Top News

Customs exec in hot water for alleged smuggling activities

Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno has ordered an investigation into allegations that smuggling activities have resurfaced at the Port of Manila. In a statement, Nepomuceno said Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) field station chief Paul Oliver Pacunayen has been relieved from his post pending the outcome of the probe. “We will act and investigate all complaints and …

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BI logs 15.6 million passenger arrivals in 2025

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) recorded more than 15.6 million passenger arrivals nationwide in 2025, reflecting continued growth in international travel to the country. In a statement on Thursday, Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said immigration officers at all international ports of entry processed a total of 15,608,868 arrivals from January to December 2025, including 6,704,007 foreign nationals. The figure …

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When rules bend, small states break

For years, Washington has cast itself as chief guardian of a “rules-based international order,” a phrase Philippine officials invoke almost reflexively whenever China harasses Filipino vessels in the West Philippine Sea. The promise embedded in that phrase is simple: power should be restrained by law, and even the strong should be bound by rules. But the events unfolding in Venezuela …

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“Strengthening Fiscal Leadership Under Secretary Frederick D. Go”

LOVE FOR ALL​By: Virginia Rodriguez Department of Finance (DOF) is poised for steady and effective leadership under the stewardship of  Secretary Frederick D. Go. His appointment by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. reflects the administration’s confidence in his expertise, integrity, and proven capacity to manage complex economic challenges critical to national development. As the government’s primary institution responsible for fiscal …

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US arrest of Venezuela’s Maduro condemned by world leaders

The international community, including allies and enemies of the United States, condemned the US military attack on the Venezuelan capital of Caracas that resulted in the extraction of President Nicolas Maduro, together with wife Cilia Flores, who stand to face narcotics and terrorism charges in US soil. While Maduro was blindfolded and handcuffed onboard a US naval ship, President Donald …

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PHL calls for restraint in Venezuela crisis

The Philippine government has called for restraint and a de-escalation of the situation in Venezuela following the January 3, 2026 U.S. military incursion of Caracas that led to the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores, who were airlifted to the United States to face narcotics and terrorism charges. The Department of Foreign Affairs said in a …

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History of US military intrusions in Latin America

The US military attack on Venezuela that led to the abduction of its president is the latest in a long history of military interventions in Latin America. Former Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez and his successor Nicolas Maduro have accused the US government of backing coup attempts multiple times. 1954: Guatemala — On June 27, 1954, Colonel Jacobo Arbenz Guzman, president of …

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Lacson vows to turn up heat on corruption in ‘26

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson warned he will turn up the heat against government corruption, hoping that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will do the same. “With renewed tenacity and hard work, I am even more encouraged to expose more corruption issues that are similar to what has become the most blatant and unprecedented misuse and abuse of the …

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LTO expands e-trike ban coverage

Additional major roads and highways will be covered by the ban on electric bicycles and tricycles (e-bikes and e-trikes), according to the Land Transportation Office (LTO). The e-trike prohibition now includes Commonwealth and Quezon Avenues in Quezon City, as well as Marcos Highway and Sumulong Highway, according to LTO chief Markus Lacanilao. The ban already includes EDSA, C-5 Road, Roxas …

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Corruption also prevalent in judiciary—Ombudsman

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said corruption is also ‘severe’ in the judiciary, and is not exclusive to the executive and legislative branches of government. Remulla said, “Don’t think corruption happens just in the executive or legislative branches. (Corruption in the judiciary) is severe.” “Watch the judges. Watch the justices. We should all watch them,” he added. Remulla cited the Sandiganbayan …

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