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The combined effects of tropical cyclones Luis and Maymay and the southwest monsoon (habagat) have caused more than ₱2.9 billion in damage to infrastructure and agriculture, underscoring the growing economic toll of extreme weather on communities and livelihoods across the country. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported as of August 13 that infrastructure damage had reached …

Malacañang has challenged lawmakers criticizing the proposed ₱7.2-trillion national budget for 2027 to examine the spending plan in full before labeling it either overly focused on cash aid or “anti-poor.” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro issued the challenge on Thursday after lawmakers gave sharply different assessments of the proposed budget.  Caloocan Rep. Edgar Erice reportedly argued that government spending places …

The Senate is moving to tighten rules on electricity system losses, with lawmakers pushing to ensure that consumers are not charged for power losses caused by theft, illegal connections, meter tampering, and other problems that utilities can prevent. Senator Erwin Tulfo, chair of the Senate Committee on Energy, said the policy should clearly distinguish unavoidable technical losses from non-technical losses …

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) has released ₱65.60 million worth of food and essential non-food assistance to communities in Luzon and Metro Manila affected by tropical cyclones Luis and Maymay and the enhanced southwest monsoon or habagat. The state gaming regulator distributed a total of 47,192 relief items, consisting of 23,596 food packs valued at ₱28.91 million and …

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has intensified monitoring of markets and agricultural supply chains as it moved to prevent traders and sellers from taking advantage of supply disruptions caused by tropical cyclones Luis and Maymay and the southwest monsoon or habagat. PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. said police units nationwide will work with the Department of Agriculture …

Senator Erwin Tulfo is calling for broader reforms to make digital financial services easier and safer to use, saying high transaction costs are only one of several barriers keeping many Filipinos outside the formal financial system. Tulfo said lowering or eliminating fees could encourage more people to use digital payments, but would have limited effect if consumers continue to face …

Youth health advocates are pressing the government to sharply increase and standardize excise taxes on all electronic cigarettes and vaping products, saying higher prices could help prevent young Filipinos from becoming addicted to nicotine. The Youth for Health Coalition backed the Department of Finance proposal to increase the excise tax on both salt nicotine and freebase nicotine vape products to …

Government prosecutors are preparing to challenge Vice President Sara Duterte’s bid to dismiss the grave threats case filed against her, with the Department of Justice set to submit its formal comment to the Quezon City Regional Trial Court. Chief State Prosecutor Richard Anthony Fadullon said Thursday that prosecutors are awaiting the RTC’s formal order giving them five days to respond …

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) collected more than ₱2 trillion in taxes during the first seven months of 2026, exceeding its revenue target as stronger taxpayer compliance and intensified enforcement boosted government collections. The BIR reported total collections of ₱2.003 trillion from January to July, surpassing its ₱1.990-trillion goal by ₱13.53 billion. The amount was also 5.4 percent higher …

The Department of Justice (DOJ) said last week it will conduct a thorough legal review of the United States’ formal request to extradite Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Apollo Quiboloy, stressing that the process will follow Philippine law and the two countries’ extradition treaty. Chief State Counsel Dennis Chan confirmed that the DOJ has received the US government’s formal …