Abbey M.

MANILA, Philippines — Rains will continue over large parts of Luzon and Western Visayas on Tuesday, September 8, as the southwest monsoon or habagat remains the dominant weather system affecting the country.

In its 4AM weather forecast, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Zambales and Bataan will experience monsoon rains, with moderate to heavy and at times intense rainfall that may trigger flash floods or landslides.

Meanwhile, Pangasinan, Tarlac, Pampanga, Cavite, Batangas and Occidental Mindoro will have occasional rains. PAGASA warned that moderate to heavy rainfall could also cause flooding and landslides in vulnerable areas.

Metro Manila, the rest of Luzon and Western Visayas will have cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms due to the habagat. Moderate to at times heavy rains may likewise result in flash floods or landslides.

The rest of the Visayas will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms, while similar conditions are expected over the rest of the country due to the southwest monsoon and localized thunderstorms.

Light to moderate winds are expected over much of the country, with generally slight to moderate coastal waters, although some areas in Southern Luzon may experience stronger winds and rougher seas.

As of Tuesday morning, PAGASA said no low-pressure area was being monitored for possible tropical cyclone formation.

The public, particularly residents in flood- and landslide-prone areas, is advised to continue monitoring weather advisories as rains persist over western portions of the country.

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SAN JUAN CITY—The Judiciary Magis made a powerful statement to start their campaign, edging out the Senate Sentinels, 67-65, in the opening game of the UNTV Cup Executive Face Off 2026 on September 6 at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City. 

Both teams delivered a relentless back-and-forth thriller, setting an intense tone for the league's brand-new season.

Supreme Court Associate Justice Midas Marquez anchored the victory for the Magis with a standout performance, bagging the Best Player of the Game award. 

Marquez provided critical plays on both ends of the floor, posting a team-leading 11 points and grabbing 3 key rebounds to hold off the hard-charging Sentinels down the stretch.

"Last season, we fell short when we played in the Finals," Marquez reflected after the pulse-pounding win. "So, hopefully this season we'll make it again to the Finals and finally claim the chip." Marquez said in a post-game interview.

With a 1-0 record safely tucked away, the Magis carry high hopes and early momentum into the tournament. 

The hard-fought win fuels their championship redemption arc as they chase the top title in this year's executive showcase.

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MANILA — The Manila International Book Fair (MIBF) returns this week, and with hundreds of booths, book launches, signings and other activities packed into five days, having a plan can save visitors time—and possibly their book budget.

MIBF 2026 will run from September 9 to 13, from 10AM to 8PM at the SMX Convention Center Manila in Pasay City. This year’s fair carries the theme “Get Lit: Reading in a New Light.”

If you are planning to go, here are some things worth knowing before entering the fair.

1. Know where your favorite publishers are

MIBF’s official directory lists 165 exhibitors this year, including publishers, bookstores, universities, cultural organizations and educational groups.

Instead of going from booth to booth without a plan, visitors can check the official floor plan ahead of time and note the booth numbers of their priority stops.

Exhibitors are spread across Exhibit Halls 1 to 4 on the ground floor, while several talks and other activities will be held in function and meeting rooms on the second floor.

2. Check the schedule before choosing what day to visit

MIBF is not only about buying books.

The five-day program includes book launches, author signings, forums, workshops, panel discussions and other activities. Some events are held simultaneously and in different parts of the venue, so checking the schedule beforehand can help visitors avoid missing an event they came specifically to see.

Among this year’s scheduled activities are the Gintong Aklat Awards, book launches and signings, literary panels, education-related forums and discussions on topics including artificial intelligence and Filipiniana collections.

3. Prepare P50 for admission—and bring your ID if you qualify for a discount

General admission is P50.

Students, senior citizens and persons with disabilities may purchase discounted tickets for P35, provided they present a valid ID. Tickets are also available through SM Tickets.

4. Bring cash even if you normally pay digitally

Do not assume every booth accepts the same payment method.

According to MIBF, some exhibitors accept cards and electronic payments, but most accept cash. Visitors are advised to confirm available payment methods with individual exhibitors before purchasing.

Bringing both cash and a cashless payment option can help, especially when buying from several different booths.

5. Make a book list—but leave room for unexpected finds

With 165 exhibitors in one venue, it is easy to go beyond your original shopping list.

Set a budget before entering and separate your must-buy titles from books you simply want to check out. Comparing prices and promotions across booths before making larger purchases may also help stretch your budget.

A sturdy tote or reusable bag can also come in handy if you are planning to bring home several books.

6. Plan your breaks

Food and drinks are not allowed inside the exhibit halls and function rooms, although food concessionaires will be available within the exhibit area.

With the fair open for 10 hours each day and activities happening across two floors, visitors may want to plan meal and rest breaks around the events they want to attend.

7. Check the latest information before leaving home

Event schedules and participating activities can still be updated. Visitors heading to MIBF for a particular author signing, launch or program should check the fair’s official schedule and the participating publisher’s announcements before traveling.

The fair traditionally attracts a large audience, with MIBF reporting more than 120,000 visitors annually.

So if you are heading there for a specific book, meeting an author or simply browsing, knowing your priority booths, schedule and budget beforehand can make navigating one of the country’s biggest book events much easier.

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MANILA — Book lovers, students, educators and publishers are set to gather once again as the Manila International Book Fair (MIBF) 2026 returns from September 9 to 13 at the SMX Convention Center Manila in Pasay City.

Carrying the theme “Get Lit: Reading in a New Light,” this year’s fair will bring together books, learning, publishing and creative communities across two floors of exhibition space. The event will be open daily from 10AM to 8PM. 

More than 160 exhibitors are included in the official 2026 directory, ranging from local and international publishers and bookstores to educational institutions, cultural organizations, media groups and industry partners.

Among the participating organizations are Adarna House, Anvil Publishing, Ateneo de Manila University Press, Komiket Studios, Lampara Publishing House, the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino, Instituto Cervantes, the Embassy of Sweden in Manila and Frankfurter Buchmesse, among many others.

Beyond book shopping, visitors can attend book launches, author signings, discussions, workshops and activities for readers of different ages.

The fair opens on September 9 with the Gintong Aklat Awards, which recognizes excellence in Philippine book publishing. Other scheduled activities throughout the five-day event include discussions on artificial intelligence and Filipiniana collections, literacy and education programs, comics and creativity sessions, poetry performances, and author meet-and-greets.

General admission is P50, while students, senior citizens and persons with disabilities with valid IDs may avail of the P35 discounted rate.

MIBF has been held for more than four decades and draws more than 120,000 visitors annually, making it one of the country’s largest gatherings dedicated to books, reading and publishing.

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MANILA — The Sandiganbayan has ordered the arrest of former House Speaker and incumbent Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez over a P7.44-billion plunder case involving alleged kickbacks from flood control and other government projects.

The anti-graft court’s Third Division issued warrants of arrest on Monday, September 7, against Romualdez and his co-accused: former Ako Bicol Rep. Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co, Joselyn Tragua Serenio, and Felicito Cristobal Guevarra. No bail was recommended.

The court also issued hold departure orders against all four accused.

The warrants were issued hours after the Office of the Ombudsman filed the plunder case before the Sandiganbayan. The court said it found probable cause after reviewing the Ombudsman’s resolution and the supporting evidence and records submitted with the case.

Prosecutors accused Romualdez, Co and their co-accused of receiving at least P7.44 billion in alleged commissions, kickbacks and other financial benefits on at least 15 occasions from 2022 to 2025.

The money allegedly came from contractors and other entities with interests in flood control, infrastructure and other government projects funded under the national budget. Prosecutors alleged that some of the money was delivered to properties owned, occupied by or associated with Romualdez.

The Sandiganbayan stressed that the issuance of an arrest warrant means the court found probable cause to believe the accused committed the offense charged, but does not constitute a finding of guilt.

Romualdez’s lawyer, Ade Fajardo, earlier said the lawmaker would face the allegations through the legal process and asked that the case be decided based on evidence and due process.

Romualdez has repeatedly denied wrongdoing.

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