Good morning. The Marcos-Duterte fallout gets louder as Sara Duterte calls for the President to resign and the Palace fires back. Elsewhere, the peso remains under pressure, airfares may rise, and El Niño threatens food prices. Plus: US-backed energy projects, rare science finds, robot tech, and Australia’s Tagalog Oscar entry.

Stay Sharp.

What happened: Vice President Sara Duterte called for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to resign on Sept. 11, accusing his administration of abuse, corruption and going after people who speak the truth.

Speaking after her arraignment in a grave threats case was deferred, Duterte urged supporters to keep demanding Marcos leave office. She also questioned how money allegedly tied to flood-control projects reached former Speaker Martin Romualdez, who faces a ₱7.4-billion plunder case.

The response: Palace press officer Claire Castro rejected Duterte’s accusations, defended the administration’s use of due process and fired back at her criticism of Marcos.

Why it matters: The exchange highlights the deepening political rift between Marcos and Duterte, former allies who ran together under the UniTeam ticket in 2022.

The United States is supporting liquefied natural gas and nuclear energy projects in the Philippines as Washington seeks to strengthen energy ties with Manila and counter China’s regional influence. The push could help diversify Philippine power sources and improve energy security, while supporting the country’s long-term nuclear development plans.

Peso faces fresh pressure from inflation fears

The Philippine peso remains under pressure as inflation concerns, elevated oil prices, strong US dollar demand and geopolitical risks weigh on the currency. The peso recently fell to record lows, with the weakening currency raising the cost of fuel and other imports and adding pressure on the inflation outlook.

Airfares set to rise as fuel surcharge hits Level 14

Airfares in the Philippines may increase after the Civil Aeronautics Board raised the fuel surcharge to Level 14, reflecting higher aviation fuel costs. The adjustment is expected to raise travel expenses for passengers as airlines account for increased fuel-related operating costs.

PH faces highest El Niño food inflation risk

The Philippines is the most vulnerable among ASEAN-5 economies to El Niño-related food inflation, according to OCBC Global Markets Research. Rice, wheat, maize and vegetable oils face supply risks as the weather phenomenon strengthens, potentially raising food prices and complicating monetary policy across the region.

Kim Chiu’s sister Lakam faces 124 qualified theft counts over alleged ₱44.396 million in corporate funds. Prosecutors found sufficient basis, while Lakam denies wrongdoing and disputes the allegations. (Read more)

‘First Light’ Chosen as Australia’s Oscar Entry

Australia selected the Tagalog-language drama First Light, starring Ruby Ruiz, as its 2027 Oscars entry for International Feature Film, marking Australia’s first Tagalog submission. (Read More)

Gilas Falls to Bahrain in Asian Games Opener

Gilas Pilipinas lost 89-85 to Bahrain in its 2026 Asian Games opener despite Calvin Oftana’s 31 points. The Philippines will face Kazakhstan next as its title defense continues. (Read More)

A Kenyan startup developed robotic hands that translate teachers’ voices into sign language, helping deaf students understand lessons. The technology also builds technical sign-language databases for schools across Kenya. (Read More)

Newly Developed Light-Powered Robots Can Jump Continuously

Researchers developed soft robots that use infrared light to repeatedly jump without manual resetting. Changing their shape controls whether they crawl, jump forward, or leap vertically across different surfaces. (Read More)

Japan Unveils Robot Ambulance

Japanese company GMO Internet Group unveiled a vehicle designed to repair humanoid robots on-site. It carries engineers, equipment, replacement parts and spare robots, serving as a mobile repair workshop. (Read More)

University Launched AI Curriculum Before ChatGPT

The University of Florida began building its AI curriculum in 2022, months before ChatGPT launched. It now offers 200-plus courses, preparing students across fields for AI-driven careers. (Read More)

Doctor Spots Rare Blanket Octopus

A doctor fishing off Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental, spotted two rare blanket octopuses. Marine biologists advised people to observe them from a distance and avoid touching or collecting them.

UP Scientists Warn Vaping May Have Tumorigenic Effects

UP Diliman scientists found vaping can trigger cellular changes linked to tumor development, including increased cell growth, survival, migration, and resistance to cell death, urging caution and further research.

Woman Gives Birth Using 22-Year-Old Frozen Embryo

A 54-year-old Greek woman gave birth to a healthy baby girl after IVF using an embryo frozen in 2004, from the same batch as her son, who died in 2025.

Physicists Find Possible Glitch in Time

Physicists suggest quantum effects could make time fundamentally uncertain, limiting clock precision. The tiny effect is currently undetectable but may offer clues about quantum mechanics and gravity.

⚡ Rotational brownouts were seen in parts of the Visayas and Mindanao on September 11 amid tight power supply conditions. (Read more)

🦟 Albay was placed under a state of calamity after dengue cases reached 1,785, prompting authorities to intensify health response efforts. (Read more)

🚨 A UN report identified Mindanao as a smuggling hotspot, while PNP seizures of contraband reached more than ₱9 billion this year.(Read more)

👮  Philippine authorities continued strengthening enforcement
against smuggling and other illegal activities amid concer
ns over organized criminal networks and contraband flows. (Read more)

A pilot warned the other about excessive speed multiple times before an Amazon cargo plane crashed in Miami, killing five people. Flight data also showed delayed flap deployment.

Secret Son Sparks Succession Dispute in Ugandan Kingdom

The family of late Ugandan King Oyo rejected his cousin’s selection as successor, claiming the monarch’s previously unknown son should inherit the Tooro kingdom throne instead.

Vanishing Island Reappears Miles Away

A floating island in British Columbia’s Williston Reservoir disappeared from satellite images before reappearing more than 18 miles away. Officials say rising water likely detached it from shore.

📝 Customers criticized for changing baby’s diaper at coffee shop dining table. (Read more)

📝 Caught on cam: L300 van swerves across CAVITEX before crashing. (Watch here)

📝 Merriam-Webster joins internet roast of Apple’s newly announced foldable iPhone Duo. (Read more)

📝 Jennifer Lawrence joins Instagram, asks fans to keep negativity away from her account and protect “the baby”. (Watch here)