Singapore’s crackdown on fake reviews exposes business of buying ‘social proof’

South China Morning Post - Oct 2, 2026

Singapore’s biggest crackdown so far on fake online reviews has exposed how businesses exploit the appeal of five-star ratings to game the system, with experts warning generative AI will make fake reviews more rampant and consumers need to be more discerning of what they read online. The Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCS) has taken action against 45 companies – including a funeral parlour, law firm and an aesthetics clinic – after finding they bought reviews from a provider...

Read full article

More News

New classrooms, kitchens and libraries open for Vietnamese students in remote areas

Oct 2, 2026

Classrooms, kitchens, toilets and libraries have been put into use for the new school year in provinces across Vietnam, supporting students in mountainous and border areas.

Philippines’ jeepney drivers ‘stuck between a rock and a hard place’ despite fare increase

Oct 2, 2026

Reggie Manlapig, 46, has been driving jeepneys for nearly 25 years and has weathered rising fuel prices – but with costs spiking amid the global energy crunch, he is now wrestling bigger demons. “The impact has been huge. Before, in a 16-hour shift of driving, I could take home 400 to 500 pesos [US$6.30 to US$8] – now there’s a big cut to that income,” said Manlapig, who plies a two-hour daily round route from Malolos in Bulacan, north of Manila, to San Fernando, Pampanga. “Doing the full route...

House subpanel OKs additional P4.09M for next year’s LGSF

Oct 1, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — A House subcommittee of select lawmakers late Thursday increased funding for the local government support fund (LGSF) by an additional P4.091 million in next year’s national budget. As the Budget Amendments Review Sub-committee (BARSc) began deliberations on the proposed amendments to the P7.2-trillion House budget bill, Deputy Speaker Bambi Emano moved to

N Sembilan royal imbroglio stalls BN-PN bid to reclaim Harapan allocations?

Oct 1, 2026

One Harapan lawmaker says they're still awaiting MB's response over their appeal.

House special panel hikes public works’ proposed 2027 funding by P11B

Oct 1, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — A sub-committee of select lawmakers hiked the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) proposed budget by P11.49 billion, with the bulk of the additional funding directed toward road development projects across the country. The Budget Amendments Review Sub-committee (BARSc) lodged an extra P6.91 billion to the DPWH’s National Roads program, alongside

Highlights: Day 32 of Sara Duterte impeachment trial | Oct. 1, 2026

Oct 1, 2026

MANILA, Philippines – On Day 32 of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial Thursday, lead public prosecutor and Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro announced that the prosecution has decided not to present former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV as a witness. Trillanes later confirmed on social media that he had personally asked Luistro to withdraw his name,

House special panel boosts DOH assistance program, infra projects

Oct 1, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — A special panel of select House lawmakers boosted the Department of Health’s (DOH) assistance program and healthcare infrastructure projects, as legislators aim to lower hospitalization costs and fortify government hospitals across the country. The Budget Amendments Review Sub-committee (BARSc) hiked the Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients’ (MAIFIP) funding by

NBI invites VP Duterte, Velasco over ex-cop’s cash delivery claim

Oct 1, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said it had sent invitations to Vice President Sara Duterte, former House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco and other individuals whom former police officer Rodulfo Gracioso Jr. linked to his “cash delivery” allegations. NBI Director Melvin Matibag said invitations were sent to their respective addresses Thursday. These

No jackpot winners in Oct. 1 lotto draws

Oct 1, 2026

MANILA, Philippines—No bettor won the jackpots in the Super Lotto 6/49 and Lotto 6/42 draws on Thursday, Oct. 1, according to the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. The Super Lotto 6/49 winning combination was 39-03-43-04-42-15 for a jackpot of ₱30.9 million. No ticket matched all six numbers. For Lotto 6/42, the winning numbers were 40-13-35-10-15-14, with

House budget panel hikes social aid programs amid El Nino threat

Oct 1, 2026

MANILA, Philippines – A subcommittee of ranking House lawmakers on late Thursday boosted funding for crucial social welfare programs, including the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) crisis intervention scheme to help vulnerable families cushion the economic impact of expected dry spells driven by El Nino. The Budget Amendments Review Sub-committee (BARSc) augmented funding

House panel OKs P16-B agriculture budget amendments for 2027

Oct 1, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — The Budget Amendments Review Subcommittee (BARSc) of the House of Representatives on Thursday approved an additional P16 billion to the Department of Agriculture budget in amendments for next year. The move aims to further support farmers, fisherfolk, and the agriculture sector and strengthen programs to prepare them for the looming super El

House subpanel OKs P2.35-B DOTr budget boost for 2027 key programs

Oct 1, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has been allocated an additional P2.349 billion in its proposed budget for 2027 as the House of Representatives’ budget review subcommittee approved amendments for the funding of its four key programs. The Budget Amendments Review Subcommittee on Thursday began its deliberations on the proposed amendments to the

Singapore’s crackdown on fake reviews exposes business of buying ‘social proof’

More News

New classrooms, kitchens and libraries open for Vietnamese students in remote areas

Philippines’ jeepney drivers ‘stuck between a rock and a hard place’ despite fare increase

House subpanel OKs additional P4.09M for next year’s LGSF

N Sembilan royal imbroglio stalls BN-PN bid to reclaim Harapan allocations?

House special panel hikes public works’ proposed 2027 funding by P11B

Highlights: Day 32 of Sara Duterte impeachment trial | Oct. 1, 2026

House special panel boosts DOH assistance program, infra projects

NBI invites VP Duterte, Velasco over ex-cop’s cash delivery claim

No jackpot winners in Oct. 1 lotto draws

House budget panel hikes social aid programs amid El Nino threat

House panel OKs P16-B agriculture budget amendments for 2027

House subpanel OKs P2.35-B DOTr budget boost for 2027 key programs

Recommended

LIVE UPDATES: Impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte

2 new islands appear near Indonesia’s Anak Krakatoa volcano after eruption

GCash prices Philippines’ biggest-ever IPO at P6.60 per share

Tycoon's children question MACC action against brother, fear 'corporate mafia' link

[Mind The Gap] Buyer’s remorse on Trump? Vote your pocketbook!

[OPINYON] Para sa iyo, estudyanteng Inglesero

Eagle with pellet wounds rescued in Cotabato

Have P5,000? You can invest in RTB 32 and earn 6.8% per year

Brain-dead donor's liver gives boy new chance after 7 years of cirrhosis