Manila archdiocese orders safety checks on churches, schools

MANILA, Philippines —Sen. Mark Villar called for stronger and more coordinated measures to safeguard the country’s food security amid the looming threat of Super El Niño, warning that prolonged dry conditions could disrupt food production and distribution, drive up prices, and put vulnerable Filipino households at risk. In a statement, Villar cited a report from

MANILA, Philippines — Here are INQToday’s top stories for Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026, as of 6 p.m. BJMP: No power outage or Romualdez exit from QC jail The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) said initial CCTV footage reviewed on Nov. 3 showed no power or CCTV interruption and no movement of former House

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) arrested a 38-year-old man in Zamboanga del Sur on Wednesday in connection with the suspected P5.78 million worth of smuggled cigarettes. According to the PNP, the suspect, identified as Romnick Fuentes, was captured at around 1:25 a.m. during its anti-smuggling operation in Dumalinao, Zamboanga del Sur. Authorities

[Updated Nov. 4, 2026, 9:54 p.m.] MANILA, Philippines — Some schools suspended in-person classes on Thursday, Nov. 5, due to the expected extreme heat conditions. Below are the following educational institutions that suspended classes: READ: Western Visayas schools suspend classes due to 43°C heat index Iloilo City, Iloilo Roxas City, Capiz Mandaue City, Cebu Davao

ROXAS, Isabela – Police officers from various units in Isabela unearthed an alleged arms cache and found bullets, explosives and other war materiel in Barangay Sinamar in Roxas town on November 3. A rebel returnee  tipped off the police about the buried weapons.  READ: Police recover arms cache in Cagayan forest Found buried were two

MANILA, Philippines – Vice President Sara Duterte’s defense lawyers will present a former law dean as its first witness to refute the prosecution’s claims that Duterte amassed unexplained wealth in office when her trial resumes next week. Duterte’s defense team Fortun Narvasa & Salazar law firm informed the prosecution team on Wednesday it intends to

MANILA, Philippines — Atty. John Benedict Teston Tigson has been named the new general manager of the People’s Television Network (PTV), the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) announced on Wednesday. Tigson took his oath of office before PCO Acting Secretary Lino Cayetano on Wednesday afternoon at the PCO office inside the Malacañang compound. READ: Claire Castro stays; she’s

LEGAZPI CITY — The city government of Naga has intensified its water conservation campaign in preparation for a potentially prolonged dry spell brought by the Super El Niño. The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) urged residents to conserve water early, warning that occasional rains may not sufficiently replenish underground water reserves. The

MANILA, Philippines — The digital economy contributed 9.8% to the Philippine economy in 2025, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), highlighting the growing role of digital technologies in the country’s economic activity. For micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), digitalization offers opportunities to reach more customers, sell products online and make business transactions easier.

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur  – A total of 25 fisherfolk beneficiaries in Margosatubig , Zamboanga del Sur received 11,000 kilograms of seaweed propagules Tuesday, Nov. 3, as part of government’s efforts to boost local aquaculture production and coastal livelihoods. The formal turnover and distribution activity was held in Barangay Poblacion, organized by the Office

MANILA, Philippines – Vice President Sara Duterte’s defense team has asked the Senate impeachment court to reject the documentary evidence presented by the prosecution, arguing that the records are inadmissible, irrelevant, and insufficient to establish her alleged impeachable offenses. In a 26-page comment filed on Oct. 30, Duterte’s legal team challenged the prosecution’s Offer of

MANILA, Philippines — 1-Rider Rep. Rodrigo “Rodge” Gutierrez on Wednesday supported Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon’s call to scrap the cap on motorcycle taxi riders, a regulation the lawmaker described as out of touch with urban transit demand.  Dizon had previously urged expanding the pool of motorcycle taxi drivers, as the two-wheeled service has become a