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Articles by Mervin Reyes
NCRPO tightens security ahead of ASEAN Summit
With the 49th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits just days away, NCRPO Officer-in-Charge PBGen Christopher N. Abrahano has directed all security units to strictly enforce designated security perimeters and access-control protocols around summit venues, ensuring that only authorized individuals and vehicles are allowed into restricted areas. PBGen.
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.
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.
House questions financial records of Carpio-linked Cale88 Foods
Corporate regulatory oversight, asset declaration compliance, and commercial tax audits have taken center stage in the Senate impeachment trial as prosecutors raise structural questions regarding corporate filings and undeclared wealth metrics. THE House prosecution has questioned a P174.21-million financial discrepancy involving Cale88 Foods Corp., a banana chips company linked to Vice President Sara Z. Duterte and her husband, Atty.
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.
PH Navy begins construction of third Miguel Malvar-class frigate
Force posture adjustments, fleet interoperability, and long-term defense capital investments have come into focus as the military advances its maritime deterrence capabilities through foreign shipbuilding contracts. The Philippine Navy (PN) reached another significant milestone in its modernization program with the official steel-cutting ceremony for its new guided-missile frigate, held at the HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD HHI) Shipyard in Ulsan, South Korea, on November 4, 2026.
Converge posts higher sales but lower nine-month profit
Infrastructure capital expenditure requirements, network resilience investments, and shifting revenue allocations have drawn institutional focus as commercial telecommunications providers navigate lower net profitability despite steady top-line growth. Converge Information and Communications Technology Solutions Inc.
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.
Churches to pray for rain as strong El Niño nears
Resource management strategies and public preparedness protocols face urgent pressure as severe drought conditions threaten utility reserves, prompting calls for coordinated conservation measures across vulnerable communities. Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula has directed all parishes and communities under the Archdiocese of Manila to pray for rain amid the threat of a strong El Niño that could bring prolonged drought and water shortages.
NTF-ELCAC backs FBI probe into CPP-NPA links
Cross-border security operations and intelligence-sharing protocols are drawing increased focus as government agencies move to intercept international recruitment and financial channels feeding domestic armed insurgencies.
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.
Teachers’ groups: 172K laptops fall short of demand
Government procurement delays and structural funding shortfalls continue to shift the financial burden of basic instructional technology directly onto public school educators across the country. Teachers’ groups said the Department of Education’s (DepEd) planned distribution of 172,654 laptops will still leave the vast majority of public school teachers without government-provided devices, renewing calls for a dedicated laptop allocation for every educator.
Lacson warns vs. questionable insertions in ₱7.2T budget
Public funding allocation mechanisms are facing intense institutional scrutiny as lawmakers and civil society watchdogs move to dismantle billions in unvalidated expenditure proposals before final budget enactment. Sen. Panfilo Lacson on Wednesday said that public anger combined with sustained vigilance could be the key to counter the greed and callousness of lawmakers behind questionable insertions in the proposed P7.2-trillion national budget for 2027.
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.
PH, China agree to sustain dialogue amid tensions
Recent friction involving foreign envoys and territorial sovereignty claims has put Philippine diplomatic channels under intense scrutiny, testing whether high-level communication can stabilize bilateral ties without undercutting national interest assertions. Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro said Wednesday that the Philippines and China highlighted the necessity of sustained diplomatic engagement and mutual respect despite ongoing differences.
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.
MMDA, LGUs finalize traffic plans for ASEAN Summit
Municipal planning authorities are locking in strict completion schedules for capital region roadworks to avert severe transit bottlenecks during upcoming international delegation movements.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Makati imposes month-long drone ban ahead of ASEAN
A total ban on civilian and commercial drone flights took effect across all of Makati City on Monday as local security protocols ramp up for the hosting of the 49th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit. The Makati City government issued a public advisory prohibiting unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in all areas of the city throughout the entire month of November.
House prosecutors push for continuous Duterte impeachment trial
Fears over procedural momentum and fading public recall have intensified as the Senate faces a dual workload between legislative budget deliberations and the impending defense phase of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte’s impeachment trial.
Manila North logs record 1.4 million visitors on Nov. 1
A weekend schedule for All Saints’ Day propelled foot traffic beyond historic averages at the country’s largest burial ground, pushing single-day turnout near the 1.4 million mark. The Manila Police District (MPD) reported Monday that nearly 1.4 million visitors entered Manila North Cemetery between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m. on Nov. 1. MPD spokesperson Maj. Philipp Ines attributed the significant turnout to November 1 falling on a Sunday, which allowed larger family groups to travel together.
House prosecution: wealth case harder to dismiss as politics
Sworn financial disclosures and bank documents—rather than competing political claims—will anchor the remainder of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte’s Senate trial to prevent drawn-out proceedings and counter claims of political bias. House prosecution legal spokesperson and counsel Benjamin “Jay” Tolosa Jr. stated that focusing exclusively on Article II makes it difficult for critics to dismiss the ongoing impeachment as mere political maneuvering.
Pangilinan urges price freeze, crackdown on hoarders
Market monitoring agencies face growing pressure to dismantle illegal price manipulation networks from the top down as statutory price caps activate in disaster zones affected by super El Niño. Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan urged enforcement authorities to move beyond frontline vendors and focus investigations on major hoarders, profiteers, and cartels seeking to exploit agricultural supply shortages.
Manila North suspends shuttles as cemetery roads clog
Internal transport systems faced stark operational adjustments across Metro Manila’s major burial grounds on Sunday morning as surging All Saints’ Day crowds packed access roads and tested site management protocols. At Manila North Cemetery, severe congestion forced management to halt internal shuttle operations after vehicle pathways became completely impassable under the weight of incoming visitors.
From atang to pangangaluluwa: Filipino Undas traditions
The observance brings together centuries of Catholic prayer, regional food traditions and family acts of remembrance. A name engraved on a tombstone, spoken during a prayer or remembered through a food offering appears in several documented Filipino traditions surrounding Undas. Each gives the departed a place in the activities of the living. The observance encompasses All Saints’ Day on November 1 and All Souls’ Day on November 2.
Bontoc’s Maligcong terraces draw fresh tourism interest
Bontoc’s Maligcong terraces draw fresh tourism interest In Bontoc, Mountain Province, a heritage recognition offers a fresh reason to explore a landscape sustained by generations of farmers May Flores A sunrise hike may draw travelers to Maligcong, but the view deserves more than a quick photograph. Across the mountainside, stone-walled rice paddies trace the slopes in carefully built layers—a landscape whose beauty depends on the people who continue to cultivate it.
NDRRMC raises Blue Alert for Undas 2026
Detailed duty officers from the armed services and law enforcement agencies have been deployed to continuous joint shifts following the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Operations Center’s (NDRRMOC) escalation to Blue Alert status for Undas 2026.
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.
Nearly 9,000 visit Manila North Cemetery ahead of Undas peak
Traffic rerouting and strict contraband checks were instituted around the perimeter of Manila North Cemetery on Saturday as public safety officials prepared for a massive influx expected to peak at one million visitors over the weekend. Under the Manila City government’s Undas traffic scheme, several major thoroughfares surrounding the cemetery grounds have been closed to vehicle traffic since October 30. The closures include Blumentritt Street from A.
James Reid and Kathryn Bernardo turn unspoken feelings into ‘Aaminin’
There comes a point in some friendships when an innocent conversation starts feeling like a date, a simple glance means a little too much, and the words “just friends” become increasingly difficult to believe. James Reid and Kathryn Bernardo know that emotional dilemma all too well—at least through the characters they play.
PNP vows lawful, impartial arrest of fugitive senator
Police units tasked with locating and arresting fugitive Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa have been instructed to adhere strictly to human rights protocols and maintain non-violent tactics as the search intensifies following the expiration of a surrender deadline. The command came after the one-week ultimatum issued by PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. for the lawmaker to give himself up to authorities lapsed on Friday.
PH brings home 512 OFWs, dependents from Saudi Arabia
The Philippine government’s voluntary repatriation push from the Middle East reached a new milestone as the total number of returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and dependents brought back from Saudi Arabia since mid-October surpassed 500. Arriving aboard Gulf Air flight GF154 from Riyadh on October 29, 2026, a group of 45 OFWs and five dependents landed safely at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3.
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.
Army warns against fake AI image portraying troops endorsing Dela Rosa
The misuse of artificial intelligence to compromise the political neutrality of the armed forces has drawn sharp condemnation from the Philippine Army, following the online proliferation of a manipulated image depicting soldiers endorsing a sitting legislator. The fake image circulating on social media platforms falsely portrays troops of the 10th Infantry (Agila) Division as backing Senator Bato dela Rosa, fabricating an endorsement that misrepresents the institution’s non-partisan stance.
PNP steps up patrols to protect homes during Undas
Efforts to prevent residential break-ins and opportunistic theft during All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day have taken center stage, with national police leadership instructing neighborhood patrols to step up vigilance as families leave their homes empty for the Undas break. Noting that burglars frequently target vacant properties while homeowners travel or go on vacation, PNP chief Gen.
Philippines delivers aid to Myanmar quake-hit communities
Foreign Affairs Secretary Theresa Lazaro conducted a humanitarian mission in Myanmar on Thursday, meeting with Union Minister for Foreign Affairs U Tin Maung Swe to discuss expanding assistance to affected and hard-to-reach areas. The two officials also discussed the implementation of the Five-Point Consensus (5PC) and bilateral cooperation between the Philippines and Myanmar.
TESDA to train housing beneficiaries in technical, digital skills
The Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) has partnered with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to provide skills training and livelihood opportunities for beneficiaries of government housing programs. SHFC President and CEO Federico Laxa and TESDA Director General Jose Francisco “Kiko” Benitez signed a memorandum of agreement in Taguig City on Thursday, October 29, to expand employment and income-generating opportunities for housing beneficiaries.
Marcos rejects calls to expel Chinese envoy amid WPS tensions
Malacañang on Thursday maintained that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. does not see the declaration of Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Jing Quan as persona non grata as a solution to ending the word war between Chinese and Filipino officials over disputing stands concerning the West Philippine Sea/South China Sea.
PNP steps up manhunt for Dela Rosa after deadline expires
The Philippine National Police (PNP) is stepping up its operations to arrest and bring to justice Senator Ronald Dela Rosa following the lapse of the one-week period given to him to surrender, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Thursday.
Undas 2026: Cemetery hours, road closures, key reminders
Authorities are preparing for the expected influx of visitors to cemeteries and memorial parks as Undas 2026 approaches, with various traffic restrictions, security measures, and operating schedules set to ensure a safe and orderly observance. The public is advised to plan their visits ahead of time and take note of cemetery schedules, road closures, alternative routes, and prohibited items.
Ex-BARMM lawmaker to face PDEA probe over ₱3.54-B shabu shipment
Former Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) parliament member Edrieza Nasser Rimbang is due to face investigators next week to give his side on the botched shipment of 521 kilos of shabu from Laos to the Philippines. Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) spokesman Frederick Calulut said three lawyers went to PDEA on Thursday to say their client will appear before the agency on November 5.
PH, Japan eye early transfer of destroyer, TC-90 aircraft to strengthen maritime security
Secretary of National Defense Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr. and Minister of Defense of Japan Koizumi Shinjiro held a Defense Ministerial Meeting in the Philippines on October 28, 2026. The two Ministers, in light of the increasingly severe and complex security environment in the Indo-Pacific region, reiterated their strong opposition to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion in the East China Sea and the South China Sea.
PLDT, Smart boost Bayanihan SIM program to bring digital services to remote areas
PLDT Inc. and its wireless arm Smart Communications Inc. are ramping up efforts to expand digital connectivity in underserved and unserved communities nationwide through network expansion, community engagement, and initiatives to encourage the activation of government-distributed SIM cards. Smart said it has activated network sites serving geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs) in Argao, Cebu; Matalam, Cotabato; Talakag, Bukidnon; Silago, Southern Leyte; and San Vicente, Palawan.
New DOST laboratory uses wood DNA analysis to help identify tree species
The Department of Science and Technology–Forest Products Research and Development Institute (DOST-FPRDI) is showcasing a newly established laboratory that uses DNA extracted from wood samples to help identify tree species at an international symposium in Laguna. The institute said its Wood and Non-wood DNA Laboratory can extract DNA from wood samples and analyze their molecular characteristics to help determine the species from which the wood originated.
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