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DAILY BRIEF

November 15, 2026

SENATE SETS NOVEMBER 23 BUDGET DEBATES

The Senate is preparing to debate next year’s budget while the Ombudsman promises closer checks on tax and customs officials.

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FIVE THINGS

November 16, 2026

ABOUT UNPAID DEBTS: CAN YOU BE JAILED, AND WHAT CAN A LENDER DO?

A missed payment can turn a familiar phone number into something you dread seeing.

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LATEST STORIES

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President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney shake hands at their November 14 meeting. — Photo credit: Photo courtesy of President Marcos / PNA

Explainer · November 15, 2026

ABOUT DARK VESSEL DETECTION: WHAT SATELLITES CAN SEE, AND WHAT THEY CANNOT PROVE

A vessel can stop broadcasting its location without disappearing from the sea. That is the problem Canada's Dark Vessel Detection program helps Philippine authorities tackle. On November 14, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that the program would continue until 2033. The…

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Explainer · November 15, 2026

ABOUT THE PLANNED PHILIPPINES–AUSTRALIA DEFENSE DEAL: FIVE THINGS TO CHECK

A new defense agreement is expected to be signed in Manila today, November 15. For Filipinos following the West Philippine Sea, the useful question is what our crews will be able to do with it. Will they get better information, usable facilities and training that helps them do…

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Explainer · November 14, 2026

ABOUT ACQUITTAL: DOES IT MEAN A DISMISSED OFFICIAL GETS THE JOB BACK?

Grex Lagman won his criminal case. Does that mean he gets his old job back? The Sandiganbayan acquitted the former Albay governor of indirect bribery and an illegal-gambling charge on November 13. Before that, the Ombudsman had ordered his dismissal for grave misconduct. The…

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FIVE THINGS TO KNOW...

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Explainer · November 13, 2026

ABOUT QUIBOLOY’S EXTRADITION: WHAT HAPPENS BEFORE HE CAN BE SENT TO THE US

An extradition warrant has been issued against Apollo Quiboloy. That brings the US request another step forward, but it does not mean he is about to board a plane. The Department of Justice filed the petition on November 9. Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 145 issued warrants…

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Explainer · November 13, 2026

ABOUT THE BARANGAY AND SK ELECTIONS: WHY ARE WE WAITING UNTIL 2028?

Filipinos were supposed to choose their barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials on November 2, 2026. That election did not take place. Under the law now in effect, the next regular barangay and SK elections are scheduled for November 13, 2028. The Supreme Court has upheld…

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Explainer · November 12, 2026

ABOUT USING YOUR PHONE WHILE DRIVING: WHAT THE RULES ACTUALLY COVER

A message arrives while you are waiting at a red light. The navigation app needs a new destination. Someone calls to ask where you are. These are ordinary moments behind the wheel, and the rules do not depend on whether the message feels urgent to you. Today's reporting on the…

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SARA DUTERTE IMPEACHMENT

Tracker update · November 12, 2026

Antero and Parian explain two credit-card purchases; court makes no merits ruling

The defense used two witnesses to explain purchases on Carpio's credit card, while the prosecution tested whether the explanations covered the full records and recipients. Senator-judges signaled concern about relevance, framing and time, but the court did not decide what weight the purchases deserve or whether Article II was proved. Official journal pending.

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RODRIGO DUTERTE ICC CASE

Tracker update · November 6, 2026

Prosecution submits an updated witness list

Document 546 says confidential Annex A updates the prosecution witness list, marks possible audio-video-link witnesses and revises the proposed calling order. The submission does not confirm that every listed witness will testify or that the Chamber approved the proposed order.

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