Day: September 1, 2025

Manila: Senators on Monday intensified their scrutiny of contractor Sarah Discaya’s ownership of luxury vehicles, pressing her to explain how she acquired at least 28 high-end cars while cornering hundreds of government flood control contracts. According to Philippines News Agency, at the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on anomalous flood control projects, Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada grilled Discaya on her car fleet, which includes a Rolls-Royce Cullinan worth about PHP42 million, a Maybach valued at PHP22 million, a Bentley pegged at PHP20 million, Cadillac Escalades, GMC units, and multiple Range Rovers. Estrada expressed disbelief that one family could

Manila: Philippines’ August 2025 Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) remains on expansion at 50.8 points, data released by S and P Global showed Monday. According to Philippines News Agency, although the latest figure is lower than the previous month’s 50.9 points, S and P Global, in a report, said this is ‘in line with rising production requirements.’ An index of 50 and above indicates expansion, while figures lower than this show otherwise. The report indicated a further improvement in the health of the Filipino manufacturing sector, though it was historically subdued and only marginal overall. The sector’s output was traced

Manila: Over 41,000 families have been severely affected by the recent adverse weather conditions, which include the southwest monsoon, tropical cyclone Jacinto, and a recent low-pressure area. This information was detailed in a report by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Monday. According to Philippines News Agency, the NDRRMC’s latest report highlights that a total of 41,297 families, translating to 201,465 individuals, have been impacted across 180 barangays. The affected regions include Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol Region, Zamboanga Peninsula, Soccsksargen, Caraga, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). As of Monday morning, efforts to aid

Banna: For nearly a decade, the municipal council of Banna in Ilocos Norte has eliminated the use of paper during its sessions. Led by Vice Mayor Carlito Abadilla II, members of the Sangguniang Bayan (Municipal Board) now read and review legislative measures on tablets, which has saved the municipality from printing voluminous documents. According to Philippines News Agency, by using a user-friendly app, local lawmakers can easily view every document and make edits, notes, and comments on the same platform. The app also allows them to agree, object to, and approve ordinances and resolutions online. “For some, this may be

Pasay city: The Philippines emerged as one of the top-performing nations at WorldSkills ASEAN Manila 2025, bagging 10 gold medals during the competition held Aug. 25 to 30 in Pasay City. The gold medals were earned in 10 skill areas, including in three demonstration events: Industrial Control, Carpentry, and Plumbing and Heating. According to Philippines News Agency, the gold medalists were Hannah Krystelle Caintic (Graphic Design Technology); Hayden Christian Gravador and Gian Benedict Cari±o (Internet-of-Things); John Patrick Torres and Steven Retirado (CNC Maintenance); Agee Docayso (Cooking); Carlos Antonio Delos Reyes (Hotel Reception); James Cavin Sayago (Electrical Installations); Denmark Dadia (Refrigeration