Day: December 15, 2025

Manila: Senators have raised alarm over the sharp increase in the proposed 2026 budget for the Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP), warning that it could weaken the country’s push for universal, system-based healthcare and entrench political patronage. According to Philippines News Agency, Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito submitted a manifestation to the bicameral conference committee on the 2026 national budget, questioning the jump in MAIFIP funding from PHP24.23 billion under the National Expenditure Program (NEP) to PHP51.6 billion in the bicameral version. Ejercito expressed concerns that this increase risks turning access to healthcare into a politically mediated

Chonburi: The Philippine women’s football team achieved history by advancing to the finals of the 33rd Southeast Asian Games for the first time. The Filipinas did it in dramatic fashion, overcoming a 0-1 deficit, equalizing late in regulation, and securing a thrilling 4-2 victory in penalties against host Thailand at the Chonburi Daikin Stadium. According to Philippines News Agency, this achievement marks another milestone for the Filipinas, who previously scored a significant win against New Zealand in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup and claimed a breakthrough ASEAN title at home the previous year. The team, led by Mark Torcaso,

Manila: The bicameral conference committee on the proposed 2026 national budget suspended its second conference on Sunday night without addressing the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) request to reinstate portions of its proposed allocation that were reduced due to construction materials price data (CMPD) adjustments. According to Philippines News Agency, Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon made the appeal during the second day of bicameral deliberations. This followed a heated exchange between Senate and House members that led to a motion by House Committee on Appropriations chairperson Rep. Mikaela Angela Suansing, who requested the DPWH chief to

Maguindanao del sur: A suspect involved in the killing of a school principal in June this year was killed during a police and military operation in Datu Abdullah Sangki town, as confirmed by military officials. The operation resulted in the death of Norodin Andig, who was wanted for multiple murder and attempted murder charges. According to Philippines News Agency, Andig, a resident of Rajah Buayan, Maguindanao del Sur, engaged law enforcement officers by opening fire during the operation, leading to a brief exchange of gunfire. Brig. Gen. Edgar Catu, commander of the Army’s 601st Infantry Brigade, reported that Andig was

Surigao del norte: Coast Guard personnel recovered the body of a missing child on Sunday after an extensive search of the Mayag River in Mainit, Surigao del Norte. The child had been reported missing since Saturday after allegedly falling into the river in Purok Mahusay, Barangay Matin-ao. According to Philippines News Agency, initial search efforts by the Coast Guard Station Surigao del Norte, the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (MDRRMO), and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) were suspended Saturday night due to poor visibility and heavy rain. The search efforts involved support units from the MDRRMO and BFP