Office of the Ombudsman suspends DICT USec Almirol
Official suspended for conflict of interest in billion-peso contracts raises questions about government accountability.
Read at Unbox PHThe Philippines, Wed, Oct 21
Philippine news on October 21, 2026
Rest of the day
Inmate electrocuted, dies inside Argao District Jail
Inmate death in state custody raises questions about detention facility safety standards and government accountability.
Public safety
Cebu Daily News
Philippine peso sinks to 34th record low of 2026
Currency collapse reduces purchasing power and overseas remittances that millions of families depend on.
Economy
BusinessWorld Online
Moody’s flags rising risks in Philippine MSME, retail loans
Credit rating firm warns of stress in small business loans as inflation squeezes borrowers and threatens livelihoods.
Economy
BusinessWorld Online
ICC prosecutors drop one incident from ex-President Duterte’s case
International court narrows case against ex-president, potentially weakening the prosecution's evidence at ICC.
World
BusinessWorld Online
Witness: Immigration officials named Chinese passengers cleared under pastillas scam
Bribes to immigration officials allowed Chinese nationals to bypass inspections, exposing security failures at borders.
Government
GMA News Online
Cebu City sets ASF checkpoint in Sapangdaku after hogs test positive
African swine fever spread to Cebu triggers quarantine to prevent outbreak in other provinces.
Public safety
Cebu Daily News
Palace orders probe into reported Atong Ang escape
Fugitive businessman's escape exposes law enforcement gaps requiring urgent government response.
Government
Cebu Daily News
Palace defends giving 27-yr-old biology grad high post in urban poor body
Appointment of 27-year-old biology graduate to high urban poor post raises governance questions.
Government
Cebu Daily News
House panel summons DILG's Remulla, PDEA's Nerez over attempted Laos drugs shipment
House investigation into failed drug shipment from Laos will expose enforcement weaknesses that affect public security.
Public safety
GMA News Online
COA flags ₱271M pricing gap in CNU’s ₱948M smart hub project
A ₱271 million gap in a ₱948 million university IT project exposes government procurement risks and audit control failures.
Economy
Cebu Daily News
Pangilinan urges national state of emergency over Super El Niño
El Niño's impact on agriculture threatens food security and could trigger inflation affecting household budgets nationwide.
Public safety
Cebu Daily News
SILG Remulla flags 'new trend' by scammers
Scammers adopting smaller operation units to evade detection increases risks to Filipino savings and personal data security.
Public safety
GMA News Online
PCG raises alert for Undas 2026, eyes up to 2M sea travelers
Coast Guard raises alert as 2M travelers set to travel by sea for Undas holiday period.
Public safety
PTV News
Malacañang asks SC to revisit ruling on 2024, 2025 national budgets
Government challenges court ruling on 2024-2025 budgets, creating fiscal uncertainty amid constitutional dispute.
Government
GMA News Online
Mandaue City inferno: 110 homes razed in Labogon fire
A three-hour fire in Mandaue destroyed 110 homes and displaced hundreds of families.
Breaking
Cebu Daily News
British Chamber warns pork tariff hike may fuel inflation
Proposed pork tariff could worsen inflation (7.2% in Sept), pushing up food prices.
Economy
philstar.com
Lacson: SC ruling on past budgets timely as Senate reviews 2027 spending plan
Constitutional ruling on past budgets sets precedent for Congress's national spending authority.
Government
GMA News Online
+1
Government mulls Bataan nuclear plant privatization
Mothballed nuclear plant revival could reshape Philippines' energy security and infrastructure.
Government
philstar.com
+1
EDCOM 2 cites gaps in classroom allocations
Government audit finds poorest municipalities facing greater classroom shortages than wealthier areas.
Government
philstar.com
Philippines retains Tier 1 status in human trafficking report
Philippines maintains international recognition for anti-trafficking work for 11th consecutive year.
Government
philstar.com
3 Filipinos charged in California illegal voting crackdown
Overseas Filipino green card holders charged with election fraud in US federal crackdown.
World
Cebu Daily News
Sara Duterte accuses Marcos gov’t of using China, Laos issues to bring her down
VP claims administration is weaponizing various controversies against her politically.
Government
Cebu Daily News
Palace says death penalty for major drug traffickers needs careful study
Government considers major criminal justice policy shift on drug trafficking prosecution.
Government
Cebu Daily News
Chinese warship, research vessel spotted at Bajo de Masinloc
Military activity in disputed waters raises national security and sovereignty concerns.
World
GMA News Online
Lawmakers press Marcos to expel China envoy after ‘force’ remarks
China envoy's remarks on military capability fuel tensions and prompt expulsion calls.
Government
BusinessWorld Online
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