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
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 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 — 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 – 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 – 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 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
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 — 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,
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
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
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,
ILIGAN CITY— Lanao del Sur Gov. Mamintal Adiong Jr. has expressed his support for the continued leadership of Abdulraof Macacua as chief minister of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) following the region’s first parliamentary elections. Adiong, who also serves as secretary-general of the BARMM Grand Coalition (BGC), congratulated Macacua on what he
COTABATO CITY — Presidential Peace Adviser Mel Senen Sarmiento has lauded all stakeholders in the historic Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections (BPE), describing them as the “defining milestone yet in the faithful implementation” of the Mindanao peace process. He said a new dawn had broken for the Bangsamoro, 12 years after the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement
MANILA, Philippines — As Congress prepares to discuss in a bicameral conference committee a proposal to postpone the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (BSK) elections by extending officials’ terms to five years, concerns are again being raised over the accountability of leaders in the Philippines’ smallest political units. The House of Representatives approved House Bill No.
COTABATO CITY – Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) chairman and United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP) president Ahod “Al Haj Murad” Ebrahim has lauded all the stakeholders for the successful conduct of the first Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections (BPE). Ebrahim, also called “Chairman Kagi Murad,” expressed hopes that the democratic continuation of the struggle “will usher in
MANTICAO, Misamis Oriental – Member of Parliament Abdullah Macapaar, popularly known as Commander Bravo of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), has commended the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for helping make the recent Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections peaceful and successful. In a letter on Wednesday, Macapaar lauded NBI Director Melvin Matibag for listening to MILF
BULUAN, MAGUINDANAO DEL SUR — At least 800 families have fled their homes in Barangay Kadingilan, Nabalawag, in the Special Geographic Area (SGA) of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (SGA-BARMM) due to volleys of gunfire that triggered tension in the community. The displacement began on Tuesday, a day after the Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections last
MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine National Police (PNP) steps up its investigation into gun attacks, explosions, and other incidents and vows charges against suspects during the historic Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) parliamentary elections. In a statement on Wednesday, PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said authorities obtained leads that could help
MANILA, Philippines – Four retired Supreme Court justices will appear before the Senate impeachment court on Wednesday, Day 26 of the impeachment trial, as senator-judges revisit the number of votes needed to convict Vice President Sara Duterte. Retired Chief Justices Artemio Panganiban, Reynato Puno and Hilario Davide Jr., along with retired Associate Justice Adolfo Azcuna,
MANILA, Philippines — The pre-shaded ballots flagged in Maluso, Basilan, during the first Bangsamoro parliamentary elections will be brought to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) main office for investigation, the poll body said Tuesday. The move was ordered in a memorandum issued by Comelec Executive Director Teopisto Elnas to Senior Staff Monitor in Basilan Director
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Following the historic Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) parliamentary elections, all 901 police personnel from Northern Mindanao deployed to secure polling in Lanao del Sur are safe and fully accounted for. The Police Regional Office-10 (PRO-10) confirmed Tuesday afternoon that its contingents, who served as security forces and
MANILA, Philippines — Bangsamoro Interim Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua has been proclaimed as the winner of district representative race of Maguindanao del Norte 3rd District in the first Bangsamoro Parliamentary elections. READ: BARMM chief wins parliamentary district seat, calls for unity Macacua was proclaimed by the Provincial Board of Canvassers on Tuesday afternoon. According to
MANILA, Philippines — Bangsamoro Interim Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua has been proclaimed winner of the parliamentary elections in Maguindanao del Norte’s 3rd District. Macacua’s victory was announced by the Provincial Board of Canvassers on Tuesday afternoon. According to election watchdog Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting’s data server as of 3:51 p.m., Macacua received 37,162 votes
MANILA, Philippines — Former Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairperson Sheriff Abas has won the representative race in the first district of Cotabato City for the first Bangsamoro Parliamentary elections with over 12,000 votes. According to the data server of election watchdog Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting as of 3:51 p.m. on Tuesday, Abas obtained
MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) intends to file a case against the perpetrators of the pre-shading that compromised the ballots in Maluso, Basilan. Resolving the situation caused a delay the first Bangsamoro parliamentary elections in the town. According to Comelec Chairperson George Erwin Garcia on Tuesday, the poll body has already identified
COTABATO CITY – Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Antonio Nafarrete on Tuesday described the historic Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections (BPE) as “generally peaceful and successful.” Nafarrete told reporters on the sidelines of the Regional Board of Canvassing center inside the 6th Infantry Division headquarters that the violence reported before and during the balloting
MANILA, Philippines — The winners of the regional parliamentary political party (RPPP) race and sectoral representatives in the first Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) parliamentary elections are expected to be proclaimed before midnight on Tuesday, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said on Tuesday. The electoral exercise was extended on Tuesday in Maluso, Basilan
MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has received 98.4 percent of expected election returns (ERs) for the first Bangsamoro Parliamentary elections as of Tuesday morning, with the poll body awaiting ERs from certain precincts in Maluso, Basilan. According to Comelec’s official website, it has already received 5,129 of the expected 5,212 ERs. READ: PNP
LAMITAN CITY, Basilan – Voting resumed at 7 a.m. on Tuesday in 36 precincts in Maluso, Basilan, where polling was suspended Monday after authorities discovered that the ballots there were pre-shaded. Brig. Gen. Frederick Sales said the new ballots arrived in Maluso town at 9:30 p.m. on Monday. “The voting centers for the 36 precincts
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday maintained that the first Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) parliamentary elections were mostly peaceful. “While there are pockets of security challenges, the BARMM elections were peaceful and orderly in almost all parts of the region,” PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said
MANILA, Philippines — Officials from the Office of the Ombudsman and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) are set to testify Tuesday, Day 25 of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial, as the Senate impeachment court examines allegations of unexplained wealth, discrepancies in her Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs), and prohibited business
MANILA, Philippines — Senators have condemned the violence and reported irregularities that marred the first parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and urged the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to investigate the incidents and ensure the integrity of the polls. Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri said Tuesday that he