President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. acknowledged the clarity time has brought to the understanding of Ninoy Aquino’s assassination, stressing the importance of learning from history, as the Philippines commemorates Ninoy Aquino Day.
Vice President Sara Duterte’s comments on the state of Philippine schools have drawn criticism from officials who question her past performance as Education Secretary. Representative Antonio Tinio labeled her as the worst in the role, citing failures in budget management and resource provision during her tenure. The issue highlights the need for effective leadership in education.
The U.S. has formally requested the extradition of detained religious leader Apollo Quiboloy from the Philippines. Philippine Ambassador to the U.S., Jose Manuel Romualdez, confirmed the request on August 20, 2023, highlighting the ongoing legal proceedings between the two nations.
Over 100 Filipino trafficking victims returned to the Philippines from Southeast Asia between July 31 and August 9. The Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) coordinated the effort, providing support and rehabilitation services to the individuals. The government emphasizes its commitment to combating human trafficking and aiding affected citizens.
Actress Nadia Montenegro resigned as political affairs officer for Senator Robin Padilla amid allegations of marijuana use in the Senate. She denies the claims, citing mental health and family concerns for her resignation.
Taiwan expressed appreciation for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. following his statement about the Philippines’ stance on a potential Taiwan Strait conflict, which drew a reaction from China. This development highlights the geopolitical tensions involving Taiwan, the Philippines, and China.
The Social Weather Stations survey reveals a drop in involuntary hunger among Filipino families to 16.1% in June 2025. This represents an improvement from previous quarters, indicating better food security.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed the Judiciary Fiscal Autonomy Act into law, granting the judiciary financial independence by allowing budget modifications within the General Appropriations Act.
The Marcos administration removes AKAP funding from the 2026 budget due to leftover funds from 2025 and limited fiscal resources. AKAP, designed to aid low-income earners, received scrutiny for its management and similarity to a ‘pork barrel.’ The exclusion reflects the administration’s focus on fiscal policy and budgetary priorities for 2026, with no indication of reintroducing the program in future budgets.
Nearly 12 million Filipino families identified themselves as poor in a July 2023 survey, reflecting a rise of approximately 800,000 households compared to earlier assessments.