Groups want Vilma Santos to run for governor in 2025; ex-town mayor announces bid
BATANGAS CITY – Is former Batangas governor Rosa Vilma Santos Recto running for governor again? Many supporters, fans and followers of the award-winning actress who had served as governor and mayor of Lipa City for three terms are rooting for…
Possible presence of ICC probers rattles overseer of Duterte drug war
By Beting Laygo Dolor, Manila Editor MANILA – The possible arrival of International Criminal Court (ICC) investigators to the Philippines has so rattled the mastermind of the deadly drug war of former president Rodrigo Duterte that he even questioned the…
Senate panel summons Pastor Quiboloy to its hearing
PASAY CITY – The Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality has issued a subpoena for Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Pastor Apollo Quiboloy to appear before it in connection with its investigation into the leader’s organization. Quiboloy,…
U.S. SET TO EXPAND FORCES IN PHL AS TENSIONS MOUNT; AFP acquiring more anti-submarine aircraft for West Phl Sea
By ALFRED GABOT, Editor in Chief MANILA/WASHINGTON – Amidst escalating tensions in South China Sea and West Philippine Sea, the American military is ready to expand further its presence in the Philippines after signaling more military activities in the country…
Marcos, Sara trust, approval ratings up in December – Pulse Asia
QUEZON CITY – The trust and approval ratings of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte saw an increase in December based on a Pulse Asia survey. The December 3-7, 2023 poll showed that 68 percent of Filipinos approved…
U.S. VOWS ANEW TO DEFEND PHL AS SEA TENSIONS ESCALATE; China warships shadow US, PHL vessels while in joint WPS patrol
By ALFRED GABOT, Editor in Chief MANILA/WASHINGTON – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) Strike Force conducted on January 3 and 4 their second joint patrol and mock operations in West Philippine Sea…
ASEAN expresses concern over deteriorating relations with China
By Beting Laygo Dolor, Editor MANILA – It may have been steeped in diplomatic language, but the message could not be lost on anyone, except perhaps China. The top foreign ministers/secretaries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) over…
Pacquiao celebrates 45th birthday, sees fights in 2024, twits China on WPS
GENERAL SANTOS CITY – World boxing icon and former senator Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao turned 45 last week and celebrated his birthday with celebrities, friends and relatives at a party at the Grand Summit Hotel in General Santos City. Pacquiao’s wife,…
PHL GIRDS FOR ESCALATION OF WPS ‘WAR’ WITH CHINA; Marcos eyes new strategy on sea feud
By ALFRED GABOT, Editor in Chief MANILA/TOKYO – Eyeing new strategies to counter China’s aggression in South China Sea (SCS) and West Philippine Sea (WPS), the Philippines is girding for an escalation of hostilities in the region even as it…
Marcos signs P5.768-trillion 2024 national budget
MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed the 2024 General Appropriations Act (GAA) which contains the P5.768-trillion budget that will be tapped to fund the administration’s key programs and projects for next year to expedite the country’s recovery in a…