Free trade agreements may be out of fashion, but Apec can further existing deals: Jeffrey Siow

The Business Times - Oct 20, 2026

He said like-minded countries can work together to advance topical interests through plurilateral arrangements

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Palace defends ‘jet-setter’ PCUP official amid lifestyle criticism

Oct 20, 2026

Palace defends ‘jet-setter’ PCUP official amid lifestyle criticism

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Tuesday defended the appointment of Zofia Canlas as commissioner of the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP), amid public scrutiny over her lavish lifestyle and alleged lack of relevant experience for the role. A biology graduate of De La Salle University in 2024, Canlas drew criticism over her “lavish”

P50-M district hospital rising in Tantangan, South Cotabato

Oct 20, 2026

P50-M district hospital rising in Tantangan, South Cotabato

TANTANGAN, South Cotabato — A P50 million district hospital will rise in Tantangan, South Cotabato, bringing health and medical services closer to residents and nearby communities. Officials held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Tantangan District Hospital on Monday. It will rise in Purok Upper Maligaya, Barangay Poblacion, with the Melco Foundation, the corporate social responsibility

PhilHealth expands access to anti-TB medicines via GAMOT

Oct 20, 2026

PhilHealth expands access to anti-TB medicines via GAMOT

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) is expanding access to selected first-line anti-tuberculosis (TB) medicines through its Guaranteed and Accessible Medications for Outpatient Treatment (GAMOT) program. The expanded benefit will take effect on Nov. 1, giving eligible patients additional access to prescribed TB medicines, according to PhilHealth Circular No. 2026-0018. “Eligible patients with confirmed

Jonvic Remulla: Arresting Sen. dela Rosa could lead to 10,000 deaths

Oct 20, 2026

Jonvic Remulla: Arresting Sen. dela Rosa could lead to 10,000 deaths

MANILA, Philippines — Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said Tuesday that arresting Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, who was last monitored in Mindanao, could lead to 10,000 deaths. Remulla said this is the reason why the government is resorting to negotiating for his surrender. In an interview on Tuesday, Remulla said he received information two months

Mother of slain welder takes fight to Truth Commission

Oct 20, 2026

Mother of slain welder takes fight to Truth Commission

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Nine years after her son was gunned down in the streets of Tondo, a grieving mother is taking her fight for justice and accountability to the public. Nanette Castillo will take the stand this Friday, October 23, during the Truth Commission’s 5th Public Truth-Telling Session held at Adamson University in

WATCH: ST Rosal enters PAR, Taal activity top INQToday newscast

Oct 20, 2026

WATCH: ST Rosal enters PAR, Taal activity top INQToday newscast

MANILA, Philippines — Here are INQToday’s top stories this afternoon: Super Typhoon Rosal, internationally known as Champi, has entered the Philippine area of responsibility, prompting the raising of Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 over parts of Northern and Southern Luzon; Taal Volcano recorded a minor phreatic eruption on Tuesday; and House lawmakers are eyeing

Alcantara: 20% kickback began in 2022, hiked during Romualdez’ time

Oct 20, 2026

Alcantara: 20% kickback began in 2022, hiked during Romualdez’ time

MANILA, Philippines — The alleged 20% “commitment” or kickback scheme in infrastructure projects began in 2022 and escalated to 25% during the time of former House Speaker Martin Romualdez. State witness and ex-Public Works engineer Henry Alcantara made this statement to the Sandiganbayan Third Division during the plunder bail hearing of the Leyte lawmaker over

Cebu gov to convene forum on air quality, class suspensions

Oct 20, 2026

Cebu gov to convene forum on air quality, class suspensions

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol —The Cebu provincial government will convene medical experts, education officials, local government leaders, and parent representatives on Tuesday to discuss air quality concerns and guidelines for class suspensions. Cebu Gov. Pamela Baricuatro set the open forum at 3 p.m. at the Capitol Social Hall to address growing concerns among parents, teachers, and

Senate panel swiftly approves OVP’s proposed 2027 budget

Oct 20, 2026

Senate panel swiftly approves OVP’s proposed 2027 budget

MANILA, Philippines – Citing parliamentary courtesy, the Senate finance subcommittee on Tuesday swiftly approved on committee level the Office of the Vice President’s (OVP) proposed 2027 budget of P785.2 million. “Of course, we accorded the OVP with parliamentray courtesy. As I’ve said, it was among the very few agencies that reduced its budget for this

General Santos City heat index hits 55°C Tuesday morning

Oct 20, 2026

General Santos City heat index hits 55°C Tuesday morning

MANILA, Philippines — The heat index in General Santos City reached an extremely dangerous 55°C Tuesday morning, according to the state weather bureau.  Based on the interactive map of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), General Santos City’s heat index spiked to 55°C at 7 a.m. It was measured at 52°C at

Oriental Mindoro town seeks DA fuel subsidy over drought threat

Oct 20, 2026

Oriental Mindoro town seeks DA fuel subsidy over drought threat

CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro — The Bulalacao municipal government in Oriental Mindoro is asking the Department of Agriculture to secure fuel subsidies for farmers, as a prolonged dry spell threatens crop production and the town’s water supply.  On his social media page, Mayor Lumelito Cabagay posted that the local government is coordinating with the Municipal

NBI to probe fake birth records, illegal property acquisitions of foreigners

Oct 20, 2026

NBI to probe fake birth records, illegal property acquisitions of foreigners

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is set to launch a nationwide investigation into the alleged fraudulent procurement of Philippine birth records and the unlawful acquisition of property by foreign nationals, many of whom are suspected to be Chinese, NBI Director Melvin Matibag said Tuesday.

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