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Telecommunications

Daily intelligence on the Telecommunications beat

Wednesday, August 19, 2026

Issue #57

School shooting, VP trial, digital payments lead Aug. 18 news

A school shooting in Zamboanga City, the Senate impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, and new BSP data showing digital payments reached 64.7% of retail transactions in 2025 dominated the day's news and social conversation.

By the MMI Telecommunications Desk

School shooting, VP trial, digital payments lead Aug. 18 news

A school shooting in Zamboanga City, the [Senate impeachment trial](https://media-meter.com/report-library/impeachment-trial-dominates-as-coa-testimony-sc-ruling-shift "Impeachment trial dominates as coa testimony sc ruling shift") of [Vice President Sara Duterte](https://media-meter.com/report-library/impeachment-trial-drives-bank-records-into-spotlight "Impeachment trial drives bank records into spotlight"), and new central bank data showing [digital payments](https://media-meter.com/report-library/ph-digital-payments-hit-647-target-inflation-risks-loom "Ph digital payments hit 647 target inflation risks loom") reached 64.7% of retail transactions in 2025 dominated the day's news and social conversation. The shooting, which killed two students and wounded nine others at Ateneo de Zamboanga University, drew immediate reaction from lawmakers and the public, while the trial continued to generate coverage of confidential funds and new charges against a Marikina lawmaker. Separately, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) reported that digital payments now account for nearly two-thirds of retail transactions, a milestone that signals a lasting shift in how Filipinos pay for goods and services.

Dominant — The school shooting in Zamboanga City dominated both news coverage and social conversation. The incident, which killed two students and wounded nine others, drew immediate reactions from lawmakers, including House Speaker Faustino Dy III, who promised a response "beyond sympathy." The Bureau of Customs relieved the suspect's father of his duty as district police chief. Within the captured set, this story drew the most coverage, with multiple outlets reporting on the shooting, the suspect, and the aftermath.

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