Philippines offers US$786,000 bounty for ‘dangerous’ senator wanted by ICC

South China Morning Post - Oct 23, 2026

The Philippine government put a bounty on Friday on the head of the top enforcer of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody anti-drug crackdown, nearly a year after the International Criminal Court (ICC) ordered his arrest. Former Philippine police chief and sitting Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa had mostly been in hiding for months before The Hague-based tribunal unsealed the November 2025 arrest warrant against him in May and put him into flight. The bounty comes just over a month before...

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Sandiganbayan OKs withdrawal of Safe Spaces Act case vs Army colonel

Oct 23, 2026

Sandiganbayan OKs withdrawal of Safe Spaces Act case vs Army colonel

MANILA, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan has allowed the withdrawal of a Safe Spaces Act case against an Army colonel, ruling that the case should instead be filed before a Regional Trial Court (RTC). In a resolution promulgated on Oct. 21 and posted on the anti-graft court’s website on Friday, its Third Division granted special prosecutors’

MRT-3 privatization eyed by mid-2027 under P103.6-billion deal

Oct 23, 2026

MRT-3 privatization eyed by mid-2027 under P103.6-billion deal

Transportation Secretary Giovanni 'Banoy' Lopez says the government would retain control over fares of MRT-3 under the proposed arrangement.

Japan’s university defence bids surge as post-war taboo fades amid China concerns

Oct 23, 2026

Japan’s university defence bids surge as post-war taboo fades amid China concerns

Japanese universities and other educational institutions more than doubled their applications for defence ministry research funding this year to a record 291, up from 123 last year, as Tokyo moves to strengthen its defence capabilities. The increase is the clearest sign yet that academia’s decades-long resistance to military-linked work is diminishing. The bids accounted for more than half the record 560 applications received by the ministry this year, up from 340 last year, with the rest coming...

Ombudsman hits 'impunity of corruption' as gov't execs extort from legit businesses

Oct 23, 2026

Ombudsman hits 'impunity of corruption' as gov't execs extort from legit businesses

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla on Friday called out corrupt government officials who extort from business owners by delaying permit issuance, among others, for their own gain.

Digital 2027 report: Global use of GenAI tools rises, web browser activity declines

Oct 23, 2026

Digital 2027 report: Global use of GenAI tools rises, web browser activity declines

94.4% of internet users in the Philippines aged 16 and up use AI tools each month, but only 5.5% of internet users in the country aged 16 and up pay for subscriptions to an AI tool each month, the study finds

Pig holiday extended as hog traders protest against rising pork imports

Oct 23, 2026

Pig holiday extended as hog traders protest against rising pork imports

Hog traders staged a protest at the Department of Agriculture (DA) to decry the large number of pork imports hurting the industry.

'No answers, no arrests': Dead detainee's family heads to Anwar's doorstep

Oct 23, 2026

'No answers, no arrests': Dead detainee's family heads to Anwar's doorstep

Family turning to PM as no clear answers given, Latheefa says.

MCMC probes livestream of alleged teacher attack in Sarawak

Oct 23, 2026

MCMC probes livestream of alleged teacher attack in Sarawak

Fahmi cites failure of platforms to curb broadcasts of violence overseas.

China party meeting, stocks slump, HSBC leads earnings

Oct 23, 2026

China party meeting, stocks slump, HSBC leads earnings

A key Communist Party meeting next week in Beijing is likely to be dominated by two themes – the renewal of President Xi Jinping’s long-standing anti-corruption drive and the hunt for clues about a looming leadership reshuffle. “Major issues related to advancing full and rigorous party self-governance” will top the agenda at the fifth plenum of the party’s Central Committee, which runs from Monday to Wednesday. Plenums, which usually take place once a year, draw about 300 delegates and...

4 Commonwealth Avenue lanes to close Oct. 24-25 for MRT-7 works

Oct 23, 2026

4 Commonwealth Avenue lanes to close Oct. 24-25 for MRT-7 works

MANILA, Philippines — Four eastbound lanes along Batasan/Commonwealth Avenue will be temporarily closed from Saturday to Sunday, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said. According to the DOTr in an advisory, four lanes from the center of the Eastbound of Commonwealth Avenue from Amity Street to Ilang Ilang street will be temporarily closed from 11 p.m.

How the Philippines’ energy crisis is opening doors for deeper US military ties

Oct 23, 2026

How the Philippines’ energy crisis is opening doors for deeper US military ties

The Philippines is turning to the United States to build its oil stockpile amid the global energy crunch, with observers saying the move could also serve Washington’s military interests and deepen strategic ties. A bilateral deal could deliver more immediate benefits than a broader Asean stockpile, which would entail coordination hurdles, analysts said, but questions remain over how quickly Manila could establish such a reserve and whether it would meaningfully reduce long-term dependence on...

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