Dev Flores

The House Basic Education Committee approves the House Bill 4531, seeking to increase the World Teacher’s Day incentive to ₱3,000.

The Department of Finance (DOF) responds, saying:

"The measure might exert pressure to the fiscal space available for other priority education expenditure like classroom construction and rehabilitation, hiring of personnel, digitalization, and learning among others,” according to DOF Dir. Karla Espinosa

The Department of Budget and Management also stated that the allocation would take ₱2.9 billion once the bill is enacted into law.

The Basic Education Committee will prepare a committee report.

PASAY CITY — Atty. Jose Luis Montales has been appointed as the new Senate Secretary today, May 18, 2026.

“Jose Luis Montales is hereby [declared] proclaimed as the Secretary of the Senate,” according to Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano

He took his oath during the Senate session before the institution was officially convened as an impeachment court for the trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

Oil prices are expected to climb starting May 19, 2026. 

The Department of Energy (DOE) releases the price adjustments in oil products. Diesel will climb to ₱2.82 per liter, while Gasoline will rise by ₱1.21 per liter. On the other hand, the Kerosene will drop by ₱2.21 per liter.

The adjustment is effective until 25, 2026.

The price adjustment is driven by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East amidst concurrent peace talks.

With reports from Joan Nano and Asher Cadapan Jr.

Angat Dam water level drops below the minimum operating level, according to DOST-PAGASA.

As of May 18 (8:00 AM), the level has reached 177.79 meters, lower than the 178.07 meters reported on May 17.

The Angat Dam is a primary source of water supply in Metro Manila, provides irrigation in Bulacan and Pampanga, and generates hydroelectric power to feed the Luzon Grid, according to Manila Water.

Once the dam drops below the minimum operating level, it prioritizes to supply water in Metro Manila and nearby locations, according to National Water Resources Board (NWRB) Executive Director, Sevillo David Jr.

Nevertheless, no reduction in water allocation for Metro Manila is expected in the coming days or weeks. However, the NRWB has already reduced water allocation for crop irrigation in Bulacan and Pampanga.

Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano reiterates that the change of Senate leadership is not intended to delay the impeachment proceedings.

“Pero nakita niyo naman po, Wednesday night, nung nakuha natin yung articles of impeachment kahit na may kaguluhan sa Senate, tinapos po natin. Hindi totoo at propaganda lang at paninira sa bagong majority na yung impeachment ang main reason ng pagpapalit,” he said

[“But as you can see, Wednesday night, when we received the articles of impeachment, amidst the trouble in Senate, we accomplished. It’s not true, and just propaganda, and a dishonor to the new majority to those who are claiming that the impeachment is the main reason for change.”]

The Senate President clarified that the recalibration is intended to address social issues, such as the oil crisis, which he claimed the previous leadership didn’t pay attention to.

“Ah marami tayong pag-uusapan kung bakit pinalitan ang ah majority. Kasama diyan yung direksyon. Tingin ko po hindi natututukan ng husto yung present crisis ng ating bansa. Fuel crisis, crisis po sa energy, crisis po sa trust sa gobyerno. And I'm not talking about the administration alone. Trust in the legislature, in the House, the Senate,” he said

[“We’ll talk about a lot of things why the majority has changed. That includes direction. I think the present crisis in our country has not been totally addressed. Fuel crisis, crisis in energy, crisis of trust in the government. And I'm not talking about the administration alone. Trust in the legislature, in the House, the Senate.”]

He also clarified that the trouble in the Senate is beyond their control.

“Hindi po magulo ang Senado. Look at our sessions since I took my oath. Lahat ng session very orderly, puno ng substance, at sumusunod kami. Yung panggugulo ay nangyayari, before or after the session, and was beyond our control.”

[“The Senate is not disorganized. Look at our sessions since I took my oath. All sessions were very orderly, full of substance, and we followed. The trouble happened before or after the session, and was beyond our control.”]