The death toll rises as the hours pass, with 69 confirmed. The shrine of Santa Rosa de Lima in Daanbantayan lies in ruins. “May this tragedy awaken in us a deeper sense of solidarity, compassion, and faith in Your providence,” the archdiocese said in a statement.
To mark the 50th anniversary of his fashion house, the great Italian designer, who died on 4 September, wanted to create Casa Mariù, a solidarity initiative for educational facilities in some of the poorest areas of the world. Among the eight projects supported are a centre for the disabled in Phrae and two schools in Suihari and Taytay promoted by PIME missionaries and Caritas.
A large crowd took part in the ‘Trillion Peso March’, united by churches, civil organisations and students to denounce the scandal of flood control funds allegedly involving some 30 parliamentarians and officials. The Church Leaders Council for National Transformation presented five urgent demands, from the return of stolen money to the end of political dynasties.
On Sunday, the 53rd anniversary of the imposition of martial law, thousands of Filipinos are expected to take to the streets in the capital for a peaceful rally against government corruption. Meanwhile, the speaker of the House of Representatives, cousin of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., has resigned. For his part, the president is not going to attend the UN General Assembly; meanwhile, anger and indignation on social media are growing.
The Philippine Commission on Elections (Comelec) suspended the first parliamentary elections in the Muslim-majority region on 13 October 2025, after a court ruling temporarily restrained the election law over seat distribution. Now the election date is uncertain, but it is up to Congress to decide any further postponement.
The president has set up an independent three-member body to vet dodgy flood prevention projects of the past 10 years. The Conference of Superiors of the Philippines warns that corruption deprives youth of an education, favours the neglect of the sick, and traps millions in poverty.
