Ombudsman dares BOC to share data; agency to back ‘lawful’ requests

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur — Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Antonio Nafarrete rushed to Basilan on Tuesday to map out security measures and check on wounded troops following a military convoy ambush in Tipo-Tipo on Monday. Teodoro and Nafarrete convened a security conference

The Philippines and Poland on Tuesday signed an agreement strengthening mutual legal assistance in criminal matters during Polish President Karol Nawrocki"s first state visit to the country.

COTABATO CITY — Police arrested Tuesday the primary suspect in the murder of a couple in Banisilan, North Cotabato province, and recovered a large amount of cash and some of the victims’ jewelry, police said. Brig. Gen. Alan Manibog, regional director of the Police Regional Office 12 (PRO-12), said the suspect, alias “Meroy,” 53, a

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives on Tuesday passed on second reading a bill prohibiting children aged 13 and below from creating social media accounts while restricting access for those under 18. The measure aligns the Philippines alongside a global shift enacting digital guardrails to shield minors from online harms. Lawmakers approved House Bill

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said it is planning to issue a directive urging golf courses in Metro Manila to use recycled water, among other conservation measures, to help mitigate the effects of El Niño. Environment Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna made the statement during a Palace press briefing on

MANILA, Philippines — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will build three rainwater impounding facilities (RIFs) in Manila to help mitigate flooding in the capital. MMDA Chair Atty. Don Artes and Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso signed a memorandum of agreement for the implementation of nature-based solutions in the city. The agreement covers the

MANILA, Philippines — The year-end balances of Atty. Manases “Mans” Carpio’s Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) account at its Davao R. Magsaysay branch from 2022 to 2025 were unveiled Tuesday during the impeachment trial of his wife, Vice President Sara Duterte. Prosecution counsel Atty. James Alih presented LBP R. Magsaysay Branch Manager Raquel dela

MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) attempted to “forcibly” bring former Davao City information officer Jeffrey Tupas to Manila in exchange for money and other promises, Vice President Sara Duterte said Tuesday. Tupas was among the individuals mentioned by former police officer Rodulfo Gracioso Jr., who claimed he delivered suitcases filled with

DAVAO CITY — Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday called on the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to make public the video of dismissed policeman Rodulfo Gracioso Jr. undergoing a lie detector test to dispel doubts about whether the examination was actually conducted. Duterte said she had no problem undergoing a polygraph examination herself, responding

MANILA, Philippines — National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag asserted on Tuesday that it was former Davao City chief information officer Jefry Tupas who actually brought out that there were threats to his life—and not the bureau’s agents. Matibag said this in response to Tupas’ recent statement, alleging that the NBI “initiated efforts”

TUGUEGARAO CITY – Three men, tagged as high-value drug suspects, were arrested with an estimated P764,000 shabu during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Estefania, in Amulung, Cagayan on Monday. Police Major Sharon Mallillin, Cagayan Valley regional police information officer, said the police arrested two butchers aged 48 and 32 and a 45-year-old Chinese translator, all

ILIGAN CITY — The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) warned that some 230,000 scholarship slots will not be available next year due to a cut in the agency’s proposed 2027 budget. Tesda Secretary Francisco “Kiko” Benitez said the 2027 National Expenditure Program (NEP), which the Office of the President submitted to Congress, provided