Abbey M.

The Philippine National Police has not confirmed the circulating information that Sen. Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa has been arrested.

This was stated by Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla in a text message today.

Sen. dela Rosa has an existing warrant of arrest from the International Criminal Court (ICC) as a co-conspirator of former President Rodrigo Duterte in the case of crimes against humanity in connection with the Duterte administration's war on drugs.

Senator Bato was last seen at the Senate on May 13.

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Metro Manila, Philippines – The Senate did not let pass the temporary restraining order (TRO) issued against the wage increase for minimum wage earners in Metro Manila.

According to several senators, this is unjust, especially since the wage increase went through the proper process.

Several senators strongly condemned the temporary restraining order (TRO) issued by the Pasig Regional Trial Court, which halted the implementation of the additional wage for minimum wage earners in Metro Manila.

Senator Robinhood Padilla opened the discussion on the matter and mentioned that he was among those who went to the Pasig RTC yesterday to call for the immediate dismissal of the issued temporary restraining order (TRO).

According to Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri, it is unjust to further delay the long-awaited wage increase for workers after it was already approved by the Wage Board.

In his statement, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri appealed to the court to have compassion for workers who need the additional wage at this time:

"Maawa naman po ang ating korte sa mga kababayan na nangangailangan ng dagdag sahod sa panahong ito, we are crying for a living wage kaya itinulak natin yung 100 pesos legislative wage increase."

[May our court have mercy on our countrymen who need the additional wage at this time, we are crying for a living wage, which is why we pushed for the 100 pesos legislative wage increase.]

On this matter, Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian emphasized that the wage increase went through the proper process, which is why he is among those calling on the Supreme Court to review the issuance of the TRO by the Pasig RTC.

In his statement, Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian said that if the 100-peso minimum wage increase was approved in a calmer situation, it is needed now more than ever, and called on his colleagues in the judiciary to protect and support the wage increase for minimum wage workers set by the DOLE.

"Kung naaprubahan natin ito sa mas kalmadong sitwasyon yung 100 peso min. wage, ngayon pa mas kailangan manggagawa kaya kasama sen. Padilla, majority leader, na manawagan sa akasamahan judiciary alagaan, bigyan karampatan suporta manggagawa min wage na ginawa ng DOLE."

[If we approved this in a calmer situation, the 100-peso minimum wage, then now it is even more needed by workers, which is why I join Sen. Padilla, the majority leader, in calling on our colleagues in the judiciary to protect and give proper support to the minimum wage for workers set by the DOLE.]

As chairman of the Senate Committee on Labor, Senator Joel Villanueva also wants clarity on the issue.

In his statement, Senator Joel Villanueva said he was confused as chairperson of the Senate Committee on Labor, citing Article 126, which he said clearly prohibits any court, tribunal, or other entity from issuing an injunction or TRO against proceedings before the commission or regional boards:

"I am confused, Mr. President, as chairperson of the Senate Committee on Labor, because Article 126 is very clear, very clear, crystal clear — I don't think you need [an] interpreter for this, Mr. President. Prohibition against injunction: no preliminary or permanent injunction, or — ito ho verbatim — no TRO may be issued by any court, tribunal, or other entity against any proceedings before the commission or regional boards."

Senator Bong Go also called on companies, saying that if the wage increase would not actually cause them losses, it would be good for them to simply share it with the workers.

In his statement, Senator Christopher "Bong" Go said that the sacrifice being asked of big businesses is very small compared to the help it would give to the poor who barely have enough to eat every day:

"Napaka liit po nito na sakripisyo niyo po sa malalaking negosyante, malaking tulong [sa] mahihirap na halos walang makain sa araw-araw."

[This is such a small sacrifice for you big businessmen, [but it's] a big help to the poor who barely have anything to eat every day.]

Meanwhile, Senator JV Ejercito also pointed out that it is difficult to achieve economic progress if workers do not receive the living wage and benefits they deserve, which is why he is also among those pushing for the wage increase.

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Manila, Philippines – Around 978 thousand low-income SSS members have received a 2,000-peso cash aid, based on data from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) released yesterday.

This is under the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (Uplift) Assistance Program.

The beneficiaries belong to the Group 3 category.

These are employees earning below 20,000 pesos in salary, who made at least one SSS contribution in 2025 or 2026, and who have a disbursement account.

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Crime recorded across the country dropped by 36.12 percent in July this year, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Data showed that recorded crimes fell from 3,458 in July 2025 to 2,209 in July this year — a decrease of 1,249 cases.

The PNP said this decline runs contrary to the perception of some that the Philippines remains in a state of disorder.

PNP Chief Pgen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. attributed this gap between the data and public perception to sensationalized crime reporting, particularly on social media.

Speaking on the matter, Nartatez said the PNP does not shy away from having incidents reported or highlighted publicly, noting that this pushes police officers to work harder on resolving cases through investigation, citing the recent shooting incident involving a vlogger as an example.

"Mas gusto natin sa PNP na ma-sensationalize o mailabas yung mga insidente na ito, lalong-lalo na kung nanggaling ito sa social media at sa PNP Press Corps, at naibabalita kaagad sa amin. Mas maganda because that is the challenge for every police officer to have an investigative solution, like what happened with the recent shooting involving our vlogger." PNP Chief said.

[We actually prefer these incidents to be sensationalized or brought out, especially if they come from social media and the PNP Press Corps, and reported to us immediately. It's better because that is the challenge for every police officer to have an investigative solution, like what happened with the recent shooting involving our vlogger.]

Nartatez said the drop in crime last month was the result of more effective police monitoring on the streets, adding that the results reflect the PNP's continuing partnership with communities and other agencies.

"These results reflect the continuing efforts of the PNP, together with our communities and partner agencies, to prevent crime, strengthen police visibility, and keep our neighborhoods safe." Nartatez added.

Beyond the drop in crime rate, the PNP also reported the results of its anti-drug and anti-criminality operations for the month.

In July alone, the PNP carried out around 5,526 anti-drug operations, leading to the arrest of 6,368 individuals and the seizure of approximately P387 million worth of illegal drugs.

On wanted persons, the PNP arrested a total of 8,199 individuals — 2,352 of whom were listed as most wanted persons, while 5,847 were other individuals sought by the law.

The PNP acknowledged that it cannot control how the public perceives the crime situation, but assured the public that it will continue its work of maintaining peace and order nationwide.

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US President Donald Trump has called the upcoming talks between the United States and Iran the country's last chance to reach an agreement and avoid another large-scale attack.

According to Trump, negotiations are expected to begin within a day or two, focusing on the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and Iran addressing Washington's concerns over its nuclear program.

The US president said the first phase of the agreement is the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, while the second phase is the complete denuclearization of Iran.

Trump explained that he postponed the large-scale attack that had been planned against Iran after receiving appeals from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates to give diplomacy more room.

He added that the US had been prepared to carry out what he described as the biggest attack since World War 2, but he decided to cancel it because of the hope that an agreement could still be reached.

However, Trump warned Iran that his patience has limits and insisted that Iran must take advantage of this opportunity to avoid further escalation of the conflict.

In his statement, US President Donald Trump revealed that the talks are taking place at Iran's own request, with backing from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar, along with appeals from several other countries, all pushing for Iran to be given a last chance to sign a good agreement.

"We said we are talking, and right now we are talking at the request of Iran backed by Saudi Arabia backed by UAE and asked by Qatar in particular but many others, many countries called. They all wanted to give this a last chance. This is not something that if it doesn't happen — this is the last chance to sign a good document."

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