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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 …

Malacañang has challenged Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste and former Negros Oriental Rep. Jacinto Paras to present evidence backing their denials over an alleged “honey trap” operation supposedly intended to discredit Executive Secretary Ralph Recto. Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said Thursday that the two lawmakers have the right to defend themselves and submit evidence as the National Bureau of …

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 …

The United States said upgrades at various Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites in the Philippines have been completed or substantially advanced, signaling further expansion of defense cooperation between the two allies. US Department of War Undersecretary for Policy Elbridge Colby said last week that Washington has made significant progress in strengthening its defense relationship with Manila and expects additional …

For more than two weeks, face-to-face classes in Metro Manila and nearby provinces were disrupted by continuous monsoon rains. With the rainy season still far from over, more typhoons and floods could bring further suspensions. While protecting students from dangerous weather conditions is necessary, we should not overlook another consequence of prolonged school closures: the damage to children’s social and …

They occupy my thoughts these past days. That mpeachment is top of mind is a no-brainer.  The sounds and images are forced upon us via news channels each day a hearing is held.  Sound and light waves fill our eardrums and retinas for a regular fare lasting several hours.  The optics are full of technicalities. The dance and cadence of …

Revelation of a “leadership fund” distributed to “all senators” under the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) budget raises troubling questions whether the country has quietly resurrected the pork barrel system that the Supreme Court already declared unconstitutional. Former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan told the Sandiganbayan that “all senators” in the previous Congress received at least P500 million …