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Metro Manila, Philippines –  Malacañang denied Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte’s claim that the city received “zero budget” from the national government over the past four years, saying official records show billions of pesos for projects and services in the city. During a Palace briefing on Monday, May 25, Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro cited budget data that showed Davao City received at least P7.856 billion in national government support from 2023 to 2026. “So, hindi po totoo na walang budget or zero ang budget ang Davao City,” Castro said.[Translation: So it is not true that Davao City had no budget or a zero budget.] “Ang Davao City po ay isa sa mga siyudad at areas na talagang inaalagaan ng administrasyon at ng Pangulong Marcos Jr.,” she added.[Translation: Davao City is one of the cities and areas that the administration and President Marcos Jr. continue to take care of.] Castro said…

Metro Manila, Philippines –  Malacañang questioned the state of Davao City’s anti-drug campaign after Mayor Sebastian Duterte accused President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of bringing back illegal drugs, criminality, and corruption under his administration. During a Reform Alliance for Accountability and Good Governance and Ethics (RAGE) event in Davao City over the weekend, Duterte also accused Marcos of seeking to extend his term through charter change. “Anong achievement nito, binalik ang droga, binalik ang kriminalidad, binalik ang korapsyon at yung p*ina gusto pa magpatagal ng termino niya,” Duterte said.[Translation: What achievement does he have? He brought back drugs, criminality, corruption, and that son of a b** even wants to extend his term.] But Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro cited recent drug operations in Davao City, the political bailiwick of the Duterte family. “Katulad po nito, noong May 14, 2026, meron pong nasabat na halagang ₱15.6 million shabu mismo sa Davao City operation.…

Metro Manila, Philippines – Executive Secretary Ralph Recto faces a new complaint for plunder and technical malversation, along with a number of Cabinet members, for the transfer of ₱60 billion in state health insurance funds when he was finance chief. Health advocate Tony Leachon filed the complaint with the office of the ombudsman on Monday, May 25. It also mentioned the “diversion” of ₱107 billion from the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp.   Leachon also named as respondents Finance Secretary Frederick Go, Health Secretary Ted Herbosa, former Budget Secretary Rolando Toledo, Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) President Edwin Mercado and his predecessor Emmanuel Ledesma, and PDIC President and CEO Roberto Tan. Other charges are graft and administrative offense for grave misconduct, gross neglect of duty, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of service. “By stripping health financing of its rightful purpose, Recto violated the Constitution and betrayed the people’s right to…

Metro Manila, Philippines –  Manila and Tokyo are expected to announce new agreements covering defense, energy, trade, investment, and human resources during President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s state visit to Japan this week, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said. DFA spokesperson Analyn Ratonel said Marcos and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi are expected to discuss cooperation on security, maritime and defense ties, economic partnership, energy resilience, and future-oriented sectors during the May 26 to 29 visit. “Inaasahang mag-aanunsyo ang dalawang bansa ng mga bagong kasunduan sa defense, trade and investment at human resources,” Ratonel said during a Palace press briefing  on Monday, May 25. [Translation: The two countries are expected to announce new agreements on defense, trade and investment, and human resources.] The DFA said the two leaders are also expected to tackle regional security issues in the Indo-Pacific, including maritime cooperation and defense coordination. “For the Philippine side, gusto…

Metro Manila, Philippines – Former Sen. Francis Tolentino has been appointed to replace Bienvenido Laguesma as labor chief, the Palace announced on Monday, May 25.  Palace press officer Claire Castro said Tolentino takes his oath as acting Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) chief Monday afternoon. Castro cited health reasons for replacing Laguesma, who has held the position since 2022.  Tolentino ran for another term in the 2025 midterm elections but failed to secure a seat. His designation was after the one-year appointment ban on losing 2025 elections candidates lapsed earlier this month. Tolentino, a lawyer, was senator from 2019 till 2025. He was a majority leader and previously chaired major committees including blue ribbon, which investigates corruption and irregularities in the government. Tolentino will lead DOLE amid a number of pressing concerns such as the high cost of living amid low pay, employment quality, threat of artificial intelligence, worker…