Media Desk PH

12/08/2026

LeBron opens Sixers chapter against champion Knicks

LeBron James will make his Philadelphia 76ers debut against the New York Knicks when the NBA opens its 81st season on October 20. The matchup places James and his new team against Jalen Brunson and the reigning champions at Madison Square Garden. The game is part of a three-game opening slate announced by the NBA for the 2026-27 season. James, now 41, is entering a record 24th NBA season after previously winning titles with Miami, Cleveland and the Los Angeles Lakers. Philadelphia is seeking its first NBA championship since 1983.

LeBron James and the Philadelphia 76ers will try to spoil the New York Knicks’ celebration of last season’s crown when the NBA tips off its 81st season on Oct. 20.

12/08/2026

Eala faces familiar test in Cincinnati Open buildup

Alex Eala begins her Cincinnati Open campaign with a first-round bye as the No. 17 seed, her highest seeding so far in a WTA 1000 event. The Filipina will face either Romania’s Elena-Gabriela Ruse or Poland’s Magda Linette in the second round. Eala has yet to beat Ruse in their only previous meeting, while her record against Linette stands at 2-2. The Cincinnati run forms part of Eala’s final build-up before the US Open. If she advances, projections point to a challenging path featuring higher-ranked opponents in the later rounds.


https://www.philstar.com/sports/2026/08/13/2548884/familiar-foes-await-eala-cincinnati

12/08/2026

Ridon disputes defense complaint over prosecutor’s Facebook post

Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon criticized Vice President Sara Duterte’s defense team after it raised concerns over a Facebook post by prosecutor Amando Virgil Ligutan during the Senate impeachment trial. The defense argued the post appeared to refer to an ongoing cross-examination and raised issues of propriety and decorum. Ridon countered that the post did not name anyone and only discussed a legal principle on misleading questions. Senate impeachment court presiding officer Sen. Francis Escudero said he would rule on the manifestation on August 17. Ridon also said the public should be able to understand the proceedings and the relevance of evidence presented in the trial.


https://mb.com.ph/2026/08/12/naiyak-ang-depensa-ridon-mocks-vp-duterte-defense-team-for-complaining-over-a-facebook-post

12/08/2026

BIR collections top ₱2 trillion by end-July

The Bureau of Internal Revenue collected ₱2.003 trillion from January to July, crossing the ₱2-trillion mark with four months left to meet its full-year goal. The seven-month figure was 5.4 percent higher than the same period last year and slightly above the agency’s target for the period. BIR Commissioner Charlito Martin Mendoza said the agency has collected around 60 percent of its ₱3.39-trillion goal for 2026. For July alone, collections rose to ₱358.44 billion, exceeding the monthly target by about 6.7 percent. The BIR credited taxpayer compliance, stronger enforcement, and ongoing reforms to simplify and digitize tax services.


https://www.philstar.com/business/2026/08/13/2548851/bir-collections-breach-p2-trillion-mark-july

12/08/2026

Government cuts 2027 infrastructure spending plan by 20.8%

The Marcos administration has lowered its 2027 infrastructure disbursement program to ₱1.34 trillion from the earlier ₱1.691-trillion plan. The revised figure is equivalent to 4 percent of projected GDP, down from the previous 5.1-percent share. The adjustment comes as government oversight of infrastructure projects remains under tighter scrutiny after last year’s multibillion-peso flood control scandal. Despite the reduction, the 2027 program is still 5.3 percent higher than the revised ₱1.272-trillion infrastructure plan for 2026. The program covers national government infrastructure spending, subsidies, equity, and transfers to local government units.


https://business.inquirer.net/605473/govt-lowers-2027-infra-spending-program

12/08/2026

Cagayan Valley rolls out measles-rubella vaccination drive

The Department of Health has launched an intensified measles and rubella immunization campaign in Cagayan Valley, targeting more than 300,000 children. The campaign, called Ligtas Tigdas, formally began on August 10 in Tuguegarao City. Health officials urged parents and guardians to bring eligible children to health centers or coordinate with barangay nurses and midwives. DOH said the vaccine is safe, effective and provided free of charge. The campaign aims to protect children from measles and rubella, both of which can cause serious complications, especially among unvaccinated minors.


https://www.philstar.com/nation/2026/08/13/2548905/cagayan-valley-kids-get-measles-rubella-vaccine

12/08/2026

LTFRB asks lenders to hold off on Bacolod jeepney foreclosures

The LTFRB has appealed to banks and financing firms to suspend the foreclosure of more than 300 modernized jeepneys in Bacolod City. Chairman Vigor Mendoza II said the request was made as operators continue to struggle with rising fuel costs. After a meeting with financing companies, Mendoza said lenders agreed not to repossess units from operators with moderate missed payments. The Department of Transportation has directed the LTFRB to extend assistance to the local transport sector. The move comes as modernized jeepney operators face pressure from loan obligations and operating expenses.


https://www.philstar.com/nation/2026/08/13/2548910/bacolod-modernized-pujs-facing-foreclosure

12/08/2026

Over 400 tons of trash cleared from Parañaque water channel

The MMDA has deployed a trash skimmer to help remove massive garbage buildup from the Redemptorist water channel in Baclaran, Parañaque. As of Wednesday afternoon, authorities said 96 truckloads had collected 418.4 metric tons of waste and debris since Monday. MMDA officials said clearing operations will continue until affected waterways are cleaned, while urging the public to avoid adding waste to creeks and rivers. The Metro Manila Council has also approved higher anti-littering fines, with penalties set at ₱5,000 in Metro Manila cities and ₱2,500 in Pateros once local ordinances are passed. The garbage surfaced after heavy monsoon rains hit the capital region.


https://www.philstar.com/nation/2026/08/13/2548936/400-tons-trash-be-cleared

12/08/2026

Bonoan says senators received DPWH “leadership fund” allocations

Former DPWH secretary Manuel Bonoan testified that senators in 2024 were given at least ₱500 million each in infrastructure allocations under a so-called “leadership fund” for the 2025 budget. He said committee chairpersons could receive up to ₱1 billion, citing former senator Ramon Revilla Jr. as among those who allegedly received the higher amount. Bonoan told the Sandiganbayan the fund was meant to accommodate senators’ infrastructure requests after earlier cuts to the DPWH budget. Former Senate president Miguel Zubiri denied managing project lists and pointed to the Senate finance committee for budget requests. The testimony was given in connection with Revilla’s malversation case over an alleged flood control project in Bulacan.


https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2026/08/13/2548975/bonoan-all-2024-senators-given-leadership-fund

11/08/2026

DFA defends Ayungin resupply arrangement with China

The Department of Foreign Affairs defended the Philippines’ provisional understanding with China on rotation and resupply missions to the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal.
The DFA said the arrangement does not limit Philippine sovereign rights and was crafted without prejudice to the 2016 Arbitral Award.
The agency pushed back on criticism from retired Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, who warned that China could try to expand the arrangement’s scope.
DFA said alternative resupply methods had already been studied, while operational decisions remain with the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine Coast Guard.
The department said the arrangement has so far resulted in 15 incident-free resupply missions and will not be replicated elsewhere in the country’s maritime domain.

The issue remains closely watched as the Philippines maintains its position on Ayungin Shoal and the West Philippine Sea.


https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/998223/dfa-defends-rore-deal-with-china-says-ph-rights-not-restricted/story/?top_picks&order=3