Updates on the Philippines’ retirement visa program

The Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV) has been one of the Philippines’ flagship programs for attracting foreign retirees. Introduced through Letter of Instruction No. 1470 in 1985, the SRRV grants qualified foreign nationals and former...

Industrial policy for the Philippines

(Part 1) Industrial policy formulation or industrial strategy is very much the rage all over the global economy today. It has gone much beyond its earliest form in the middle of the last century when the governments of what countries that...

Philippine gaming regulator, privacy commission team up to boost data protection

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and the National Privacy Commission (NPC) have signed a deal to strengthen data privacy safeguards and regulatory compliance across the country’s gaming industry. The partnership was...

Mayor Tiangco Lauds Navotas City Hospital for DOH Awards

Navotas City Mayor John Rey Tiangco lauded the Navotas City Hospital for awards given by the Department of Health (DOH). “Nakamit nila ang dalawang parangal mula sa DOH Metro Manila Center for Health Development,” said Tiangco. These awards...

Tamuning vice mayor denies accusation of harassing older worker for 2 years

An elderly employee in a federally funded program has accused Tamuning Vice Mayor Albert Toves of subjecting her to daily harassment, humiliation, and verbal abuse for two years, but Toves denied the allegations of harassment and attributed the...

Philippines eyes progress on South China Sea code of conduct as ASEAN Chair in 2026: Foreign secretary

In 2013, Manila brought a landmark case before the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, which ruled in 2016 that China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea had no legal basis – a decision Beijing rejected. ASEAN has not taken a...

PCCI urges gov’t to adopt policy reforms on governance

Business leaders are calling on the government to strengthen transparency, digital innovation and economic inclusivity through a set of four major policy resolutions adopted at the 51st Philippine Business Conference and Expo (PBC&E) 2025. The...

Volatile political climate offers avenue for change

“What this signal is a shift in public mood resulting from economic pressures and governance failures” THE latest dip in trust ratings of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte foreshadows a volatile political climate...

Lawmakers, local leaders renew call for alternative minerals management bill

The proposed law seeks to reform the Philippine Mining Act of 1995 to put more safeguards for communities, environment, and the local industry MANILA, Philippines – Lawmakers, local chief executives, and environmental advocates on Tuesday, October...

Integrated geospatial, AI data platform for smarter governance – DOST

Mark Ernest Villeza - The Philippine Star October 22, 2025 | 12:00am MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is developing an integrated geospatial and artificial intelligence platform that will consolidate its vast...

'One RFID, All Tollways' streamlines Philippine travel

Years of cooperation pay off Registration is free and voluntary, meaning drivers may opt to keep both their existing Autosweep and Easytrip accounts if they are content with the current setup. However, for those seeking the convenience of a single...

Philippine Navy to equip future offshore patrol vessels with towed array sonars

The Philippine Navy will acquire modular towed-array sonar systems (TASS) for three of its six upcoming Rajah Sulayman-class offshore patrol vessels (OPV) for P2.40 billion (approx. $41 million USD). The Philippines’ budget department recently...

Philippines to Pilot Blockchain Budget System Under Public Works Department

Free Newsletter Get the hottest Fintech Philippines News once a month in your Inbox The Blockchain Council of the Philippines (BCP) intends to pilot a landmark project that will place the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) national...

Philippines, Indonesia boost sports ties

Philstar.com October 21, 2025 | 2:00pm MANILA, Philippines — In a dynamic display of sports diplomacy and regional solidarity, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio recently met with Indonesian Sports Minister Erick...

Philippines Renews Warning on Human Trafficking After Four Filipinos Rescued from Laos

The Philippine Bureau of Immigration (BI) has renewed its warning to Filipino citizens seeking employment abroad to be cautious, following the safe return of four Filipinos from Laos on 17 October who had fallen victim to trafficking. According to...

The Manila Times Model Cities Awards highlight LGU innovation

LOCAL government units (LGUs) from all over the country have submitted their requirements for The Manila Times Model Cities and Municipalities Awards 2025, with Ormoc, which joined and won a number of awards in previous editions, the first to...

DILG monitors reports on erring Manila exec

THE Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Tuesday said it is monitoring reports circulating online about an alleged incident involving local officials of the City of Manila, although it stopped short of mentioning the nature of...

Zitro International debuts ‘Gold Space’ game title

Gaming supplier Zitro International says it has launched “Gold Space”, a slot title based on a “space odyssey”, according to a Monday press release. “In Gold Space, the rocket is your guide to Mars or Neptune: two planets, infinite prizes,” stated...

Philippines unveils new mega-jail — just in time for corrupt politicians caught in flood control scandal

MANILA, PHILIPPINES: In a daring move to confront one of the vilest fraud scandals the country has seen in years, the Philippine government has unbolted a new incarceration facility in Metro Manila — precisely built to contain eminent...

Ombudsman: Government lost P600 billion in junked cases

Daphne Galvez - The Philippine Star October 22, 2025 | 12:00am MANILA, Philippines — The government has lost close to P600 billion from cases dismissed in courts due to “inordinate delay” in prosecution, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said...