Philippine News in a Flash
Farm Fresh returned from a month-long break with a vengeance Saturday, dominating Nxled from start to finish for a 25-23, 25-13, 25-22 victory in the PVL On Tour Showdown before a packed crowd at the Mindanao Civic Center Gymnasium in Tubod, Lanao del Norte on Saturday, Aug. 15. But the straight-set triumph was far more [ ]
PLDT made the most of its two-game schedule in the PVL On Tour Showdown, but its second victory was hardly a breeze. The High Speed Hitters overcame an erratic stretch in the second frame then bounced back from a third set stumble before pulling away late in the fourth to scuttle a hard-luck Akari side, [ ]
By Tara Yap ILOILO CITY — The son of Mina town Mayor Rey Grabato has been identified by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in the United States as a “Most Wanted Fraudster” in connection with a $650‑million investment scam. Rey E. Grabato II, who has reportedly been living in Iloilo since 2022, faces a [ ]
By Argyll Geducos President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has expressed concern over the growing influence of social media and online platforms on children, warning that young people are increasingly exposed to harmful content and distorted realities while their critical judgment is still developing. Speaking at the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP) Presidential Luncheon, Marcos…
By Hannah Torregoza A proposed measure in the Senate, the SULIT Load Act (Senate Bill No. 2402), seeks to reduce default prepaid call and text rates and strengthen consumer protections against unfair load deductions and unclear promo pricing. The bill mandates the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), in coordination with the DICT, DTI, and Philippine Competition [ ]
By Jonathan Hicap Police operatives dismantled a drug den in Taguig City and seized more than ₱1 million worth of shabu during a buy‑bust operation in Barangay Central Bicutan early Friday, Aug. 16. The Southern Police District’s District Drug Enforcement Unit, in coordination with Taguig police, raided a residence on Village Street at around 2:40 [ ]
By Glazyl Masculino BACOLOD CITY – A 16‑year‑old Grade 11 student who allegedly punched and injured a policeman with a brass knuckle surrendered to authorities hours after the incident outside a public high school in Barangay Granada on Friday, Aug. 14. Police Capt. Andy Ofalia, chief of Police Station 5, said the student was accompanied [ ]
By Richielyn Canlas Two separate drinking sessions in Rizal province erupted into violence over the weekend, leaving one man dead and another wounded in stabbing and shooting incidents. In Tanay, Rizal, police said a heated argument between drinking buddies turned deadly when “Marlon” stabbed “Edwin” around 11:30 p.m. on Aug. 15 in Barangay Cuyambay. The [ ]
By Martin Sadongong The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Malacañang have condemned the Aug. 15 ambush on the convoy of BARMM Interim Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua in Maguindanao del Norte, vowing to pursue the attackers and tighten security ahead of the region’s first parliamentary elections. Gunmen strafed Macacua’s convoy along the National Highway [ ]
By REYNALD MAGALLON June Mar Fajardo is set to hang up his Gilas Pilipinas jersey already but had to postpone that as head coach Tim Cone continues to deal with manpower issues ahead of the August window of the FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers. The Nationals will be missing the services of Mike Phillips [ ]
By REYNALD MAGALLON Alex Eala was off to a rousing start in the WTA 1000 Cincinnati Open, dominating Elena-Gabriela Ruse, 6-1, 3-0, before the Romanian retired in their rain-delayed second-round match early Sunday, Aug. 16 (Manila time). Save for an early hiccup that saw Eala drop her serve in the opening game, the Filipina [ ]
By MARK REY MONTEJO Three-peat chasing Strong Group Athletics rediscovered its winning form and held off Japan, 78-72, to barge into the winning column of the 2026 William Jones Cup at the Xinzhuang Gymnasium in New Taipei City Saturday, Aug. 15. Out to clear the stinging 110-79 loss to South Korea, SGA regrouped quickly [ ]
University of Santo Tomas and Jose Rizal University scored impressive wins at the start of the inaugural NSAC World Invitational, presented by Philippine Sports Commission, on rainy Friday, Aug. 14, at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City. The JRU Bombers opened the tournament with a hard-earned 71-66 victory over Australia’s Elite Stacks, while the UST [ ]
By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA Fil-American Mariel Galdiano and Bianca Pagdanganan faltered together, allowing Thai Arpichaya Yubol to take command halfway through The Standard Portland Classic at the Columbia Edgewater Country Club in Portland, Oregon on Saturday, Aug. 15 (Philippine time). Galdiano, a Hawaiian of Filipino parentage, stumbled from the solo lead after carding a 1-under-par [ ]
By Richielyn Canlas The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) rescued a former Filipino beauty queen and five Russian women from a human trafficking scheme at a hotel in Makati City. On Wednesday, Aug. 12, the agency’s International Operations Division conducted an anti-trafficking operation to arrest a male suspect after receiving an intelligence report that he [ ]
By Hannah Nicol The Pasig City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 67 has issued a new warrant of arrest against former Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo over three anti‑graft cases. The cases involve alleged violations of Republic Act No. 3019, or the Anti‑Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. The court also named 11 other individuals as [ ]
By Tara Yap ILOILO CITY — Daniel Stefan Robertsen, proponent of a proposed AI data center in Oton, Iloilo, walked out of a public consultation and cursed at reporters on Friday, Aug. 14. Livestreams and recorded videos showed Robertsen of Norway Green Energy losing his temper during the consultation held at a chapel in Barangay [ ]
By JUN NARDO Magpapasabog muli ng kakikayan ang Viva HotBabes sa kanilang reunion concert na gaganapin sa October 23 sa New Frontier Theater! Titled Bulaklak: Viva HotBabes Reunion Concert, gigisingin ng mga iconic sexy babes ng Viva ang natutulog na kalamnan ng kanilang mga fans! Of course, ang hit song nila na Bulaklak ang nagmarka [ ]
By RAMPADOR ALINDOG Dr. Sam Bernardo’s growing popularity, fueled in part by her association with celebrities and personalities such as Daniel Matsunaga, Mika Salamanca, G22 and Bianca de Vera, has opened discussions about her possible entry into show business. We recently sat down with Bernardo, and it’s easy to see why the idea has come [ ]
By REYNALD MAGALLON Gilas Pilipinas naturalized player Justin Brownlee is arriving in Manila on Sunday, Aug. 16, in time for the start of the Nationals’ preparation for the August window of the FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers and the Asian Games. The 38-year-old forward went back to the states to recuperate from the injuries [ ]
By REYNALD MAGALLON The Gilas Pilipinas boys team suffered its first taste of defeat after getting blown out by Australia, 107-69 in the FIBA U18 Asia Cup at the Veer Savarkar Stadium in Ahmedabad in India on Saturday, Aug. 15. The Nationals managed to keep in step through the first frame but quickly lost [ ]
By Dhel Nazario Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said he will formally raise concerns over “questionable” lump‑sum appropriations for infrastructure projects in the proposed ₱7.2‑trillion national budget for 2027, outlining his next steps to scrutinize the allocations. Lacson disclosed that he and his staff have begun reviewing the National Expenditure Program (NEP) and will seek clarification [ ]
Given how infrequently I have watched PBA games since my retirement four years ago, I haven’t had the chance to see many of the rookies selected in the PBA Season 50 Draft last September. I was at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall that day when Terrafirma selected former Ateneo center Geo Chiu [ ]
By Argyll Geducos President Marcos said his administration is reducing discretionary powers in government and expanding digitalization to strengthen safeguards in managing public funds and prevent corruption and waste. Speaking at the traditional Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP) Presidential Luncheon in Manila, the President lamented that oversight mechanisms were not…
By REYNALD MAGALLON Gilas Pilipinas head coach Tim Cone is just as clueless as everyone whether the 7-foot-3 big man will be available or not for the crucial August window of the FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers and the country’s title defense in the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. “No word,” said Cone. “Even for [ ]
By Diann Calucin Three rallyists accused of assaulting a police officer during a Labor Day protest in Manila now face arrest warrants issued by a local court, the Manila Police District (MPD) said. On Saturday, Aug. 15, the MPD confirmed that the Metropolitan Trial Court in Manila had issued warrants against the three for alleged [ ]
By Betheena Unite President Marcos revealed that discussions on joint oil and gas exploration with China have “moved forward” and are “making progress.” Stressing the urgent need to diversify the country’s oil sources amid the Middle East crisis, Marcos said the Philippines must explore available options and take advantage of them. When asked about the [ ]
National University-Nazareth School opened its UAAP Under-16 boys’ basketball tournament title defense in dominant fashion, scoring a wire-to-wire 100-75 win over the University of Santo Tomas on Saturday, Aug. 15, at the FEU-Diliman Gym in Quezon City. University of the East, meanwhile, also impressed with a 91-66 victory over University of the Philippines Integrated School [ ]
Filipino fencers shone at the recent Southeast Asian Fencing Federation (SEAFF) Junior and Cadet Fencing Championship after collecting five gold, seven silver and 13 bronze medals in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Oscar del Castillo led the charge for the Filipinos with a gold medal in the 17-under cadet men’s epee, while Willa Galvez, Victoria Ebdane and [ ]
By REYNALD MAGALLON The coaching staff of Gilas Pilipinas will be juggling their time to train two different compositions of the national team for the upcoming tournaments in the August window of the FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers and 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. With most of the members of the original Gilas team, particularly [ ]
By Liza Jocson ZAMBOANGA CITY- Rosalina “Nanay Nene” Garcia Jalosjos, another member of the Jalosjos political clan, died on Friday, August 14 at the age of 79, according to local reports. Jalosjos served as the first female governor of Zamboanga del Norte from 2022 to 2025. She ran for mayor of Dipolog city in 2025 [ ]
Francine Wong continued her amazing run on the Palawan Junior Tennis Series, winning the girls’ 14- and 16-and-under division titles to claim MVP honors in the Mayor Edwin Olivarez Juniors Age Group Tennis Championships in Sucat, Parañaque last Thursday. The rising Cagayan de Oro City star barely broke stride in the 14-and-U division, dropping just [ ]
By Merlina Hernando-Malipot Vice President Sara Duterte’s legal team asserted that a sitting Vice President cannot be criminally prosecuted while in office, as it pressed the court to hear oral arguments on its motion to quash the grave threats cases filed against her. In a virtual briefing on Friday, Aug. 14, Atty. Paul Lawrence Lim, [ ]
By Freddie Velez BULACAN — The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) reported massive damages and widespread displacement across Bulacan as the enhanced southwest monsoon and Tropical Cyclones Luis and Maymay battered the province. Partial assessments as of Aug. 14 placed total damages at ₱279.49 million, including ₱96.27 million in agriculture and fisheries, [ ]
By Calvin Cordova CEBU CITY — Close to ₱10 million worth of suspected shabu was seized from a construction worker in Barangay Pardo here. The 30‑year‑old suspect, identified only as John, yielded 27 packs of suspected shabu during a buy‑bust operation past 3 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 13, according to Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency–Central Visayas [ ]
By Carla Bauto Dena CAVITE – Three cats died while three others were rescued after being locked for weeks inside a rental apartment in Barangay Salcedo 2, Noveleta, without food, water, or care. A post from the Bataan Animal Welfare Society (BAWS) on Aug. 12 said the cats owners are a couple who were not [ ]
By Glazyl Masculino BACOLOD CITY A 40-year-old policeman was injured after he was punched with a brass knuckle by a high school student whom he had reprimanded for skateboarding along a road outside a public school in Barangay Granada here on Friday, August 14. Police Capt. Andy Ofalia, head of Police Station 5, said [ ]
DAVAO CITY – Authorities seized materials with radioactive isotopes during a raid on a steel manufacturing facility, raising alarm over worker safety and the integrity of construction supplies. Law enforcement agents from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and Presidential Anti‑Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) confirmed that Uranium‑238, Thorium‑228, Thorium‑232, and Radium‑226 were…
By MARK REY MONTEJO Before teaming up with Venus Williams and going up against some of the sport’s top-ranked players before thousands of Filipino fans, Alex Eala was simply a young girl watching her older brother Miko hone his game on little and old court. The four-year-old Alex, who had a “ruffled socks, light up [ ]
By Diann Calucin A 78‑year‑old woman and her 48‑year‑old helper died after being trapped inside a burning house along Don Quijote Street in Sampaloc, early Saturday, August 15. Authorities said firefighters found the two unconscious on the floor of the two‑story residence, which relatives noted was built in the 1930s. Both victims still had pulses [ ]
By Jel Santos A lone bettor from Laguna became an instant millionaire after winning the ₱31.9-million Lotto 6/42 jackpot, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) said. According to the agency, the bettor correctly guessed the winning combination 20-21-14-41-06-12 during Thursday night’s draw, Aug. 13. The winner will receive the jackpot prize of ₱31,911,511.47, subject to a 20 [ ]
By ASSOCIATED PRESS The boxing world was in mourning Friday, Aug. 14, following the death of Puerto Rican fighter Prichard Colón at the age of 33, 11 years after he sustained brain damage in the only defeat of his professional career. Colón’s death was confirmed in statements by the World Boxing Council and the [ ]
By ASSOCIATED PRESS MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Timberwolves will retire Hall of Fame forward Kevin Garnett s No. 21 jersey after their game against the Boston Celtics this season. The team announced Friday, Aug. 14, that the ceremony will take place following the Feb. 28 game at Target Center against the Celtics, who retired [ ]
By ASSOCIATED PRESS MASON, Ohio (AP) — Venus Williams losing streak in singles play has reached 13 matches. The seven-time major champion was defeated, 6-2, 6-2, by Emiliana Arango on Friday, Aug. 14, in the first round of the Cincinnati Open. The 46-year-old Williams received a wild-card entry to the WTA 1000 event. She [ ]
By REYNALD MAGALLON Jordon Varnado made sure there was no power shortage this time for Meralco, providing the telling blows to get back at Ginebra, 97-88, to arrest a four-game slide in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Friday, Aug. 14. Varnado, who was the original import [ ]
By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA Kayla Sanchez and Gian Santos made waves in their respective events after resetting national records at the 2026 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships in Irvine, California on Thursday, Aug. 13. Sanchez, a two-time Olympic medalist for Team Canada before switching nationalities to represent the Philippines in 2022, clocked 53.46 seconds in the [ ]
By DELIA CUARESMA Hindi lang cake, handa at pagbati mula sa mga mahal sa buhay ang naging espesyal sa ika-55 birthday ni Ate Gay. Para sa komedyante, higit sa lahat, isang regalo ang mismong pagkakataong maipagdiwang pa niya ang kanyang buhay. Ibinahagi ni Ate Gay sa Facebook ang kanyang birthday reflection ilang oras bago ang [ ]
By CARISSA ALCANTARA After her secret wedding to Vincent Co made headlines last month, Bea Alonzo is finally talking about the decision that surprised many of her fans. For Bea, however, there was nothing calculated or dramatic about keeping the wedding private. She simply wanted the moment to belong to her and Vincent. “At that [ ]
By JUN NARDO Patuloy ang pagningning ng career ni Heart Evangelista bilang Sparkle artist dahil nitong nakaraang mga araw e, nag-renew ng kontrata ang aktres, host, influencer at global fashion icon sa kumpanya! Sinaksihan ng GMA executives mula sa Kapuso Network at Sparkle GMA Artist Center ang landmark event. Nagsilbing host ng event ang co-host ni [ ]
By ROWENA AGILADA Takot si Dennis Trillo kay Jennylyn Mercado. Aniya sa “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda,” 100% loyal siya sa kanyang wifey. Hindi niya ito binibigyan ng dahilan para pagdudahan siya nito. Ipinagdiinan ni Dennis na secure sa kanya si Jennylyn. Walang dahilan para magselos ito. Hindi niya pinapansin kung may ibang girl na [ ]