The Angle

29/09/2026

Today, September 29, 2026, the Senate impeachment tribunal designated Davao City Mayor Baste Duterte as a hostile witness in Vice President Sara Duterte's ongoing impeachment proceedings. Mayor Duterte appeared before the court pursuant to a subpoena and is presently testifying.

28/09/2026

24/09/2026

Davao-Samal Connector Bridge

22/09/2026

KORINA SANCHEZ QUESTIONS DAVAO CITY'S PROGRESS, CALLS INFRASTRUCTURE OUTDATED

Veteran broadcast journalist Korina Sanchez ignited social media discussions after openly expressing doubts about the true scope of urban progress in Davao City, stating that large portions of the area still give off an underdeveloped impression.

Reflecting on her reporting career in the locality dating back to the 1980s and 1990s, Sanchez observed that aside from the rise of commercial giants like Megaworld and Ayala, broad-scale infrastructure growth outside these zones seems stagnant or lagging.

Sanchez clarified that these thoughts stem from her own recent visit, highlighting a stark contrast between major commercial investments and wider neighborhood modernization. Her remarks have since triggered divided online opinions, receiving pushback from local defenders while sparking broader conversations regarding regional development and economic expansion in Mindanao.

22/09/2026

Japan is willing to consider financial backing for the Mindanao Railway Project should Manila submit an official request. Currently, the project lacks secured financing, and reports indicate the proposed 2027 national budget excludes funding for it.

Although China was originally slated to finance the initiative, the Philippines is actively exploring different funding avenues and alternatives. Designed to initially link Tagum, Davao, and Digos with future extensions to boost regional connectivity and spur economic growth throughout Mindanao the railway is already seeing preparatory groundwork. This includes right-of-way acquisitions and the relocation of at least 159 families in the Davao region, though the overall timeline hinges entirely on nailing down a financial commitment.

22/09/2026

GHOST PROJECTS IN DAVAO CITY?

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has verified serious irregularities concerning multiple flood control projects in Representative Paolo Duterte's district in Davao City.

Investigators found that a single contractor managed several non-existent (ghost) and structurally deficient projects valued at more than 1.9 billion pesos.

17/09/2026

The installation of 60-kW DC fast charging stations for electric vehicles is being carried out in Davao City. Some of these facilities are currently under construction along Maa Road.

Meanwhile, some netizens hope that these new facilities will contribute to the city's continued development. As of now, no additional details have been released regarding the charging stations other than their location and capacity.

17/09/2026

Late Wednesday, the House of Representatives unanimously voted to defer deliberations on the Department of Information and Communications Technology’s (DICT) proposed PHP 10.68 billion budget for 2027 amid mounting frustration over online safety and cyber scams.

Initiated by Philreca party-list Rep. Presley de Jesus and backed by the majority bloc, the suspension reflects lawmakers' demands to see tangible results from the agency's efforts before approving further funds. The pushback is largely driven by recent tragedies, including school shootings in Tacloban City and Zamboanga City, and a widespread desire to better protect children from harmful online content.

Defending the budget, FPJ Panday Bayanihan party-list Rep. Brian Poe revealed that the DICT is pressing Meta for two strict non-negotiables: establishing a local office in the Philippines and requiring a National ID for account registration.

Although Meta reportedly appears open to these terms and has been invited to the country to face lawmakers, CEO Mark Zuckerberg has yet to respond, mirroring a broader global backlash against social media giants over youth safety and minor protection.

16/09/2026

The prosecution has commanded Davao City Mayor Baste Duterte, alongside Gary Samonte and Police Major Jericson Sangalang, to testify at the Senate Impeachment Court trial on September 23. However, Senate President and Presiding Officer Chiz Escudero noted that whether they actually take the stand will hinge on the completion of prior testimonies set for September 22.

16/09/2026

Lawyers for former House Speaker Martin Romualdez announced Wednesday that he will apply for bail in his multi-billion-peso plunder case. Appearing via video link from the New Quezon City Jail wearing a detention facility shirt and seated in a wheelchair, Romualdez pleaded not guilty before the Sandiganbayan Third Division. While plunder is normally non-bailable, a court can grant it if the evidence against the accused is deemed weak, a matter that will be tested during upcoming bail hearings.

In addition to the bail request, the antigraft court ordered Romualdez to explain within 10 days why he should not be suspended from office while the trial is ongoing, a standard rule under the Anti-Plunder Act. Romualdez, along with former lawmaker Zaldy Co and two others, was ordered arrested on September 7 over allegations of pocketing P7.44 billion in kickbacks from government infrastructure and flood-control projects between 2022 and 2025. Following a brief hospital stay, Romualdez was transferred to the Quezon City jail.