The Philippine and Japanese governments signed a P8.175 billion loan agreement on Wednesday to fund the comprehensive rehabilitation and maintenance of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3). The second supplemental loan aims to restore the aging transit system to its original “as-designed” specifications, ensuring long-term reliability and paving the way for future capacity expansion….
The Philippine national government’s outstanding debt reached P17.71 trillion at the end of 2025, marking a 10.32 percent increase from the P16.05 trillion recorded the previous year, according to the latest data from the Bureau of the Treasury. The rise in total obligations was attributed to increased government borrowing to support development initiatives, coupled with…
Real estate tycoon Manuel B. Villar Jr. on Monday denied allegations of market manipulation and insider trading after the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filed a criminal complaint against his company, Villar Land Holdings Corp., and several family members. In a statement issued February 3, Villar maintained that the group has consistently adhered to regulatory…
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Tuesday reported that it collected more than P80 billion in revenue for the first month of 2026, exceeding its initial target and marking a strong start for the fiscal year. Preliminary data released by the agency showed total collections reached P80.64 billion in January. The figure is 2.2 percent…
The Philippine government has drawn a hard line in its pursuit of former Ako Bicol Representative Zaldy Co, with Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla declaring that no dialogue will occur unless the fugitive lawmaker returns “billions of pesos” to the national treasury. Speaking at a forum in Manila on Monday, Remulla confirmed he has relayed this…
The state weather bureau announced Tuesday that a low pressure area (LPA) located east of Mindanao is highly likely to develop into a tropical cyclone within the next 24 hours. As of 2:00 a.m., the LPA was spotted 1,370 kilometers east of Northeastern Mindanao. Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) forecaster Chenel Dominguez…
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is moving forward with its manhunt for former lawmaker Zaldy Co, even as it awaits the official issuance of an Interpol Red Notice against him. The search follows a standing warrant of arrest linked to the high-profile flood control scandal, where Co is a primary person of interest. While…
The Senate is set to launch an investigation into the proliferation of social media pages allegedly spreading pro-China propaganda and disinformation designed to polarize the Filipino public. Senate Deputy Majority Leader Risa Hontiveros announced the move on Monday, Feb. 2, following what she described as a “firestorm” of digital activity aimed at undermining Philippine interests…
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. met with top executives from Mitsubishi Corporation on Monday to discuss deepening partnerships in the country’s transport infrastructure and renewable energy sectors. During a meeting at Malacañang Palace with Mitsubishi President and CEO Katsuya Nakanishi, the President emphasized the importance of the Japanese firm’s involvement in accelerating the completion of…
The Sandiganbayan has denied the bid of former Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama to dismiss graft charges involving over P44 million in waste disposal contracts, though it directed the prosecution to refine the details of the complaint. In a resolution dated late January 2026, the anti-graft court’s Seventh Division rejected motions filed by Rama and…