MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) had received 43.3 percent of the expected election returns (ERs) as of 7:30 p.m. on Monday, after the closing of polling precincts for the first Bangsamoro Parliamentary elections. Based on the Comelec’s official website, it had received 2,427 of the expected 5,212 ERs as of 7:30 p.m.

MANILA, Philippines — A candidate for Maguindanao del Sur’s 5th district representative withdrew his candidacy on Monday, the day of the first Bangsamoro parliamentary elections. A document shared by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) with the media showed that Nasser Guialal Dalgan filed his statement of withdrawal, which was received by the provincial election supervisor

COTABATO CITY — A powerful explosion rocked the Cotabato City Central Pilot Elementary School at 4:14 p.m. on Monday while the historic Bangsamoro parliamentary elections were underway, leaving one man slightly injured, police and a Philippine Red Cross worker said. Colonel Jibin Bongcayao, city police director, said the blast occurred while some people were still

MANILA – Senators on Monday welcomed the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s (BIR) removal of value-added tax (VAT) on electricity system loss charges, calling the move a relief for consumers while pushing for further reductions in power bills. Senate Committee on Energy chair Erwin Tulfo announced the development in plenary, saying the BIR, under Commissioner Charlito

CALAPAN CITY — Palawan Gov. Amy Roa Alvarez personally delivered financial assistance to survivors and families affected by the M/V June Aster fire in Coron town on Saturday, Sept. 12, as provincial officials continued to provide support to those affected by the tragedy, according to the provincial information office. Twelve Palawan residents who survived the

MANILA, Philippines — A public official’s repeated omission of required information from his or her statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) may be attempted concealment and constitute dishonesty, retired Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang told the Senate impeachment court Monday. The House prosecution presented Cabotaje-Tang to outline a framework for allegation of the second