PHOTO BY JOHN ORVEN VERDOTE
Lawmakers who seek expulsion of Beijing's top envoy to Manila not welcome in China — embassy
By Bernadette E. Tamayo
SYMBOLIC TIES (From left) Defense Senior Undersecretary Irineo Espino, Monica Teodoro, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Kitagawa Katsuro, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, and National Security Adviser Eduardo Oban Jr. participate in the traditional Kagami Biraki (wooden sake barrel breaking) ceremony during the 72nd Anniversary of Japan’s Self-Defense Forces. PHOTO FROM DEPARTMENT OF NATIONAL DEFENSE
Maritime
Defense, security chiefs boost Japan ties
By Yashika F. Torib
Atong Ang
Atong Ang slips out, spotted in Cambodia
By Franco Jose C. Baroña
FACEBOOK/SUPREME COURT PH
Supreme Court sets limits to Congress budget increases
By William B. Depasupil
Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon inspects the Diokno Pumping Station in Pasay City o Oct. 19, 2026, following the arrest of suspects involved in the theft of electrical parts, wiring, and other critical components. During the inspection, Dizon announced the removal of Davao City District Engineer Richard Ragasa, Assistant District Engineer Lilibeth Sarmiento, Construction Chief Roberto Mamaril, and Chief Engr. Renato Catingub, Cebu 4th District Engineering Office Construction over alleged questionable deals with subcontractors. He also announced that Philippine Coast Guard personnel will be deployed to provide additional security at the Diokno, Remedios, Abad, Faura, Luneta, and Harbor pumping stations. PHOTOS BY J. GERARD SEGUIA
Dizon sacks four DPWH officials
By Arlie O. Calalo
Atong Ang slips out, spotted in Cambodia
Supreme Court sets limits to Congress budget increases
Dizon sacks four DPWH officials
No Image
Today's Weather, 5 A.M. | Oct. 21, 2026
Editors' Picks
RAISING QUESTIONS Residents, plantation workers and security officials gather around a large charred metallic fragment, suspected to be rocket debris, at an oil palm plantation in East Kotawaringin Regency, Central Kalimantan province, central Indonesia, on Oct. 19, 2026. AFP PHOTO
‘Chinese rocket’ debris probed by Indonesia
NO GUARANTEE Capital A CEO Tony Fernandes delivers a speech during an event in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on April 26, 2024. Fernandes said AirAsia is in talks with the Malaysian government on potential support for the struggling airline but no assurance of financial assistance. AFP PHOTO
AirAsia not guaranteed financial aid from Malaysia
The Philippine Navy frigate BRP Diego Silang (FFG-7), Philippine Coast Guard patrol vessel BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV-9701), US Navy littoral combat ship USS Santa Barbara (LCS-32) and Royal Australian Navy auxiliary oiler replenishment vessel HMAS Supply (A195) execute maneuvers in formation during the 19th Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity in the West Philippine Sea on Aug. 24, 2026. The joint exercises aimed to enhance interoperability and strengthen defense cooperation among the three allied nations. PHOTOS BY J. GERARD SEGUIA
Most Filipinos favor diplomacy in sea row
No Image
China firms dominate our online shopping — yet politicians want their ambassador expelled
(From left) Director Rae Red, Nonie Buencamino, Janine Gutierrez, Charlie Dizon, Ronnie Lazaro of Netflix’s ‘Balaraw’ PHOTO FROM NETFLIX
‘Balaraw’ brings Filipino folklore to Netflix 
Latest Stories
Zelenskyy, US hail 'productive' talks to end Trump feud
Shark kills woman swimming off South Africa's Eastern Cape, beaches closed
Today's Weather, 5 A.M. | Oct. 21, 2026
Florida is set to carry out 18th execution this year and moving closer to tying record
Meta tells Brazil's electoral court it treats Lula and Flavio Bolsonaro equally ahead of Sunday vote
WATCH: Trump says Le Pen 'badly treated', calls Putin-Zelensky hatred 'tremendous'
Musk's SpaceX turns profit thanks to computing cloud deals
Netflix shares drop on slowing engagement, revenue growth
King Charles lauds Omani peace efforts on Sultan's state visit
Cayetano: ‘Case solved, not just case closed’ in Baterbonia's death
Opinion On Page One
Rigoberto D. Tiglao
China firms dominate our online shopping — yet politicians want their ambassador expelled
By Rigoberto D. Tiglao
Marlen V. Ronquillo
A Time to Till
Sara Duterte not the post-Marcos president we need
By Marlen V. Ronquillo
Ei Sun Oh
From the Region to the World
What to do with haze across borders?
By Ei Sun Oh

Legal Advice
Persida V. Rueda-Acosta
DEAR PAO
Mayor’s power to issue demolition orders for illegally constructed houses is not absolute
By Persida V. Rueda-Acosta
Keep up with the times
HEADLINES: Atong Ang slips out, spotted in Cambodia | October 21, 2026
play icon
HEADLINES: Atong Ang slips out, spotted in Cambodia | October 21, 2026

Today's Front Page
Today's Front Page

Videos


Get the latest news
delivered to your inbox
Sign up for The Manila Times newsletters
By signing up with an email address, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Digital Edition
App Store Google Play
EDITORIAL CARTOON
EYES WIDE SHUT
No Image
EDITORIAL
Signs of a deeper economic slowdown
Read more
More On Opinion
Lito Monico C. Lorenzana
Centrist Democracy Political Institute
Sara Duterte: Impeached but not yet defeated
By Lito Monico C. Lorenzana
Felino “Jun” Palafox Jr.
Postcards From The Future
Finding your ‘third place’
By Felino “Jun” Palafox Jr.
Reuters
IMF-World Bank meetings leave developing countries with more questions than answers
By Reuters
Agence France-Presse
Threats of political violence soar in Australia's 'online echo chamber'
By Agence France-Presse
Antonio Contreras
On the Contrary
Sara Duterte’s persecution theater
By Antonio Contreras


HEADLINE PHOTOS
Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian presses Vice President Sara Duterte's Chief of Staff Zuleika Lopez to explain the vice president’s absence during her office's budget deliberations on Oct. 20, 2026. Lopez said that Duterte was in Davao City representing former president Rodrigo Duterte at an enshrinement ceremony. Gatchalian stressed that the vice president traditionally appears before lawmakers to defend her office’s proposed budget. The exchange comes amid heightened political tensions surrounding Duterte’s impeachment trial, drawing renewed attention to the vice president's accountability and responsibility to defend her office’s proposed budget before Congress. PHOTOS BY RENE H. DILAN
WHERE IS VP SARA?
October 20, 2026
Visitors browse property displays during the 2nd National Housing Expo at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City on Oct. 20, 2026. The two-day event, organized by the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) and Pag-IBIG Fund, showcased approximately 50,000 housing units to connect Filipino homebuyers with affordable financing options. PHOTOS BY J. GERARD SEGUIA
HOUSING EXPO
October 20, 2026
Podcaster Daniel Lawrence Vivar, left, and his legal counsel Pio Garayblas, arrive at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) headquarters in Pasay City, on Oct. 20, 2026. Vivar appeared before the agency in response to a subpoena following complaints over controversial and offensive comments made on the 'Machong Chismisan' podcast regarding Joshua Aquino, a person with a disability, and the son of actress--host Kris Auino. PHOTOS BY J. GERARD SEGUIA
PODCASTER'S COMPLIANCE
October 20, 2026
Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento attends the Committee on Finance, Briefing on the Proposed FY 2027 budget of OPAPRU, headed by Sen. JV Ejercito, along with Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian inside the Philippine Senate in Pasay City, on Oct. 20, 2026. PHOTOS BY MIKE ALQUINTO
PEACE BUDGET
October 20, 2026
Christmas tree lighting with the officials of SM Grand Central in Caloocan City on Oct. 20, 2026. PHOTOS BY RENE H. DILAN
CHRISTMAS IN THE AIR
October 20, 2026


Forty-five researchers, policymakers and development partners from across Southeast Asia convene in Jakarta and online on Oct. 1–2, 2026, to develop fundable pathways for scaling low-emission livestock and rice systems under the ASEAN Climate-Smart Agriculture Initiative. SEARCA PHOTO
Expats & Diplomats
Asean, New Zealand map low-emission future for rice and livestock
By Leander C. Domingo  - October 19, 2026
No Image
Stock Watch
Stock indices as of October 20, 2026
The Civic e:HEV's S+ Shift system, borrowed from the Prelude, introduces simulated gear changes, rev-matching behavior, and enhanced engine sounds. HONDA PHOTOS
Fast Times
Honda gives Civic, City different upgrades
By Isaac Atienza  - October 20, 2026
SYMBOLIC TIES (From left) Defense Senior Undersecretary Irineo Espino, Monica Teodoro, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Kitagawa Katsuro, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, and National Security Adviser Eduardo Oban Jr. participate in the traditional Kagami Biraki (wooden sake barrel breaking) ceremony during the 72nd Anniversary of Japan’s Self-Defense Forces. PHOTO FROM DEPARTMENT OF NATIONAL DEFENSE
Maritime
Defense, security chiefs boost Japan ties
By Yashika F. Torib  - October 21, 2026
No Image
Build & Design
Building an investable bamboo supply chain
By Cora Llamas  - October 20, 2026
The Angat Watershed Forest Reserve. PHOTO FROM FOREST FOUNDATION PHILIPPINES
Green Industries
Livelihood programs that protect the Sierra Madre forests
By Michelle Logarta  - October 17, 2026
Students with a large red banner saying, ‘Police officers, enemy of the people,’ march in Rennes, western France, on Oct. 6 in a protest against under-resourced schools. AP PHOTO
Campus Press
A classroom revolt with deep roots
By The Manila Times  - October 15, 2026
No Image
Boardroom Watch
Reinventing patient care
By Moises Cruz  - October 16, 2026
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is studying dried mango as food for Filipino astronauts in the future. DOST PHOTO
Agribusiness
DOST eyes dried mango as food for Filipino astronauts
By Conrad M. Cariño  - October 16, 2026
PIA Lara Grace Tapiz Owner Del Mar Painitan
Keep in View
Full of Grace
By Rudolph Ian Alama  - October 18, 2026
No Image
Science & Technology
Lithium iron phosphate brings a new chemistry to the car battery
AI DEPLOYMENT An AWS study finds that AI adoption among Philippine businesses is rising, but skills shortages and governance gaps continue to hinder wider deployment. THE MANILA TIMES FILE PHOTO
Sunday Business & IT
AI adoption rises amid PH data rules
By Jing Garcia  - October 18, 2026