Dev Flores

During the House Committee on Appropriations hearing on the Department of Education (DepEd) proposed budget for the next year, the agency explained that the it may not reach critical targets if current funding remain unchanged.

Based on the breakdown of the proposed 2027 budget, only P32.33 billion is allocated for infrastructure capital outlay, lower than the P99.47 billion earmarked for infrastructure in 2026.

In addition, several key departmental programs require additional funding, including the school-based feeding program. While P26 billion was previously allocated for student nutrition, the proposed budget for the program was down to P11 billion.

Furthermore, the requested P16-billion allocation for the ARAL Program was excluded from the 2027 National Expenditure Program (NEP).

The department is also appealing for budget augmentation for Special Needs Education (SNED). DepEd requested P1.39 billion for SNED, but only P849.9 million was included in the proposed allocation, leaving a deficit of more than P500 million.

However, the House Committee on Appropriations clarified that it cannot accommodate the full request; that’s why the department was instructed to submit the priority list of essential programs and projects.

“We have to request a new prioritized list,” House Committee on Appropriations Chairperson Rep. Suansing said

With reports from Mia Alonzo

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is currently arranging necessary assistance for 14 Filipino seafarers who survived an attack on the MT Sidr while navigating near the Strait of Hormuz.

The DMW is coordinating with the Migrant Workers Office and the Philippine Embassy in Oman to support the surviving crew members, while processing the repatriation of the remains of the two Filipino seafarers who died in the incident.

The 14 survivors are currently staying at a hotel, where they met with the representatives of the vessel’s owner to discuss key concerns, including financial assistance and the arrangement for their return to the Philippines.

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The Philippine National Police (PNP) implemented a fresh round of reshuffles of seven senior officials, including the new leadership in Eastern and Southern Police Districts in Metro Manila.

From Eastern Police District (EPD), PBGen. Melecio Buslig Jr. was reassigned to the Firearms and Explosives Office (FEO).

PBGen. Glenn Oliver Cinco will lead the Supervisory Office for Security and Investigation Agencies (SOSIA), from the Southern Police District (SPD).

PBGen. Roman Arugay replaced PBGen. Buslig to EPD, while PBGen. Rodel Pastor was appointed as the new leader of SPD.

Meanwhile, PBGen. Jason Capoy was transferred to the Human Rights Affairs Office (HRAO).

PBGen. Romano Cardiño was assigned to PRO8, while PBGen. Rudencindo Reales in PRO-NIR.

The reshuffle is effective today, September 7, 2026.

Members of the Duterte bloc in the House of Representatives expressed support for Vice President Sara Duterte following her statement after posting bail for a grave threats case.

Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo ”Pulong” Duterte, Davao City 2nd District Rep. Omar Duterte, and Puwersa ng Pilipinong Pandagat Party-list Rep. Harold Duterte posted their statements of support on Facebook

The Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PD) Laban likewise issued a statement supporting the Vice President.

However, several lawmakers from the minority bloc criticized the Vice President. 

Mamamayang Liberal Party-list Rep. Leila De Lima asserted that VP Duterte is not a victim and she must be held accountable.

Akbayan Party-list Rep. Perci Cendaña also called it a telenovela.

Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon believes that VP Duterte alone must bear the responsibility to address and answer the allegations against her.

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Aspiring lawyers across the country began taking the 2026 Bar Examinations on September 5, 2026.

Out of 13,441 applicants allowed to take the exam, only 12,029 examinees appeared for the first day across 15 local testing centers nationwide, with over 1,400 absent.

According to 2026 Bar Exams Chairperson Associate Justice Samuel Gaerlan, incomplete preparation was one of the reasons why some examinees failed to proceed.

“Habang dumarating na lumalapit yung ah yung examination day, nako-confuse sila kung parang kulang yung kanilang preparations, so that is one of the reasons siguro nakikita namin,” he said

According to the bar exams chairperson, their chance to take the exam is forfeited, and they will be able to take the exam next year.

Based on the data record of the Supreme Court, the oldest examinee this year is 84 years old, while the youngest is 24.

One person deprived of liberty (PDL) also took the exam, while three individuals were permitted to take the handwritten exam instead of the digital.

Justice Gaerlan also stated that the majority of the examinees for this year are women.

“Nakaka-inspire na maraming mga babae ang magte-take ng bar exams. Ang dami, ang daming mga babae. At the same time, 56% ay mga babae,” he said

“Samantalang nung panahon namin siguro mabibilang-bilang lang yung mga babae,” he added

Bar Head of the Office of the 2026 Bar Chairperson Atty. Cheska Ann Pazziuagan also acknowledged that women were sso empowered nowadays to fight for their dreams.

“I guess it says that women are more empowered now, but they have always been empowered. They now go after their dreams. They fight for what they want in life,” she said

The Supreme Court aims to release the result in January 2027.

With reports from Dante Amento