National survival is the be-all and end-all of states. By their very nature, therefore, states are never inherently defeatist. They safeguard their sovereignty even when the costs are high. But for six years, the Filipino people were given a lesson in surrender from the one podium that carries the presidential seal. How did a country
MANILA, Philippines — House of Representatives lawmakers were split on the enactment of a law that effectively suspends the 2026 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE), with Minority members saying that the people would not benefit from this. In a statement on Friday, Kabataan party-list Rep. Renee Co said that the basis for the enactment of
MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) aborted a rotation and resupply (Rore) mission to Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal after Chinese vessels began closing in on the Philippine convoy while it was still about 111 kilometers from the military outpost, with commanders citing the risk of escalation. AFP spokesperson for the West
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has signed a law moving the next Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) to November 2028 and extending the term of incumbent officials from four to five years. The extension gives them a longer term of office than other local officials, including mayors, governors and congressmen. In a
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS) Rear Adm. Jay Tarriela on Friday said that China was asserting its position in the WPS after the latest interference of Chinese coast guard and naval vessels against a Philippine convoy. “The main intent of China why they blocked, harassed
MANILA, Philippines — All preparations and ongoing activities for the November 2026 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) have been canceled following the enactment of the law postponing the polls, Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chair George Erwin Garcia said. President Marcos signed Republic Act No. 12326 into law, postponing the BSKE to November 2028 and
PAGASA ISLAND, KALAYAAN, Palawan — Renowned boxer and former Sen. Manny Pacquiao challenged critics he labeled “Filipino traitors” to visit this island to experience the realities of living in a maritime dispute with China. Pacquiao, now chair and lead convenor of the National Anti-Poverty Commission, was here on Friday to join the celebration of Maritime
MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) suspended a rotation and resupply (RoRe) mission to Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal after Chinese coast guard and naval vessels interfered with the Philippine convoy, citing the risk of escalation. AFP spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad (Reserve) said on Friday
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines led 11 naval vessels from eight countries in a series of exercises in the West Philippine Sea, including coordinated maneuvers, search-and-rescue and medical evacuation drills, the Philippine Navy said on Friday. The exercises involved naval forces from the Philippines, United States, Australia, Japan, India, New Zealand, Singapore and Brunei as
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSa) on Wednesday evening advised the public in the coastal communities to report any suspected debris found at sea after it confirmed the launch of China’s rocket. China’s Long March 8A rocket was launched from the Hainan International Commercial Launch Center in Wenchang, Hainan, at around 9:33 p.m.
MANILA, Philippines — The Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) concluded its parallel audit of the first Bangsamoro parliamentary elections on Sept. 23, reporting no true discrepancies between the physical electoral returns (ERs) and transmitted electronic election data. PPCRV spokesperson Ana Singson said the election watchdog did not find any discrepancies in the results
MANILA, Philippines — Election lawyer Romulo Macalintal expressed confidence that the measure postponing the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) on Nov. 2 has not yet been signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. He made the pronouncement on Wednesday after the Office of the President (OP) said, in an email sent to him, that it
MANILA, Philippines – The Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) resumed its operations to audit the election returns (ERs) for the first Bangsamoro parliamentary elections on Sept. 23, at the AMA Makati Medical Annex Building. PPCRV spokesperson Ana Singson said the election watchdog aims to finish auditing the remaining 2,700 ERs by the end
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday said he had not yet received the proposed bill seeking to postpone the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections scheduled on November 2. The Commission on Elections said unless a law is passed before the end of September, the filing of certificates of candidacy scheduled from
MANILA, Philippines – On Day 29 of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial, the court will hear oral arguments from the prosecution and defense on the number of votes needed to convict Vice President Sara Duterte, a week after the court sought guidance from retired chief justices on the issue. The dispute centers on whether
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has granted the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board’s (LTFRB) request to exempt some of its programs from the government spending ban in connection with the 2026 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE). “We exempted the fuel subsidy of the [LTFRB] on social services,” Comelec Chair George Garcia told reporters
MANILA, Philippines — Election lawyer Romulo Macalintal has again urged President Marcos to veto the measure postponing the Nov. 2 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) through an urgent supplemental letter-petition submitted to the Office of the President. In the letter dated Sept. 21 and received by the OP on Tuesday, Macalintal flagged an “apparent
COTABATO CITY – The BARMM Grand Coalition (BGC) on Tuesday indicated its openness for coalition-building with other major political parties in the region for the regular parliament that will start official functions on October 30. BGC is the regional political party with the third most number of seats won, after the supposedly administration-aligned Bangsamoro Federalist
MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine Army said on Tuesday it is planning to deploy a unit in Palawan to support the military’s defense of the West Philippine Sea. Army chief Lt. Gen. Donald Gumiran said the proposed deployment remained in the planning stage, with the Army coordinating with the Philippine Navy, Philippine Air Force and the Armed
MANILA, Philippines — The Coast Guard District (CGD) of Palawan warned vessels to steer clear of some coasts in the country on Wednesday, Sept. 23, due to potential debris that may fall during the scheduled rocket launch by China. The CGD cited the information issued by the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSa). China’s Long March 8A
MANILA, Philippines – As the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte enters its 28th day, the defense team will cross-examine prosecution witness Gerardo del Rosario, director of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Company Registration and Monitoring Department. Del Rosario testified Monday about businesses linked to Duterte and her husband, Manases Carpio, as the House
MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Tuesday said it will hold a special election for the representative in the lone district of Batanes following the passing of lawmaker Ciriaco Gato Jr. Gato died at the age of 66 on Monday due to cardiac arrest. He became Batanes’ lone district representative in 2019
MANILA, Philippines — Election watchdog Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) has not recorded any discrepancies in its audit of physical election returns (ERs) from the first Bangsamoro Parliamentary elections, its spokesperson said Monday. PPCRV spokesperson Ana Singson said they had completed scanning 40.10%, or 2,090, of the 5,212 ERs from the precincts. She
MANILA, Philippines — The Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) has flagged unreadable physical election returns (ERs) for the first Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) parliamentary elections, which makes it difficult to manually audit the integrity of electronically transmitted votes, its spokesperson said on Monday. According to Ana Singson, the PPCRV has
MANILA, Philippines — The Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) on Monday said it expects to complete its unofficial parallel count of physical election returns (ERs) from the first Bangsamoro parliamentary elections by Wednesday. “We’ll finish everything by Wednesday,” Ana Singson, PPCRV spokesperson told Inquirer, adding that volunteers would work continuously to complete the
MANILA, Philippines – Various groups are set to hold rallies, marches and commemorative activities across the country on Monday as the Philippines marks the 54th anniversary of the declaration of martial law. Calabarzon cops on full alert for martial law protests September 21 , 2026 – 08:22 AM PNP in Calabarzon has placed its entire
MANILA, Philippines – Corporate, business and government procurement records are expected to take center stage as the Senate impeachment court resumes Monday, with House prosecutors continuing to build their case on Vice President Sara Duterte’s alleged unexplained wealth under Article II of the Articles of Impeachment. READ: ICYMI: Sara Duterte impeachment trial Week 11 highlights
MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Sunday said it asked the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for an election ban exemption for fuel subsidy, “Libreng Sakay” for the Edsa (Epifanio delos Santos Avenue) busway and other programs of the agency. The LTFRB said that its acting chairperson, Greg Pua, submitted
MANILA, Philippines — The United States and Canada affirmed the Philippines’ position on Friday’s attack on one of its vessels, with both countries calling that incident a “deliberate ramming” by the China Coast Guard (CCG). US Ambassador to the Philippines Lee Lipton on Friday said on X (formerly twitter): “We STRONGLY CONDEMN the China Coast
MANILA, Philippines — The China Coast Guard’s (CCG) “intentional ramming” of a Philippine fisheries vessel just 100 kilometers off Palawan on Friday was the closest such incident to the Philippine coast on record, according to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). The Chinese craft CCG-21585 struck the starboard side of the BRP Datu Magat Salamat, a
Preparations for the 2026 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) will continue under the current election calendar unless a new law is enacted changing or postponing the Nov. 2 polls. Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chair George Erwin Garcia said enough time is needed to distribute election materials to far-flung areas such as Mindanao. He hoped
MANILA, Philippines — The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) on Friday called on China to cease its unlawful acts that endanger life at sea. The call comes following the ramming of a Philippine boat by China off Palawan. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) earlier reported that a Chinese Coast Guard (CCG)
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Friday urged China to exercise restraint and avoid further escalating tensions after a China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel collided with a Philippine fisheries vessel about 100 kilometers off Palawan. The DFA condemned the actions of the CCG vessel with hull number 21585, which struck the
MANILA, Philippines — The 2026 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) will push through on Nov. 2 unless a new law postponing them is enacted, Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chair George Erwin Garcia said on Friday. Garcia said the poll body would continue preparations for the elections, particularly the delivery of election materials to far-flung
MANILA, Philippines — The Bangsamoro parliamentary elections on Sept. 14 were a “historic first step” to self-governance in the region, Sen. Loren Legarda said in a statement. “After generations who endured conflict and uncertainty, the people held in their hands the most powerful instrument of democracy—the ballot. Every vote cast carried with it the hopes
MANILA, Philippines — Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Adm. Jay Tarriela said that the incident off Palawan involving a Philippine fisheries vessel and the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) early Friday was “intentional ramming” and not a collision. “It was not a collision, it was an intentional ramming done by the
MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Friday warned that the lack of funding for its stations in Palawan and Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) would have a “very significant impact in its activities over the West Philippine Sea (WPS). In light of this, PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan appealed to the Senate
MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Robin Padilla said on Friday said he no longer has plans to run for public office in the 2028 National Elections. This latest statement contradicts his previous pronouncement that he would be open to be Vice President Sara Duterte’s running mate. Padilla expressed his latest decision in a social media post,
MANILA, Philippines — A China Coast Guard vessel rammed a Philippine fisheries ship delivering subsidized fuel to Filipino fishermen in the West Philippine Sea on Friday, damaging the vessel about 100 kilometers off Palawan, according to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). The PCG said China Coast Guard vessel CCG-21585 struck the starboard side of BRP
MANILA, Philippines—The Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) officially began its audit of the first Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections Friday, at AMA Makati. PPCRV spokesperson Ana Singson said the poll watchdog had received about 21 percent of the electoral returns (ERs) from the 5,212 precincts in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), or
PUERTO PRINCESA CITY — Explosions echoed on Thursday morning as a Long March-12 rocket launched by China entered its final stage, startling residents who heard the loud booms and saw a trail of smoke across the sky. The sounds, heard at 8:45 a.m., were sonic booms produced by the rocket as it traveled through the
Election lawyer Romulo Macalintal has asked President Marcos to veto legislation that would push the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections from this November to 2028. In a letter-petition dated September 17, he argued the postponement violates the constitutional right to vote. The polls are currently set for November 2. Macalintal also noted the elections would be delayed yet again under the bill.
MANILA, Philippines — After Monday’s parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), a key achievement for the peace process, civil society advocates are now calling attention to the need to complete the normalization effort for former Moro combatants and their war-torn communities before the country is caught in the frenzy of
COTABATO CITY, BARMM, Philippines —A Bangsamoro parliament member called for a “thorough and impartial investigation” into the deaths of three United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP) volunteers during the region’s first parliamentary elections held this week. Mohagher Iqbal, also a former Bangsamoro education minister and chair of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s (MILF) Peace Implementing Panel,
MANILA, Philippines — The United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP) has requested the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to look into incidents in Cotabato City that transpired during the first regular parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). In a letter dated September 15 and shared by the NBI to the media
MANILA, Philippines — Election lawyer Romulo Macalintal on Thursday urged President Marcos to veto the measure postponing the Nov. 2 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE), adding he wants to be personally heard by Marcos regarding the matter. The House of Representatives adopted the Senate’s version of a bill extending the term of village and
MANILA, Philippines — Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Thursday stressed the significance of collective action, particularly in protecting the Philippines’ maritime domain against foreign threats. He said working with like-minded countries is important to enhance the Philippines’ maritime deterrence, humanitarian efforts, defense initiatives, as well as efforts to uphold a rules-based international order. He
ILIGAN CITY – Member of Parliament Abdullah Macapaar, better known as “Commander Bravo” of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), has accepted defeat in the Sept. 14 historic Bangsamoro parliamentary elections. Macapaar was the No. 22 nominee of the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP), the political party of the MILF, which mustered 15 of the
COTABATO CITY – The Philippine National Police (PNP) commended and rewarded with cash assistance a police officer who was wounded while performing poll duties during the historic Bangsamoro elections last Monday. Lt. Gen. Wilson Joseph Lopez, PNP deputy chief for operations, visited Patrolman Justeen Reo Ga at the Notre Dame Hospital here on Tuesday and
PUERTO PRINCESA CITY — Residents of Puerto Princesa were rocked by loud explosions at 8:45 a.m. on Thursday, possibly from the Long March12 rocket launched by the People’s Republic of China. The Philippine Space Agency earlier issued an advisory on the launch scheduled between 8:25 a.m. and 8:54 a.m., warning that debris from the rocket,