MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has expanded its fuel marking operations to 10 revenue regions, testing 189 fuel stations as of Oct. 13, 2026, as part of its intensified enforcement against illicit fuel trade and efforts to protect the country’s revenue base. Of the stations subjected to field tests, 111 passed,

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. JV Ejercito called for a detailed accounting of the P90-billion allocation for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Modernization Program, particularly fund releases, obligations, expenditures, and project implementation. During the Senate Committee on Finance’s subpanel hearing on the proposed budget of the Department of National Defense (DND) on Monday, Ejercito

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate finance subcommittee on Monday approved the proposed 2027 budget of the Department of National Defense (DND) and its attached agencies. “The budget of the DND is now deemed submitted for the plenary’s consideration, subject to discussion and possible budgetary adjustments,” said finance panel head Sen. JV Ejercito. The National Expenditure

MANILA, Philippines — House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” G. Dy III paid tribute to the late former Speaker Pro Tempore Raul A. Daza on Monday for his more than five decades of public service, showing his commitment to the Filipino people. “Today, we gather as one House family to honor and remember a man who devoted

BANGA, South Cotabato — Banga National High School (BNHS) is gradually bringing students back to face-to-face classes under tighter security measures following the Sept. 18 shooting. The school has also banned smartphones on campus to encourage students to interact more with their classmates. The campus shooting left three students dead, including the shooter, and six

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur — Recognizing the heightened vulnerability of schools in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas during disasters, the Pisompongan Integrated School (PIS) in Midsalip town, Zamboanga del Sur, conducted over the weekend a two-day emergency response training, transforming teachers, students, and community volunteers into first responders. Pisompongan Integrated School is 20 kilometers

MANILA, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan Third Division on Monday suspended Sen. Rodante Marcoleta for 90 days due to his plunder case. Marcoleta was charged with plunder for allegedly accepting a P75-million donation while serving as a party-list lawmaker. “Senator Rodante D. Marcoleta is suspended from his position as Senator of the Republic of the Philippines

MANILA, Philippines — Wind signals may be raised in parts of Cagayan and Isabela starting Wednesday as Super Typhoon Champi approaches the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR), with its closest approach to Northern Luzon expected later this week, the state weather bureau said Monday. In its 5 p.m. public weather forecast, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical

MANILA, Philippines — Las Piñas Rep. Mark Anthony Santos has endorsed the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency’s (PDEA) request to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) for the creation of a national task force to intensify the crackdown against illegal drugs.  According to Santos on Sunday, the recent reports that a Filipino allegedly

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Amid continuing reports of harassment and government interference, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) Cagayan de Oro Chapter has launched a campaign to protect media workers and push for local legislation safeguarding press freedom. To strengthen the campaign, the NUJP chapter urged local news outlets to report

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Monday that Washington wanted to compete for business in Central Asia without asking countries to stop working with China, as the United States and five regional governments outlined proposals to deepen cooperation on minerals, transport and technology. Speaking in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, Rubio was asked what Washington could offer as Beijing expanded its presence in the region. “I mean, look, it’s competition, right? We have products, we have companies;...

PROSPERIDAD, AGUSAN DEL SUR — Agusan del Sur 2nd District Rep. Adolph Edward “Eddiebong” Plaza scored Monday morning the “systematic breakdown” of the government to improve agricultural productivity through proper laboratory-tested soil application methods. In his keynote speech during the Capacity Building on Soil Health and Local Diagnostics attended by participants from different regions, Plaza

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur – Classes were not suspended at the Ateneo de Zamboanga University (AdZU) Grade School Department on Monday, but campus administrators, with the help of the police, elevated internal security protocols following circulating online threats of an alleged attack at the campus. Lt. Col. Shellamie Chang, spokesperson for Police Regional Office

The camp of Senator Rodante Marcoleta flagged the prosecution"s attempt to present the attorney who notarized the deed of donations worth P75 million for Marcoleta"s campaign expenses.

MANILA, Philippines — Mamamayang Liberal Rep. Leila de Lima on Monday honored late former Northern Samar Rep. Raul Daza by recalling his “reassuring presence” when she was imprisoned, noting how the latter was once subject of persecution.  De Lima made these remarks during the necrological service of the House of Representatives for Daza, who once

A prolonged housing crash, sluggish consumer spending and plunging investment have left China dependent on exports to keep the economy growing.

MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has approved special permits for 1,131 buses ahead of this year’s Undas travel rush, while applications covering about 90 more buses remain under review. The LTFRB on Monday said it had approved 384 special permit applications covering the 1,131 buses to accommodate the expected

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. received Monday the credentials of newly designated envoys, Turkish Ambassador Kaan Esener and Egyptian Ambassador Ihab Ahmed Aboserie Ahmed.

Young learners in schools across Visayas and Mindanao are getting additional resources for classroom learning and financial education through a partnership between Knowledge Channel Foundation Inc. (KCFI) and BPI Foundation (BPIF). Under BPIF’s FinEd Unboxed program, the foundations distributed educational materials and multimedia learning packages to recipient schools in Isabela City, Basilan; Zamboanga City; Guimaras; and Iloilo City throughout September. The school visits also featured the premiere of new episodes of “Estudyantipid,” an original educational series that introduces financial literacy to children through relatable situations and practical guidance. “At BPI, we believe that financial education is a powerful tool for empowerment. By helping young Filipinos develop practical money skills early, we can help build a generation that is more responsible, resilient, and prepared for the future,” said BPIF trustee Mary Catherine Elizabeth Santamaria. Each recipient school received a 55-inch smart TV equipped with a Knowledge Channel Portable Media Library containing more than 1,500 curriculum-aligned video lessons. The resources are designed to support daily classroom activities across grade levels through multimedia learning. KCFI vice president Edric Calma thanked BPIF for its continued support in bringing these resources to more Filipino learners. Calma described the turnover as an investment in learners’ futures, with curriculum-aligned video lessons developed to make learning more engaging, interactive, effective and relevant.

It was GMA Drama King Dennis Trillo himself who put an end to the drama sparked by Ogie Diaz’s vlog interview with Patrick Garcia, which stirred the proverbial hornet’s nest. Dennis was even the one who offered Patrick an olive branch. Let there be peace for the sake of everyone involved, most especially the kids. Dennis made the point that Patrick could have handled a long-forgotten issue privately instead of going public, even if he felt compelled to speak to protect his daughter from being pilloried on social media. Comedienne Candy Pangilinan echoed that sentiment, indirectly coming to the defense of her close friend Gelli de Belen. Gelli was being drawn into an issue she had nothing to do with. With the controversy dragging more people into the fray, it fell to Dennis to sweep up the mess, haul it into the bin and, hopefully, shut the lid for good. No more scattering the contents, please. His wife, Jennylyn Mercado, also deserves credit for her firm resolve to say no more. Let the men take center stage in this emotionally charged, true-to-life showdown as spectators wait with bated breath to see where it leads. The same goes for Jennylyn’s management company, Aguila Entertainment, which has chosen to keep its eagle-like talons in check. Jen’s manager Becky had already said plenty in her statement, delivering criticism sharp enough to leave Patrick reeling. For now, it’s “peace on earth” in this corner of showbiz — an early Christmas treat. What, then, might showbiz followers wish for next? Since Christmas is traditionally a season for children, we can only hope Patrick reaches out to his son Alex Jazz, spends time sharing stories with him and begins making up for lost time. In keeping with the season, Patrick could even play Santa Claus. No need for the full costume or the trademark beard, just a huge sack of goodies — although making up for years of absence will take more than whatever he puts inside it.

For Anthony “Ka Tunying” Taberna and his wife, Rossel “Mrs. T” Taberna, building a business empire has been a shared journey of faith, sacrifice and learning. More than a decade after venturing into entrepreneurship, the couple is taking another step forward with the Taberna Group of Companies' first open house. While Anthony continues his career in broadcast journalism and commentary, Rossel has taken a leading role in managing their businesses, allowing the couple to build a livelihood while raising their family and staying grounded in their Christian faith.  Their journey reached another milestone on Oct. 13 with TGC For Business 2026, the group's first open house for partners and clients, held at The Metro Tent in Pasig City. With the theme “One Step,” the event brought together entrepreneurs, industry leaders, government representatives and prospective business partners to explore the group's four brands and the opportunities they offer.  “When we first envisioned bringing all our brands together under one roof for our very first expo, we had so many quiet late-night worries. Mounting an event like this for the first time is a massive leap of faith,” Rossel said during an interview.  A partnership built on trust  The couple's business journey began with a goal to establish a source of income beyond Anthony's work in media.  “At the beginning, the plan was just to have a fallback. I always told Mrs. T that I wouldn't always have work in media,” he said in Filipino.   That initial plan eventually grew into the Taberna Group of Companies, a Filipino-owned enterprise comprising Ka Tunying's, Kumbachero Food Corp., Taste of the Town Catering and Outbox Media Powerhouse Corp. Today, the group has approximately 250 employees across its food, manufacturing, catering and events operations.  But while their businesses have grown, Anthony and Rossel have also had to learn how to support each other through the pressures of running a company and raising a family.   He acknowledged that they made mistakes along the way, but said those experiences helped them improve their operations. He credited her leadership with helping put the businesses in better order when she took charge.  For him, supporting his wife means recognizing her abilities and allowing her to make her own decisions.  “I think husbands shouldn't limit their wives' talents and abilities. We should let them fly,” he said.  “If she's happy, I'm happy, too,” he continued.  Rossel said her husband's support has helped her deal with the demands of managing their businesses, particularly when things do not go as planned.  “That's the secret. I handle the business well, and he handles me well. He's very supportive. When I'm down, he's the best at pep talk. We pray together, and he's very supportive,” she said.   Making time for each other  Anthony and Rossel have been together since Nov. 11, 2005. Despite their demanding schedules, they continue to make time for each other and their children.  Anthony credited his wife's time-management skills with helping the family maintain a routine. Rossel plans the coming week on Sunday, allowing them to coordinate their commitments.  “It's all detailed, even the hours and days. Sometimes I have my own schedule, but I adjust mine to hers so that we have time for our children and each other,” he said.   The couple have a nightly routine: they watch an episode of a Korean drama together.  Their children have also become involved in the family enterprise. During the open house, their daughter Zoey led the prayer.  Anthony said Zoey contributes to Outbox, while other family members also help with the businesses.  For the Tabernas, faith remains part of their family life and business decisions, guiding how they treat their employees and approach their responsibilities.   “We are standing here as partners who are deeply grateful for how far grace and hard work have brought us,” Anthony said.

SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur —While welcoming the economic promise of a modern transshipment hub at their doorsteps, coastal residents facing displacement by the multi-billion-peso Butuan Logistical Seaport (BLS) project in Butuan City are seeking clear relocation plans and government guarantees. For Marife Monteroso, 44, a resident of Purok 12 in Barangay Lumbocan, she welcomes

Updated at 6:28 P.M. MANILA, Philippines — Vice Admiral Rommel Supangan is the new commandant of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), replacing Ronnie Gil Gavan, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro announced on Monday. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. led the change-of-command and retirement ceremony for Supangan and Gavan at the Coast Guard Fleet in the Port

ILIGAN CITY – Four Sabrah ASCOD II light tanks have boosted the Philippine Army’s armored combat and security capability, with their delivery in Mindanao. Brig. Gen. Bernardo Taqueban, commander of the Army’s 2nd Mechanized Infantry “Magbalantay” Brigade based in this city, said the Sabrah light tanks arrived at the Philippine Ports Authority complex at 8

By framing coal and gas as essential to jobs, prosperity and national identity, the industry continues to resist the transition to renewable energy.

MANILA, Philippines — Police arrested three individuals for stealing components of the Diokno Pumping Station in Pasay City, Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon said on Monday. Dizon said the individuals stole cables and electronic components worth P183,000 last week. He added that authorities believe two of them work for the station’s contractor, and the contractor

A graduate of Ateneo de Manila University was the top scorer in the computer-based licensure examination for chemists, while six tied for first place in the exam for chemical technicians.

An elderly man died in hospital on Monday night after he was pulled unconscious from a flat during a fire in a residential building in Hong Kong’s Western district. Police received a report at 8.57pm that flames had erupted in a flat in Hang Fai Building on Pok Fu Lam Road in Sai Ying Pun. Firefighters deployed two water jet and breathing apparatus teams to tackle the fire, which was extinguished at 9.54pm. A man in his 70s was found unconscious and was rushed to Queen Mary Hospital in Pok Fu...

Activists of the Hindu Raksha Dal, an outfit that furthers the Sangh Parivar’s agenda, were caught on camera beating students and youth participating in the Delhi protests.

MANILA, Philippines — Manila has recorded more than 4,000 dengue cases since the start of 2026, with 31 new cases reported on Oct. 19, according to the latest disease surveillance report from the Manila Health Department (MHD). The city recorded 4,048 dengue cases from Jan. 1 to Oct. 19, based on data from the Epidemiology