Day: September 4, 2025

Manila: The House of Representatives remains confident it can pass the 2026 national budget on schedule, despite the reported request of lawmakers for the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to review the National Expenditure Program (NEP) for flagged errors and questionable entries. According to Philippines News Agency, House spokesperson Princess Abante emphasized in a press briefing that budget deliberations are ongoing for items without issues. Abante highlighted the uncertainty regarding the speed of the DBM’s review of the flagged budget items, but maintained that the committee remains confident in meeting the timeline set by the House for the approval

Maguindanao del sur: A man allegedly carrying shabu and a pistol was shot and critically injured in an ambush along the national highway in Maguindanao del Sur on Thursday morning. The victim, identified as Aldren Arendain Almento, 41, of General Santos City, is now undergoing treatment at a hospital here. According to Philippines News Agency, Lt. Col. Jopy Ventura, spokesperson for the police in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), stated that Almento was driving a Toyota Innova when unidentified gunmen ambushed him past 9 a.m. along the national highway in Barangay Tulunan, Datu Anggal Midtimbang town. Ventura

Manila: The Philippines will continue receiving United States’ support on health security, specifically on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention, under the Trump administration, a senior Department of State official said Thursday. At a media roundtable in Manila, State Department Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Jonathan Fritz confirmed that health remains a priority under Washington, DC’s realigned foreign assistance to the Philippines. According to Philippines News Agency, Fritz stated, “We expect to continue to focus on the health sector as one of the key areas where we will be a very reliable and forward-leaning assistance partner with the Philippines going forward.” Although

Zamboanga: Authorities have arrested 223 fugitives and recovered 204 loose firearms in a series of law enforcement operations in the Zamboanga Peninsula in August, the police said Thursday. According to Philippines News Agency, Brig. Gen. Eleazar Matta, director of the Police Regional Office-9, stated that these accomplishments are the result of focused police work, strong inter-agency coordination, and active community support. Of the 223 arrested fugitives, 80 were listed as most wanted persons, while the remaining 153 were classified as other wanted persons. The fugitives were facing various crimes and were apprehended through the relentless implementation of arrest warrants. Matta

Bulacan: The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) announced Thursday that suspended Bulacan 1st District Engineer Henry Alcantara has been dismissed. According to Philippines News Agency, DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon stated that the action against the official, allegedly involved in anomalous flood control projects in the province, is a swift response to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to address issues within the agency related to “ghost and substandard projects.” The announcement was made during Dizon’s inspection of a “ghost project” in Barangay Sipat, Plaridel, Bulacan, valued at PHP96.5 million. The flood control project by Wawao Builders in the