News

DBM supports salary increase for gov’t workers; study underway

MANILA, Philippines — Budget Secretary Amenah “Mina” Pangandaman said that the Philippine government is set to finalize a comprehensive study on the potential salary adjustment for government workers by the first half of 2024. This initiative, spearheaded by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), and the Governance Commission for GOCCs (GCG), aims to ensure a competitive and equitable compensation package that aligns with the...

Zambales solon to Trillanes: Don’t drag PNP, AFP in rumormongering

MANILA, Philippines — Former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV should not tag active police and military officials in alleged destabilization plot especially if he does not have any evidence, Zambales 1st District Rep. Jefferson Khonghun said on Tuesday. Khonghun in a press briefing at the Batasang Pambansa complex also said that it is unfair for generals to be dragged in such discussions, noting that Trillanes has been known to be a “gossiper.”...

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.

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...

NSC: Marcos wants PH to make certain adjustments in resupply missions

MANILA, Philippines — Upon President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive, the government will make “certain adjustments” to the Philippine Navy and Coast Guard’s conduct of resupply missions following China’s latest water cannon attack on April 30, according to National Security Council (NSC) Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya. Although he opted not to disclose more details, Malaya said this adjustment will help them keep the troops at the...

Ex-PDEA agent couldn’t recall name of informant behind document leak

MANILA, Philippines — Former Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) investigation agent Jonathan Morales said on Tuesday that he could not recall the identity of the confidential informant of the agency’s leaked documents linking President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and actress Maricel Soriano to illegal drug use. During the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs’ resumption of its investigation on PDEA’s leaked documents, Morales...

Fraudster 'planned killing' of heiress - lawyer

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

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...

PNP to sustain ramped up drive vs illegal drugs

MANILA, Philippines —The police need to double efforts in the fight against illegal drugs, especially as those involved continuously improve their nefarious methods, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rommel Marbil said on Tuesday. According to Marbil, the government is also aiming for a 100 percent drug-free community. “‘Pag ka sinasabi mong giyera mayroong katapusan eh, ito walang katapusan po ‘to. Dapat every time talagang...

Heathrow Airport says UK Border force experiencing a nationwide issue

(Reuters) - Heathrow Airport on Tuesday said it is aware the UK Border force is currently experiencing a nationwide issue. "Our teams are supporting Border Force with their contingency plans to help resolve the problem as quickly as possible and we apologise for any impact to your journey," Heathrow Airport said in a post on social media platform X. (Reporting by Maria Ponnezhath in Bengaluru;

Israeli forces take control of Gaza side of Rafah crossing with Egypt

Israeli troops seized control of Gaza's vital Rafah border crossing on Tuesday in what the White House described as a limited operation, as fears mount of a full-scale invasion of the southern city and ceasefire talks with Hamas remain on a knife's edge. The UN warned of a potential collapse of the flow of aid to Palestinians from the closure of Rafah and the other main crossing into Gaza, Kerem Shalom, at a time when officials say northern Gaza is experiencing "full-blown famine". The move comes after hours of whiplash in the Israel-Hamas war, with the militant group on Monday saying it accepted an Egyptian-Qatari mediated ceasefire proposal.

Fish pen owners in Mandaue say dredging deprived them of their livelihood

MANDAUE CITY, Philippines — The Housing Urban and Development Office (HUDO) in Mandaue City has started clearing the fish pens in Barangay Banilad to make way for dredging activity in the area. The fish pens are part of the wetland in Barangay Banilad and Cabancalan area that the city government wants to dredge. The wetland, with an area of 146,270 square meters, functions as a catch basin, holding rain and runoff water from neighboring areas...

Crews assess pupils at scene of school bus crash

There are no serious injuries in the crash involving two buses, reports Wem's Thomas Adams School.

NIA, via contract farming, eyeing P29 per kilo rice by August

MANILA, Philippines — The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) plans to sell rice at P29 per kilo this August. NIA administrator Eduardo Guillen on Tuesday said that there is already P20/kilo rice in select NIA Kadiwa Stores from the irrigators’ association as a token of appreciation to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. “Sa NIA naman, mayroon din kaming project na malaki ngayon – iyong ating contract farming ano po and iyon,...

Dismembered man killed in self-defence, trial told

The partial remains of Simon Shotton were discovered in the Boscombe area of Bournemouth in August.

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...

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...

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....

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...

China’s new model claim in Ayungin are zombie stories, says Navy spox

LAOAG CITY, Philippines – Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad, Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, said China’s claim of a “new model” to manage tensions in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal, or “zombie stories,” should be put to rest. “I call them ‘zombie stories’, long dead but revived from the grave; best approach is to put these stories where they rightfully belong—in the grave, never to be heard,” Trinidad told reporters in a message on...

CCTV appeal after reports of indecent exposure

Kent Police are investigating allegations of three separate indecent exposure offences.

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....

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...

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.

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.

Rescuers search for survivors after South Africa building collapses

By shafiek tassiem and Wendell Roelf GEORGE, South Africa (Reuters) -Rescuers were using cranes, drills and their bare hands to try to reach dozens of people trapped when a multi-storey building being built in the South African city of George collapsed, killing at least six people. Of the 75 workers who had been on the construction site, 48 remain unaccounted for on Tuesday. Authorities have

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

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...

Drone footage shows Norfolk home close to collapsing as cliff crumbles

The speed of the collapse has left the homeowner, who bought the property just five years ago at auction for £132,000, with no choice to evacuate.

Mass PDP resignation in Negros seen

BACOLOD CITY — The mayor of this capital city has announced that there would soon be a mass resignation from the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP) in Negros Occidental. Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez, said in an interview on May 3, that many PDP members in Negros have signified that they were not happy with the party. “Soon there will be also a mass resignation from PDP in Negros,” he said. PDP is chaired by former president...

Clashes break out in pro-Palestinian rally in Greece

ATHENS (Reuters) - Clashes broke out between police and protesters during a pro-Palestinian rally in central Athens on Tuesday, a day after the Israeli military launched a ground and air operation in part of eastern Rafah in the Gaza Strip. More than 300 people carrying Palestinian flags and banners reading "Hands off Rafah!" rallied outside the parliament building in the Greek capital. "We are

Closure order extended at problem flat

The property is to remain closed for a further three months due to more anti-social behaviour.

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...

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

Body of last missing construction worker recovered from Baltimore bridge collapse site

BALTIMORE (AP) — The body of the last missing construction worker killed in the collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge in March has been recovered, officials announced Tuesday as demolition crews prepared to use explosives in the ongoing cleanup effort. Officials said the crew of the Dali will remain on board the grounded container ship while crews conduct a controlled demolition to break down the largest remaining span of the fallen...

Sikh leaders welcome arrests in Canada activist killing, but questions loom

Leaders demand justice for threats against Sikh activists in North America and accusations of Indian gov’t involvement.

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...

Teacher had schoolboy's baby, court years

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

Government ignored cries for help during Kabul evacuation – whistleblower

Government ignored cries for help during Kabul evacuation – whistleblower - Josie Stewart told judges Afghans seeking resettlement were met with ‘confusion and false hope’ unless they had ‘outspoken or influential UK backers’.

Australian PM accuses Chinese warplane of ‘unacceptable’ conduct

SYDNEY — Australia’s prime minister accused Beijing of “unacceptable” conduct Tuesday, following reports a Chinese fighter jet fired flares in the flight path of an Australian navy helicopter over international waters. The helicopter was flying across the Yellow Sea on May 4 as part of United Nations’ efforts to enforce sanctions on North Korea, Australia’s Defense Department said late Monday evening. Defense officials said it was soon...

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...

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.

Police officer 'deliberately' run over by suspect

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

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...

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...

Zubiri to senators: Don’t turn probes into political circus, witch hunt

MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri on Tuesday cautioned his colleagues in the Senate against turning their investigations into a political circus or a witch hunt. This, as he observed “very serious accusations” made during the hearing of the Senate committee on public order. The committee headed by former top cop and now Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa is investigating an alleged 12-year-old Philippine Drug Enforcement...

Starmer demands general election as new Labour MP takes his seat

Sir Keir Starmer urged the Prime Minister to call an election "as quickly as possible" as he welcomed Labour's newest MP to Parliament. Chris Webb took his seat in the Commons on Tuesday, five days after winning the Blackpool South by-election with almost 60% of the vote.

Taiwan says four Chinese ships entered ‘prohibited’ waters

TAIPEI — Four Chinese coastguard ships briefly sailed through Taiwan’s “prohibited” waters, Taipei said, urging Beijing to stop actions that “endanger” navigation safety. China claims self-ruled democratic Taiwan as part of its territory, and has said it will not rule out using force to bring the island under Beijing’s control. The Chinese ships entered waters south of Taiwan’s outlying island of Kinmen, five kilometers (three miles) from the...

Macron and French First Lady take Chinese counterparts to the Alps

Macron, joined initially by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen , urged Xi not to allow the export of any technology that could be used by Russia in its invasion of Ukraine.

Man charged with murder after woman stabbed to death

A man is charged with the murder of Michelle Hodgkinson as she walked to visit her mother.