Suspect in White House Correspondents’ Dinner Attack Seeks Recusal of Top Justice Dept. Officials
A man accused of firing a shotgun at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner on April 25 is seeking to have top Justice Department officials removed from his prosecution, arguing they are potential victims and witnesses. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro were present at the event and heard the gunfire. Defense attorneys have asked Judge Trevor McFadden to appoint a special prosecutor to avoid a conflict of interest. Allen faces a maximum life sentence if convicted of attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump.
SJMC Was Neglected for Years; We Chose to Fix It
San Juan City has earmarked roughly US$10 million to overhaul its public hospital, San Juan Medical Center (SJMC). Since the mayor took office in 2019, the facility has been upgraded from a Level 1 to a DOH Level 2 hospital, adding MRI, CT,...
No One Has Greater Love…
The reflection interprets Jesus’ teaching that the greatest love is laying down one’s life for friends, linking it to his voluntary sacrifice on the cross. It draws parallels with parental sacrifice, citing the mother in the musical Miss Saigon as an...
High-Risk Business Environment
Ten weeks after the Middle East conflict erupted, global markets have felt heightened volatility, while a cascade of domestic political crises in Virginia—impeachment proceedings, power struggles with the Duterte faction, and the high‑profile arrest of influencer Franco Mabanta—has deepened uncertainty....
House Bill Slaps Lifetime Animal Ownership Ban on Animal Cruelty Law Offenders
The Philippine House introduced Bill No. 9126, amending the 1998 Animal Welfare Act to impose a lifetime ban on animal ownership for anyone convicted of cruelty, alongside fines of ₱30,000‑₱100,000 (≈$550‑$1,800) and a new National Animal Offender Registry. The measure...
LTO Suspends, Eyes More Penalties vs Drivers in Calamba Road Rage
The Land Transportation Office (LTO) placed the drivers of a Yamaha Mio motorcycle and an L300 van under a 90‑day preventive suspension after a viral road‑rage fistfight in Calamba, Laguna, issuing show‑cause orders and requiring license surrender. Simultaneously, the Tourism...
'Na-Inspire Ng Flood Control': More Jobseekers Flock Ombudsman Amid Aggressive Anti-Corruption Drive
The Philippines Office of the Ombudsman has attracted more than 3,500 applicants for 114 permanent positions opened last month, reflecting a surge of interest as the agency intensifies its anti‑corruption campaign. The recruitment includes lawyers and a range of specialists...
6 ASEAN Summit Gun Ban Violators Nabbed
Police in Central Visayas arrested six individuals for violating the gun ban imposed for the 48th ASEAN Leaders’ Summit in Lapu‑Lapu City, confiscating nine firearms. Over 7,000 security personnel are on the ground, with airport‑to‑hotel routes temporarily closed to protect...
The Disappearing Entry-Level Jobs
Traditional entry‑level positions for recent graduates are vanishing as generative AI automates routine clerical and customer‑service tasks. Stanford data show a 13% drop in hiring for roles exposed to AI, while studies indicate that 60% of tasks once performed by...
Flores De Mayo: Dalisay at Halimuyak
The Manila Hotel revived the historic Flores de Mayo procession on Sunday, marking its return to Kilometer 0 with Mayor Isko Moreno as Hermano Mayor. The event, themed “Dalisay at Halimuyak,” blended Marian devotion with high‑fashion, featuring five Filipino designers under...
Private Sector Response to Food Inflation (Part 3)
The article outlines how private‑sector players in the Philippines are tackling rising food prices by expanding seed availability, promoting urban gardening, and investing in agribusiness training and large‑scale poultry production. Companies such as East‑West Seed, Harbest and Pilipinas Kaneko dominate...
Synergies in Finance and Real Estate Education
The University of Guam (UOG) and Manila‑based iACADEMY are exploring a cross‑Pacific partnership that blends finance and real‑estate education. UOG’s Student Investment Club has been a regular finalist in the FINEX Inter‑Collegiate Finance Competition since 2012, while iACADEMY posted a...
GSIS Offers Bike, E-Mobility Loans to Cut Transport Costs
The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) launched the Ginhawa Bike and E‑Mobility Loan (GBEL), offering government employees up to ₱300,000 ($5.4 k) at a 5 % annual rate for bicycles and electric‑mobility devices. The program, part of President Marcos Jr.’s UPLIFT initiative, aims...
From Milestone to Momentum: First Gen Drives Unified RE and Power Solutions Strategy
First Gen Group marked Energy Development Corporation’s 50‑year geothermal milestone, showcasing a combined 1,597.57 MW renewable portfolio spanning geothermal, wind, hydro and solar. The firm introduced a unified First Gen brand that consolidates power generation, supply and behind‑the‑meter solutions under a...
Philippine Manufacturing Shrinks in April as War-Driven Costs Bite
The Philippines’ manufacturing PMI slipped to 48.3 in April, its first sub‑50 reading since November 2023, indicating contraction. The decline was driven by a sharp fall in new orders—the steepest since August 2021—and a surge in input‑price inflation, the fastest...
Trump Says the US Will 'Guide' Stranded Ships From the Strait of Hormuz, Starting on Monday
President Donald Trump announced "Project Freedom," a U.S. operation to guide stranded commercial vessels and roughly 20,000 seafarers out of the Iran‑blocked Strait of Hormuz starting Monday. The effort will involve guided‑missile destroyers, more than 100 aircraft and about 15,000...
Sandro Marcos Says These 2 Priority Bills up for Final Approval in House
The Philippine House of Representatives is set to give final approval to two Legislative‑Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) priority bills—the National Land Use Act and amendments to the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) Act—during its first plenary session after a...
Impact of UAE’s Exit From OPEC
The United Arab Emirates has formally exited OPEC, giving the world’s third‑largest oil exporter freedom to set its own production levels. By pledging a gradual increase in output, the UAE could add modest supply that eases price pressures in the...
The Way, the Truth, and the Life
Blessed James Alberione, founder of the Pauline Family, frames his core devotion around Jesus as the Way, the Truth, and the Life, echoing John 14. He teaches that this triad is both a theological anchor and a mission‑driven call for modern...
Changing Platforms, Unchanging Principles: What It Means to Work in Media
The Digital Media Asia forum sparked a reflection on journalism’s evolving role as digital platforms reshape news creation and consumption. The author, a former student editor and press secretary, argues that core principles—truth, context, independence—must endure despite algorithmic pressures and...
Detour Bridge Collapses in Ilocos Sur
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) dispatched assessment teams after a 20‑ton truck overloaded a 5‑ton limit, causing the Kaliwet Bailey detour bridge in Ilocos Sur to collapse. A temporary 20‑ton‑capacity bridge has been installed while the permanent structure...
REDMI Pad 2 9.7 Is a Dependable Tablet that Gets the Job Done
Redmi’s Pad 2 9.7-inch tablet combines a 2K display with a 120 Hz refresh rate, delivering premium visual smoothness at a budget price. Powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 6s 4G Gen 2, it handles everyday browsing, media consumption, and light productivity without lag....
Gov’t Bans New Motorcycle Taxi, TNVS Drivers
The Philippine Department of Transportation (DOTr) has ordered a halt on onboarding new transport network vehicle service (TNVS) drivers and motorcycle‑taxi riders, citing violations of government‑mandated caps of 78,000 drivers and roughly 45,000 riders. Firms with valid franchises remain exempt,...
MOVIEGOER: 'Michael' Brings Back People to Cinemas
The Michael Jackson biopic *Michael* opened to a record‑breaking $217.4 million, becoming the highest‑grossing musical‑biopic debut worldwide and sparking a noticeable uptick in theater attendance. The film’s nostalgic appeal helped draw crowds back to cinemas, echoing recent box‑office successes like *Project...
DBS Sees BSP Off-Cycle Hike in May as Peso Falters, Inflation Risks Intensify
DBS Bank expects the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to convene an off‑cycle policy meeting in May, with a potential 25‑basis‑point rate hike as the peso stays under pressure from Middle East tensions. The central bank’s hawkish stance follows an...
PHA Seeks More Accessible Heart Failure Care Network
The Philippine Heart Association (PHA) launched its Heart Failure Caravan across nine cities, including Cebu, to build a more accessible network for heart‑failure (HF) care. The association highlighted that roughly 10.4% of Filipinos suffer from HF, a figure driven by...
DOTr, LTFRB Urged to Clean up TNC Drivers List so Aid Can Reach Right Beneficiaries
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian urged the Department of Transportation and the LTFRB to purge fraudulent driver and rider lists submitted by transport‑network companies (TNCs). The Department of Social Welfare and Development uncovered fake entries, prompting a slowdown of the ₱5,000 (≈ $90)...
Yasir Al-Rumayyan Leaving Board of LIV Golf as Saudi Funding Dries up, Report Says
The ICTSI John Hay Junior PGT Championship in Baguiо concluded with dramatic victories across multiple age divisions. In the boys’ 11‑14 category, Javie Bautista erased a seven‑stroke deficit to edge Vito Sarines by one stroke, while Mavis Espedido swept the...
Satellite Data Shows NO2 Concentration in Metro Manila Down to Pre-Fire Levels for Two Consecutive Days
The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) used daily satellite observations to track nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels after the Navotas landfill fire that began on 10 April 2026. For two consecutive days (28‑29 April) NO2 concentrations fell below the pre‑fire baseline, indicating a marked reduction...
Man Charged with Trying to Kill Trump Took Hotel Room Selfie Before Rushing Gala, Investigators Say
Cole Allen, a 31‑year‑old from California, attempted to breach security at the Washington Hilton during the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, aiming to kill President Donald Trump. Minutes before the assault he photographed himself in his hotel room, armed with...
SC ‘Forthwith’ Clarification Vindicated Senate’s 2025 Impeachment Court, Ex-Spox Says
On April 29, the Philippine Supreme Court issued a 14‑0‑1 ruling that interprets the constitutional command “forthwith” as requiring action within a reasonable time, not an immediate start. The decision validates the Senate’s 2025 choice, under former Senate President Chiz...
How JBL Is Redefining 80 Years of Sound From Hollywood to the Global Stage
JBL marks its 80th anniversary with the immersive JBL Playback Tour in Los Angeles, showcasing the brand’s historic and modern contributions to audio. The tour highlighted the massive deployment of over 400 JBL Professional speakers at BMO Stadium and the...
Gov’t Handling Crisis Well
The Philippine government swiftly declared a national energy emergency amid the Middle East conflict, unlocking powers to procure fuel and curb hoarding. It released roughly $357 million from the Malampaya gas fund, secured a 400,000‑barrel crude shipment that provides about 50...
Shifting Gears at the eMarketplace: More Options for Better Choices
The Philippine Procurement Service recently held alignment meetings with electric‑vehicle makers BYD, Kia, MG, Nissan and Foton, integrating EV, hybrid and plug‑in models into the government eMarketplace. The platform now lets agencies compare and order these greener vehicles, cutting procurement...
71% of Lopez Family Unites to Remove ‘Piki’ Lopez
Members controlling 71% of Lopez Inc. voted to remove Federico “Piki” Lopez as president, citing a loss of trust. The board resolution to install Rafael Lopez was blocked by a Mandaluyong court injunction, keeping Piki on the board. The family...
San Juan Launches ‘Ligtas Tigdas’ Drive for World Immunization Week 2026
San Juan City marked World Immunization Week 2026 by launching the “Ligtas Tigdas” drive, vaccinating roughly 250 residents with routine, HPV and tetanus‑diphtheria shots. The campaign targeted infants, Grade IV students, pregnant women and families needing catch‑up doses, and featured health‑education booths to...
House Measure Commends KATSEYE's Sophia Laforteza for Conquering Coachella
The Philippine House of Representatives filed HR No. 951 to commend Filipina‑American Sophia Laforteza, leader of KATSEYE, for her historic Coachella performance, marking one of the first Filipino acts on the festival’s Sahara stage. Rep. Javier Miguel “Javi” Benitez also filed...
Bulacan Rolls Out Rice Relief for Struggling Jeepney Sector
The Bulacan provincial government distributed rice subsidies to more than 1,400 jeepney drivers and operators on April 24, aiming to cushion them from soaring fuel costs. Governor Daniel R. Fernando and Vice Governor Alex Castro personally handed out the aid across Malolos...
Taal Vista Hotel: A Heritage Property that Stands Tall and Timeless
Taal Vista Hotel, an 87‑year‑old heritage property in Tagaytay, is leveraging its historic charm while modernizing for today’s traveler. The SM Hotels and Conventions Corp. subsidiary has introduced open‑air, wellness‑focused spaces and a revamped Presidential Villa with panoramic Taal Lake...
Bohol Steps up Campaign vs Rabies, Reviews Ordinance
The Provincial Rabies Council of Bohol is revising Ordinance No. 2007‑012 to tighten animal registration, vaccination and movement rules after a surge of 10,288 human‑animal bite cases in Q1 2026, most from cats. The province is expanding its Animal Bite Treatment Center...
How the Philippines Can Stay Out of Recession
The Philippines’ growth slowed to 4.4% in 2025 from 5.7% in 2024, while headline inflation rose to 4.1% in March 2026. The IMF still projects 5.6% growth in 2026, but policymakers must protect purchasing power, speed up public investment, keep...
The Importance of Community
Avant Gardeneri attended the Dumaguete Literary Festival, speaking on fiction and horror while also reading Edilberto Tiempo’s short story. The event, hosted at the Arts + Design Collective, sparked unexpected collaborations with food and agriculture leaders, including the owners of...
With Rising Seas, Manila Bay Reclamation Projects May Be Risky
New Yale Environment studies show sea levels rising faster while Philippine land subsides, making flood‑risk models unreliable. Manila Bay's large‑scale reclamation projects, touted for economic growth, now face heightened environmental and safety concerns. The article urges the DENR to fast‑track...
Standalone Regulatory Relief
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is considering a temporary reduction of the Minimum Liquidity Ratio (MLR) for the Chamber of Thrift Banks (CTB) from 20% to 16% to ease liquidity pressures on its 54 members and 1,200 branches. This...
House Minority Solons Celebrate, Welcome ICC Confirmation of Charges vs Duterte
The International Criminal Court’s Pre‑Trial Chamber confirmed all charges against former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, alleging crimes against humanity for murder and attempted murder during the nation’s 2011‑2019 “war on drugs.” House minority legislators celebrated the decision, framing it as...
Travel Expo Slated in Davao City
The World Travel Expo 2026 will take place in Davao City from May 15‑17, featuring 25 exhibitors from Visayas and Mindanao to showcase domestic destinations. Organizers argue that face‑to‑face events still drive exclusive deals despite the rise of online booking...
SC Asks PBBM to Answer Petition on Mental, Physical Health
The Philippine Supreme Court has ordered President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. to respond within ten days to a petition demanding mandatory physical and mental health examinations, including a hair‑follicle test for illegal drug use. The petition, filed by former congressman...
Gatchalian Urges PNPA to Review, Strictly Enforce Anti-Hazing Policy
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian called on the Philippine National Academy (PNPA) to overhaul its anti‑hazing rules after a criminal case was filed against seven cadets for allegedly mistreating 22 fellow trainees. The complaint, lodged by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group,...
US Business Group Warns ‘Anti-Endo’ Law Could Hurt Philippine Jobs
The American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (AmCham) cautioned that the Senate’s proposed Anti‑Endo and Magna Carta for Workers in the Informal Economy bills could unintentionally curb foreign investment and erode the country’s competitive edge in Southeast Asia. While...
LTO Suspends, Summons Vlogger in Viral Prank of Gas Station Attendant
The Philippine Land Transportation Office (LTO) summoned a vlogger, his driver and the SUV’s registered owner after a prank video showed them fleeing a gas station without paying, prompting the attendant to chase the vehicle on foot. A show‑cause order...