Macacua is BARMM Parliament’s first elected chief minister | The wRap
Today's headlines: BARMM, Mayon Volcano, Patrick Stewart
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Rappler
Friday, 30 October · 28 stories
Top stories
SSS, DICT to expand social security coverage for 1.5 million freelancers
SSS chief Victor Limlingan notes the vital role of freelancers and virtual assistants in the country’s digital economy
FACT CHECK: Marcos didn’t vow to stay in Palace till flood mess ends
Article 7 of the 1987 Constitution limits an elected president to a single six-year term with no eligibility for re-election
FACT CHECK: No, Marcos can’t be arrested for P50-M bounty on Dela Rosa
An incumbent president enjoys immunity from suit while in office
Cebu, save your sensilyo! BSP’s coin machines could arrive by January 2027
After more than a year on pause, the central bank's popular coin deposit machines could return in January 2027, this time with a rollout beyond Metro Manila taking priority
Nation
The ‘maleta boys’ keep coming. Now, they’re implicating Sara Duterte
Vice President Sara Duterte’s spokesperson Paolo Panelo dismisses the allegations made by another supposed bagman, calling him a 'planted witness'
House insertions for farm-to-market roads came from DA list – spox
The agriculture department says copy-paste errors caused faulty farm-to-market road coordinates
After decades of diplomacy, Singapore’s Tommy Koh still won’t back down
2026 Ramon Magsaysay Awardee Tommy Koh spent his lifetime shaping the youth, upholding peaceful coexistence, and preserving Singapore's heritage
Rappler Recap: China snub, ASEAN unity, regional threats in defense meeting
Defense ministers from ASEAN and its Plus partners gather in Cebu for the biggest defense diplomacy gathering of the bloc
FACT CHECK: Jinggoy Estrada not acquitted of plunder; bail hearing ongoing
For non-bailable cases like plunder, a petition for bail needs to be filed. The court then holds summary hearings to determine whether the evidence of guilt is strong.
Regions
5 DPWH Bulacan engineers suspended over P118-M anomalous flood control projects
The DPWH engineers face charges of grave misconduct, serious dishonesty, and gross neglect of duty in connection with alleged irregularities in three flood control projects worth P188.9 million in Baliuag, Bulacan
It’s Macacua: BARMM Parliament picks region’s first elected chief minister
Macacua's election marks the transition from an appointed interim authority to a regular regional government following parliametary elections on September 14
Mayon Volcano raised to Alert Level 3 after eruption
Phivolcs warns several municipalities in Albay to expect ashfall, following the ‘moderately explosive’ Mayon Volcano eruption on Friday, October 30
BARMM Parliament holds inaugural session
Bookmark this page to watch the livestream of the first elected Bangsamoro Parliament's session in Cotabato City on October 30
How cops are turning Negros classrooms into a frontline vs school violence
Police deploy nearly 200 cops with backgrounds in psychology, teaching, and counseling to help prevent bullying, strengthen school security, and promote mental wellness for 1.4 million junior and senior high school…
Business
Is Vista Mall Santa Rosa next to go as the Villars’ debt deadlines loom?
The Villars aren’t saying much about the possible mall sale, but their long-delayed financials hint at billions in debt repayments that could be pushing them to part with some of their prized possessions
Is Vista Mall Santa Rosa next to go as the Villars’ debt deadlines loom?
The Villars aren’t saying much about the possible mall sale, but their long-delayed financials hint at billions in debt repayments that could be pushing them to part with some of their prized possessions
Maharlika Fund’s NGCP deal collapses nearly 2 years after Marcos’ blessing
Once touted as Maharlika's maiden investment, the deal was supposed to give the government board seats at the country’s power grid operator. Instead, it marks another setback in MIC's sluggish investment rollout.
Crypto exchange Binance freezes assets after $6.3-billion security breach
An initial investigation suggests the breach may have started with a hacked laptop belonging to one of its engineers
[In This Economy] This Halloween season, what scares me the most is the 2027 budget
Thanks to the efforts of the People’s Budget Coalition (PBC) and other budget watchdogs, we’re now discovering just how horrific
World
Russian independent paper Novaya Gazeta finally forced to close its doors
'The newspaper no longer exists. The Russian authorities and the Russian security services have forced our editorial team to cease its operations,' says the publication. Its final issue will be published on November 9.
Hong Kong fire exposes entrenched triad networks in building renovation industry
The government proposes to make bid-rigging in building renovation a criminal offense, punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a HK$10 million fine. Laws against triads will also be tightened.
What you need to know about the 2026 US midterm elections
Plenty is at stake in this midterm election as Democrats try to win majority control of the US Congress
Technology
North Korean hackers behind $6.3-B Binance crypto theft – report
North Korean hacking unit TraderTraitor targets Binance wallets on 10 blockchains, moving the funds out in about 20 minutes
Science & Health
[OPINION] From Super El Niño to the budget: What is the plan?
Why should citizens be forced to find the pieces of the puzzle instead of the government presenting the entire picture in the first place?
Sports
Tokyo thriller: Alex Eala exits Toray Pan Pacific Open after loss to Diana Shnaider
'I didn't believe that I would be able to pull that win off because she played insane,' Russian Diana Shnaider says of Filipina tennis ace Alex Eala
Entertainment
‘Star Trek’ and X-Men’ star Patrick Stewart dies at 86
He became Sir Patrick Stewart when he was knighted by the queen at Buckingham Palace in 2010
Opinion
[Market Rider] Things you may not know about Jinky Luistro
The outcome of Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial will decide Luistro's political future
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