November, 2025

• 2 November

  Romualdez not in list of lawmakers recommended for plunder raps by ICI

  

  In a stunning twist to the country’s widening flood control scandal, former House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez was noticeably excluded from the list of public officials recommended for plunder charges by the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI). The commission, chaired by retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Andres Reyes Jr., announced last week that it has endorsed the filing of criminal …

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• 2 November

  Phl backs ASEAN drive for fully interconnected energy grid

  

  With the Philippines set to chair the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) next year, the Department of Energy (DOE) has vowed to help advance the region’s vision of an interconnected and sustainable energy future. Speaking at the Singapore–International Energy Agency Forum, Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said ASEAN member states are united in ensuring reliable and affordable power while accelerating …

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• 2 November

  Blue Ribbon to still recognize Guteza testimony despite falsified affidavit — Lacson

  

  Despite a Manila court’s recommendation to investigate the falsified affidavit of surprise witness Orly Guteza, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee will continue to recognize Guteza’s testimony in its probe on the alleged flood control fund scandal. Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 18 Executive Judge Carolina Iscasiano-Sison earlier recommended a preliminary investigation for …

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• 2 November

  Tarlac City mayor to challenge Comelec disqualification order

  

  Following the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) en banc decision disqualifying her from the 2025 mayoral race, Tarlac City Mayor Susan Yap-Sulit vowed to fight the ruling and exhaust all legal remedies available to her. Calling the decision “unfair” to the voters who gave her their mandate, Yap-Sulit said she would not allow a “technicality” to overturn the will of the …

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• 2 November

  GSIS scores 100% in 2025 ARTA Report Card Survey

  

  The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) has achieved a perfect score in the 2025 Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) Report Card Survey (RCS) 2.0, with all 10 of its evaluated branches earning top marks for outstanding public service. Out of 904 government agencies assessed nationwide, only 59 were recognized — and GSIS accounted for 10 of those awardees. The GSIS branches …

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• 2 November

  Marcos signs law banning POGOs

  

  President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has signed Republic Act (RA) 12312, officially banning Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) and declaring their operations illegal across the country. Signed on October 23, the Anti-POGO Act of 2025 repeals RA 11590, which previously legalized offshore gaming. The new law underscores the State’s commitment to maintaining peace and order, protecting life and property, and …

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• 2 November

  LTFRB chief vows to resolve 37,000 pending cases before year-end

  

  Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chair Vigor Mendoza II has committed to resolving more than 37,000 pending motions and petitions filed with the agency before the end of the year. Mendoza said last week that he has directed all LTFRB division chiefs to act on at least 4,000 pending motions and petitions within the next 30 days as …

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• 2 November

  Challenge of leadership, integrity at next ASEAN Summit

  

  In the last quarter of 2026, the Philippines will once again stand at the center of regional diplomacy as it hosts the next ASEAN Summit. The year-long preparations have long started, involving logistical overhauls, inter-agency coordination, and — as is often the case in Philippine politics — the juggling of priorities such as the postponed EDSA rehabilitation project. Yet, beneath the official …

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• 2 November

  Peso recovers slightly after hitting record low

  

  The Philippine peso recovered slightly on Thursday, closing at ₱58.69 against the US dollar after touching a record low of ₱59.13 the other week. The local currency strengthened by 44 centavos from its previous level of ₱59.26 to $1. Analysts said the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), which earlier signaled tolerance for a weaker peso, may have intervened in the …

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• 2 November

  National government debt declines to P17.46-T in September

  

  The national government’s total outstanding debt continued its slight decline, settling at ₱17.46 trillion as of end-September 2025, down from ₱17.47 trillion in August, according to the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr). In a statement Thursday, the BTr said the marginal decrease reflected the government’s “sound fiscal discipline, strategic borrowing strategy, and proactive liability management,” supported by stable market conditions …

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