Labor coalition seeks faster action on P85 NCR wage hike dispute
A new P60 Metro Manila wage hike is already in effect, but labor groups say an older wage dispute is far from settled.
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Philstar
Sunday, 18 October · 79 stories
Top stories
34 OFWs from Riyadh to arrive in Manila amid flight disruptions
The first batch of 34 OFWs being repatriated from Riyadh is set to arrive in Manila on Monday, October 19.
DOH readies hospitals for El Niño patient surge
In anticipation of an influx of patients due to an intensified El Niño, the Department of Health is preparing to temporarily assign hospital personnel from other departments to provide medical attention to patients…
Lacson hits minority senators for unfair vote in Tulfo case
Sen. Panfilo Lacson described as unfair the move of three minority senators who opposed the Senate Electoral Tribunal’s ruling that dismissed the quo warranto petition against Lacson’s fellow majority member Sen. Erwin…
‘VP could still be convicted outside impeachment’
The evidence uncovered on Vice President Sara Duterte’s alleged misuse of confidential funds could still lead to her criminal conviction, according to House prosecution panel spokesman Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong.
Infrastructure funds eyed for additional education budget
The Senate is looking to strip funding from controversial infrastructure projects to finance the Department of Education request for an additional P149.67 billion, including P15.6 billion for a remedial learning program…
Survey: Dissatisfaction with government deepens
Filipinos dissatisfied with the way the government handles different issues have increased over the past year, a survey conducted by Pulse Asia showed.
2nd-hand aircon demand heats up ahead of El Niño
As the country braces for a super El Niño, more than 115,000 people belong to a Facebook group where users buy second-hand air conditioners at significantly lower prices than new units, despite concerns over higher…
ICC prosecutor wants 5 more testimonies admitted
An International Criminal Court deputy prosecutor has requested five more prior recorded testimonies of witnesses to be admitted in the crimes against humanity case against former president Rodrigo Duterte.
First female PMA Commandant of Cadets named
The Philippine Military Academy named Col. Leah Lorenzo Santiago its first woman Commandant of Cadets, breaking another barrier for women in the military.
DILG wants tighter airport cargo checks
Security measures in the country’s airports have been tightened, and intelligence-driven operations against drug syndicates have intensified in the wake of a foiled shipment of 521 kilos of suspected shabu, valued at…
Sara denies owning fastfood franchise
Vice President Sara Duterte denied owning a popular fastfood restaurant following the testimony of a prosecution witness that a company listed in her statement of assets, liabilities and net worth owns at least five…
Nation
Angat Dam water level inches up amid strong El Niño
Angat Dam's water level rose by four centimeters to 209.51 meters on Sunday, just below its 210-meter normal high water level.
Kanlaon records 4 volcanic quakes, including 48-minute tremor
Entry into Kanlaon's 4-kilometer permanent danger zone remains prohibited as Phivolcs monitors increased unrest.
'Champi' seen entering PAR at super typhoon strength
The super typhoon may enter PAR at peak strength and will be locally named Rosal.
Relocation sites for families affected by railway project nearing completion
Relocation sites in Angeles City and Mexico in Pampanga for families affected by the North-South Commuter Railway project are expected to be completed by next year, according to the Department of Transportation.
Nigerian arrested over P5.96 million Ecstasy pills
A Nigerian national was arrested in an anti-narcotics operation, which resulted in the seizure of P5.96 million worth of party drug Ecstasy in Angeles, Pampanga on Friday night.
Naga bettor wins P115.99 million lotto pot
A bettor in Naga City, Camarines Sur won the jackpot in the 6/45 Mega Lotto drawn on Friday night, according to the Philippine Charity Sweepstake Office.
Suspect in murder of Batangas village chief identified
One of two suspects in the murder of a barangay captain in Sto. Tomas, Batangas has been identified, police reported yesterday.
Cagayan lawmaker, kin probed for plunder
Cagayan Rep. Joseph Lara and his relatives are being investigated by the Office of the Ombudsman for possible plunder in connection with billions of pesos worth of government contracts awarded to three construction…
Grade 6 student stabs bully schoolmate
A Grade 6 student stabbed and wounded a schoolmate who allegedly bullied him at a school in this city on Friday.
4 ‘terrorists’ killed in Mindanao shootout
A suspected leader of terrorist group Dawlah Islamiya wanted for bomb attacks and other atrocities was killed along with his three followers in an alleged shootout with government security forces in Sultan Mastura…
4 Maserati cars auctioned for P7 million
The Bureau of Customs yesterday said it conducted a negotiated sale for four luxury Maserati Levante cars, with a total accepted offer of P7,055,664, as part of the BOC’s ongoing efforts to ensure the orderly…
NLEX link to Novaliches nears opening
Motorists going to the northernmost part of Quezon City will soon find relief now that the Novaliches link of the North Luzon Expressway has reached 96-percent completion, NLEX Corp. announced.
PhilHealth: P7.44 billion paid to YAKAP clinics
The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. has reported the payment of P7.44 billion for the claims of clinics under PhilHealth’s Yaman ng Kalusugan program or YAKAP.
Regions
Mandaue City governmentt eyes digitalization
The Mandaue City government is looking into adopting a Civil Service Commission program that seeks to digitalize employee appointment and payroll records and streamline human resource management in the local government.
Cebu summit seeks to rescue surplus food
Food banking advocates are seeking stronger partnerships with hotels, manufacturers, retailers and other establishments to rescue surplus food and redirect it to communities in need.
On class suspensions amid poor air quality: capitol to set clearer rules
Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro has called on concerned government agencies, health experts, school officials, and local government units (LGUs) to discuss air quality concerns and establish clearer guidelines for class…
Business group appeals for stronger measures
The Cebu business community is calling for stronger coordination between the government and private sector as the country braces for the projected impacts of a very strong El Niño, which could increase business costs…
UV Lancers to open second-round campaign against USPF Panthers
The reigning four-peat champions University of the Visayas Green Lancers will open their second-round campaign in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. Season 26 basketball tournament against the University of…
The immigration implications of the coming midterm polls
With the 2026 U.S. midterm elections approaching this November 3 shifting majorities in Congress carry significant implications for federal immigration policy, border enforcement, and statutory reforms.
Chinese ambassador, persona non grata
The General Assembly of the United Nations Organization, proclaimed in 1970, that “states shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political…
Sara para China
Abunda ang mga ebidensiya nga si Bise Presidente Sara Duterte nagsuporta sa China.
Peach finale
The end is near. At least, that’s what the prosecutors of Veep Sara Duterte are thinking.
EDITORIAL - Death live
Last week, a decision was made to have the execution of a terrorist who killed soldiers in the U.S. livestreamed. Yes, you read that right.
Business
Bright future for Fintech powerhouse
The initial public offering for Mynt, the parent company of GCash, is scheduled to debut on the Philippine Stock Exchange on Oct. 20, with several brokers reporting oversubscribed allocations.
GoTyme Bank makes cross-border remittances easier
GoTyme Bank, a joint venture between the Gokongwei Group and multi-country digital banking group Tyme, continues to make it easier for customers to send, receive, and manage money across borders as the Holiday season…
Metrobank recognized for local, global bonds
Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. ranked first among Philippine banks and securities firms in both the Local Currency Bonds and G3 Bonds categories of The Asset Benchmark Research Awards 2026, affirming its strength across…
Expanding bond market access for Philippines businesses
For a company seeking money to expand, issuing bonds means asking investors to believe it can keep a promise: pay interest on schedule and return their money when the debt falls due.
Speaking better
French playwright Marcel Achard once said, “When I give a lecture, I accept that people look at their watches.
Ramon del Rosario Jr. named 2026 ICD Honorary Fellow
The Institute of Corporate Directors has named Ramon del Rosario Jr. the recipient of the 2026 ICD Honorary Fellow Award.
Cash on delivery still rules Philippines online shopping
The Philippines is expected to remain Southeast Asia’s last major market where cash-on-delivery accounts for more than a fifth of online purchases in 2027, even as digital payments continue to grow rapidly, according to…
BIR collections hit P2.47 trillion
The Bureau of Internal Revenue generated P2.47 trillion in gross revenues as of end-September, as it stepped up efforts to encourage voluntary tax compliance and assist taxpayers.
Coffee production seen to drip below 30,000 MT
Local coffee production is expected to decline this year as farmers contend with the effects of El Niño and rising production costs, an industry group said.
Higher bioethanol blend eyed as gas prices soar
With gasoline prices hovering above P100 per liter, the government is looking to raise the mandatory bioethanol blend to help ease pressure at domestic pumps.
Sports
Gin Kings set Fuel Masters ablaze to enhance quarters bid
Barangay Ginebra's quarterfinal hopes just got a massive boost.
Erolon's trey tows Falcons past Archers
Matty Erolon hit a go-ahead triple with 30.7 seconds to go as the Adamson Soaring Falcons escaped the La Salle Green Archers, 63-60, in their UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball clash Sunday evening at the Blue Eagle Gym in…
FiberXers rally, prevail over Tropang 5G in overtime
Converge stormed back from 15 points down, gutting out a 114-112 overtime win over the TNT Tropang 5G in their PBA Governors’ Cup clash Sunday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
Ramos rallies to tie Quiban at 15th in Macau; delos Santos finishes joint 8th in Japan
Sean Ramos closed with a flourish but fell short of a Top 10 finish, firing a three-under 67 to salvage a share of 15th place in the Macau Open won by Taiwan’s Wang Wei-Hsuan in sudden death on Sunday.
Bulldogs nip Tamaraws to grab solo lead
National University grinded out a 69-65 victory over the Far Eastern University Tamaraws to finish the first round of the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball tournament on a high Sunday at the Blue Eagle Gym in Quezon City.
Ramos banks on confidence from recent international stint in ICTSI South Pacific bid
One international breakthrough has given Sean Ramos renewed belief — and the confidence that he can turn his resurgence into another title run on the Philippine Golf Tour.
Eala aims to arrest slump, faces France’s Parry in Ningbo Open first round
It has been heartbreak after heartbreak for Alex Eala the previous month.
St. Jude, SPAS complete semis cast in Fil-Chinese hoops tourney
St. Jude Catholic School and St. Peter the Apostle School caught the semis bus in the 45-and-above division of the Fil-Chinese Athletic Association Inc. (FCAAI) Basketball Tournament.
Hunt for GM, WGM titles spice up 7th ASEAN Individual Chess Championships
A slew of Filipino aspirants chase Grandmaster and Woman Grandmaster titles as the Philippines hosts the 7th ASEAN Individual Chess Championships from November 2-10.
Out to pasture
There are six games left before the PBA Governors Cup eliminations end on Friday and so far, only three teams are out to pasture.
Wide open race for LPGT season honors
With less than P100,000 separating the top three players in the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour’s Order of Merit race, the ICTSI South Pacific Classic looms as a pivotal battleground in the chase for the season’s top…
Para athletes stay upbeat in Nagoya
The Philippines continued to stay optimistic despite suffering painful defeats in wheelchair basketball, table tennis and badminton in the 5th Asian Para Games yesterday as it hopes to strike in other sports such as…
Nxled vet takes over in crunch
Nxled leaned on its imposing blocking wall and Myla Pablo’s clutch heroics to fend off a determined Farm Fresh comeback, 25-19, 25-17, 23-25, 20-25, 15-12, in the PVL All-Filipino Conference Siklab Series at the Filoil…
Dyip bow out with a bang
Going out swinging.
UP survives UE scare, seizes lead
University of the Philippines survived a big scare from winless University of the East, hacking out a 91-81 comeback win to seize solo leadership in the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball yesterday at the UST…
Club Intramuros' Magsino celebrates special day
Under Magsino's stellar guidance, Club Intramuros continues to thrive as a premier destination for recreation, relaxation and community spirit.
Entertainment
Lea Salonga takes on a role that brings her ‘literal terror’
The Broadway star will play the 60-year-old matriarch of a traditional Filipino family who is determined to keep up appearances at all costs.
Lovi Poe shares lessons from motherhood, difficult childbirth
I’m not sure whether Lovi Poe will still be in the country by the time this is published.
Lea Salonga sees ‘tiger moms’ and Pinoy realities in ‘Ang Tahanan ni Bernarda Alba’
Lea Salonga is set to portray the formidable matriarch Bernarda Alba in Theatre Group Asia’s staging of “Ang Tahanan ni Bernarda Alba,” which is coming in Feb. 2027 at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater.
Love, luck or money? What celebs ask feng shui master Marites Allen
TV and movie characters that actors play either live in the present or plan the future.
Viva Hot Babes on being sexy then and now
No matter what they do, the members of the pop girl group Viva Hot Babes will always be associated with their sensual appeal and sexy image.
Lifestyle
Of plastics and sea creatures: 6 artworks to see at Yuchengco Museum
The featured works encourage visitors to look beyond the material’s everyday uses and consider its lasting impact on the environment.
Japanese-style Pistachio Pudding
Try whipping up this trending Japanese dessert at home.
ManilaART 2026: National Artists on view, 'Encantadia' game launch
Acknowledging the line as the fundamental language of visual art, this year’s exhibit celebrates the line as the first gesture that transforms thought into image, imagination into form, and ideas into visual reality.
Are you seeking the truth or setting a trap?
Jesus’ exchange over Caesar’s coin challenges us to examine not only the answers we reach, but our motives for asking.
'Art Luzon' showcases contemporary art in Tarlac
From gallery presentation to site-responsive installation, this year’s exhibit reflects the diversity and depth of a creative community that spans regions, disciplines, and generations.
A spin on a classic: Kinilaw with Shredded Ripe Langka
In this version, ripe langka lends a quiet sweetness that softens the vinegar without taking away the freshness of the fish.
Opinion
Trump attacks birthright citizenship (again)
On Aug. 6, 2026, Pres. Donald Trump signed two executive orders, seeking to limit birthright/automatic citizenship for children born in the US, after the US Supreme Court struck down a previous executive order on…
A snappy salute
Congratulations to the Philippine Coast Guard on its 125th founding anniversary.
Marcos must send China’s troll ambassador packing
An “easy win.”
Nobel Prize winners in Economics & the Philippines
The Nobel Prize for Economic Sciences is one of the most prestigious international recognitions given to individuals who have significantly advanced the understanding of economic problems and their solutions.
Ayala bets big on Phl
Ayala Corp., the country’s oldest conglomerate, can look forward to what may be a historic week for the company – the public listing of GCash operator Mynt on Tuesday, Oct. 20.
Clark International Airport: Fast becoming a major cargo hub
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. attended the grand opening of the expanded UPS hub at Clark International Airport, which emphasizes and underscores an opportunity that deserves greater national attention.
EDITORIAL - Pinoy narcos
The huge proceeds from the illegal drug trade are well known, attracting players who are ready to kill and be killed over the money.
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