Dev Flores

The series of heavy rains experienced this  August is linked to the early impacts of El Niño, according to DOST-PAGASA Climate Monitoring and Prediction Section Chief Ana Solis.

“Ito na yung nararanasan natin na early impact ng El Niño na kung saan medyo matindi talaga yung ating habagat season at marami po tayong mga typhoon at super typhoon category,” she said

[“This is the early impact of El Niño that we are experiencing, where our southwest monsoon is slightly intense and we see more typhoons and super typhoons.”]

According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), several parts of Luzon have experienced above-normal rainfall over the past few days, particularly in Benguet and Metro Manila. The rainfall amount recorded in just a few days surpassed the average monthly total of rainfall.

“Usually, dito sa Baguio City is around 963 mm of rain lang, pero (ang) naibuhos niya sa panahon ng habagat from August 5 to 10 ay mga more than 1,200 mm of rain,” Ana Solis said

[“Usually, Baguio City receives around 963 mm of rain, but the southwest monsoon poured more than 1,200 mm of rain from August 5 to 10.”]

Solis noted that rainfall in the area reached 135% of the monthly average between August 5 and 10 alone. If the basis is the record from August 1 to 10, the total rainfall is more than 138%.

La Union, Bataan, and Zambales were also included in the record that experienced heavy rainfall.

These heavy rainfalls were experienced during Tropical Depression Luis, Tropical Storm Maymay, and the southwest monsoon.

PAGASA warned that rainfall is still possible in the coming weeks and even in September. Based on the record during El Niño years, it shows that severe flooding events can still occur, just like what happened in Tropical Storm Ondoy in 2009.

In line with this, the weather bureau confirms that intense monsoon rains are possible amid El Niño.

“Possible pa rin yung mga pag-uulan ng ating habagat season ngayong panahon ng El Niño hangga't hindi natatapos itong ating habagat,” Solis said

[“Heavy rains amid southwest monsoon season is possible amid El Niño as long as the monsoon period persists.”]

PAGASA indicated that El Niño is expected to intensify by 2026 and early 2027, which may eventually lead to big rainfall deficits.

“Pero nakikita natin by end of December or January 2027, may mga areas na po na potential for dry spell yung prolonged drought condition natin,” Solis said

[“By the end of December or January 2027, there are areas that may face potential dry spells and prolonged drought conditions.”]

Dry conditions may affect five provinces on Luzon, eleven in Visayas, and 25 in Mindanao.

With reports from Rey Pelayo

A 22-year-old woman was caught providing dental services to a personnel of the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group, posing as a patient, leading to her immediate arrest in Jaro, Iloilo City.

According to PNP-ACG spokesperson Police Capt. Wallen Mae Arancillo, investigations revealed that the suspect had been engaged in medical malpractice since 2024. She also established a mini clinic inside her house in Jaro.

Arancillo noted that the suspect has no license to operate and provide dental care services; she didn’t even have formal education or training.

“Base din po sa ating coordination with Philippine Dental Association and Professional Regulatory Commission, wala pong license or wala pong formal education or training at hindi rin po dentist ang suspect. So hindi po talaga siya authorized na mag-offer or mag-engage sa mga dental services po, lalong-lalo na online,” PCapt. Arancillo said

[“Based on our consultation with the Philippine Dental Association and Professional Regulatory Commission, the suspect has no license or no formal education or training, and the suspect is not a dentist. So, she’s not authorized to offer or engage in dental services, especially online.”]

PCapt. Aranccillo also revealed that the suspect reportedly learned dental procedures through online content.

“According din po sa operatives natin, natutunan niya lang po yung DIY braces installation and tooth cleaning po ng mga dental services through online videos po and sa mga nababasa niya lang din online,” she said

[“According to our operatives, she learned DIY braces installation and tooth cleaning through online videos and what she read online.”]

Aside from the affordable braces, she also offers tooth whitening and denture installation.

“Nag-umpisa po yung ating entrapment operation sa isinagawang proactive cyber patrolling ng Iloilo City Cyber Response Team na kung saan nakita po natin yung post ng suspect na nag-aalok at nag-eengage po sa mga Do-It-Yourself braces for P3,000 and for removal naman po ng mga braces ay P1,500,” PCapt. Arancillo explained

[“Our entrapment operations began during proactive cyber patrolling by the Iloilo City Cyber Response Team, when we spotted the suspect’s post offering and engaging Do-It-Yourself braces for Php3,000 and for removal of braces worth P1,500.”]

The suspect faces charges for violating the Philippine Dental Act of 2007, which carries penalties of up to 5 years of imprisonment and fines ranging from P200,000 to P500,000.

The PNP-ACG urged the public to consult only legitimate dental clinics and verify whether practitioners hold valid credentials before seeking dental care.

With reports from Lea Ylagan

Defense spokesperson Atty. Michael Poa stated that Vice President Sara Duterte prefers that he stay as spokesperson for the defense team in the ongoing impeachment trial.

“I already spoke to our client, the Vice President, about it. I think I'm free naman to disclose that she would prefer talaga that I stay on as counsel,” Poa said

[“I already spoke to our client, the Vice President, about it. I think I'm free to disclose that she would really prefer that I stay on as counsel.”]

The statement was made following the request from Senate Presiding Officer Francis “Chiz” Escudero for both defense and prosecution panels to assign their official spokespersons who are not part of their respective legal teams.

The defense team has not yet identified a potential replacement for the position if the appointment is required.

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The House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms has conducted discussions on proposals aiming to amend the Party-list System Act or Republic Act No. 7491.

According to ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio, 20% of the seats in the House of Representatives were reserved for party-list representatives to give voice to various marginalized sectors, allowing the workers, teachers, fisherfolk, women, and persons with disabilities to join the Congress. However, there’s an alleged misinterpretation of the law, and it allegedly paves the way for using the system to expand political dynasties.

“Ang ending, ang pamamayagpag ng party-list at nominees na di tunay na kumakatawan sa marginalized and underrepresented sectors, sa halip, nagbabandera lamang sa mga interest ng political dynasties, milyonaryo, bilyonaryo, at pulis, at militar,” Tinio said

The proposed measures seek to tighten the registration process, including the required public hearings by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to verify whether the applicant is genuinely representing their respective sectors.

Several bills also aim to disqualify nominees who have previously had experience in government positions, relatives in elected officials, and even those with connections with large businesses and contractors.

With reports from Evan Alvarez

Fines for improper garbage disposal will increase across all local government units in the National Capital Region (NCR).

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced the adjustment amid persistent issues in improper garbage disposal that contribute to severe flooding.

According to MMDA Chairman Atty.  Romando Artes, fines for improper waste disposal will be raised to P5,000 across 16 cities in Metro Manila, while the penalty in the municipality of Pateros will be P2,500.

“May Metro Manila Council resolution na tayo increasing the penalty of 5,000 for cities and 2,500 sa Pateros,” Atty. Artes said

[“We already have a Metro Manila Council resolution increasing the penalty to P5,000 for cities and P2,500 for Pateros.”]

The MMDA Chairman noted that the agency is currently awaiting for ordinances from each city, and that will be followed up during their meeting on August 18, 2026.

“Hinihintay na lang po namin yung mga individual ordinance po ng bawat lungsod at ifa-follow up po natin yan sa next Metro Manila Council Meeting on August 18,” he said

[“We are just waiting for the individual ordinances from each city and will follow this up during the next Metro Manila Council Meeting on August 18.”]

Meanwhile, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. stressed that the public is aware of penalties for improper waste disposal.

“People are aware that there are fines. Nobody wants to be fined. Wala namang gusto ng mamumultahan. Pero kailangan bigyan din natin ng facilities na kung saan pwede itapon yung basura,” he said

[“People are aware that there are fines. Nobody wants to be fined. But it is also necessary to provide facilities for proper waste disposal.”]

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