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Commentary · October 28, 2026

DOES THE BUDGET FOLLOW NEED OR POLITICAL POWER?

A district should not have to elect the president’s son or cousin to get the roads, bridges and flood protection it needs. People pay taxes regardless of whom their congressman knows.

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The empty plenary hall of the Philippine House of Representatives in a 2023 photograph, with blue seating facing the rostrum and a large Philippine flag.

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Explainer · October 28, 2026

ABOUT HOW A VACANCY IN THE VICE PRESIDENCY WOULD BE FILLED

Senators are debating whether they should promise to turn down the vice presidency if Sara Duterte is removed from office. Alan Peter Cayetano renewed that appeal on October 27; Malacañang said talk of replacing her was premature. Here are five questions behind the discussion.

Daily Brief · October 28, 2026

MCT DAILY BRIEF: OCTOBER 28, 2026 · MORNING

Good morning. Victims’ lawyers and Rodrigo Duterte’s defense disagree over recorded evidence at the ICC. We also look at gaps in Customs’ seized-asset records and the files handed to the new DPWH chief.

Commentary · October 27, 2026

PHILIP LUSTRE AND THE COST OF DEFENDING A POST

Philip Lustre Jr. went to a media forum in Quezon City on Saturday, October 24. Shortly afterward, police arrested him on a cyberlibel warrant from a Davao City court. He said he did not even know someone had filed a criminal complaint against him.

The Daily Brief · October 28, 2026

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Commentary · October 22, 2026

THE PAGES BEHIND THE LAUGHING EMOJIS

I want to know who’s running these pages, how they’re connected, and whether they’re making money from political content that gives readers only part of the information.

Commentary · October 20, 2026

HOW DOES BBM CHOOSE THE PEOPLE HE APPOINTS TO GOVERNMENT?

Zofia Canlas’s PCUP appointment led me back through several Marcos decisions: Gadon, Torre, the Cabinet reset and a four-week Health Secretary. The question is not whether every appointee will succeed. It is how the President decides who gets the job.

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Explainer · October 27, 2026

ABOUT THE PAUSE ON BIR’S ONLINE REGISTRATION SEAL REQUIREMENT

Online sellers and content creators no longer have to meet the October 31 deadline to display the BIR Registration Seal Badge. The Bureau of Internal Revenue suspended mandatory display on October 26, but that does not mean tax registration and other tax duties have been…

Explainer · October 27, 2026

ABOUT WHAT THE BUDGET RULING MEANS FOR GOVERNMENT SPENDING

A court ruling against budget provisions raises an immediate question: does government spending stop? The answer depends on which funds we mean. The Budget department's October 25 explanation helps separate the restrictions from spending that can continue.

Explainer · October 26, 2026

ABOUT THE PROPOSED PORK IMPORT RESTRICTIONS

The government is considering higher pork tariffs and a temporary limit on imports to help local hog raisers. For families buying meat, the question is what has actually changed—and what remains a proposal.

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MCT READER PULSE · MCT-PULSE-2026-016

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