FIVE THINGS TO KNOW…

Short explainers published throughout the day.

7:21 AM6-minute read

ABOUT THE NOTE HANDED TO GIBO TEODORO IN SEOUL

Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. was answering questions at the Seoul Defense Dialogue on September 8 when a man handed him a note. He read it aloud, challenged its rejection of the 2016 South China Sea ruling and objected to being interrupted that way.

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9:55 AM8-minute read

ABOUT EL NIÑO AND PREPARING FOR LESS RAIN

It can be raining outside while PAGASA warns about El Niño. That can sound confusing when the immediate problem is a wet road or a flooded field. The two warnings describe different periods: the weather happening now and the rainfall conditions that may develop over the coming months.

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5:30 AM8-minute read

ABOUT THE NEW ARREST WARRANTS AGAINST ZALDY CO, MARTIN ROMUALDEZ AND TWO OTHERS

The Sandiganbayan has ordered the arrest of Zaldy Co, Martin Romualdez and two other accused in the plunder case filed on September 7. By Monday evening, authorities had served Romualdez's warrant and carried out booking procedures at Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan. His arrest is a confirmed development; it does not establish that his three co-accused are also in custody.

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3:15 PM8-minute read

ABOUT THE PLUNDER CASE AGAINST MARTIN ROMUALDEZ

The Office of the Ombudsman filed a plunder case against former House Speaker Martin Romualdez at the Sandiganbayan on September 7 over his alleged involvement in flood-control kickbacks. The accusations have now reached the court that will handle the criminal case. Romualdez denies wrongdoing and remains presumed innocent.

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1:18 PM7-minute read

ABOUT THE NEW SWS POVERTY NUMBERS

Self-rated poverty and food poverty declined in June, but the figures also show how many Filipino families remain under pressure and why lower household budgets do not necessarily mean life became cheaper.

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2:02 PM11-minute read

ABOUT THE CHILDREN'S SOCIAL MEDIA SAFETY ACT

House Bill No. 9965 would bar children below 13 from having social media accounts, require parental consent for users aged 13 to 17, regulate platform algorithms, and impose fines reaching P50 million. It is still being deliberated in the House.

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12:02 PM7-minute read

ABOUT THE SEALED BIR BOX

Marcos authorized the BIR to comply with the Senate subpoena. That did not open the records to the public or prove the unexplained-wealth allegation.

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MCT READER PULSE · MCT-PULSE-2026-008

MCT READER SURVEY

Senator-judges who are absent from the impeachment trial—including those on medical leave, in hiding, or detained—should still be allowed to cast a vote. Do you agree?Ang mga senator-judge na wala sa impeachment trial—kabilang ang naka-medical leave, nagtatago, o nakadetine—ay dapat payagan pa ring bumoto. Sang-ayon ka ba?

Senator-judge Erwin Tulfo asked the impeachment court to clarify who may validly vote and how absent members affect the constitutional two-thirds requirement. He cited one senator on medical leave abroad, one in hiding, and two in detention. The court had not resolved those questions when this survey opened. This survey asks for your view; it does not state what the Constitution or the impeachment rules require.

Background: Senate impeachment records, INQUIRER.net, and MindaNews.

This is an informal survey of verified MCT readers who choose to participate. It is not nationally representative.

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MCT DAILY BRIEF

No fake news. No noise. Just the facts you need.

AUGUST 15, 2026 | MORNING

Good morning.

Today’s brief looks at the questions raised during the Senate hearing on Pax Silica, the first public session of the EJK Truth Commission, the sharp slowdown in economic growth, and two early signs of how the 2028 presidential contest may be taking shape.

These stories may appear unrelated. Taken together, they show government confronting decisions whose effects may not become fully visible for several years: industrial development, accountability for killings, economic weakness, and the alliances being formed for the next national election.

1

THE SENATE HAS STARTED ASKING HARDER QUESTIONS ABOUT PAX SILICA

The Senate held a hearing on August 14 that examined the proposed Pax Silica initiative and its possible environmental and land-use consequences.

Pax Silica is a United States-led partnership involving countries that want to strengthen supply chains for artificial intelligence, semiconductors and critical minerals. The Philippine proposal includes an AI and advanced-manufacturing hub in New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac.

Public discussion of the project has moved faster than the available details. Supporters see jobs, factories, research facilities and new investment. Critics have raised questions about electricity, water, land, mining, environmental safeguards and the effect on nearby communities.

The government has previously said that the proposed development would still be subject to Philippine laws, environmental rules and regulatory approval. The project therefore cannot be treated as a finished agreement or a construction plan that has already been approved.

For an ordinary resident, the promise of jobs is attractive. But the value of the project will depend on the kind of jobs created, whether Filipinos receive the necessary training, how much public money is required, and whether local communities carry environmental costs while larger companies receive most of the benefits.

WHAT TO WATCH

Watch for an actual project agreement, environmental studies, water and power requirements, the participating companies, and a clear account of what the Philippine government is expected to contribute. The public also needs to know whether the proposed hub will manufacture high-value technology in the Philippines or simply provide land, utilities and incentives for facilities controlled elsewhere.

2

THE EJK TRUTH COMMISSION HELD ITS FIRST PUBLIC SESSION

The civilian-led EJK Truth Commission held its first public truth-telling session on August 14 at the Pope Pius XII Catholic Center in Manila.

Luzviminda Siapo, the mother of Raymart Siapo, testified during the session. Raymart was killed in 2017 after being accused of involvement in illegal drugs. His family has maintained that the accusation was false.

A Senate resolution filed in 2017 described allegations that masked men took Raymart, forced him to run despite a disability affecting his feet, and shot him. The resolution called attention to possible errors in drug watch lists and the consequences of acting on unverified information.

The commission was formed to receive, examine and preserve accounts connected to alleged extrajudicial killings during the drug war. It is led by former International Criminal Court judge Raul Pangalangan, with Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David among its convenors.

The commission is not a court. It cannot convict anyone or impose criminal penalties. Its work can help preserve testimony, compare accounts with available records, identify recurring patterns and recommend further investigation.

For victims’ families, the hearings provide a public venue that many did not have when the killings occurred. For the rest of the country, the sessions may help answer how people were placed on drug lists, what verification was performed and whether authorities investigated deaths involving their own personnel.

WHAT TO WATCH

The value of the commission will depend on whether testimony can be checked against police reports, death certificates, autopsy findings, barangay records and witness accounts. Also watch whether police officers, local officials and other people with direct knowledge participate. Testimony can establish a public record, but accountability will still require action from institutions with investigative and prosecutorial authority.

3

THE PHILIPPINE ECONOMY GREW BY ONLY 2.3 PERCENT

The Philippine Statistics Authority reported that the economy grew by 2.3 percent in the second quarter of 2026. This was slower than the 2.8 percent recorded in the first quarter.

Gross domestic product measures the value of goods and services produced within the country. It does not directly measure whether every household is earning more or living better. It does, however, provide a broad indication of how quickly economic activity is expanding.

A 2.3 percent growth rate means the economy continued to grow, but at a weak pace for a country with a growing population and millions of workers seeking stable employment.

The effect will not be identical for everyone. A worker may still receive a raise, and an individual company may continue hiring. But if weak growth continues, businesses can become more cautious about expanding, hiring or investing. Government revenue can also come under pressure, leaving less room for public services and infrastructure unless borrowing increases.

The number should also be read alongside employment, wages, household spending and prices. Economic growth can rise without producing enough secure jobs, while slower growth can feel even worse when food, electricity, transport and housing costs remain high.

WHAT TO WATCH

Watch the next employment figures, household consumption, business investment and any revision to the second-quarter estimate. The government must also explain what it expects to drive faster growth during the remaining months of 2026. General assurances will not be enough. The public needs to see where new jobs and investment are expected to come from.

4

TWO POSSIBLE 2028 TANDEMS ARE IN A STATISTICAL TIE

An OCTA Research survey placed a hypothetical Leni Robredo-Raffy Tulfo tandem at 45 percent and a Sara Duterte-Imee Marcos tandem at 42 percent.

The three-point difference falls within the survey’s reported margin of error, which means the result should be read as a statistical tie rather than a clear lead.

The regional results showed a divided political map. Robredo and Tulfo were stronger in Balance Luzon and Metro Manila, while Duterte and Marcos had a commanding lead in Mindanao. The two possible tandems were tied in the Visayas.

These are hypothetical pairings. No final tickets have been announced, candidates have not filed certificates of candidacy, and alliances can still change before 2028.

The survey is useful because it shows where each possible coalition appears strong or weak. It does not predict the winner. Voter preferences can move after new controversies, economic changes, endorsements, campaign events and the entry of other candidates.

For ordinary voters, the survey offers an early picture of how national politics may again be organized around regional loyalties and prominent political names. It does not yet explain what any tandem would do about jobs, prices, healthcare, education or corruption.

WHAT TO WATCH

Watch whether the people named in the survey actually agree to run together. Future surveys should also be checked for the wording of the question, sample size, fieldwork dates and margin of error. A small numerical movement should not automatically be presented as a political surge or collapse.

5

MARCOS SAYS HE WILL ENDORSE A SUCCESSOR

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has confirmed that he intends to endorse a candidate to succeed him in 2028. He also said his party would form alliances with other political groups.

The statement does not identify his preferred candidate. It confirms, however, that discussions about the administration’s next presidential standard-bearer are underway.

Under the Constitution, the president serves a six-year term and is not eligible for reelection. Marcos will therefore leave office in 2028 unless the constitutional rules are changed.

A presidential endorsement can provide a candidate with access to an established political network, local officials, campaign organization and donors. It does not guarantee victory. Endorsements can also become liabilities when voters are dissatisfied with the sitting administration.

For the public, the more useful question is not simply who receives the endorsement. Voters need to know what government policies the successor would continue, abandon or change.

WHAT TO WATCH

Watch which political parties begin forming formal alliances and which officials appear repeatedly with the President. Also watch whether the administration presents a policy program for its chosen successor or relies mainly on personalities, family names and political machinery.

BOTTOM LINE

Several institutions began putting consequential questions on the public record this week. The Senate started examining the environmental and economic assumptions behind Pax Silica. Families affected by the drug war began giving testimony before the EJK Truth Commission. New economic figures showed growth slowing to 2.3 percent. Political groups also began revealing how they may position themselves for 2028. Each story remains unfinished. The useful information will come from the documents, testimony, economic data and formal agreements that follow.

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