Trending general topics in the Philippines, aggregated from Google Trends and major PH news outlets.
BACOLOD CITY— Poverty incidence among families in the Negros Island Region (NIR) fell to 14.3 percent in 2025 from 22.6 percent in 2023, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)-NIR showed Friday, Nov. 13. The PSA estimated that about 178,470 families in the region had incomes below the poverty threshold in 2025. Among the general
PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur—Anti-narcotics operatives arrested a 27-year-old man and seized approximately 100 grams of suspected “shabu” (crystal meth) worth P680,000. The apprehension happened during a buy-bust operation in Zamboanga City on Thursday night, Nov. 12. Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Region 9 Director Bryan Babang identified the suspect only as alias “Kol,” married,
A meeting between US President Donald Trump and leaders of the 11-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) on Nov. 17 in Manila will cap the 49th summit of the regional bloc chaired over the past year by the Philippines, an official said on Friday. Assistant Secretary Dominic Xavier Imperial of the Department of Foreign
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is seeking to expand trade ties with the Philippines as he also counts on Manila to back his country’s bid to forge closer ties with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and upgrade its status into a full dialogue partner. The 81-year-old leftist leader, who recently made
The Philippines is anticipating the signing of an emergency oil-sharing framework, a deal it earlier proposed to help boost or stabilize supply in the region, during its hosting of the 49th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit. At a press conference on Friday, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) spokesperson for Asean issues Dominic Xavier
Local domestic pump prices may continue to decline in the week of Nov. 17 amid hopes of diplomatic talks, but concerns about further supply disruptions remain. Based on estimates from Jetti Petroleum president Leo Bellas, diesel could decrease by P4 to P5 per liter. Gasoline may likewise have a price drop ranging from P3 to
DAVAO CITY—The Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU) on Thursday said it had dismissed the student who allegedly beat up a schoolmate, following a thorough investigation. In a statement posted on its social media account, the university said it had “completed the disciplinary proceedings concerning the student found responsible for the bullying incident in our Junior
Alice Huang had a long career in Chinese finance before later emerging as an executive in the global race for artificial-intelligence chips.
The US Federal Aviation Administration lifted a nationwide ground stop on Friday after a communications failure at air traffic control centers caused chaos at airports and triggered the longest nationwide shutdown since the September 11, 2001 attacks.
Leaders and representatives of the 11 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and their allies, are gathering in Manila for the bloc's biggest event of the year
Rappler's Jee Geronimo and Iya Gozum talk about what's at stake at COP31 and what this means for vulnerable countries like the Philippines
This Super El Niño is expected to bring prolonged dry spells, drought, and water shortages until April 2027
'My dad always tells his friends that if he can do it, you can do it too,' says Teresita Sy-Coson, recalling her childhood helping out at Henry Sy Sr.'s little shoe shop that would grow into the SM empire
Buses with routes all over Luzon and Western Visayas were granted special permits to ensure sufficient supply during the holiday.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Saturday said jeepney drivers, whose routes were affected by security measures implemented for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Pasay City, were also given cash aid by the government.
TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol — A deaf and mute woman and her minor daughter have received assistance from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board in Central Visayas (LTFRB-7) in filing criminal charges against a bus conductor accused of sexual harassment aboard a Ceres Liner bus in Bohol. In a statement, LTFRB-7 said it had also
COTABATO CITY – A businesswoman in Cotabato province and a pump boat operator in Sultan Kudarat province were separately arrested for trying to smuggle contraband cigarettes past law enforcers on Thursday, the Police Regional Office (PRO-12) said. Brig. Gen. Alan Manibog, Police Regional Office (PRO-12) director, said that in Kabacan, Cotabato, a 27-year-old woman was
The National Capital Region Police Office on Saturday said it is all set for the upcoming 49th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits to be held in Manila.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Hang Choun Naron arrived in Manila on Saturday morning to attend the 49th ASEAN Summit.
LUCENA CITY – A government-owned ambulance was reported stolen after its driver left it unattended with the ignition key inside while fetching a patient at a hospital in Calamba City, Laguna, on Thursday evening, Nov. 12. In a report on Friday, the Police Regional Office 4A said the 55-year-old driver reported the incident to the
MANILA, Philippines – Labor groups are calling on the government to protect workers from lost income during the three-day Asean Summit break, opposing the no-work, no-pay policy for employees affected by work suspensions on Nov. 16 to Nov. 18. Under Labor Advisory No. 16, Series of 2026, the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) said
A tanker ship collided on Friday with an American Cruise Lines passenger ship that was docked in New Orleans on the Mississippi River, where rescue efforts were under way for multiple passengers in the water.
MANILA, Philippines – Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon has asked the public for “a little patience” as authorities prepare for the 49th Asean Summit and make traffic and transportation adjustments for the event. Dizon said the Philippines’ hosting of the regional gathering was a significant opportunity for the country. READ: No general road closures during Asean
The US Federal Aviation Administration grounded all departing flights nationwide on Friday after a communications failure hit air traffic control centers across the country, disrupting thousands of flights.
MANILA, Philippines — No bettor won the ₱525.92 million Ultra Lotto 6/58 jackpot or the ₱18.32 million Mega Lotto 6/45 jackpot in the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) draws on Friday, Nov. 13, 2026. According to PCSO results, the winning combination for Ultra Lotto 6/58 was 51-50-40-54-57-34, with a jackpot prize of ₱525.92 million. No
BAGUIO CITY — Fire incidents in Baguio City declined by 27 percent in the first 10 months of 2026, with 43 cases recorded from January to October, compared with 59 during the same period last year. According to Senior Fire Officer 1 Ashley Lloyd Furigay, head of the Baguio City Fire Station (BCFS) Public Information
ANTALYA, Turkey - UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday called for an "immediate and drastic reduction" in greenhouse gas emissions, as divisions over fossil fuels dominated the first week of COP31 climate talks in Turkey.
MANILA, Philippines — Manila Water marks the 20th anniversary of Lakbayan, its flagship water trail education campaign that has helped thousands of stakeholders understand the value of water, responsible water use, and proper wastewater management. Lakbayan, a combination of the Filipino words lakbay and bayan, takes participants through the different stages of the water cycle. Through
MANILA, Philippines — The Marikina local government said it is eyeing to further expand its leather goods industry in time for the Christmas season as it kicked off its annual shoe bazaar on Friday. Known as the Shoe Capital of the country, the Marikina commenced its Christmas Shoe Bazaar, this time with the intent of
BAGUIO CITY — Students from seven educational institutions in Baguio City and Benguet staged a mass walkout on Friday, Nov. 13, to protest against Pax Silica ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to the Philippines. Organizers described the activity as peaceful. Participants from the University of the Philippines Baguio, University of the Cordilleras, Saint
COTABATO CITY —- The new head of the education ministry in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) has sought a fresh probe into allegations teaching positions are being sold, an old issue that kept hounding the agency until today. Member of the Parliament and education minister Naguib Sinarimbo said that recent complaints pointed
TACLOBAN CITY — The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Eastern Visayas destroyed more than 5.5 kilograms of dangerous drugs, with an estimated street value of P37.7 million, during a destruction activity held on Thursday, November 12, at Heaven’s Gateway Chapel in Campetik, Palo, Leyte. The activity involved the destruction of confiscated drug evidence and
CHICLAYO, Peru - Pope Leo held the central event of his 12-day South America tour on Friday, an outdoor Mass in northern Peru where he told a vast crowd of people who once knew him as their bishop that he thanked God he was alive to see them.
COTABATO CITY – Police authorities recovered an improvised bomb left along the roadside in Shariff Aguak town, Maguindanao del Sur on Friday, Nov. 13. Colonel John Mangahis, Maguindanao del Sur police director, said the Shariff Aguak municipal police station was alerted by a concerned resident who noticed the unattended package. Police personnel were then dispatched
TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol – The League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP)-Bohol Chapter has asked the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to remove a requirement for local government units (LGUs) to have obligated at least 75 percent of their annual development fund as of September 30 to qualify for the 2026 Collective Negotiation Agreement
LEGAZPI CITY — A new lava dome has been spotted inside the summit crater of Mayon Volcano, prompting warnings of possible renewed volcanic activity, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said Friday, Nov. 13. The dome was first observed Friday morning through a close-up camera monitoring system at the Mayon Volcano Observatory. “Lava
ZAMBOANGA CITY — A police special task group is pursuing leads and gathering forensic evidence in the fatal ambush of a Basilan-based judge who was gunned down while heading to the port here on Thursday, a regional police official said. Lt. Col. Shellamie Chang, spokesperson of the Police Regional Office 9 (PRO 9), said the
Nasawi ang isang magkapatid na nakasakay sa motorsiklo nang masalpok sila at pumailalim sa isang funeral van na may sakay na ataul sa Ayungon, Negros Oriental.
Pinatalsik sa paaralan ang isang estudyante ng Ateneo de Davao Junior High School (JHS) dahil sa umano'y pambu-bully. Ang insidente ng pananakit niya sa kapuwa mag-aaral, nakuhanan ng video.
ILIGAN CITY — Children with cancer in Iligan City can now receive free treatment closer to home following the opening of a pediatric oncology unit at the local government-run Gregorio T. Lluch Memorial Hospital (GTLMH) on Thursday, Nov. 12. The Iligan City Information Office said the new facility was established to address the difficulties faced
Nasawi ang isang 22-anyos na babae matapos na mabangga ng isang delivery van ang sinasakyan niyang motorsiklo sa Pozorrubio, Pangasinan.
CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro — The ecumenical network Philippine-Misereor Partnership Inc. (PMPI) has backed a call for the Marinduque provincial government to initiate a comprehensive ecological rehabilitation and restoration plan for communities and ecosystems damaged by decades of mining operations by Marcopper Mining Corp. In a statement issued on Thursday (Nov. 12), PMPI supported Resolution
MANILA, Philippines — Twenty charging points were added across the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) amid a growing number of electric and hybrid vehicles, its operator announced Friday. According to NLEX Corp. in a statement, six of its service stops have been equipped with 20 EV charging points as of November 2026. READ: Toll board orders
Patay sa tama ng bala sa ulo ang isang volleyball coach na binaril habang nagpa-practice sa isang gymnasium sa Davao City.
LUCENA CITY – The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) is mourning the death of Fire Officer 2 Josdine Manalastas, who died while participating in a rescue operation involving four people trapped by rising river waters in Tayabas City, Quezon, on Thursday. Manalastas, 32, was among the firefighters deployed to rescue a family trapped beneath a
Dalawang tinapay na may palaman na mga karayom ang nakita ng isang lola sa loob ng bakuran ng kaniyang bahay sa Pulupandan, Negros Occidental. Hinala niya, plano ng nag-iwan ng mga tinapay na makain ito ng kaniyang mga alagang aso.
More than 61,000 work immersion slots were pledged by the private sector to boost the employability of senior high school (SHS) graduates, according to Education Secretary Sonny Angara.
The closing ceremony of the 49th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit on Nov. 17 will proceed as scheduled despite the late arrival of United States President Donald Trump, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said yesterday.
Over eight million customers of Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) should brace for higher electricity bills in November as rising generation costs push power rates up for the second straight month.
Dahil sa malakas na tawanan sa Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, pasigaw na sinita ng isang sundalong bantay ang Secretary of War ng Amerika na si Pete Hegseth at grupo nito nang bumisita sa nasabing libingan sa Virginia, USA. Ang naninita at sumigaw na bantay, ipinatawag ni Hegseth hindi para pagalitan kung hindi para bigyan ng medalya dahil sa pagtupad sa tungkulin.
As more travelers head to airports ahead of the long weekend, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said that passengers whose flights were rescheduled or canceled due to the ASEAN Summit are entitled to a full refund, free rebooking, or conversion to a travel fund.
This report is part of Inquirer’s special coverage of Asean 2026: PH hosts 48th summit and related meetings. For real-time updates, follow our live coverage of the regional event. The Philippines hosts the 49th Asean Summit and Related Summits as it wraps up its 2026 chairship, bringing Southeast Asian leaders and global partners together to
With the long weekend approaching, tickets at the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) are becoming harder to get as around 100,000 travelers flock to the station, with the number set to further increase.
A student from Ateneo de Davao Junior High School (JHS) was dismissed due to alleged bullying. In a "24 Oras" report from Jandi Esteban of GMA Regional TV on Friday, a video has circulated online showing a video of a student beating up another student. The incident reportedly occurred in one of the comfort rooms in Ateneo de Davao University (JHS) last November 5.
DAVAO CITY — The Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU) on Thursday said it had dismissed the student who allegedly bullied another following a thorough investigation. In a statement posted on its social media account, the university said it had “completed the disciplinary proceedings concerning the student found responsible for the bullying incident in our Junior
The Department of Education (DepEd) on Friday said that it was strengthening its work immersion program for senior high school students by issuing renewed guidelines.
As the Philippines wraps up its chairmanship of the 49th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit, several key measures are expected to be finalized to address challenges facing member states.
MANILA, Philippines — A group advocating for people in street dwelling situations (PSDS) on Friday criticized the government’s clearing and beautification operations ahead of the 49th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit on Nov. 15 to 17. According to Kaagapay ng mga Sandigan ng Masang Nasa Kalsada (Kasama Ka) Executive Director Gil Espenido, the
LUCENA CITY – A fisherman who disappeared in the waters off Nasugbu, Batangas, on Tuesday was found dead on Thursday afternoon. The body of the fisherman, a crew member of FBCA “BOY NELLY 6,” was fished out at 4:25 p.m., approximately 1.5 kilometers from Wawa Port, according to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Batangas station.
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Trial Judges League Inc. (PTJLI) has condemned the killing of Basilan Regional Trial Court (RTC) Judge Joseph M. Wee Sit, calling for an immediate and impartial investigation and stronger security measures for members of the judiciary. In a statement, the group described the killing as an attack on judicial independence
