ZAMBOANGA SIBUGAY, Philippines — The family of 19-year-old Anwar Sawadjaan, who was killed alongside friends Noel Rey Bacalso (22) and Angelo Hofer (20) in 2016, is among the drug war victims hoping for justice as the International Criminal Court (ICC)…
House Urged To Probe Alleged ‘Weaponization’ Of BIR Audit Orders
MANILA, Philippines — A ranking lawmaker is pushing for a House of Representatives investigation into alarming allegations of corruption within the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR). The lawmaker particularly cited the misuse and “weaponization” of letters of authority (LOAs) and…
The Kalayaan Island Group Belongs To The Philippines — And Why Giving It Up Is Dangerous
Calls to “just give up” the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) surface every now and then, usually framed as pragmatism or a way to avoid conflict in the West Philippine Sea. But legally, constitutionally, and strategically, that position is deeply flawed.…
DOH Plans Zero-Balance Billing In Pay Wards For PhilHealth Direct Contributors
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) plans to require all DOH-run hospitals to implement zero-balance billing in pay wards for PhilHealth direct contributors, a move aimed at expanding access to government health benefits to middle-class earners. Health Secretary…
Shear Line, Amihan Bring Rains Over Luzon, Visayas — PAGASA
MANILA, Philippines — A shear line continues to affect Southern Luzon while the northeast monsoon, or amihan, remains the dominant weather system over much of Luzon. It brings generally cloudy skies and periods of rain, state weather bureau PAGASA said…
PNP Orders Nationwide Crackdown On Illegal Tobacco Hubs
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has ordered a nationwide crackdown on strategic transit points and storage hubs used in the illegal tobacco trade, a move that could directly affect long-standing cigarette smuggling routes in the Zamboanga Peninsula. PNP chief Gen.…
PH Fisheries In Freefall: 45M Kilos Of Fish Lost Yearly – Report
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines is losing tens of millions of kilos of fish annually as its once-bountiful waters steadily shrink, a new report from international ocean advocacy group Oceana Philippines warned Monday. According to the study The Philippine Fisheries…
Fact Check: Marcoleta Wrong On West Philippine Sea, EEZ Coordinates
Senator Rodante Marcoleta said there are no clear coordinates defining the West Philippine Sea (WPS) or the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ), suggesting the country should first determine these before asserting its maritime claims. “Wala po talagang malinaw na coordinates…
BSP: LGUs Using Paleng-QR Ph Plus More Than Double In 2025
MANILA, Philippines – The number of local government units (LGUs) that have adopted the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) QR code–based digital payment program for public markets more than doubled in 2025, the central bank said. BSP Deputy Governor Bernadette…
DepEd Urges Public Schools To Maximize Digital Tools Under Learner-Centered Reforms
MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Education (DepEd) on Monday urged public schools to fully utilize digital tools as it advances learner-centered reforms aimed at making classrooms more engaging and inclusive. Education Secretary Sonny Angara made the call during the…
IEMOP: Power Supply Improves In December, But Visayas And Mindanao See Higher Prices
MANILA, Philippines – Power supply across the Philippine electricity grid improved in December 2025, but tighter conditions in the Visayas and Mindanao pushed electricity prices higher, the Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines (IEMOP) said. In a report, IEMOP…
BI Intercepts Illegally Recruited 17-Year-Old Bound For Saudi Arabia
MANILA, Philippines — Bureau of Immigration (BI) officers intercepted a 17-year-old woman illegally recruited for overseas work at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on January 24, preventing her deployment to Saudi Arabia as a household helper. The Bureau of Immigration…






