LOOK: Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte holds a courtesy meeting with Ambassador of New Zealand to the Philippines Catherine McIntosh on Monday, Oct. 26. McIntosh is attendinjg the Mindanao Indigenous Peoples Trade Expo happening until Friday, Oct. 30, and organized by the New Zealand government in partnership with local government agencies. | Jia Erikah Fajardo 📸Mayor Sebastian "Baste" Duterte/Facebook

The Department of Energy announced on Monday, Oct. 26 an increase in diesel and kerosene prices this week, while gasoline will cost slightly less over regional supply concerns. newswatchplus.ph/2026/10/26/…

Beyond delivering electricity, what matters most for Meralco is making reliable and affordable power accessible to Filipino consumers and helping communities move forward. Hear more from Meralco VP Joe R. Zaldarriaga on What Matters Most. Watch here: youtube.com/watch?v=HiYbZi0z…

Immigration personnel blocked three local men from leaving Davao supposedly for a Thai boxing tournament but were later on found to have Europe as final destination supposedly for military duties. Read: newswatchplus.ph/2026/10/26/…

From a humble Makati diner to an esteemed Japanese restaurant, Ipponyari celebrates 30 years of bringing people together through comforting and delicious Japanese food. Here are five facts behind its journey from a modest neighborhood joint to a beloved staple. #Pulse newswatchplus.ph/2026/10/26/…

A major party at the House of Representatives announced its proposed legislation that will establish an economic zone in New Clark City, Tarlac with the US-led Pax Silica supply chain hub project in mind. Read: newswatchplus.ph/2026/10/26/…

PESO EDGES CLOSER TO ₱64:$1 The peso depreciated by 33.5 centavos to a new all-time low of ₱63.95 per dollar at the close of trading on Monday, Oct. 26. This is weaker than the P63.615 finish on Friday, Oct. 23.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) strongly rejected Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla’s proposal to remove its visa-issuing functions, calling his allegations that the agency had turned visa processing into a business an unfair attack on the Philippine Foreign Service. Read: newswatchplus.ph/2026/10/26/…

Malacañang belied criticisms that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. switched the posts of Vince Dizon and Giovanni “Banoy” Lopez was driven by political considerations or the president’s declining approval and trust ratings. Read: newswatchplus.ph/2026/10/26/…

BIR SUSPENDS MANDATORY BADGE POSTING JUST IN: The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has suspended the Oct. 31 deadline for online sellers, content creators, and others to post registration badges in light of data privacy concerns and technical issues. In a statement, BIR Commissioner Charlito Martin Mendoza said the agency will consult with the National Privacy Commission and other stakeholders to address the issues. Under Revenue Memorandum Circular No. 113-2026, the online posting of the BIR Registration Seal Badge was paused until further notice. No penalty will be imposed for non-display of the badge, while those who have complied may keep theirs posted at their discretion. | Jia Erikah Fajardo

‘DOUBLE STANDARDS’ LOOK: Rep. Terry Ridon slammed what he calls “double standards” on the arrest order procedures of the Philippine National Police in relation to that of veteran journalist Philip Lustre over cyber libel complaints. Last month, Vice President Sara Duterte was charged with grace threats against the president and his family members, to which she posted bail. | Mikaella Veraces

CAYETANO: ‘MARCOS DOESN’T LOOK AT APPROVAL RATINGS’ WATCH: Acting Communications Secretary Lino Cayetano says President Bongbong Marcos’ decision to reshuffle his Cabinet was not triggered by his declining trust and approval ratings. “Our president doesn’t look at daily numbers when it comes to approval rating,” Cayetano said. He maintains that the reassignment of Vince Dizon to the Department of Transportation and Giovanni “Banoy” Lopez to the Department of Public Works and Highways directly addresses people's needs, particularly in transportation and infrastructure, with a focus on long-term improvements. | @TristanNodalo

SMC Tollways said truck operators transporting agricultural products have until October 31 to enroll for a 5% toll discount across its expressways from November 1 to 30. newswatchplus.ph/2026/10/26/…

Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) expects to handle approximately 1.25 million passengers during the nine-day Undas travel period from October 27 to November 4, 2026, up 1% from 1.24 million during the same period last year. newswatchplus.ph/2026/10/26/…

MIXED MOVEMENT IN FUEL PRICES THIS WEEK The Department of Energy announced on Monday, Oct. 26, another round of mixed adjustments at the pump, with a fresh increase for diesel and kerosene prices, while gasoline will slightly cost less, tracking the world oil market. The price adjustments per liter are as follows: Diesel: +₱1.20 per liter Kerosene: +₱0.50 per liter Gasoline: -₱0.30 per liter The new prices will take effect on Tuesday, Oct. 27.

MARCOS ON NEW CAGAYAN PROJECT: ‘HINDI LANG PANG-IRIGASYON ANG TUBIG, NILAGYAN NA RIN NG ISDA’ WATCH: President Bongbong Marcos says the new irrigation project will also support fish farming, providing farmers with additional sources of food and income. Speaking at the inauguration of the Pamplona Solar Pump Irrigation Project in Barangay Gattu, Pamplona, Cagayan, on Monday, Oct. 26, Marcos says fish nets have been installed to allow farmers to raise and harvest fish as water levels drop. Marcos says the government is adopting new agricultural technologies to help farmers cope with changing weather patterns and prepare for the looming El Niño. | @TristanNodalo

RIDON: ATAKE SA PAMAMAHAYAG, HINDI PAPAYAGAN WATCH: Bicol Saro Rep. Terry Ridon slams the complaints filed by Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte against GMA Network and other media personalities. In a press conference on Monday, Oct. 26, Ridon cited the constitutional freedom of the press. He also expressed support, on behalf of the House prosecution Panel, for the accused media practitioners by offering them any support. “We will not allow them to do it again,” he said. “Not under our watch.” | Mikaella Veraces

UPDATE: Israelito Torreon, legal counsel to Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, disputes a statement by veteran broadcaster Ramon Tulfo who criticized the lawmaker and his lawyer for “pleading for mercy.” “The table has been turned. Former PNP chief Ronald 'Bato' dela Rosa, who once ordered his men to kill drug suspects without mercy even without a warrant, is now pleading for mercy through his lawyer. ” Tulfo said on Sunday, Oct. 25. “If acting without a warrant was wrong then, hunting a man without a Philippine warrant is wrong now. The rule of law is not a weapon we use only against people we dislike,” Torreon responded on Monday, Oct. 26. The Department of the Interior and Local Government announced a ₱50-million bounty for the senator’s arrest in relation to his crimes against humanity for murder case at the International Criminal Court. | Jia Erikah Fajardo

The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) has directed units to intensify bomb threat awareness efforts in schools, warning culprits of legal consequences. newswatchplus.ph/2026/10/26/…

UPDATE: The National Unity Party (NUP), a major political group in the House of Representatives, announced the possible approval of the bill “establishing the Advanced Industry Zone in New Clark City” in Pampanga. “Taking advantage” of the US-led supply chain initiative Pax Silica, NUP chairman and Antipolo 1st District Rep. Ronaldo Puno said in a press conference on Monday, Oct. 26, the measure aims to “...make the Philippines an active participant, so that our national growth and prosperity can be provided for." A 1,350-hectare area in the Clark Economic Zone is said to be the target for construction and new businesses. Described as seven times the size of Bonifacio Global City in Taguig City, the lawmaker said the project is expected to provide a minimum of 150,000 job opportunities. | Mikaella Veraces Full story to follow.