Manila Times

BEYOND US SHORES

Philippine and South Korean troops participate in an amphibious raid military exercise at the Marines’ training base in Ternate, Cavite province, west of Manila, on June 20, 2026, as part of the annual Philippines-US joint Marines exercise dubbed...

CIDG: Accounts of Ateneo players, coaches don’t match

THE Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) found “inconsistencies” in the accounts of the players and the coaching staff of the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) men’s basketball team regarding the tragedy in Dipaculao, Aurora. Resigned...

VP acquittal seen if only 15 can vote

SEN. Panfilo Lacson on Thursday voiced concern over the possible “absurdity” of the impeachment court being reduced to a mere formality for the acquittal of Vice President Sara Duterte if nine or more of the 24 senator-judges are detained or suspended...

S

EN. Sherwin Gatchalian was elected Senate president on Wednesday after mu stering 13 votes to win the position, ending a drama-filled and chaotic struggle for leadership of the chamber. Gatchalian clinched the chamber’s presidency on Wednesday during...

Cayetano bloc asks SC to stop majority

NINE senators led by Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano have asked the Supreme Court to nullify the recent leadership change in the Senate, arguing that the move was carried out without a constitutionally required quorum and poses a serious threat to the...

REACHING OUT

Knicks beat Spurs to claim first NBA title in 53 years

THE New York Knicks, fueled by a sensational 45 points from Jalen Brunson, rallied again to beat the San Antonio Spurs 94-90 and win their first NBA title in 53 years on Saturday (Sunday in Manila). The Knicks won the best-of-seven championship series...

Cayetano draws fire for Ninoy comparison

STRIPPED of real power in the Senate, Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano over the weekend compared his political challenges to historical struggles against authoritarian rule, including those of the martyred Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr., immediately drawing fire from...

FLAGS AND CONFETTI

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. leads the celebration of the Philippines’ 128th Independence Day at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila on June 12, 2026.

Mayor pleads for food, aid for ravaged town

GENERAL SANTOS — The mayor of the coastal town of Glan, which was devastated by a powerful earthquake, pleaded on Thursday for helicopters to transport food to stave off hunger in several landslide-isolated villages. The 7.8-magnitude offshore quake,...

7.8 temblor shakes Mindanao; 31 dead

A7.8-magnitude earthquake off the coast of Sarangani on Monday killed at least 31 people, according to provincial authorities, after the temblor toppled buildings and sparked tsunami warnings across the region. National disaster authorities said at...

REFORMS IN PLACE FOR NEW SCHOOL YEAR

THE school year starts today, June 8, with major reforms in place for both learners and teachers. The Department of Education (DepEd) said on Sunday that the “package of reforms and support measures” for this school year will benefit over 26 million...

BICYCLE RACE

A biker slips during the Kabibo Banjak Alegria 2026 International XCO and XCE in Alegria, Surigao del Norte, on June 6, 2026. Designated as a UCI Continental Series Class (CS) event, the international competition from June 5 to 7 features athletes from...

PRICE OF PROGRESS

Environment advocates mark World Environment Day on June 5, 2026, with a protest along the center island of Quirino Avenue to oppose San Miguel Corp.’s Southern Access Link Expressway. They warn against the damage to or destruction of at least 50...

Rival Senate blocs pursue own probes

RIVAL factions within the Senate clashed again Thursday, this time over separate hearings on anomalous flood control projects, further highlighting the growing schism within the chamber between the group under Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano and...

Senators wrest power from Cayetano’s bloc

THE minority bloc in the Senate wrested power from Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano on Wednesday, installing Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian as acting Senate president and declaring all seats vacant after Sen. Francis Escudero abandoned Cayetano’s...

Minority bloc urges Cayetano to resign

THE 11- member Senate minority bloc sought the resignation of Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano for dereliction of duty, after he led a boycott of Tuesday’s session, despite having two session days left before Congress adjourns sine die on June...

Estrada surrenders, Bonoan in hospital

SEN. Jinggoy Estrada, charged with plunder, surrendered to the police Monday, saying he had turned down several offers from persons he did not identify to abandon the majority bloc in the Senate in exchange for a dismissal of the charges against...

Senate waits for VP’s answer

VICE President Sara Duterte has until today, June 1, to answer the Articles of Impeachment against her, Senate Secretary Jose Luis Montales said on Sunday. In an advisory, Montales said Duterte “may file her answer personally, through counsel, or...

Ramp up military spending, Hegseth urges Asian allies

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Saturday urged Asian allies to ramp up military spending to counter China’s growing power and prevent its dominance in the region, warning of “rightful alarm” over its rapid military buildup. Hegseth, speaking at...

Jinggoy charged, posts P90K bail

SEN. Jinggoy Estrada on Friday posted a P90,000 bail at the Sandiganbayan after being issued an arrest warrant along with former Public Works secretary Manuel Bonoan. The Office of the Ombudsman filed the case last Thursday, together with another case...

Plunder cases filed vs Estrada, Bonoan

THE Office of the Ombudsman on Thursday filed plunder and graft charges against Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, former Public Works secretary Manuel Bonoan and three other people before the Sandiganbayan. “The Office of the Ombudsman has recommended no bail for...

WITH JAPAN’S ROYALTY

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos are welcomed by Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on May 27, 2026, marking the start of the Philippine leader’s state visit to Japan.

Rescue efforts cease at collapsed building

SEARCH and rescue operations shifted to retrieval and clearing, after rescuers found no signs of life among those trapped inside the collapsed nine-story building in Barangay Balibago, Angeles City. Bureau of Fire Protection Region 3 (Central Luzon)...

4 dead, 17 missing in building collapse

ANGELES CITY — Rescuers using thermal scanners and sniffer dogs pursued a search for survivors on Monday, more than 30 hours after the collapse of a nine-story building under construction that has already claimed four lives, authorities said. More...

Minority sticking with Gatchalian

THE Senate minority bloc’s quest to install Sen. Win Gatchalian as the new Senate president is “non-negotiable,” Sen. Panfilo Lacson said on Sunday. “Insofar as we are concerned, [installing] Senator Win as SP (Senate president) is non-negotiable,”...

FIRESTORM

Smoke billows into the sky as a massive fire breaks out at the Parola Compound in Delpan, Binondo, Manila, in the afternoon of May 23, 2026. As of press time, the fire alarm has been raised to Task Force Charlie — so severe that it requires the...

PORT CALL

The Netherlands Majesty’s ship De Ruyter docks in Manila for a port call on May 22, 2026, strengthening the two countries’ maritime partnership in the Indo-Pacific region and highlighting 75 years of diplomatic relations. The vessel is part of the...

Gatchalian wants govt to stop buying fuel-fed vehicles

A SENATOR is studying a proposal for government agencies to put a “hard stop” to the purchase of fuel-fed vehicles starting 2028. Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian is pushing instead for the wider adoption of new energy vehicles (NEVs) such as electrified or...

SC rejects fugitive senator’s petition

THE Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to block the arrest of fugitive Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for his role in the Duterte administration’s deadly drug war. “The Supreme Court, in a vote of 9-5-1, denied...

DOJ knows culprit in Senate shooting

THE Department of Justice (DOJ) on Tuesday said it has identified the “culprit” in the May 13 shooting in the Senate building but did not want to preempt the ongoing investigation by naming the perpetrator prematurely. At a press briefing, Justice...

Impeach court orders VP: Reply to charges

SENATE President Alan Peter Cayetano on Monday convened the chamber as an impeachment court and directed Vice President Sara Duterte to reply within 10 days on the articles of impeachment against her. The move follows the transmittal of the articles...

READY FOR EATING

A vendor checks roasted pigs on La Loma St., Quezon City, on May 17, 2026, as the city celebrated Lechon Festival. The yearly celebration that highlights the area’s culinary tradition and the livelihood of lechon makers always draws crowds.

HAPPY DAY

Philippine Military Academy graduates throw their shakos in jubilation during graduation rites at Fort Del Pilar, Baguio City, on May 16, 2026, with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as guest of honor and speaker.

Ombudsman suspends Aplasca for 6 months

THE Ombudsman has suspended Acting Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Mao Aplasca for six months for his role in the standoff at the Senate on Wednesday night over the attempted arrest of Sen. Ronald Dela Rosa. Aplasca is said to be the first person to fire at...

Dela Rosa escapes after shooting chaos

SENATE President Alan Peter Cayetano on Thursday confirmed that Sen. Ronald Dela Rosa had already left the Senate premises hours after a shooting incident, saying that the lawmaker — wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against...

Dela Rosa appeals to military for help

SEN. Ronald Dela Rosa, hiding in the Senate to evade arrest, on Wednesday rejected calls from some of his fellow lawmakers to surrender and called on the military to stop government attempts to arrest and fly him to the Netherlands to stand trial on...

Dela Rosa to Marcos: Protect me from ICC

SEN. Ronald dela Rosa on Tuesday appealed to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to protect Filipinos from arrest and prosecution by foreign courts, after he hid in the Senate to avoid arrest on the strength of a warrant issued by the International Criminal...

Senate blocks ICC arrest of dela Rosa T

HE Senate shielded Sen. Ronald dela Rosa from arrest Monday after National Bureau of Investigation ( NBI) agents tried to serve a warrant of arrest allegedly issued by the International Criminal Court ( ICC) for his role in the Duterte administration’s...

PNP to subpoena Bato over alleged EJK cases

THE Philippine National Police’s (PNP) Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) will issue today, May 11, a subpoena to Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa requiring his appearance in connection with alleged extrajudicial killings during the war on...

Asean focuses on food, energy, maritime safety

LAPU-LAPU CITY — Asean leaders adopted a joint statement on Friday, May 8, strengthening regional coordination on energy security, maritime safety, food supply, and crisis response as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz raised concerns about global...

LINKED IN

(From left) Myanmar’s Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs U Hau Khan Sum, Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, East Timor’s Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao, Vietnam’s Prime Minister Le...

‘215 lawmakers back Sara’s impeachment’

SOME 215 members of the House of Representatives support the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte, a member of the House Committee on Justice, Bicol Saro Rep. Terry Ridon, said Thursday. The House is expected to vote on May 11 on whether to send...

82% want VP Sara at her impeach trial

A LARGE majority of Filipinos want Vice President Sara Duterte to be present at a Senate impeachment trial over the allegations against her, according to the results of a noncommissioned survey released on Wednesday. The poll, conducted by Tangere...

A father’s promise kept

A FATHER’S word is his bond. But a promise only becomes a legacy when it is kept through the years, and through every burden and test. For Dante Arevalo Ang, DAA, that promise began with The Manila Times. It was made on Aug. 8, 2001, when he took over...

LIVE FIRE

Military forces from the Philippines, the United States, and Japan execute high- intensity Counter- Landing Live Fire Exercise on May 4, 2026, at the La Paz Sand Dunes in Laoag, Ilocos Norte. The joint maneuvers featured a massive display of integrated...

Fil-Am from La Union crowned Miss Universe Philippines

BEA Millan-Windorski of La Union won the Miss Universe Philippines 2026 title during the pageant’s coronation night in SM Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay City, on Saturday. In the final question-and-answer round, the remaining candidates were asked, “Many...

Senate ready to hold impeachment trial

THE Senate is ready and financially able to conduct an impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte if the House of Representatives transmits the articles of impeachment to the chamber, Sen. Panfilo Lacson said Tuesday. The statement came as...

Task force to ‘bury’ Navotas landfill

THE task force composed of concerned national government agencies and the Navotas City government deployed more heavy equipment to cover the abandoned landfill with soil to suppress the toxic fumes from the fire that had been initially...

THE MARKETER

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. visits the Benguet Agri-Pinoy Trading Center in La Trinidad on April 17, 2026. The president, through his office, purchased approximately 12 tons of vegetables directly from local farmers in La Trinidad and Urdaneta for...

'Red Notice out for Atong Ang'

LOCAL Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Thursday confirmed that the International Criminal Police Organization has issued a Red Notice against fugitive businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang, who remains at large amid an ongoing multiagency manhunt...

TEACHERS’ DAY

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (center) hobnobs with teachers and principals in Eastern Visayas on April 15, 2026. The president led the oath-taking of 2,121 newly promoted teachers at the Tacloban City Convention Center in Tacloban City.

‘Marcos, Sara had term-sharing deal’

THE alleged bagman of Vice President Sara Duterte, Ramil Madriaga, said Tuesday that former president Rodrigo Duterte, his daughter Sara, and their allies planned to have President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. step down by 2025 to give way to her, along with...

US to blockade all Iranian ports

TEHRAN — The United States military said it would begin a blockade of all Iranian ports on Monday, after talks between the warring sides in Pakistan collapsed, and despite the Iranian military warning that it would treat any such action as an act of...

US, Iran fail to reach deal

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — Iran and the United States failed to reach an agreement to end the war in the Middle East, US Vice President JD Vance said Sunday after marathon talks in Islamabad, adding that he was leaving after giving Tehran the “final and...

SPLASHDOWN

US Navy divers and Artemis II astronauts aboard an inflatable raft are approached by helicopters to be lifted away to the recovery ship after egressing NASA’s Orion spacecraft carrying Artemis II Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission...

PRIME COMMODITY

A resident buys rice under the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) ‘Benteng Bigas Meron (BBM) Na!’ at the Kadiwa Center of the Bureau of Plant Industry in Manila, on April 10, 2026. At least five ‘Benteng Bigas Meron (BBM) Na!’ sites will be set up per...

Pump prices seen easing next week

LOCAL pump prices may ease slightly next week as Mean of Platts Singapore (MOPS) prices declined following a temporary ceasefire in the Middle East, an industry source said Thursday. Based on the first three days of trading, including premium grades,...

Police seek mastermind behind illegal diesel trade

AUTHORITIES are pursuing the mastermind behind a large-scale illegal diesel operation uncovered in Navotas City, as the Philippine National Police (PNP) intensified a nationwide campaign against fuel pilferage and unauthorized petroleum trading. The...

IRAN RAMPS UP ATTACKS AFTER TRUMP’S WARNING

TEHRAN — Iran launched fresh attacks across the Middle East on Monday and threatened “devastating” retaliation, after US President Donald Trump’s expletivelaced warning that Tehran must reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Israel, Kuwait and the United Arab...

REFRESHING PLUNGE

A boy found the perfect spot to escape the sweltering heat on Easter Sunday — the Agos River in Infanta, Quezon. The cool spot draws hundreds of tourists seeking refuge from the punishing heat.

Iran shoots down two US warplanes

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Iran shot down two US military planes in separate attacks Friday, with one service member rescued and at least one missing, in a dramatic escalation since the war began nearly five weeks ago. It was the first time US aircraft had...