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Articles by Esther Salem
ERC, NEA boost power co-ops’ regulatory know-how
Grid code compliance, rate-setting oversight, and consumer protection protocols have taken priority across regional power distribution networks as regulatory bodies subject electric cooperative management to comprehensive technical and operational training frameworks.
Ridon: Sara camp may need 2028 alternative
Political succession frameworks, constitutional disqualification mandates, and institutional stability parameters have come under strategic examination as legislative prosecutors highlight the statutory consequences of a potential impeachment conviction on future executive candidacies. VICE President Sara Z. Duterte’s camp would need another candidate if she were convicted and disqualified from holding public office. This was according to House prosecutor and Bicol Saro Rep.
Ridon: Sara trial is no popularity contest
Judicial oversight, constitutional accountability, and formal evidentiary standards have taken precedence in the Senate impeachment trial as prosecution leaders emphasize that trial outcomes must be governed by legal proof rather than public perception metrics. THE House prosecution has rejected treating survey scores as a verdict in Vice President Sara Z. Duterte’s impeachment trial, saying the financial evidence and the defense’s answers should determine the outcome. Bicol Saro Party-list Rep.
House prosecutor presses Sara on Davao, Samal properties
Property registration integrity, municipal tax roll reconciliation, and institutional land record verification have taken center stage in the Senate impeachment trial as prosecution leaders demand full official accounting of high-value real estate holdings linked to public officials. HOUSE impeachment prosecutor and Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon has challenged Vice President Sara Z.
Ridon questions Carpio’s lavish credit card spending
Financial disclosure integrity, personal expenditure verification, and household asset tracking have taken center stage in the Senate impeachment trial as prosecution leaders demand full administrative accounting of high-value card transactions linked to the executive household. A House impeachment prosecutor said the alleged lavish credit card spending of Vice President Sara Z.
Kapunan calls Sara’s WPS silence ‘treason’
Constitutional obligations, sovereign defense mandates, and foreign financial transaction compliance have drawn intense investigative focus as prosecutors link public accountability standards to cross-border capital flows. VICE President Sara Z. Duterte’s silence on China’s aggressive activities in the West Philippine Sea amounts to treason, a violation of the Constitution, and a betrayal of public trust. This was pointed out by Atty. Lorna Kapunan, a counsel for the House prosecution panel.
BIR probes alleged data leak
Government data security protocols, regulatory compliance mechanisms, and inter-agency cybersecurity oversight are confronting heightened examination as authorities launch investigative procedures into reported data compromises across state platforms.
CFO, Pag-IBIG eye retirement housing for returning OFWs
State-backed socialized financing mechanisms, land acquisition protocols, and long-term reintegration infrastructure are undergoing structural review as government authorities move to institutionalize specialized housing programs for returning overseas workers. The Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) and Pag-IBIG Fund are exploring a continuing care retirement initiative that would provide returning overseas Filipinos with housing, specialized health care and long-term financial security.
EDCA sites for defense, not Taiwan strikes — Teodoro
National security frameworks, treaty boundaries, and constitutional prohibitions governing foreign military presence face heightened public scrutiny amid growing geopolitical tensions and discussions over regional defense posture. DEFENSE Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Friday said the United States is not allowed to use Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites in the Philippines to launch offensive military operations in case hostilities break out in Taiwan.
Kapunan: Duterte defense has no more excuses after evidence ruling
PRIVATE prosecutor Atty. Lorna Kapunan said the Senate Impeachment Court’s ruling affirming the admissibility of key evidence presented by the House prosecution panel leaves the defense team of Vice President Sara Duterte with no reason to avoid addressing the evidence when the trial resumes on Monday, November 9.
PAL expands long-haul fleet with 9 new Airbus jets
Aviation sector competitiveness and long-range capital investments are taking center stage as commercial carriers scale up fleet capacities to secure dominance over high-yield international flight corridors. Philippine Airlines (PAL) has finalized agreements with Airbus and Rolls-Royce for the acquisition of nine additional Airbus A350-1000 aircraft to support its long-haul fleet expansion program.
House panel seeks tighter rules for party-list groups
Legislative oversight, statutory qualification frameworks, and systemic electoral integrity take priority in Congress as lawmakers evaluate legislative measures to address institutional weaknesses and enforce genuine constituency representation. Speaking at a press conference following the first public consultation on House Bill (HB) 9906 in Butuan City, House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms Chairman and Lanao del Sur Rep.
Unemployment hits 5.4% as 2.86M Filipinos remain jobless
Labor market capacity, economic absorption rates, and systemic workforce conditions face heightened analytical focus as rising joblessness underscores growing challenges in institutional employment generation despite expanding participation. The country’s unemployment rate climbed to 5.4 percent in September 2026 from 5.3 percent in August, with the number of jobless Filipinos reaching 2.86 million, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
PAF retires last six UH-1H Huey helicopters
Military procurement priorities, maintenance protocols, and operational transition frameworks face continued evaluation as the armed forces replace aging legacy platforms with modern rotary-wing assets. The Philippine Air Force (PAF) on Thursday decommissioned all six of its remaining UH-1H or Huey helicopters, ending the aircraft type’s nearly six decades of service. “All UH-1H of the PAF were decommissioned. The PAF has six right now,” PAF spokesperson Col.
Law dean declines defense role in Sara Duterte impeachment trial
Evidentiary prep and trial tactics face heightened scrutiny as defense efforts to secure expert testimony collapse, shifting attention back to strict financial documentation and witness vetting protocols in ongoing impeachment proceedings. House lead prosecutor and Batangas Rep. Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” Luistro has praised and commended former law dean Ralph Sarmiento’s decision to decline as a defense witness in Vice President Sara Z. Duterte’s impeachment trial.
NAIA logs nearly 1.3M passengers during nine-day Undas rush
Surging passenger volumes during peak holiday travel periods are testing operational limits at the nation’s primary gateway, heightening the urgency for sustained infrastructure and management upgrades. The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) handled nearly 1.3 million passengers during the nine-day Undas travel period, exceeding its initial projection as passenger traffic grew by 4.4 percent from a year earlier. New NAIA Infra Corp.
DOE pushes nuclear energy plan, cites strong community support
Institutional preparations and regulatory appointments are taking center stage as high local acceptance rates propel the government’s long-term plan to integrate nuclear power into the national energy mix. Department of Energy (DOE) Energy Utilization Management Bureau Director Patrick Aquino said acceptance rates ranged from 60% to 90% in two surveys conducted in different locations. The DOE has identified seven potential sites, including Bataan, Palawan, Masbate, Pangasinan, and Camarines Norte.
Teodoro rejects China’s call to silence PH officials
Efforts by foreign diplomats to restrict domestic commentary on territorial disputes and regional security align with broader tensions over state sovereignty and international legal mandates. Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Wednesday dismissed a call by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi for the Philippine government to rein in Filipino officials who are said to be smearing China. “Restrict the truth, forget the Arbitral Award?
DOE implements price freeze on LPG, kerosene in calamity-hit town
Regulatory mechanisms designed to shield vulnerable populations from price spikes during severe climate events are facing operational enforcement following a formal calamity declaration in Southern Luzon. The Department of Energy (DOE) imposed a 15-day price freeze on household liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and kerosene products in Guinayangan, Quezon, after local authorities placed the municipality under a state of calamity due to El Niño and acute water shortages.
ERC issues 24 show-cause orders vs. 13 power firms
Strict reliability limits and regulatory accountability are taking center stage as energy oversight officials target chronic generator downtime driving elevated electricity rates and supply deficits across the southern grids. The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) issued 24 show-cause orders (SCOs) against 13 power generation companies over recurring power outages in the Visayas and Mindanao. The orders, issued on Oct.
Maya pushes government-industry drive for safer digital space
Regulatory frameworks targeting digital financial fraud face ongoing operational tests, driving calls for faster inter-agency enforcement to turn legislation into active consumer protections. Maya, a digital financial services platform in the Philippines, is advocating for tighter operational alignment among government agencies, financial institutions, telecommunications providers, and law enforcement bodies to counter rising digital scams.
DA sets aside P61.99B for El Niño response
Congressional scrutiny of agricultural disaster planning has highlighted unmetered operational gaps in weather modification and pest control despite significant funds committed under the 2026 budget. During a House Committee on Agriculture and Food inquiry into El Niño preparedness under House Resolution No. 967, Department of Agriculture (DA) officials addressed funding allocations designed to maintain food production, safeguard agricultural income, and stabilize retail prices.
Prosecution: Sara Duterte violated ban on business, law practice
Prosecution strategies in the vice presidential impeachment proceedings are focusing on authenticated government records and sworn tax filings to anchor claims of constitutional violations rather than witness testimonies. House prosecution team adviser and spokesperson Robert Ace Barbers cited official records—including Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs), corporate General Information Sheets (GIS), and tax filings—proving Vice President Sara Z.
DA: Only 8 of 1,669 farm road projects have errors
Lawmakers are pushing back against claims of widespread budget irregularities in agricultural infrastructure, framing mapping discrepancies as isolated data entry mistakes rather than systemic funding flaws. Camarines Sur Rep. Arnie Fuentebella noted that public concerns over incorrect farm-to-market road (FMR) coordinates had been blown out of proportion after the Department of Agriculture (DA) confirmed that only eight of 1,669 projects in the proposed 2027 national budget contained errors.
MMDA collects 36 tons of cemetery waste during Undas
Solid waste post-clearing operations following annual holiday gatherings continue to place a severe burden on local municipal sanitation frameworks across the capital region. The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) collected 36.19 tons of garbage from 27 cemeteries across Metro Manila during the observance of Undas from Oct. 28 to Nov. 2. The agency noted that the volume of collected waste was equivalent to more than 15 truckloads or roughly 1,695 garbage bags.
DA: 8 farm road errors predate House budget review
A House committee inquiry revealed that project tracking failures in the proposed budget originated within executive agency drafting rather than legislative amendments, threatening the execution of key rural infrastructure. Department of Agriculture (DA) Assistant Secretary for Operations U-Nichols A.
House demands faster El Niño aid for farmers, fisherfolk
Lawmakers are focusing on legislative oversight to track field-level disbursements as critical funding deficits threaten cloud seeding operations and pest control in drought-hit farming communities. The House Committee on Agriculture and Food, chaired by Quezon Rep. Mark Enverga, continued its inquiry under House Resolution No. 967, introduced by Sultan Kudarat Rep. Bella Vanessa Suansing, to review government preparedness, funding, and measures to protect agricultural livelihoods.
BINI brings P-pop to ASEAN stage with ‘Sama-Sama Tayo’
The P-pop group’s new anthem celebrates Philippine destinations, regional unity, and the growing influence of Filipino artists beyond entertainment P-pop sensation BINI is taking Filipino music beyond the concert stage with “Sama-Sama Tayo,” a new song celebrating Philippine culture, tourism, and the country’s ASEAN chairship in 2026.
Palace says Marcos won’t allow unjustified budget allocations
The executive branch is reinforcing its line of defense against parliamentary pork barrel practices, warning that line-item scrutiny will eliminate unbacked project allocations before the national budget is enacted. Malacañang maintained on Tuesday that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will not allow any unnecessary and unsupported appropriation amid reports of insertions in the proposed 2027 national budget, reiterating the administration’s anti-corruption policy.
Teodoro urges business groups to call out China
National security priorities take precedence over commercial concerns as the defense sector pushes back against attempts to equate legitimate state claims with foreign aggression. Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. stated that calls for a halt to the word war between the Philippines and China regarding the West Philippine Sea should be directed principally to Beijing rather than Manila.
LTFRB probes excess motorcycle taxi registrations
Regulatory limits governing ride-hailing fleets have come under intense scrutiny as government authorities move to penalize a motorcycle taxi operator for allegedly bypassing official caps on driver onboarding. The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) confirmed it has launched a formal investigation into a motorcycle taxi platform provider accused of registering more riders in its digital system than authorized under government guidelines.
PNP rejects calls for ‘shoot-to-kill’ approach vs. Dela Rosa
Police authorities have drawn a firm line against extrajudicial methods and public agitation, asserting that high-profile arrest warrants will be executed strictly within constitutional boundaries despite growing public pressure. The Philippine National Police (PNP) said that enforcement actions will follow standard legal protocols following the spread of social media claims advocating violent measures against Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa. PNP Chief Police General Jose Melencio C.
Nationwide drill to test quake, tsunami readiness
Disaster management authorities will stress-test inter-agency coordination and emergency response networks against a catastrophic coastal threat during the Fourth Quarter Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) on Thursday, November 5, 2026.
Bohol gets local access to DFA apostille services
Residents and overseas workers in Bohol and adjacent island provinces no longer need to undertake costly maritime and air travel to secure government-authenticated documents following the launch of a localized processing facility in Tagbilaran City. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) opened its newest Authentication Hub at the Alturas Mall in Tagbilaran City on Oct. 30, shifting document authentication services directly to local applicants.
PNP reports peaceful, orderly Undas nationwide
A nationwide security operation maintaining full-alert status successfully secured the millions of Filipinos honoring departed relatives over the Undas holiday. The Philippine National Police (PNP) reported that the nationwide observance of Undas 2026 proceeded without major security lapses, attributing the outcome to early operational planning, agency coordination, and public compliance. PNP Chief Police General Jose Melencio C.
Prosecution says dropped charges did not deny Duterte due process
The decision to withdraw three impeachment articles against Vice President Sara Z. Duterte poses no constitutional breach, as the reduction completely eliminates the risk of an adverse judgment on those dropped allegations. Counsel for the House prosecution panel Benjamin “Jay” Tolosa Jr. dismissed arguments from the defense alleging that Duterte was deprived of due process after prosecutors dropped charges related to confidential funds, bribery, and grave threats.
Tiangco backs probe of 6,271 House-added projects
Proactive oversight of public funds must take precedence over post-disbursement audits as scrutiny intensifies over thousands of unvetted infrastructure insertions introduced to the proposed 2027 national budget. Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco voiced support for Senator JV Ejercito’s demand for complete documentation and justification regarding 6,271 infrastructure projects added by the House of Representatives to the spending bill.
‘Mash-Up Queen’ Ate Gay dies at 55
Filipino comedy has lost one of its most distinctive performers with the death of Gil Aducal Morales, better known to audiences as Ate Gay, at the age of 55. Her family announced that the comedian died on Sunday, November 1, following weeks of serious health complications. She spent her final moments surrounded by loved ones. “Our beloved Ate Gay has peacefully passed away,” the family said in a statement posted on her official social media account.
Bantag remains at large as PNP vows relentless pursuit
A failed intelligence-led raid on an agricultural facility in Northern Luzon has refocused law enforcement priorities on high-profile fugitives as police leadership vowed to press forward with the nationwide manhunt for former Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Gerald Bantag.
NCRPO reports peaceful Undas across Metro Manila
Police deployments are shifting focus toward managing returning commuter surges across Metro Manila transit hubs following an orderly and peaceful observance of All Saints’ Day on November 1, 2026. The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) confirmed that heightened security protocols and public assistance operations successfully maintained order as thousands of families visited cemeteries, columbaria, and memorial parks across the capital.
Meralco announces service interruptions across 5 provinces
System upgrades, facility retirements, and municipal infrastructure projects will trigger temporary power interruptions across key residential and commercial sectors in Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal throughout the week. The Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) confirmed Sunday that maintenance teams will carry out line reconductoring, facility replacements, and line relocations to maintain grid efficiency.
Garin says impeachment won’t derail Congress’ work
Government preparations for a looming “Super El Niño” and the review of the national budget remain on track despite the demands of the ongoing impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte. House Deputy Speaker and Iloilo Rep. Janette L. Garin refuted assertions that trial proceedings have paralyzed core legislative operations, emphasizing that critical economic measures and climate resilience planning continue without interruption.
62 more Filipinos repatriated from Riyadh; 500 more expected
Financial relief has reached nearly 4,000 workers while international flight links between Manila and Saudi Arabia begin a restricted recovery following the deadly October 10 security incident at King Khaled International Airport. The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) confirmed Saturday that financial assistance has been distributed to 3,900 individuals impacted by the three-week air hub closure, including 3,700 airport personnel and related workers.
Forgotten Boy Scouts artworks find new home at National Museum
Forgotten murals, rare artworks and a personal collection of historic stamps find a new home as the Boy Scouts of the Philippines celebrates 90 years of shaping young Filipinos Some works of art spend decades hanging in galleries. Others wait quietly in storage, their stories largely forgotten. For a collection of paintings belonging to the Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP), that waiting included a parking lot. Now, those artworks are getting another chance to tell their stories.
Maynilad targets more illegal water connections in Baseco
Concerns over potential drinking water contamination and systemic pressure drops have prompted water utility officials to expand enforcement operations targeting unauthorized underground tappings across the Baseco area in Manila. The drive aims to halt unauthorized line tapping that imperils paying customers by degrading overall water supply volume and exposing clean water distribution lines to potential pollutants.
PH dining scene gains global spotlight with 127 Michelin-listed restaurants
From intimate fine-dining restaurants to familiar Filipino comfort food, the country’s culinary scene is gaining a bigger place on the international dining map. The Michelin Guide has expanded its Philippine restaurant selection to 127 establishments, bringing more local dining destinations into the spotlight and offering food enthusiasts fresh places to explore. Unveiled on October 29, 2026, the Michelin Guide Philippines 2027 features restaurants in Metro Manila, nearby areas, and Cebu.
Marcos vows continued support for Bangsamoro government
Economic expansion and transparent governance will anchor the national government’s continuing partnership with Mindanao as the Bangsamoro region transitions into full democratic parliamentary rule following its inaugural legislative session.
House to probe BIR’s suspended digital badge policy
A legislative probe has been initiated in the House of Representatives to scrutinize the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) following the agency’s abrupt decision to halt its controversial digital seal mandate for digital workers and e-commerce merchants. Through House Resolution 1565, lawmakers are pressing tax authorities to account for policy missteps that led to the sudden suspension of the Registration Seal Badge requirement on October 26. Authored by Kabataan Rep.
Government ramps up transport, traffic preparations for Undas
Inter-agency logistical arrangements across major land, sea, and air transit networks have been mobilized to handle the heavy outflow of travelers heading to the provinces and local cemeteries for the annual observance of Undas. In a video statement released Friday, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. affirmed that government machinery has completed inspections and contingency measures to facilitate smooth passage and public safety throughout the holiday period.
NCRPO deploys over 13,000 cops for Undas security
A sweeping security network will blanket Metro Manila through early November as law enforcement authorities implement a full alert status to safeguard millions of holiday travelers visiting cemeteries and heading to regional provinces. To manage the massive movement of people and mitigate potential risks at key transit points and gathering areas, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) is mobilizing more than 13,000 police personnel from October 30 to November 3.
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