News

Fewer Chinese vessels in West PH Sea as ‘Balikatan’ nears end

LAOAG CITY, Philippines — Fewer Chinese vessels were observed in the West Philippine Sea compared to previous weeks as the war games between Manila and Washington near completion. “There was a surge at the beginning, but for this week there is no significant increase in the number of China vessels in the West Philippine Sea,” said Col. Francel Margareth Padilla, Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesperson. “Compared to the last week, there is a...

DFA: No Cabinet exec OK’d China proposal

MANILA, Philippines — As Beijing continues to cite Philippine officials who supposedly agreed or were privy to its secret deal with Manila on Ayungin Shoal, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) made it clear yesterday that no Cabinet-level official had approved any Chinese proposal. In a statement, the DFA emphasized that only the Philippine president can approve or authorize agreements entered into by the government with other parties on...

Home Office targetting male migrants with no family for Rwanda flights

Over 100 people have been detained by Immigration Enforcement officers following nationwide raids. They are mostly male, have no serious health issues, sources told the Mail.

Police officer 'deliberately' run over by suspect

The officer has suffered a broken ankle and was described as being "in and out of consciousness".

Morales’ credibility questioned in Senate probe on PDEA ‘leak’

MANILA, Philippines — Former Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) investigation agent Jonathan Morales “believes in what he assumes as true,” according to the agency’s Investigation Service Acting Director Martin Francia. Francia gave this description before the upper chamber’s ongoing probe on PDEA’s leaked operational documents from March 11, 2012, that linked certain personalities to illegal drug use, which Morales alleged to be...

Four die from gas poisoning in Nueva Vizcaya

BAMBANG, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines — Three persons, believed to be treasure hunters, and a village official died from methane gas poisoning in a tunnel in Purok 3, Barangay Magsaysay Hill in this town on Monday. Dionisio Alisen, 62; Jeremias Padilla, 64, and Selvino Mendoza, 63, were trapped while digging a tunnel, according to reports received by town police chief Maj. Frederick Ferrer. Marlon Orden, 38, council member of Barangay Magsaysay...

Israeli forces seize Rafah border crossing, choking off vital aid

By Mohammad Salem and Nidal al-Mughrabi RAFAH, Gaza Strip/CAIRO -Israeli forces seized the main border crossing between Egypt and southern Gaza on Tuesday, shutting down a vital aid route into the Palestinian enclave that is already on the brink of famine. The Palestinian militant group Hamas accused Israel of trying to undermine efforts to secure a ceasefire in the seven-month-long war that has

Garrick Club votes to allow female members

The private members' club had come under increasing pressure to allow women to join.

Bamban mayor denies ties to raided Pogo firm in Tarlac

MANILA, Philippines — Bamban Mayor Alice Guo washed her hands off her alleged ties to a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (Pogo) raided by authorities in early March for charges of alleged human trafficking and serious illegal detention. Speaking at the Senate panel on women’s hearing on controversies hounding Pogo firms on Tuesday, Guo stated that she is neither “connected” nor a “protector” of Zuan Yuan Technology Inc. “Unang una po, hindi...

Police 'lost' girl's evidence of abuse by babysitter

Michaela Allen says she has been "robbed of justice" in her fight to get her case to court.

Teacher had schoolboy's baby, court years

Rebecca Joynes denies six counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child.

Several solons say linking Marcos to drugs meant to destabilize gov’t

MANILA, Philippines — Several members of the House of Representatives have pointed out that linking President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. to drug use is part of politics and an attempt to destabilize the government. During a briefing on Tuesday at the Batasang Pambansa complex, Zambales 1st District Rep. Jefferson Khonghun said that the public needs to understand that the accusations are only meant to shame the President, which is why...

Protesters clash with police in Amsterdam following Rafah attack

Hundreds have gathered across Europe to protest against Israel's attacks on Rafah. Students have fought against police in a bid to make a statement following the loss of life in Gaza.

UP expands degree programs in Mindanao campus, pushes more inclusive admission policy nationwide

Starting next year, the University of the Philippines (UP) Mindanao will significantly upgrade its academic programs to help address regional and national needs, and update its admissions policies in alignment with the push by UP President Angelo Jimenez to ensure more equitable access to high-quality, state-subsidized tertiary education. These initiatives, explained Jimenez, are “in response to the growing local demand for skilled human...

Tolentino wants PH to acquire submarines, Pintados fleet

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Francis Tolentino wants the Philippine government to upgrade its maritime fleet by acquiring more submarines. “China is bullying us because we are lacking resources, especially naval resources. What we need are submarines,” said Tolentino, chairperson of the Senate’s special panel on maritime and admiralty zones, in a statement on Tuesday. READ: Submarines in next phase of PH military upgrade “The importance of...

Poe thanks media for covering ‘dry’ hearing

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Grace Poe on Tuesday thanked the media at a Senate hearing on Tuesday for covering a seemingly “dry” topic. “Thank you nga pala sa media for covering this ah, mas exciting ‘yong hearing sa kabila. Gusto ko na nga pumunta d’on,” Poe said. (Thank you to the media for covering this, even if the hearing on the other side is more exciting. I myself would like to go there now.) It was uncertain what other hearing Poe...

Maricel Soriano denies drug links, knowledge of PDEA documents

MANILA, Philippines — Actress Maricel Soriano has denied any knowledge of the supposedly leaked Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) documents linking her and President Marcos to illegal drugs. During yesterday’s public hearing on the investigation on the so-called PDEA leaks by the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs, its chairman Sen. Ronald dela Rosa asked Soriano about the documents that were exposed by a vlogger and...

Lone bettor wins P51.9-million Superlotto 6/49 jackpot

One lucky bettor won the Superlotto 6/49 jackpot during the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office's (PCSO) live drawing on Tuesday evening. The winning Superlotto 6/49 numbers were 40-18-07-06-24-27, for a prize of P51,964,353.60. There were no winners of either of the other two big prizes of the night. The winning combination for the Lotto 6/42 draw was 25-07-05-04-09-02. The jackpot remains at P48,422,215.40. The winning numbers for the Ultra...

P68.3 million Ecstasy seized in Pasay

MANILA, Philippines — Four persons, including a barangay kagawad or councilman, were apprehended for allegedly claiming a parcel that contained 40,206 tablets of the party drug Ecstasy valued at P68.3 million in Pasay on Monday. Mark Bryan Gamba; Robert Simon, 32; Fabio Dalvanos, 36, and Sherill Gamba, 46, were nabbed during an interdiction operation at the Central Mail Exchange Center at around 3:20 p.m. According to the Philippine Drug...

Romanian president says he's open to discussing sending Patriot system to Ukraine

BUCHAREST (Reuters) -Romanian President Klaus Iohannis said on Tuesday he was open to discussing sending a Patriot missile system to Ukraine after German appeals to European Union and NATO member states to bolster Ukraine's air defences. Following appeals by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, EU governments were urged last month to supply more badly needed defence systems to Kyiv. Germany

Marcos hopes for Philippines-EU FTA by 2027

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos is hoping to conclude negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) between the Philippines and the European Union by 2027 that is seen to further boost trade and investments between the country and the EU. “We see the FTA as a crucial step in enhancing the trade partnership between the Philippines and the EU,” President Marcos said in his message delivered by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin during the...

HRW: PH needs to do more to protect journalists

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called on the Marcos administration to improve its efforts in protecting journalists in the Philippines. "Rather than resting on the laurels of the pending Jumalon trial and the incomplete Lapid case, the Marcos administration needs to ratchet up its efforts to protect journalists," HRW Asia Division senior researcher Carlos H. Conde said in a statement on Tuesday. "It should immediately end the practice of...

Former president Duterte attends Dumaguete prayer, peace rally

BACOLOD CITY – Former president Rodrigo Duterte attended a prayer rally for peace organized by local group Hakbang ng Maisug at the Freedom Park in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental on Tuesday. The 5:00 p.m. event pushed through even if the Dumaguete City government revoked the gathering’s permit. “We don’t need a permit to use a freedom park,” former presidential spokesman Harry Roque told the Inquirer. Duterte arrived at the venue at past 6 p.m....

3 fires break out in Manila

MANILA, Philippines — Fires broke out in three areas in Manila, destroying a 20-story building and a barangay hall, on Monday night. A fire struck the eighth floor of the Ritz Royal Tower, said to be occupied by a Chinese national, along Camba street in Binondo, according to a report from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP). The BFP raised first alarm at 9:33 p.m., which was elevated to third alarm at 11:42 p.m. Forty-eight firetrucks from the...

Fraudster 'planned killing' of heiress - lawyer

Paula Leeson's family want a judge to rule her husband unlawfully killed her.

Senate pays tribute to Saguisag; Robin apologizes for ‘Rene’ gaffe

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate unanimously adopted on Tuesday a resolution expressing the chamber’s profound sympathy and sincere condolences to the family of staunch rights defender and late former senator Rene Saguisag. Meantime, Sen. Robinhood Padilla apologized for mistakenly citing and mentioning another late former senator and namesake of Saguisag, Rene Cayetano, in his manifestation. Senate Resolution No. 1009 was introduced by Senate...

Families flee as tension between armed groups brews in Mamasapano

More than 1,000 families have fled their homes for fear of being caught in the crossfire as tension between armed groups continues in Mamasapano, Maguindanao del Sur. Around 960 families have taken shelter temporarily at some schools in the town. According to the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), the conflict between two groups of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) started on April 2, 2024, and has continued...

DOLE warns public against fake Facebook post

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said on Tuesday that a Facebook page which alleged to give a scholarship under its Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/ Displaced Workers (TUPAD) is fake. According to the Dole, the TUPAD program was not a scholarship program, but was instead an employment program. READ: Dole to employers: Implement measures to protect workers vs heat “The TUPAD Program is not a cash or...

Have Kyiv's American-supplied Abrams tanks failed in Ukraine?

Notable People who died in 2024

AFP denies Wescom involvement in Ayungin’s ‘new model’

LAOAG CITY, ILOCOS NORTE, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday categorically denied China’s linking of its Western Command (Wescom) to the purported “new model” of management for the Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal situation. An unidentified Chinese embassy spokesperson on Saturday said that the AFP-Wescom and Chinese authorities agreed with a “new model” to manage the tensions in the shoal where a Philippine navy...

House bill seeks to postpone BSKE anew

MANILA, Philippines — A bill seeking to postpone the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) scheduled on Dec. 1 next year has been filed before the House of Representatives. Camarines Sur third district Rep. LRay Villafuerte filed House Bill 10344, which proposes the holding of the BSKE polls on Oct. 26, 2026. Under the bill, the BSKE should be held every three years thereafter ”in compliance with the provisions of the Constitution...

Trillanes told to spare PNP from rumors of ouster plot vs Marcos

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) appealed on Tuesday to former senator Antonio Trillanes IV to spare the organization from issues after the latter revealed that active senior police officials have been recruiting members to join the latest ouster plot against President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. Citing PNP chief Gen. Rommel Marbil, the national police spokesperson, Col. Jean Fajardo, said they have not intercepted...

Bato dares Trillanes: Arrest me, make my day

ENRAGED Sen. Ronald de la Rosa challenged former senator Antonio Trillanes IV on Tuesday to join in serving the warrant for his and former president Rodrigo Duterte's arrest to be issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC). At a press conference, de la Rosa took a dig at Trillanes' announcement that a warrant of arrest for him and former president Duterte would be released in June or July. "Trillanes keeps on talking about the ICC... come...

Rival MILF groups clash anew; thousands displaced

COTABATO CITY, Philippines — At least 6,000 residents have been displaced as two warring factions of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) clashed anew in Mamasapano, Maguindanao del Sur. Police and military officials said the groups led by Zainudin Kiaro and a certain Badruddin have been engaged in gunfights in Barangays Pembalkan and Tukanalipao since Sunday. Vincent Cuales, municipal disaster risk reduction and management officer, said the...

Man shot six times at close range, court hears

Malcolm McKeown was shot six times at close range in the head and body, a court hears.

Vaughan Gething told colleagues he deleted Whatsapp messages

Vaughan Gething (pictured), who was the health minister during the pandemic, told the inquiry in March that his lost WhatsApp messages were not deleted by him but by the Senedd's IT team.

Solon suggests a 2026 barangay polls, avoid shorter terms for incumbent execs

MANILA, Philippines — Camarines Sur Rep. LRay Villafuerte is suggesting that the next Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) be held in 2026 instead of 2025, so that sitting officials would not be given shorter terms. Villafuerte in a statement on Tuesday said he and other lawmakers have filed House Bill (HB) No. 10344 to move the next elections to October 26, 2026, explaining that incumbent barangay officials can only perform their...

Pro-Palestinian protest in Amsterdam turns violent after student rally halted

By Anthony Deutsch AMSTERDAM (Reuters) -Police clashed with pro-Palestinian protesters as thousands marched in the Dutch capital on Tuesday, a day after riot police violently broke up an encampment at Amsterdam University. Police were seen using batons against protesters to prevent them from marching past the nearby Holocaust Monument on their way to Amsterdam city centre. When protesters

Asylum seekers pay thousands to enter Ireland as they are 'much safer'

There were a total of 85 tents lined up between Mount Street Bridge and Huband Bridge yesterday afternoon - a figure that has doubled in less than a week.

Filipino priest to become Franciscan general treasurer

MANILA, Philippines — A Filipino priest is set to become one of the top officials of the Order of Friars Minor (OFM), or the Franciscans, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said on Tuesday. According to the CBCP, Fr. Joel Sulse was appointed general oeconomus, or the treasurer of the religious order. READ: Franciscans mark 800th anniversary of historic interreligious meeting Sulse went to Rome on Tuesday, the CBCP added....

Kim Jong Un mourns death of North Korea's former propaganda chief

North Korea's former propaganda chief, credited with masterminding the personality cult surrounding the ruling Kim dynasty, has died, state media said Wednesday, with leader Kim Jong Un photographed bowing at his funeral bier. He is credited with masterminding the cult of the Kim family dynasty, and Pyongyang's state media on Wednesday described him as "a veteran of our Party and the revolution, a prestigious theoretician and a prominent...

'Hi-tech' thieves wanted in Korea nabbed in Cebu

Three Korean fugitives wanted in South Korea for special robbery were arrested by authorities in Talisay City, Cebu. According to John Consulta’s “24 Oras” report Tuesday, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said the suspects were under the Interpol Red Notice list for their alleged “high-technology” technique in robbing their victims’ homes. “Ang tatlong Koreano na ito ay wanted for special robbery,” said BI Fugitive Search Unit chief Rendel Sy....

US soldier bucked Army rules before arrest in Russia

By Idrees Ali and Phil Stewart WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Before his arrest in Russia, U.S. soldier Gordon Black not only broke Army rules by traveling to the Russian city of Vladivostok without authorization, but he did so after passing through China, the Pentagon said on Tuesday. Details about Black started to emerge on Tuesday of risk-taking behavior that saw the 34-year-old Army staff sergeant's

Mega Millions winning numbers for May 7 drawing: Jackpot rises to $306 million

Mega Millions players, are you feeling lucky? The winning numbers are in for the May 7 drawing with the $306 million jackpot at stake.

CVIRAA 2024: Cebu City Niños pull away in medal standings

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Host Cebu City bared its fangs in almost all fronts on Tuesday to seize the lead after three action-packed days of CVIRAA 2024 athletic meet. Struggling in the first two days of competition, the defending champion Cebu City Niños harvested 25 gold medals on the third day of hostilities to boost their chances of retaining the overall championship. From a lukewarm 11 gold-medal harvest on Monday, the Niños added 25 more on...

Gun and motorbike seized after man shot dead

A firearm and an electric motorbike have been seized by officers investigating a fatal shooting in Dublin.

NYC Mayor Eric Adams donates $5K of own money to catch anti-Israel agitators who defaced World War I memorial

Anti-Israel agitators vandalized a World War I memorial Monday night in NYC as protests carried on near Central Park. New York City Mayor Eric Adams called for the arrest of the vandals, while putting up some his own money as a reward.

Dela Rosa: No one can use me to destabilize Marcos admin

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa shunned on Tuesday allegations that he is being used by certain people to destabilize the administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. “Never akong magpapagamit kahit kanino man. Wala pong makakagamit sa akin, kaya nga sabi ko sa inyo – I have to maintain the objectivity in the conduct of this hearing kasi alam kong dalawang nag-uumpugang pader dito maiipit dito [at] maiipit...

Roque says oust Marcos plot a ‘hallucination’

MANILA, Philippines – The reported plot by the camp of former president Rodrigo Duterte to oust President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos is just a “hallucination,” former Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said Tuesday. Roque made the remark after former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV’s allegation that active senior police officials and retired military officials were already recruiting members to join the ouster move. Trillanes said the Duterte...