Oxygen tanks, purifier sales spike as haze crisis hits Southeast Asia

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur — Security measures have been tightened at the Ateneo de Zamboanga University (AdZU) Grade School Department, even as school authorities assured the public on Sunday that no substantiated threat had been identified following the circulation of messages alleging a violent attack on the school on Monday, Oct. 19. In an

MANILA, Philippines — The House prosecution panel expects the Office of the Ombudsman to file criminal cases against Vice President Sara Duterte over the alleged misuse of confidential funds, following the agency’s announcement Friday that it has begun evaluating the evidence. House trial spokesperson Zia Alonto Adiong of Lanao del Sur said Sunday that the

ILIGAN CITY — Cancer may have changed their lives, but it did not take away their hope. Two breast cancer survivors shared how faith, medical treatment and family support helped them navigate years of uncertainty, urging women to seek early detection and patients to remain hopeful. Grace Lao Isidro, a retired pharmacist who has lived

MANILA, Philippines — Forests help keep water flowing to communities, particularly during prolonged dry spells. As El Niño recurs every few years, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is expanding forest protection patrols and accelerating targeted reforestation across critical watersheds nationwide to help forests retain water, regulate streamflow, reduce soil erosion and recharge

MANILA, Philippines — Citing studies that suggest lower risks from nicotine products other than traditional cigarettes, the Philippine Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates (PHILTHRA) identified e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products and nicotine pouches as less harmful alternatives for smokers who switch completely, based on what it described as current scientific evidence. PHILTHRA convened the 2nd National Summit

The Defense Press Corps rejected remarks made by the Chinese Embassy in Manila against Filipino journalists, whom it said have “very limited comprehension” and are only “creating hype.”

BANGA, South Cotabato — Several graves at the Banga Public Cemetery remain submerged in floodwaters on Sunday following several days of rain, posing a challenge to families preparing to clean and tidy the burial sites of their loved ones ahead of Undas. Some parts of the cemetery have also become muddy and difficult to walk

MANILA, Philippines — Two suspected fixers were arrested by Highway Patrol Group (HPG) personnel assigned to the Land Transportation Office (LTO) over their disorderly behavior in the agency’s central office. According to the LTO on Saturday, the two men were arrested after they were not allowed to proceed with their transactions in changing license plates

MANILA — The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) seized P415.63 million worth of illegal drugs and arrested 126 suspects in 81 nationwide operations Oct. 8 to 14. In a news release Sunday, the PDEA said the operations included buy-busts, interdiction activities, marijuana eradication, search and seizure operations, and the implementation of search warrants. Of those

MARIVELES, Bataan — A long-standing housing dispute affecting hundreds of residents, mostly former employees of the Bataan Export Processing Zone (BEPZ) and their dependents, may soon be resolved following discussions between the Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB) and local officials. AFAB Administrator and Chief Executive Officer Hussein Pangandaman met with Bataan third

MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Sunday said 638 transport network vehicle service (TNVS) partners would be granted regularized status, having already been issued provisional authority. According to the LTFRB, it had received 9,036 applications from TNVS partners with “tempo” status, a practice in which transport network companies (TNCs)

There were no winners of either of the major lotto games played on Sunday, October 18, 2026, with one jackpot now well over P400 million.