Nation
Politics, governance and communities across the Philippines.
Nation Page 34 of 60
It’s the law: Meralco has no choice but to collect Lifeline Rate charge
Congress passed it, the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) enforces it, and Meralco simply collects it — that is the straightforward reality behind the lifeline rate charge that has been drawing viral outrage on social media. Meralco Vice President and Corporate Communications Head Joe Zaldarriaga…
GSIS reminds members ‘Balik Ginhawa’ program still accepting applications until October 2026
The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) is reminding its 2.7 million members and pensioners that its Balik Ginhawa loan relief program is still accepting applications until October 31, 2026, with GSIS President and CEO Jose Arnulfo “Wick” Veloso adding on Saturday, April 25, that even…
Some government agencies deducting GSIS contributions but not remitting — some cases date back to 1995
Some government agencies have been deducting contributions to the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) from their employees’ salaries but failing to remit the money to the state pension fund, a problem that in some cases stretches back three decades, GSIS President and CEO Jose Arnulfo…
GSIS opens solar loans to over 2.7 million members, pensioners — up to ₱500K at 5% interest
The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) is offering solar panel loans of up to ₱500,000 at a 5% annual interest rate, payable over five years, as rising electricity costs driven by the ongoing US-Iran conflict push more Filipinos to consider renewable energy alternatives. GSIS President and…
GSIS pushes full digital shift, members no longer need to visit a branch
The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) is pushing members to transact entirely through their mobile phones, with President and CEO Jose Arnulfo “Wick” Veloso saying the agency has gone digital across its services and that there is no longer any reason for most members to visit a branch…
Why the Philippines keeps delaying its barangay elections
Since 2022, the barangay elections have been postponed twice. Filipinos voted in 2023, a year behind schedule. The next cycle was pushed from December 2025 to November 2026. Now a third delay is on the table—and critics say the justification being offered is the same one the Supreme Court already…
Isko Moreno announces Manila Summer Pride 2026; Parade starts 4pm Saturday in Ermita
Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso has announced the Manila Summer Pride Parade 2026, set for this Saturday, April 25, with assembly beginning at 4:00 PM at South Road, Ermita. The parade route will gather through Quirino Grandstand before culminating at Remedios Circle, bringing…
Western Visayas leads Philippine regional economies in 2025 with 6.4% growth
Western Visayas recorded the fastest economic growth among all 18 regions in the Philippines in 2025, posting a gross regional domestic product expansion of 6.4 percent, according to data released Thursday, April 23, by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). The PSA released its 2025 Regional…
Metro Manila falls below national growth rate in 2025 despite leading PH services sector
Metro Manila fell below the national growth rate in 2025, posting a gross regional domestic product expansion of 4.35 percent against the country’s 4.4 percent, even as the region continued to lead the Philippine services sector with the largest share at 40.9 percent, data from the Philippine…
Bicol region posts weakest growth among all Philippine regions in 2025 at 0.5%
Bicol Region recorded the slowest economic growth among all 18 regions in the Philippines in 2025, posting a gross regional domestic product expansion of only 0.5 percent, according to data released Thursday, April 23, by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). The PSA released its 2025…
FBI offers ₱1.5 million reward for Filipino content creator linked to child porn network
The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is offering a $25,000 reward (nearly ₱1.5 million) for information leading to the arrest of Austin Jan Sy Yatco, a 27-year-old Filipino content creator from San Pedro, Laguna, who is wanted for his alleged role in an online child sexual…
PH, Thailand most exposed to jet fuel shortage in Asia, says Oxford Economics
The Philippines is among the most vulnerable economies in Asia to the ongoing refined fuel crisis, according to a research briefing released by Oxford Economics on April 15, as disruptions stemming from the closure of the Strait of Hormuz ripple across regional supply chains. The briefing…
President Marcos pumps P46-billion into economy amid US-Iran war jitters
With global economic uncertainty rising from the US-Iran conflict, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is accelerating infrastructure spending, with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) releasing P46.22 billion to fund 1,743 infrastructure projects nationwide. Budget Secretary Rolando Toledo…
PH eyes EU, Canada, Chile trade deals to expand export markets
The Philippines is on the verge of expanding its free trade agreement portfolio to 20, with negotiations ongoing with the European Union, Canada, and Chile, Trade Secretary Cristina Roque announced Saturday, as the Marcos administration pushes to open new markets for Filipino exporters. Roque said…
DTI launches P13-B in loans for OFWs, women entrepreneurs, MSMEs
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has launched five simultaneous loan programs totaling P13 billion aimed at helping overseas Filipino workers, women entrepreneurs, exporters, small businesses, and transport operators, Trade Secretary Cristina Roque announced Saturday, April 18. Roque…