Metro Manila, Philippines – The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday, May 15, said warning shots are generally prohibited under operational procedures, in response to gunshots inside the Senate earlier this week between the Senate security and law enforcers. PNP spokesperson Randulf Tuaño said the police operational procedure (POP) clearly bars officers from firing warning...
Metro Manila, Philippines – Ombudsman Boying Remulla has preventively suspended the Senate sergeant-at-arms, a retired police officer, over his actions on the volley of gunfire at the chamber, and sought a copy of the security camera footage. In a press briefing, Remulla announced that PMGen Mao Aplasca (ret.) was placed under a six-month preventive suspension...
Metro Manila, Philippines – San Miguel Corporation (SMC) delivered a strong start to 2026, with first quarter consolidated revenues rising 19% to P428.3 billion from the same period last year, supported by broad growth across its major businesses. The results were driven by stronger Fuel and Oil volumes, with revenues reflecting movements in global prices,...
Metro Manila, Philippines – Former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV believes the International Criminal Court (ICC) may next issue arrest warrants for Senator Bong Go and former Philippine National Police chief Oscar Albayalde over alleged crimes linked to the Duterte administration’s war on drugs. In an interview on The Newsmaker, Trillanes said ICC investigations are ongoing...
Metro Manila, Philippines – Malacañang has ordered key government agencies to accelerate the rollout of major infrastructure and social programs while addressing underspending issues. In a meeting at the Palace on May 14, officials from the Department of Agriculture, Department of Transportation, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Education, and Department of Budget...
Metro Manila, Philippines – Filipino-American singer Jessica Sanchez says she is planning to release a Tagalog extended play (EP) as she returns to Manila for a homecoming concert and fresh from her “America’s Got Talent” win. Speaking to reporters ahead of her concert, Sanchez revealed that she has been working on new music and hopes...
Metro Manila, Philippines – More than one million Department of Education personnel nationwide will begin receiving their mid-year bonus on Friday, May 15, ahead of the opening of the new school year, the agency said. The Department of Education said the release will cover around 900,000 public school teachers and more than 100,000 non-teaching personnel...
Metro Manila, Philippines – Malacañang has declared special non-working holidays in five localities across the country to allow residents to take part in local fiestas, cultural celebrations, and founding anniversary events. Under separate proclamations issued by the Palace, special non-working days were declared in Naga, Zamboanga Sibugay; Lazi, Siquijor; Jimenez, Misamis Occidental; Patnanungan, Quezon; and...
Metro Manila, Philippines – Filipino-American singer Jessica Sanchez says she is excited to share the stage with some of the country’s music icons as she returns to Manila for her upcoming concert this weekend. Speaking to reporters ahead of the show, Sanchez said audiences can expect a “very special night” filled with collaborations, surprises, and...
Metro Manila, Philippines – The Department of Energy (DOE) is seeking accountability from the grid operator following major transmission line disruptions that triggered widespread power interruptions across Luzon affecting thousands of consumers. In a statement on Friday, the DOE said it has mobilized the Grid Reliability Task Force to conduct a full investigation on the...
Tokyo, Japan – Japan’s defense ministry is considering exports of surface-to-ship missiles to the Philippines, Japanese public broadcaster NHK reported on Friday, as Tokyo adopts a more assertive regional security role amid concern about China. Japan last month unveiled its biggest overhaul of defense export rules in decades, scrapping restrictions on overseas arms sales and opening...
Metro Manila, Philippines – Less than a week after the abrupt leadership change, Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano said there are efforts from the minority bloc to oust him. In an interview with reporters on Thursday, May 14, Cayetano accused the minority of persuading majority members to switch sides. “Expected naman ‘yun eh [That’s expected],”...
