KITAOTAO, Bukidnon — Driven by a surge in ecotourism development along the Bukidnon-Davao (BuDa) highway, local tax collections in this southern Bukidnon town have tripled over the past decade, reaching P16 million this year compared to just P5 million previously. Engr. Winnie Angit, Municipal Planning and Development Office (MPDO) coordinator, told the Inquirer on Wednesday

MANILA, Philippines — State witness and former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo on Wednesday said Sen. Jinggoy Estrada supposedly approached him first to get an alleged P1 billion allocation for the so-called “leadership fund.” Bernardo made this revelation when he took the witness stand before the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division to testify

MANILA, Philippines — Manila Water Philippine Ventures (MWPV), the Non-East Zone subsidiary of Manila Water, continues to strengthen water supply resilience in North Luzon through proactive investments and operational measures undertaken by its operating units, Calasiao Water in Pangasinan and Metro Ilagan Water in Isabela. Pagasa has identified both provinces as vulnerable to dry conditions

MANILA, Philippines — Empowering the newly reorganized Judicial Integrity Office (JIO) to be able to conduct mandatory lifestyle checks, as well as calling for the deployment of specialized cyber threat units under the Office of the Judiciary Marshals (OJM) to safeguard the judiciary is among the priorities of Supreme Court Associate Justice Jose Midas Marquez

MANILA, Philippines—Cases of influenza-like illness (ILI) nationwide rose by 35 percent, following the usual seasonal pattern during the rainy months, the Department of Health (DOH) said. The DOH recorded 13,321 cases from Sept. 24 to Oct. 7, up from 9,896 cases reported from Sept. 10 to 23, according to its latest Ulat ng Ahensya report.

MANILA, Philippines — New Transport chief Vince Dizon on Wednesday shrugged off transport group Piston’s criticism of his reappointment as head of the Department of Transportation (DOTr). Dizon said that he was tasked to ensure the welfare of passengers, drivers and operators. On the sidelines of his inspection of bus terminals, the secretary was asked

MANILA, Philippines — The National Police Commission (Napolcom) will pursue administrative charges against a Pasig City police officer who allegedly pointed his service firearm at a vehicle while intoxicated at a gasoline station on Oct. 25. In a statement on Wednesday, Napolcom Commissioner Rafael Vicente Calinisan said that a formal complaint was already filed against

MANILA, Philippines — The Quezon City government announces that the temporary lane closure along westbound Commonwealth Avenue will take effect until Thursday, Oct. 29. In an advisory, the local government said that it implemented a temporary closure to make way for the unloading and lifting of elevator and escalator for the Metro Railway Transit Line

COTABATO CITY  – The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in the Bangsamoro Region in Muslim Mindanao (PDEA-BARMM) conducted surprise drug tests on public transport workers on Tuesday, Oct. 27, to ensure safety as commuters head to the provinces for Undas 2026. “Oplan Harabas” or “Drug Test Muna Bago Pasada” is a nationwide operation led by the

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur — Anti-narcotics operatives arrested a 47-year-old bookkeeper after seizing nearly P184,000 worth of illegal drugs and live ammunition. The apprehension and the seizure happened during an entrapment operation in Barangay Tiguma, Pagadian City, Tuesday night, October 27. The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Regional Office 9 – Zamboanga del Sur Provincial

CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro — Farmers from Oriental Mindoro now have an additional outlet to sell their agricultural produce to Metro Manila consumers through a newly opened Kadiwa retail store managed by a local cooperative. The Jubilee Oriental Mindoro Consumer Cooperative operates the store at Phase 1, Jubilee East Ville, Barangay Bagong Silangan in Quezon City. The

Thirty-five percent of adult Filipinos are dissatisfied, while 30 percent are satisfied "that the prosecution of the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte is being done in a just manner," according to a Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey released on Wednesday.

ALAMINOS CITY, Pangasinan — The city government has imposed stricter regulations on junk shop operations, requiring them to meet environmental, sanitation, and safety standards. It also prescribed fines of up to P5,000 for various violations. Sangguniang Panlungsod passed City Ordinance No. 2026-12 on August 11, which Mayor Arth Bryan C. Celeste approved on Oct. 21.

MANILA, Philippines—Former Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Mao Ranada Aplasca on Wednesday submitted his counter-affidavit to the direct assault complaint before the Department of Justice (DOJ) in connection with the May 13 incident that led to gunshots being fired in the chamber. DOJ spokesperson Polo Martinez confirmed that Aplasca filed his counter-affidavit as one of three respondents in

LUCENA CITY — Laguna de Bay’s water level fell further to 11.99 meters on Wednesday, remaining below the critical-high threshold, according to the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA). The lake’s water level stood at 11.99 meters as of 11 a.m., down from 12.03 meters recorded the previous day, LLDA said in an advisory.  The agency

LUCENA CITY — At least 10 public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers in the Calabarzon region tested positive for illegal drugs during surprise drug tests conducted by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) at public transport terminals ahead of the Undas travel rush. In a report on Wednesday (October 28), the LTO in Region IV-A said one

MANILA, Philippines—A bus driver initially tested positive in a drug screening at the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) on Wednesday as authorities stepped up safety measures ahead of the All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day holidays. The driver, assigned to a bus bound for Bicol, was referred for confirmatory testing in accordance with screening

LUCENA CITY — The Quezon provincial government is conducting a province-wide cancer patient registry, which requires an assessment survey to determine the number and status of cancer patients and identify their healthcare needs. The initiative, launched by Gov. Angelina “Doktora Helen” Tan, a physician, is being carried out through the Provincial Health Office (PHO). “The

MANILA, Philippines — From transforming household waste into fertilizers and school chairs to turning discarded coconut husks and waterlilies into livelihood opportunities, the Villar Foundation has spent more than three decades promoting community-based solutions to environmental problems. Established in 1995 by former Senate President Manny Villar and former Sen. Cynthia Villar, the foundation’s environmental initiatives demonstrate

MANILA, Philippines — From transforming household waste into fertilizers and school chairs to turning discarded coconut husks and waterlilies into livelihood opportunities, the Villar Foundation has spent more than three decades promoting community-based solutions to environmental problems. Established by former Senate President Manny Villar and former Sen. Cynthia Villar, the foundation’s environmental initiatives demonstrate how proper

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police has increased its security deployment to 73,034 personnel, up from the initial 72,501, to secure the observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, or Undas, as many Filipinos head to cemeteries, terminals, and home provinces. “Security deployments for large-scale operations like Undas are continuously assessed and

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines, which has been classified as an upper-middle-income economy this year, spends less than one-third of 1 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP) on research and development, a data scientist said. Dr. Alicor Panao, an associate professor at the University of the Philippines, said in his analysis of data from

SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur — Municipal officials in Talacogon, Agusan del Sur are stepping in to ensure an orderly, peaceful visit to the gravesite of the late basketball standout Rene Clert “Bobet” Baterbonia during the Undas or All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day celebrations on Nov. 1 and 2. Talacogon Mayor Pauline Marie

MANILA, Philippines — Cloudy skies with occasional isolated rains are expected to prevail over some parts of the country during Undas (November 1 – All Saints’ Day and November 2 – All Souls’ Day). These conditions are due to the northeast monsoon, or ‘amihan,’ and two other weather systems, the state weather bureau said. The

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) has ordered a review of its bomb threat response protocols following threats targeting schools and universities. “We must ensure that our bomb threat protocols evolve with the threats we face,” PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said on Wednesday. “Our response must be swift, our personnel

SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur — Confident that Vice President Sara Duterte will overcome efforts to unseat her from office, loyalists across the Caraga region have launched an extensive recruitment campaign to consolidate grassroots support for her presidential run in 2028. The regional push is spearheaded by the Volunteer Protectors of Sara Duterte (VPSD), whose

MANILA, Philippines — Former Davao City chief information officer Jefry Tupas has described the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)’s referral of obstruction of justice, cyber libel, and publication of false news complaints to the Department of Justice (DOJ) against him as “harassment.” In a statement on Wednesday, Tupas said he had earlier presented the NBI

CAMP GEN. ALEJO SANTOS, Bulacan – Explosions rocked two firecracker factories in Bocaue and Baliwag City, Bulacan, on Tuesday, but no one was hurt.  Three workers managed to flee to safety when a shanty that has been serving as a firecracker factory exploded at past 10 a.m. in Sitio Caculisan, Barangay Bambang in Bocaue, according

Batangas 2nd District Representative Gerville Luistro said that she will look into the details of the reported P1.3 billion budget insertion made to her district in the House-approved 2027 budget.

MANILA, Philippines — Congress must review the country’s laws on libel after the sudden arrest of veteran journalist Philip Lustre Jr. so that there will be a balance between protecting reputations and press freedom. This view came from Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon on Wednesday. Ridon said that while he agrees with the need to