Context Dispatch

The Department of Health (DOH) said it is closely monitoring recent increases in COVID-19 cases elsewhere in Southeast Asia. While the rise in cases has been noted in several neighboring countries, the DOH said there is currently no cause for alarm in the Philippines.

House Deputy Speaker David “Jay-Jay” Suarez confirmed Saturday that Speaker Martin Romualdez enjoys the backing of over 240 lawmakers—securing a supermajority in the coming 20th Congress.

DEPUTY Speaker David "Jay-Jay" Suarez and Mark Enverga, both from Quezon, are confident that Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) President Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez would remain Speaker in the 20th Congress.

Leandro Legarda Leviste, a 32-year-old billionaire, renewable energy advocate, and founder of the Philippines’ largest solar energy company—recently acquired by the Metro Pacific Group—clinched a historic landslide victory in Batangas’ 1st District, defeating incumbent Eric Buhain with 75% of the vote. This marks the largest margin of victory against any sitting congressman in the 2025 elections. The son of Senator Loren Legarda, Legarda Leviste left the business world after a P34-billion Solar Philippines deal with Meralco to pursue public service. His platform focuses on education, infrastructure, and job creation for Western Batangas.

Microsoft is laying off around 6,000 employees—nearlyw 3 percent of its global workforce—in its biggest job reduction since 2023, as the Washington-based tech giant continues to streamline operations in response to shifting market conditions.