TODAY’S TOP STORIES - Thursday, 10 September 2026

TODAY’S TOP STORIES (from online monitoring)

10 September 2026, Thursday, 5:00 p.m.

1. 'Come and build with us': Marcos urges foreign investors for Luzon Economic Corridor to trust PH

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

https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/9/10/marcos-pitches-luzon-economic-corridor-to-foreign-investors-1519

2. Five paralegals arrested, 23 activists injured during anti-Pax Silica protest

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

https://www.newswatchplus.ph/2026/09/10/five-paralegals-arrested-23-activists-injured-during-anti-pax-silica-protest/

3. Sandiganbayan orders Romualdez detained at New Quezon City Jail

-BJMP prepares to take custody of Romualdez from PNP

-Romualdez' admitting doctor says he never saw ex-speaker, barred from entering hospital room

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

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2026/09/10/2555320/sandiganbayan-orders-romualdez-detained-new-quezon-city-jail

4. Taguig prosecutors junk Sara Duterte’s perjury complaint vs Ramil Madriaga

[ABS-CBN News, Daily Tribune, DZRH, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Standard, News5PH, NewsWatchPlus, Panay News, Rappler]

https://www.rappler.com/philippines/taguig-prosecutors-dismiss-sara-duterte-perjury-complaint-ramil-madriaga/

5. Chinese forces fire multiple flares towards PCG aircraft over Kalayaan Island Group

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

https://mb.com.ph/2026/09/10/chinese-forces-fire-multiple-flares-towards-pcg-aircraft-over-kalayaan-island-group

6. DOJ: VP Sara Duterte has no immunity from suit while in office

[ABS-CBN News, Daily Tribune, DZRH, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Manila Times, News5PH, NewsWatchPlus]

https://www.dzrh.com.ph/post/doj-vp-sara-duterte-has-no-immunity-from-suit-while-in-office

7. Cabotaje-Tang, Ombudsman exec among first witnesses for Article II; Legal luminaries tapped as amici curiae in VP trial

[ABS-CBN News, DZRH, GMA News, Inquirer, Mindanao Times, News5PH, NewsWatchPlus, Rappler]

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2302994/cabotaje-tang-ombudsman-exec-among-first-witnesses-for-article-ii

8. BI confirms Alan Peter Cayetano, Pia Cayetano out of PH

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

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/1001855/bi-confirms-alan-peter-cayetano-pia-cayetano-out-of-ph/story/

9. China tells Teodoro to stop 'provocations, theatrics' over South China Sea

[ABS-CBN News, DZRH, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin]

https://globalnation.inquirer.net/337557/china-to-teodoro-stop-the-provocation-theatrics

10. Five reported dead, 42 rescued as ship catches fire off Coron; 87 people still missing

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

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/regions/1001829/some-passengers-reported-dead-dozens-rescued-as-ship-catches-fire-off-coron/story/

 © Philippine Information Agency Monitoring Unit

Thursday, 10 September 2026

DOH Caraga enhances communication ability of local health communicators

By PIA Caraga

BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — The city and provincial health communicators in Caraga are now better equipped to translate technical health information into clear, engaging, and actionable messages that can help individuals, families, and communities make informed decisions about their health.

This was the key benefit of the three-day communication skills enhancement activity conducted by the Department of Health (DOH) Caraga on September 1–3 in Butuan City, which strengthened the competencies of health education and promotion officers (HEPOs) in health news writing, feature writing, mobile photography, videography, content development, and digital editing.

With these enhanced skills, participants are expected to produce more audience-centered information materials and effectively communicate government health programs, services, disease prevention measures, and other public health advisories through platforms accessible to their respective communities.

The activity also strengthens the role of local HEPOs as vital links between health institutions and the people, enabling them to explain complex health information in simpler, more understandable terms and help communities identify the appropriate health services and actions they need.

Shiena Angelie Q. Niones, Nurse II and HEPO designate of the Butuan City Health Office (CDOHO), said the training provided her with new learnings and practical communication skills that she can apply in developing and presenting health information to the public.

She emphasized the value of learning new approaches to make health messages more understandable, engaging, and responsive to the community’s needs.

For Necson Gamotin, head of the Communications Management Unit of DOH Caraga , the activity is advantageous because it strengthens the capacity of local health personnel who are at the forefront of communicating government health programs to the communities.

He noted that better-equipped HEPOs can help amplify health programs, explain available services, and ensure that important health messages reach their intended audiences through appropriate and engaging communication platforms.

The participants also underwent practical exercises where they applied their learning in writing health stories, developing audience-focused content, capturing relevant photographs and videos, and producing digital materials using commonly accessible editing tools.

The capability-building initiative supports the national government’s continuing efforts to strengthen health promotion, disease prevention, and health literacy as integral components of Universal Health Care (UHC). The DOH’s National Objectives for Health 2023–2028 specifically identifies the enhancement of health literacy and the promotion of healthy behaviors as key strategies in preventing disease and improving population health.

It likewise complements the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s people-centered approach to public service by strengthening the capacity of government personnel to deliver information and services that are responsive to the needs of Filipinos.

Under the UHC framework, an informed and empowered public is essential to achieving better health outcomes. Effective communication enables people to understand health risks, adopt healthier behaviors, access available services, and participate more actively in protecting their own health and that of their communities.

For DOH Caraga, investing in the communication competencies of local health personnel goes beyond improving writing and multimedia skills. It helps build a stronger health promotion workforce capable of turning evidence-based health information into messages that people can understand, trust, and act upon.

Personnel from the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga served as subject-matter experts of the activity.  Information Officer Nora C. Lanuza-Molde, PhD, discussed news writing for health, while Assistant Regional Head Renelle L. Escuadro facilitated the session on feature writing. Multimedia Specialist John Charles B. Malazarte handled mobile photography, content development, and videography, while Media Production Assistant Edrian M. Iligan facilitated the use of CapCut and Canva for video and photo editing.

Through strengthened local health communication, DOH Caraga seeks to ensure that essential health information does not remain within health offices but reaches households and communities in forms that are timely, accurate, understandable, and useful, contributing to a more health-literate and empowered population and advancing the country’s Universal Health Care goals. (NCLM, PIA Caraga)

Thursday, 10 September 2026

Residents of Butuan City’s Barangay JP Rizal benefit from UPLIFT program  

By Renelle L. Escuadro

BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — The residents of Barangay Jose P. Rizal in Butuan City benefited from the government’s Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) program, where each beneficiary received the amount of P2,000, helping them cope with the oil price shock due to the ongoing tensions in the Middle East.

The UPLIFT distribution took place on August 21 at the covered court of Barangay Doongan, this city.

A total of 57 residents from the said barangay were identified as qualified beneficiaries under the Group 2 category, based on the data from the Philippine Statistics Authority’s 2024 Community-Based Monitoring System (CMBS).

According to the barangay council, the beneficiaries neither pay any amount nor submit an application to qualify for the program. The list of qualified beneficiaries underwent review, cross-matching, and validation by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

They also presented a valid government-issued identification card and an active online bank account or electronic wallet for the disbursement of the cash assistance.

With distribution led by the DSWD, the department said that UPLIFT assistance is implemented by the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to help the poor, near-poor, and low-income households as they continue to face the impact of the energy emergency and to sustain their ability to meet their families’ basic needs.

The department also clarified that its UPLIFT cash assistance has three beneficiary groups, namely: 

Group 1 – Using the DSWD database, grantees of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and Walang Gutom Program will each receive P2,000 as a one-time top-up grant;

Group 2 – Poor and near-poor households (non-4Ps) based on the CBMS. Each beneficiary will receive P2,000 per month, from July to December 2026; and 

Group 3 – Low-income employed SSS members who will also receive P2,000 each month from July to December 2026. (RLE, PIA Dinagat Islands)

TODAY’S TOP STORIES - Wednesday, 9 September 2026

 TODAY’S TOP STORIES (from online monitoring)

09 September 2026, Wednesday, 5:00 p.m.

1. Marcos to attend BRICS summit in New Delhi from Sep. 12-13

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

https://globalnation.inquirer.net/337500/marcos-to-attend-brics-summit-in-new-delhi-from-sep-12-13

2. Marcos' personal feelings on Romualdez arrest no longer matter — Palace

-Ombudsman to oppose Martin Romualdez's motion for hospital detention

-Malacañang on Romualdez's health: Give his doctors benefit of the doubt

-Romualdez to get ordinary room if transferred to police hospital, says PNP

[ABS-CBN News, Daily Tribune, DZRH, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Manila Times, News5PH, NewsWatchPlus, Sunstar]

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/1001694/ombudsman-to-oppose-martin-romualdez-s-motion-for-hospital-detention/story/

3. Palace: Senate to decide on subpoena for VP Sara

[Daily Tribune, DZRH, GMA News, Manila Bulletin, NewsWatchPlus, Philstar]

https://mb.com.ph/2026/09/09/palace-senate-to-decide-on-subpoena-for-vp-sara

4. Teodoro rebuts China's note onstage in Seoul: 'Of course, because you lost'

[ABS-CBN News, Daily Tribune, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Standard, Manila Times, News5PH, Panay News, Philstar, Rappler]

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2026/09/09/2555076/teodoro-rebuts-chinas-note-onstage-seoul-of-course-because-you-lost

5. Duterte names Paolo Panelo as spokesman

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

https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/9/9/duterte-names-paolo-panelo-as-spokesman-1013

6. Human rights group urges Supreme Court to review Anti-Terror Law

[ABS-CBN News, Daily Tribune, DZRH, Manila Standard]

https://www.dzrh.com.ph/post/human-rights-group-urges-supreme-court-to-review-anti-terror-law

7. QC prosecutor junks Mans Carpio complaint vs lawmakers, gov’t officials

[ABS-CBN News, Daily Tribune, DZRH, GMA News, News5PH, NewsWatchPlus, Manila Standard]

https://www.newswatchplus.ph/2026/09/09/qc-prosecutor-junks-mans-carpio-complaint-vs-lawmakers-govt-officials/

8. PNP ready to coordinate with France to locate Zaldy Co

[Daily Tribune, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, News5PH]

https://globalnation.inquirer.net/337493/pnp-ready-to-coordinate-with-france-to-locate-zaldy-co

9. Metro Manila cities suspend classes amid heavy rain on Sept. 9; DOTr announces free rides for commuters

[ABS-CBN News, Daily Tribune, DZRH, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, Manila Times, Philstar]

https://mb.com.ph/2026/09/09/metro-manila-cities-suspend-classes-amid-heavy-rain

10. VisMin consumers brace for higher power rates in September

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

https://business.inquirer.net/610061/vismin-consumers-brace-for-higher-power-rates-in-september

© Philippine Information Agency Monitoring Unit

Wednesday, 9 September 2026

TIPS, Biyaheng Kat-on bring national gov’t programs to Surigao Sur communities

By Nida Grace P. Barcena

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur (PIA) — For residents who often have to travel to government offices just to inquire about available assistance, bringing information and services directly to their barangays can make a significant difference.

This is the approach being strengthened in Surigao del Sur through the Tinubdan sa Impormasyong Pambarangay ug Serbisyong Pangkatawhan (TIPS) and Biyaheng Kat-on, initiatives led by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in convergence with local governments and partner agencies. The programs seek to bridge the gap between government programs and the people by bringing information, learning opportunities, and assistance closer to communities.

Launched in Barangay Maitom, Tandag City on August 27, the initiatives established a TIPS center at the barangay office, giving residents a community-based source of information on government programs and services. The center was made possible through the support of the Surigao del Sur Provincial Multi-Stakeholder Advisory Committee (MSAC) member- agencies, provincial government of Surigao del Sur, and the city government of Tandag.

For residents such as Riza and Inday, having a public information hub within reach means less time and effort to exert in seeking for accurate and relevant information. “The initiatives make it easier for us to know what government programs are available and how we can avail of these services.”

“In this way, information becomes more than an announcement of government programs; it becomes a tool that enables citizens to participate and engage with the government,” they said.

The same people-centered approach was demonstrated in Barangay San Roque, Lingig, on September 3 through the Retooled Community Support Program (RCSP), Biyaheng Kat-on, and Serbisyo Caravan, where residents accessed basic services, assistance, and information from participating government agencies. The activity showed how government convergence can extend services to geographically distant communities and help address barriers caused by distance or limited information.

The initiatives, beyond service delivery, highlight the role of communication in development. Access to timely, accurate, and understandable government information enables people to identify opportunities, seek appropriate assistance, participate in community affairs, and make informed decisions.

They also reflect the national government’s broader people-centered approach of making government programs and services more accessible and responsive at the grassroots level. Through sustained convergence among national government agencies, local government units, barangays, and communities, TIPS and Biyaheng Kat-on help bring government closer to the people, while strengthening informed and empowered communities. (NGPB, PIA Surigao del Sur)