TODAY’S TOP STORIES - Tuesday, 26 May 2026

TODAY’S TOP STORIES (from online monitoring)

26 May 2026, Tuesday, 5:00 p.m

1. Marcos heads to Japan for four-day state visit

[ABS-CBN News, BusinessWorld, Daily Tribune, DZRH, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Mindanao Times, News5PH, Philstar, Watchmen Daily Journal]

https://globalnation.inquirer.net/324556/marcos-first-lady-depart-for-4-day-state-visit-to-japan

2. Marcos denies pushing ‘no election’ to extend stay in Malacañang; Castro says Con-ass plot claim intended to divert public attention

[ABS-CBN News, BusinessMirror, BusinessWorld, Daily Tribune, GMA News, Inquirer, Malaya, Manila Bulletin, Manila Times, News5PH, NewsWatchPlus, Philstar]

https://www.manilatimes.net/2026/05/26/news/marcos-denies-pushing-no-election-to-extend-stay-in-malacaang/2351339

3. Marcos satisfaction rating hits record low — SWS poll

[Daily Tribune, Manila Bulletin, News5PH, Philstar]

https://tribune.net.ph/2026/05/26/marcos-satisfaction-rating-hits-record-low-sws-poll

4. DELA ROSA ICC CASE:

-DOJ subpoenas key govt institutions in expanded probe of ICC warrant on dela Rosa

-DOJ asks Jimmy Bondoc for location of Bato dela Rosa

-PNP to revoke Dela Rosa’s gun privileges

-Padilla under DOJ scrutiny: ‘He already confessed to a lot of things’

-Marines in Senate shooting test negative for gunpowder residue — PH Navy

-SC on Dela Rosa TRO denial: No invasion of rights

[ABS-CBN News, BusinessWorld, Daily Tribune, DZRH, GMA News, Inquirer, Malaya, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, Manila Times, News5PH, NewsWatchPlus, Panay News, Philstar, Rappler, Sunstar]

https://malaya.com.ph/news/national-news/doj-subpoenas-senate-documents-related-to-may-13-shooting-incident/

5. OMBUDSMAN CASES VS LAWMAKERS:

-Ombudsman says preparing case vs Romualdez over 'grandest' conspiracy to defraud gov't

-Plunder case to be filed vs Jinggoy Estrada

-Ombudsman says flood control case vs Joel Villanueva almost ready

[ABS-CBN News, BusinessMirror, BusinessWorld, Daily Tribune, DZRH, GMA News, Inquirer, Malaya, Manila Times, News5PH, NewsWatchPlus, Philstar, Watchmen Daily Journal]

https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/26/ombudsman-says-preparing-grandest-case-vs-romualdez-1425

6. Ombudsman says House panel refuses to cooperate on budget insertions probe

[ABS-CBN News, Daily Tribune, Inquirer]

https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/26/ombudsman-says-house-panel-refuses-to-cooperate-on-budget-insertions-probe-1407

7. Sandiganbayan: PHDO application vs Marcoleta, Defensor submitted for resolution

[ABS-CBN News, GMA News, Inquirer, News5PH]

https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/26/sandiganbayan-phdo-application-vs-marcoleta-defensor-submitted-for-resolution-1330

8. DOLE suspends Region 3 director over building collapse; rescue operation shifts to retrieval mode

[ABS-CBN News, BusinessMirror, Daily Tribune, DZBB, DZRH, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, Manila Times, NewsWatchPlus, Philstar, Sunstar, Watchmen Daily Journal]

https://tribune.net.ph/2026/05/26/dole-suspends-region-iii-director-over-pampanga-building-collapse

9. Groups decry cutting of decades-old trees for Manila expressway project

[ABS-CBN News, Inquirer, Manila Standard, Philstar]

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2234563/groups-decry-cutting-of-decades-old-trees-for-manila-expressway-project

10. Habagat precursor already affecting southern PH; LPA outside PAR may develop into storm Tuesday

[ABS-CBN News, BusinessWorld, Daily Tribune, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, News5PH]

https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/weather-traffic/2026/5/26/habagat-precursor-already-affecting-southern-ph-lpa-may-become-storm-tuesday-1346

© Philippine Information Agency Monitoring Unit

Tuesday, 26 May 2026

DepEd promotes Dinagat Islands’ longest-serving teacher

By Renelle L. Escuadro

BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — Among the first batch of 23 longest-serving teachers across Caraga region, Roberta T. Oblimar from San Jose, Dinagat Islands, is the sole teacher from the province who got promoted under the Department of Education’s program on Expanded Career Progression (ECP), with a teaching service record of 30 years. 

She took her oath as Teacher 6 during the mass oath-taking ceremony of newly promoted teachers and school heads on May 24 in San Francisco, Agusan del Sur. It was administered by DepEd Secretary Juan Edgardo M. Angara, alongside Secretary Antonio F. Lagdameo Jr., special assistant to the President, as a witness. 

During her interview with the Philippine Information Agency-Dinagat Islands, she expressed gratitude to the government for fulfilling her dream to be promoted.  “Today, my heart is full of gratitude because, officially, I am already a Teacher 6. I want to thank the DepEd and the government for recognizing our hard work, diligence, and commitment. “ 

“For me, this is a legacy of the current administration because my promotion was finally realized under the leadership of PBBM,” Oblimar said.

She added, “Aside from fulfillment in my work as an educator, this promotion will help me economically and will give a better future for my family.” 

Meanwhile, the ceremony was attended by 1,559 newly promoted public school teachers and school heads in the Caraga region, including 126 from Dinagat Islands. 

The province of Agusan del Sur has 600 promotees, while Bayugan City has 104. Meanwhile, Surigao del Sur province has 488, Bislig City has 75, Tandag City has 58, and Siargao Island has 108.

Sec. Angara shared that the activity is a fulfillment of the government’s promise to take care of the teachers, especially under the ECP. 

Established under Executive Order No. 174, series of 2022, the ECP is a progressive policy framework that allows public school teachers to advance in stature and compensation through classroom teaching or school administration tracks without needing to wait for plantilla vacancies.

It further recognizes and advances long-serving educators, particularly retiring Teacher 1 personnel, by providing greater opportunities for career advancement within the department, ensuring that dedicated educators are appropriately compensated and promoted, and addressing career stagnation within the public education sector.

The ECP, as a career promotion program, supports the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. that no teacher retires while remaining in the entry-level position of Teacher 1. (RLE, PIA Dinagat Islands)

Tuesday, 26 May 2026

LGU Surigao Norte turns over 30K rice packs to Surigao City under LGSF program

By Susil D. Ragas

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte (PIA) — In a major effort to boost local food security and provide immediate relief to families, the provincial government of Surigao del Norte turned over rice packs to the city government of Surigao under the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) Rice Subsidy Program. 

Held on May 20 at the Surigao City gymnasium, the distribution is an initiative of the national government under the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., which supports local economies and assists municipalities and cities in addressing basic nutritional needs of their constituents.

A total of 30,000 rice packs, totalling 300,000 kilograms, were turned over to the city government, each containing 10 kilograms of high-quality rice.

Surigao del Norte Governor Robert Lyndon S. Barbers thanked the national government for choosing the province as a beneficiary. He emphasized that this collaborative effort highlighted the seamless governance between the national, provincial, and city levels.

“This substantial rice subsidy is a testament to our shared commitment to ensure that no Surigaonon family goes hungry. Through the LGSF, we can directly bridge the gap between national resources and local needs,” Gov. Barbers said. 

Mayor Paul Yves L. Dumlao II, on the other hand, accepted the allocation and expressed deep gratitude for the timely assistance. “The city government assured the public that a systematic, transparent, and swift distribution plan is already in place to ensure the rice packs reach the intended beneficiaries without delay. The distribution to the city’s various barangays is scheduled to commence in the coming days.”

The LGSF is a national government initiative extending financial assistance and commodities to local government units to strengthen their social protection programs and enhance community resilience. (SDR, PIA Surigao del Norte)

Tuesday, 26 May 2026

PBBM shows support to Agusan Sur teachers, Palarong Pambansa 2026

By Niña Jonalyn B. Gambe-Diamante

BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — On behalf of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Secretary Anton Lagdameo Jr. visited the province of Agusan del Sur on May 24, to lead two landmark events that underscore the administration’s agenda on education, youth development, and sports.

More than 1,500 newly promoted public school teachers across the Caraga region took their oath of office, administered by Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Juan Edgardo ‘Sonny’ Angara.

Delivered by Secretary Lagdameo, President Marcos’ message acknowledged the hardships that teaching personnel endure to get promoted, including paperwork and documentation. 

The enactment of Republic Act No. 12288 came as an answered prayer for thousands of teachers nationwide as it institutionalized the Expanded Career Progression (ECP) system through which teacher promotion is made easier through reclassification, introduction of new teaching ranks, and streamlined documentary requirements.

“Sa ilalim ng sistemang ito, mas malinaw na ngayon ang landas para sa pag-angat ng ating mga guro. Mayroon nang dalawang landas na maaaring pagpilian ninyong mga guro—ang classroom teaching o school administration. Mas pinalawak nito ang mga oportunidad na akma sa inyong kakayahan at piniling trabaho” (Under this system, the career path and progress of our teachers are made clear. You now have two paths to choose from—classroom teaching or school administration. More opportunities await teachers in consideration of their capabilities and chosen field), said the President.

In a nutshell, President Marcos’s message emphasized the government’s continuing efforts to uplift the teaching profession, improve the quality of education, and provide better opportunities for educators who play a vital role in shaping the nation’s future.

After the ceremony, the President proceeded to the opening of the Palarong Pambansa 2026, officially branded as ‘Palaro Tu Agsur.’ The event gathered thousands of athletes, coaches, and delegates nationwide.

In a recorded video message, President Marcos warmly greeted the Palarong Pambansa athletes, who continue to bring not only pride to their respective schools and regions, but also inspiration to their fellow youth.

One of the highlights of the program was the President’s good news to the athletes of regular and paragames who will bring home medals in their respective sports events: “Masaya akong ibabalita sa inyo, sa kauna-unahang pagkakataon, maglalaan ang Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) ng mga incentive para sa mga medalista sa regular sports at sa paragames bilang pagkilala sa inyong husay (I am happy to announce to you that, for the very first time, the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) will be providing incentives for medalists in both regular sports and the Para Games as recognition of your excellence.),”

The announcement was met with cheers and heartfelt gratitude from the athletes, as the incentives serve not only as a reward for their hard work but also as a powerful motivation to excel further. This initiative from the President validates their sacrifices and strengthens their resolve to bring honor to the country, proving that their efforts in both regular sports and the Paralympic Games are valued at the highest level.

The day became historic for the province, combining the celebration of educational milestones with the spirit of sportsmanship, in line with the President’s broader agenda to strengthen the pillars of education, youth development, and sports in the country. (NJGD, PIA Caraga)

Tuesday, 26 May 2026

1,559 promoted Caraga teachers, school heads take oath before Sec. Angara

By Nora L. Molde

BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — A long-awaited promotion became a defining milestone for one of Caraga’s longest-serving educators as 1,559 reclassified teachers and school heads in the region took their oath under the Department of Education’s Expanded Career Progression (ECP) System.

Fe Bandola Penales, a mathematics teacher at Tabon National High School under the DepEd Bislig City Division, shared that after 39 years in public service and 17 years in the Teacher III position, she was finally promoted to Teacher VI. 

“This promotion is truly a form of professional development for me and a big financial help for my family. I remain committed to serving with dedication and excellence,” Penales said during an interview with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga.

She thanked the administration of Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for implementing the ECP system, which provides public school teachers with improved salary grades, expanded benefits, greater career mobility, and more opportunities for professional advancement while remaining in classroom teaching.

Penales was among the 1,559 promoted teachers and school heads from the seven divisions of the Department of Education in Caraga who formally took their oath before Sec.  Sonny Angara, during the first batch of a mass oath-taking ceremony held at the Agusan Valley Convention Center in Barangay San Isidro, San Francisco, Agusan del Sur  and  witnessed by Special Assistant to the President Secretary Antonio Lagdameo Jr.

Education Secretary Angara underscored that the initiative forms part of President Marcos’ commitment to ensuring that no public school teacher retires in the entry-level Teacher I position.

“Most people only see the promotion. What they do not see are your early mornings, your late nights, and how you set aside your own concerns for the sake of your students,” Angara said. 

“This promotion is not a simple administrative action. This is about dignity. This is about finally giving our deserving teachers a clearer path forward,” he added.

The oath-taking covered personnel from the divisions of Agusan del Sur with 600, Bayugan City with 104, Bislig City with 75, Dinagat Islands with 126, Siargao with 108, Surigao del Sur with 488, and Tandag City with 58.

In a video message, President Marcos reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening support for public school teachers through faster promotion opportunities, reduced administrative workload, and expanded benefits under the ECP system.

“We cannot allow the sacrifices of our teachers to go unrecognized and unsupported. That is why I stated in my State of the Nation Address that no public school teacher should retire as Teacher I,” the President said.

Established under Executive Order No. 174, S. of 2022, the ECP system serves as a progressive policy framework that enables teachers and school heads to advance in rank and salary through classroom teaching or school administration tracks without waiting for vacant plantilla positions.

The ceremony also recognized 23 of the region’s longest-serving educators who dedicated up to 39 years in public service, including 91 teachers nearing retirement who finally achieved long-awaited promotions after remaining in Teacher I positions for many years. 

The mass oath-taking coincided with the opening of this year’s Palarong Pambansa on Sunday, May 24, hosted by the provincial government of Agusan del Sur. (NCLM, PIA Agusan del Norte)