Senate to ferret out corrupt in flood-control projects probe
SSS rolls out 3-yr pension hike
Historic 33% benefit hike won’t require contribution increase
By Darwin Amojelar and Rio N. Araja
THE Social Security
System on Thursday announced a threeyear increase in pension starting September this year, marking its first multi-year adjustment in the institution’s 68-year history.
The social insurance institution said while it implements the pension increases, there will be a moratorium on contribution increases over the same period. Thus, the pension increases will not require any contribution increase.
“We’ve heard the clamor for higher pensions loud and clear,” SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Robert Joseph De Claro said.
“After careful actuarial review, we are rolling out a rational and sustainable pension increase that uplifts all pensioners without compromising the fund’s actuarial soundness,” he added.
After three years of pension increases starting next month, pensions will have increased by approximately 33 percent for retirement or disability pensioners and 16 percent for death or survivor pensioners.
PNP nabs 2 brothers of alias ‘Totoy’
By Vince Lopez and Maricel V. Cruz
TWO brothers of whistleblower Julie Patidongan, who were tagged as the “missing link” in the case of the missing “sabungeros” are now under the custody of the Philippine National Police.
By Maricel Cruz
SENIOR Deputy Speaker David Suarez of Quezon and Deputy Speaker Janette Garin of Iloilo on Thursday said the latest Tugon ng Masa survey by OCTA Research affirms the strong and steady leadership of Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, whose approval and trust ratings rose significantly in the second quarter of 2025.
OCTA survey validates Speaker’s leadership
According to OCTA, Romualdez’s nationwide trust rating climbed three points to 57 percent, while his performance rating also went up by four points to 59 percent.
The Speaker is one of only two government officials, along with President Marcos, to post gains in the OCTA survey..
“These numbers are not just statistical gains. They reflect how Speaker
Romualdez’s leadership of the House of Representatives is being felt on the ground,” Suarez said.
“A four-point rise in performance and a three-point rise in trust, across all major regions and socioeconomic classes, is clear validation that the Speaker’s focus on transparency and responsible budgeting is resonating with Filipinos,” he added.
CBCP blames PAGCOR for online gambling ills
By Vito Barcelo
In a press conference at Camp Crame on Thursday, PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said the suspects Elakim and Jose Patidongan were arrested in an undisclosed “Southeast Asian country” and brought back to the Philippines on July 22.
“We believe they are the missing link in the case of the missing ‘sabungeros,’” Fajardo said.
She said Jose was convicted by the Mandaluyong City Regional Trial Court branch 208 for robbery, while Elakim was caught using a different name – Robert Baylon – on his passport upon arrival at the airport. Fajardo said both suspects have expressed willingness to cooperate with the ongoing investigation.
Marcos off for 5-day state visit to India
By Charles Dantes
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will travel to India for a five-day state visit from Aug. 4 to 8, at the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Malacañang announced on Thursday.
The visit, which coincides with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and India, will include official meetings and events in New Delhi, followed by engagements in Bangalore.
President Marcos is expected to hold talks with top Indian officials and meet with business leaders in both cities to boost bilateral trade and economic cooperation.
president Kalookan Archbishop Pablo Virgilio Cardinal David said