Let’s be clear about this. The sugar your body needs is glucose — the fuel for your brain and muscles. We get it naturally from rice, fruit, milk and vegetables. This is not the problem.  The real culprit is added sugar: the white sugar, corn syrup and sweeteners mixed into soda, bread, sauces, dressings and so-called “healthy snacks”. The World Health Organization recommends less than six teaspoons a day. Many of us get 3 to 4 times this amount daily without realizing it.  What really happens What happens when sugar enters our bodies that fast and that often? Your blood sugar spikes. Insulin surges to clear it. If you do this daily, your cells will soon start ignoring insulin. This is the first step to type 2 diabetes. Your liver turns the excess sugar into fat which could lead to inflammation, fatty liver, high blood pressure and gout. Other side effects are damaged blood vessels and the risk of heart disease.  The good news: you don’t need to quit sugar forever. That slice of cake is not dangerous. You see, toxicity is about frequency and dose.  The key is fiber. For example, sweetened coffee and donuts before lunch is totally different from a serving of ice cream after a meal. Liquid sugar is the culprit because it hits your bloodstream with no fiber or protein as a buffer. Healthy reminders There is no need to give up sugar. You just need some practical tips. Drink smart. Start with water before anything else. Swap soda, juices, milk tea and smoothies for fresh juices, unsweetened tea, black coffee or lemon water.  Eat to blunt the spike. Apply the “protein-fiber-fat rule”. Have fish, lean meat, eggs and vegetables before rice or pasta. Exercise daily. Do you know that a 10-minute walk after meals can bring down sugar by 30 percent ? The secret is to keep moving.  Shop smarter. Read the ingredients. If you see corn syrup, maltose or dextrose, do not buy it. Those first three ingredients means it’s mostly sugar.  Eat home cooked meals. It’s safer.  Manage cravings by drinking one glass of water. Wait 15 minutes for the craving to go away. For those with kidney disease or diabetes, the margin is smaller. Pair limited carbs with protein and watch your portions. Your doctor can come up with a plan for you. The takeaway Sugar isn’t evil. It is a condiment. It is not food. So treat it that way. Sugar once consumed needs to be burned. So, exercise is a must.  Choose whole food before processed options. Pick the whole fruit instead of the juice. Drink water, not soda.  If you make one change this week, then you will see positive results. In 10 days your taste buds will reset. Then suddenly, an apple tastes better than apple pie.  Affirmation: “ I am as sweet as honey.” Love and light.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — A pre-dawn checkpoint operation in Misamis Occidental thwarted an attempt to transport nearly P6.5 million worth of suspected smuggled cigarettes bound for Central Luzon, leading to the arrest of two couriers early Tuesday. Police Regional Office-10 (PRO-10) reported the seizure of 8,116 reams of “Modern” brand cigarettes at a border

MANILA, Philippines — A 20-year-old college student from Lipa, Batangas was killed by stabbing last week. The unidentified male suspect is at large, according to the spot report obtained by the Inquirer from the Lipa Component City Police Station. The police said they received a report that the victim was found lying along the road

TACLOBAN CITY — A fisherman and his seven-year-old son who went missing after leaving for a fishing trip were found stranded in the maritime area near Maripipi, Biliran province, on Monday, according to the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) of Kawayan. In a report, the Kawayan MDRRMO said its personnel, in coordination

MANILA, Philippines — The northeast monsoon, or “amihan” season, which will bring cooler and drier air, is expected to begin between October 22 and October 30, according to the state weather bureau on Tuesday.  In a press briefing, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) Climate Monitoring and Prediction Section Chief Ana Liza Solis said the

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan — Pangasinan’s agricultural sector is expected to have sufficient irrigation until the second palay cropping season in 2027, with San Roque Dam’s water level in San Manuel at 283.21 meters above sea level as of Oct. 19. The available water supply will help farmers cope with the “Super El Niño” phenomenon, which is

Charles Luke Templonuevo, a Bachelor of Science in IT student at Notre Dame of Marbel University, developed KoroAR as his undergraduate thesis project, using augmented reality (AR) to make historical landmarks, notable personalities, and cultural artifacts easier to explore through smartphones. “As an IT student, I wanted to create something meaningful that would help people,

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on Tuesday criticized Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano and his sister, Sen. Pia Cayetano, for their line of questioning during a hearing on the Laguna Lake Development Authority’s proposed 2027 budget. In a statement, Lacson said the Cayetano siblings ganged up on acting LLDA General Manager Leopoldo

PALO, Leyte — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. called on Filipinos to protect the country’s sovereignty and turn wartime heroes’ sacrifices into concrete improvements in people’s lives, as the country marked the 82nd anniversary of the Leyte Gulf Landings on Tuesday. “Freedom must be felt in our everyday lives through food security, stable employment, safe communities,