Philippine News

January 1 ------ THE leadership of the Social Security System (SSS) announced that it has set various programs up for implementation in 2026 primarily aimed at benefiting its millions of members nationwide. “We look forward to 2026 where we continue implementing existing programs while developing new ones and strengthening member servicing as well as expanding footprint of SSS nationwide and abroad,” SSS President and CEO Robert Joseph Montes de Claro said. By September next

MANILA, Philippines, January 1 ------ There will be no fresh national budget in the first few days of 2026 as President Marcos is expected to sign the proposed P6.793-trillion outlay for next year in the first week of January, possibly on Jan. 5. The Marcos administration had wanted the appropriations bill signed into law by year-end to avoid reenacting the 2025 budget, a situation seen to hamper the implementation of vital projects and stall economic growth. However, an amen

MANILA, Philippines, December 31 ------ Motorists traveling on the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) and the Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (STAR) Tollway will see higher toll fees starting Jan. 1, 2026, the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) announced. The toll hikes cover both Class 1, 2, and 3 vehicles across key sections of SLEX and STAR Tollway. For SLEX, the new toll rates are as follows: Alabang to Calamba Class 1 – P126 (up P10) Class 2 – P253 (up P21) Class 3 – P379 (up P31) Ca

MANILA, December 31 ------ From investigations into infrastructure projects and corruption probe, to continued clashes between former political allies and battles before an international court, 2025 delivered a cascade of issues surrounding familiar names. Before we ring in 2026, here’s a look back at 10 personalities whose actions shaped national discourse and made Philippine headlines this year. 1. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. This year has been one of the most challengin

MANILA, December 30 ------ Gasoline prices remain steady as diesel and kerosene prices go up a few days before the new year. Oil companies announced the following price movements effective today: SHELL PILIPINAS, SEAOIL (effective 6 a.m.) Gasoline - No change Diesel - P0.60/L increase Kerosene - P0.60/L increase PETROGAZZ (effective 6 a.m.) Gasoline - No change Diesel - P0.60/L increase CLEANFUEL (effective 4:01 p.m.) Gasoline - No change Diesel - P0.60/L increase Source: new

December 30 ------ The bicameral conference committee on Sunday approved and adopted the report on the disagreeing provisions of the General Appropriations Bill (GAB), which outlines the P6.793-trillion national budget for 2026. Several lawmakers from both the Senate and the House of Representatives signed the bicameral report on the proposed national budget at the Philippine International Convention Center, where the marathon deliberations were held. House Committee on Appro

MANILA, Philippines, December 29 ------ In a rare display of compassion, Chinese navy members came to the aid of a distressed Filipino fisherman in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) on Christmas Day. The Chinese embassy in Manila shared videos of how Chinese troops in a rigid hull inflatable boat provided bottled water and food to a man that had a “help me” sign aboard a small fishing boat marked Akia Shanae. The Filipino fisherman can be heard repeatedly saying thank you to the

MANILA, Philippines, December 29 ------ As many Filipinos are preparing for the New Year’s celebration, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) released the updated list of fireworks as certified by the DTI – Bureau of Philippine Standards (BPS). DTI said that the following manufacturers and their brands are issued with a valid Philippine Standards (PS) Certification Mark License: - PS License Q-1469: Diamond Fireworks Inc. (brand: Diamond) - Q-1253: Dragon Fireworks Incor

MANILA, Philippines, December 29 ------ The Philippines posted its smallest trade deficit in nine months in November as exports continued to grow, while imports declined. Preliminary data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed that the balance of trade in goods – the difference between the value of exports and imports – amounted to a deficit of $3.51 billion in November, down by 29 percent from the $4.94 billion shortfall in the same month last year. This is

MANILA, December 29 ------ The Department of Health (DOH) has recorded 91 fireworks-related injuries during the Christmas week, from Dec. 21 to 27. Forty cases were reported in Metro Manila, followed by Ilocos Region with 10 wounded, and Western Visayas at 8, the DOH said in a report. Most of the victims were males aged 10 to 14, with 5-star, boga, kwitis, and pla-pla as the top causes of injuries, the report added. Meanwhile, the DOH said it monitored 331 cases of road crash

MANILA, Philippines, December 28 ------ The country’s external debt service burden decreased by 21 percent from January to September this year compared to the same period last year, according to the latest data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. The BSP reported a lower debt service burden of $10.08 billion during the nine-month period from $12.78 billion in the same period last year, driven by lower interest payments and a significant reduction in principal payments. Of t

MANILA, Philippine, December 28 ------ The Philippine National Police (PNP) warned the public against using 31 prohibited firecrackers and reminded violators of jail time and fines under the law. Col. Rex Buyucan, chief of the Explosive Management Division of the PNP Firearms and Explosives Office, said the banned firecrackers include watusi, lolo thunder, boga, pla-pla, piccolo, goodbye Philippines, goodbye Delima, giant bawang, goodbye Napoles, atomic bomb, Bin Laden, super

MANILA, Philippines, December 27 ------ Domestic workers in Metro Manila are expected to receive a higher pay next year after the wage board set a hearing for their minimum wage determination. Interested groups are invited to attend the hearing on Jan. 12, 2026 at the Philippine Trade Training Center Building in Pasay City, the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board said. Domestic workers in Metro Manila currently receive a monthly salary of P7,000. The last minimum

BOCAUE, BULACAN, Philippines, December 27 ------ The prices of fireworks and firecrackers have surged, in some cases have doubled, as manufacturers and dealers grapple with dwindling supplies less than a week before the traditional New Year celebrations. Buyers from as far as Batangas province, Baguio City, and the Ilocos region flocked to stalls in this acknowledged “fireworks capital” on Christmas Day to take advantage of what remains of the seasonal sale. A family from Lip

MANILA, December 26 ------ The Philippine Navy this week said it had escorted a Chinese warship out of the country's exclusive economic zone, off Capones Island in Zambales. In a statement, the Philippine Navy said it deployed two vessels — BRP Emilio Jacinto and BRP Diego Silang — near the province after members of the local maritime community there reported on December 17 the presence of a Chinese warship. Beijing's vessel, PLAN Jiangkai II, a class frigate with bow number

MANILA, December 26 ------ The celebration of Christmas has so far been generally peaceful nationwide, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said. In a statement, the PNP reported the peaceful and orderly celebration of the Christmas Eve Mass on Dec. 24, following the successful security coverage of the nine traditional dawn masses or Simbang Gabi held nationwide from Dec. 16 to 24. PNP acting chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said police personnel were deployed in chu

December 26 ------ The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is taking advantage of the long Holiday break for the long overdue rehabilitation of the country’s busiest road, the Epifanio delos Santos Avenue, or EDSA. In a statement, the DPWH-National Capital Region said the extensive EDSA rehabilitation started at around 11 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 24, in a bid to improve the road condition for motorists and commuters. DPWH Secretary Vinze Dizon earlier announced that

MANILA, December 26 ------ The Department of Health (DOH) reported 28 firecracker-related injuries as of Christmas Day. The figure comes from data collected between December 21 and 4 a.m. on December 25, sourced from 62 sentinel hospitals nationwide that the DOH monitors for firecracker-related injuries during the holiday season. Most of the recorded cases involved younger individuals, the agency said. Nineteen of the cases were among those aged 19 and below, while the remain

MANILA, Philippines, December 25 ------ Toll road operator Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) has waived toll fees on all its expressways in Luzon, from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. during the Christmas and New Year celebrations. Motorists can access the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx), Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway, Manila-Cavite Expressway, Cavite-Laguna Expressway and NLEx Connector without paying toll fees during the said hours on Dec. 24 to Dec. 25, and on Dec. 31, 2025, to Jan. 1,

MANILA, Philippines, December 25 ------ Believing local production of sugar has improved, the Department of Agriculture (DA) is maintaining its ban on importing sugar until December 2026. “The ban on sugar importation will remain in place until December next year – not September, when the current crop year ends – extending protection for local producers amid improving supply conditions,” the DA announced in a statement. With the goals of “prioritizing locally produced sugar a