Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines led 11 naval vessels from eight countries in a series of exercises in the West Philippine Sea, including coordinated maneuvers, search-and-rescue and medical evacuation drills, the Philippine Navy said on Friday. The exercises involved naval forces from the Phil

[Updated Sept. 25, 2026, 4:19 p.m.] MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) suspended a rotation and resupply (RoRe) mission to Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal after Chinese coast guard and naval vessels interfered with the Philippine convoy, citing the risk of escalation. AFP

PAGASA ISLAND, KALAYAAN, Palawan — Renowned boxer and former Sen. Manny Pacquiao challenged critics he labeled “Filipino traitors” to visit this island to experience the realities of living in a maritime dispute with China. Pacquiao, now chair and lead convenor of the National Anti

MANILA, Philippines — All preparations and ongoing activities for the November 2026 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) have been canceled following the enactment of the law postponing the polls, Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chair George Erwin Garcia said. President Marcos signed

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS) Rear Adm. Jay Tarriela on Friday said that China was asserting its position in the WPS after the latest interference of Chinese coast guard and naval vessels against a Philippine convoy. “The main i

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has signed a law moving the next Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) to November 2028 and extending the term of incumbent officials from four to five years. The extension gives them a longer term of office than other local officials

MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) aborted a rotation and resupply (Rore) mission to Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal after Chinese vessels began closing in on the Philippine convoy while it was still about 111 kilometers from the military outpost, with commanders citing th

MANILA, Philippines — House of Representatives lawmakers were split on the enactment of a law that effectively suspends the 2026 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE), with Minority members saying that the people would not benefit from this. In a statement on Friday, Kabataan party

MANILA, Philippines — Election lawyer Romulo Macalintal expressed confidence that the measure postponing the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) on Nov. 2 has not yet been signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. He made the pronouncement on Wednesday after the Office of the President

MANILA, Philippines — The Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) concluded its parallel audit of the first Bangsamoro parliamentary elections on Sept. 23, reporting no true discrepancies between the physical electoral returns (ERs) and transmitted electronic election data. PPCRV spok