But some analysts still bullish as MAS’ firm stance and Singapore’s credibility support the move
Oct 15, 2026
PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur – Four men were arrested and at least P2.3 million worth of suspected smuggled cigarettes were seized in a joint maritime law enforcement operation in Barangay White Beach here Wednesday morning. Capt. Derf Jay Maquinta, spokesperson for the Zamboanga del Sur Police Provincial Office (ZSPPO), said the four suspects are
SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), through the Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom), will mount Exercise Surigao Sentinel 2026 from October 20 to 25 across Surigao City and Dinagat Islands, marking a pioneering territorial defense drill on the country’s eastern seaboard and the first of its kind in the
MANILA, Philippines – Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian on Thursday raised concerns on the forthcoming increase in Meralco’s electricity rates amid a surge in inflation. Meralco recently announced that electricity rates in October will be at P15.0615 per kilowatt-hour (kWh), which is a P0.3191 per kWh increase from September’s P14.7424 per kWh, citing elevated fuel costs.
LUCENA CITY – The Lucban municipal government in Quezon province urged residents to conserve water as traditional spring sources reach critically low levels due to El Niño. “The public is respectfully informed that, due to the effects of El Niño, water levels in our spring water sources have reached critically low levels. As a result,
MANILA, Philippines — Filipinos remain most concerned about the need to control inflation, followed by fighting graft and corruption in government, according to Pulse Asia Research’s September 2026 Ulat ng Bayan survey. The survey was conducted from Sept. 17 to 24 through face-to-face interviews with 2,400 representative adults aged 18 and above. It has a margin
LEGAZPI CITY — Camarines Sur earned a special national citation for promoting a business-friendly environment, attracting investments, and generating jobs. The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) conferred the 2026 Most Business-Friendly Local Government Unit Special Citation Award on the provincial government on Tuesday at the Manila Hotel during the 52nd Philippine Business Conference
CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro — The municipal government of Bulalacao in Oriental Mindoro has suspended face-to-face classes in seven schools starting Thursday, following a reported armed encounter between the Army and an armed group in parts of the town. In Memorandum Order No. 10-289, series of 2026, dated Oct. 14, Mayor Lumelito M. Cabagay ordered
MANILA, Philippines – Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Sec. Rex Gatchalian demonstrates a bucket-based water filtration system during a press briefing in Malacanang on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026. The demonstration aims to show how the filtration technology can help provide safer drinking water amid the anticipated effects of Super El Niño. /dp READ:
MANILA, Philippines – The Supreme Court on Wednesday acquitted a hotel manager in Bacolod City of violating Senior Citizens Act, ruling that discounts accorded to elderly is not absolute as they could not be combined with other promos when availing goods and services. In Wednesday’s en banc session, the high court said that granting discounts
LUCENA CITY – Taal Volcano’s sulfur dioxide (SO₂) emissions have significantly declined after several days of elevated gas output, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported on Thursday. Phivolcs measured 223 metric tons of SO₂ released from the volcano’s main crater over the past 24 hours. The gas plume rose to 750 meters
VALENCIA CITY, Bukidnon —At least 31 people were confirmed positive for Hepatitis A in Bukidnon, as health authorities continue to closely monitor 59 others in a bid to contain the spread of the outbreak in this city. Latest data from the City Health Office showed that confirmed cases include 26 in Barangay Lurugan and five
MANILA, Philippines — A new identification system for persons with disabilities (PWDs) will use a centralized database and QR code verification to help prevent fake and duplicate IDs and make it easier for qualified cardholders to claim benefits, the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) said. The Unified Persons with Disabilities ID System (UPWDIS) introduces