MANILA, Philippines — A former staff member of dismissed Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) official Henry Alcantara said the latter had collected at least P5 billion in kickbacks on behalf of certain lawmakers and other officials who served as “proponents” of flood control projects. Carlo Rivera testified before the Sandiganbayan on Tuesday as

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate and state-owned Intercontinental Broadcasting Corp. (IBC 13) on Tuesday launched Senate TV, a high-definition channel that proponents say will offer more focused and in-depth content on the chamber’s proceedings. As a channel leased by the Senate, Senate TV will be available on IBC Digital TV Channel, which owns and operates

MANILA, Philippines — “Don’t be a role model for fugitives,’’ Palace press officer Claire Castro said on Tuesday as she urged Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa to surrender and face charges for crimes against humanity before the International Criminal Court (ICC). The government has offered a P50-million bounty for the arrest of Dela Rosa, who

SINGAPORE — Filipinos should brace for higher electricity prices as the peso continues to lose ground against the US dollar, Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said on Tuesday. According to her, the weaker Philippine peso will drive up the import costs of coal, diesel and liquefied natural gas. “So P64 is probably the highest we have

A price-conscious diner in BGC, milestone dining in The Manila Hotel, and professional breadmaking like a Le Cordon Bleu student gain ground in Q4

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Air Force (PAF) on Tuesday sought to dispel speculation that the aircraft involved in last week’s crash that killed four pilots during training were already aging or had virtually become “flying coffins.” The PAF said its SF-260 training aircraft remained within their prescribed operating limits despite being more than a

MANILA, Philippines — Employees cannot be forced to retire before the compulsory retirement age of 65 without giving clear and voluntary consent to their employers, according to the Supreme Court. In a decision promulgated June 29 and released on Tuesday, the SC’s 1st Division partly granted the petition of Rodolfo Ondevilla, 67, against Colegio de

Halloween may be a night for mischief, but it is no excuse for poor manners

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday warned the public against individuals posing as Health Secretary Edwin Mercado and soliciting donations. “The DOH wants to clarify that any messages or calls for donations or transactions using the name of the Secretary are not official and false,” it said in a statement. READ:

MANILA, Philippines — The country’s two largest tollway operators are bracing for heavier traffic across major expressways during “Undas,” when millions of Filipinos are expected to travel to their hometowns to visit departed loved ones. Ramon Ang-led SMC Infrastructure said it expects vehicle traffic across its tollway network to increase by 10 percent, while Manuel

COTABATO CITY, BARMM, Philippines — The leader of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) on Tuesday invited business leaders and development partners to invest in the region, saying the gains of the peace process must now translate into jobs, better incomes, growing enterprises, and safe and secure communities. “The Bangsamoro is ready to

DUMAGUETE CITY, NEGROS ORIENTAL — The municipal government of Valencia in Negros Oriental province has ordered the temporary closure of trails leading to Mt. Talinis starting on Nov. 1, to give the mountain’s ecosystem time to recover from environmental damage caused by increasing human activities. The measure, contained in Executive Order No. 45 signed by

LEGAZPI CITY, ALBAY, Philippines — A P1.3-million reward has been put up for information leading to the identification and arrest of suspects in the Oct. 12 murder of broadcaster Adrian Loterte in Daraga, Albay. Loterte, an anchor of RBN News Television’s online program “Rabas Cun Rabas” and a freelance broadcaster for dwIZ FM, was tending

China’s massive maritime science infrastructure – an aircraft carrier-sized floating artificial island – has officially entered its engineering construction phase. On October 18, Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU), the facility’s lead developer, signed a construction contract worth over 2.7 billion yuan (US$405 million) with a shipbuilder under China State Shipbuilding Corporation, according to local media reports. The semi-submersible twin-hull platform is the world’s first mobile,...

Former national security adviser Clarita Carlos has filed a cyberlibel complaint with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) against Rear Admiral Jay Tarriela, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, and Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Superintendent Lieutenant General Michael Logico.

In the city’s “apartment horror” films, one of the world’s least affordable housing markets is a backdrop for exploring superstition and socioeconomic anxiety.

Hong Kong’s leader is expected to announce reforms introducing criminal penalties for bid-rigging on Thursday, when the government will also release the final investigation report into the Tai Po inferno, the South China Morning Post has learned. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu and his senior officials will announce the proposed measures and give an update on efforts to pursue “administrative accountability” at a press conference on Thursday, a government source said on Wednesday. Senior...

Japan is bracing for a more unpredictable ally in Washington, as the US midterm elections threaten to deepen political gridlock and complicate Tokyo’s long-term security calculations, analysts say. Observers warn that post-election political battles, ranging from a possible repeat of impeachment proceedings to the mounting legal battles ensnaring the administration of US President Donald Trump, risk diverting the White House’s attention from foreign policy and its long-standing commitments to...

It all started with a sandwich at 7-Eleven. Ada Cheng Suet-ngan was on holiday in Japan and grabbed a quick bite before rushing to catch a train in Osaka. Suddenly, she felt itchy and sweaty even though it was winter. She took off her jacket and saw rashes over her arm and neck. “I knew something was wrong, so I sat down, drank some water and tried to calm down,” says Cheng, recalling her first serious allergy flare-up in 2019. “I knew the station’s information centre must have an English...

[The content of this article has been produced by our advertising partner.] Malaysia Airlines is now offering passengers expanded connections around the world and a premium travel experience that has helped the national carrier climb the ranks of the industry’s elite. Captain Nasaruddin A. Bakar, president and group CEO of parent company Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), says the aim is simple: to meet the needs of today’s travellers. “We are continuing to grow with purpose, strengthening our...

Parents in Japan are taking an increasingly active role in their children’s lives – helping them find marriage partners, navigate job hunting and secure housing – as the line between parental support and personal decision-making continues to blur. In a practice known as “proxy matchmaking”, parents attend social events armed with photos and profiles of their children, hoping to find suitable marriage partners through conversations with other parents. The Association of Parents of Marriage...

Former Davao City chief information officer Jefry Tupas on Wednesday accused the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) of harassment.

The Pentagon's latest estimate is tied to the operational costs of carrying out the war, with a projected cost of more than $29 billion to replace expended munitions used in the conflict

BACOLOD CITY, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Philippines — Operatives of the Police Regional Office Negros Island Region (PRO NIR) arrested the region’s fourth most wanted person in Nueva Ecija on Tuesday, Oct. 27, for allegedly sexually abusing his minor stepdaughter. The suspect, identified only by the alias “Sid,” 46, of Sitio Tan-ayan, Barangay Nangka, Bayawan City, was

Beijing has appointed veteran propaganda official Mo Gaoyi as Communist Party secretary of Yunnan province in its latest leadership reshuffle, making him a rare example this year of a provincial head with minimal local governance experience. An analyst said that the move could reflect Beijing’s efforts to broaden the talent selection criteria for some senior roles, allowing specialists to take on important generalist positions. Mo – director of the State Council Information Office (SCIO) and a...

Ferocious winds and torrential rain lashed India’s southeastern coast as Cyclone Arnab made landfall on Wednesday, forcing nearly 100,000 people to evacuate their homes in two states, authorities said. Arnab hit Andhra Pradesh as a “very severe cyclonic storm”, with winds of 125-135km/h (78-84 mph) and gusts reaching 150km/h, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. A storm surge of 1.5 to 2.5 ‌metres (5-8 feet) above normal tide is very ⁠likely to ⁠inundate low-lying areas of the state...

The Pokémon Company announced that Pokémon Unite will be shutting down next year.

The Common Legal Representatives of Victims (CLRV) has asked the International Criminal Court (ICC) Trial Chamber III to grant the Prosecution"s request to admit the previously recorded testimonies of three witnesses in the crimes against humanity case of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

TAGBILARAN CITY, BOHOL, Philippines — The Bohol-Panglao International Airport (BPIA) welcomed Philippine Airlines’ (PAL) first Airbus A330 flight to Bohol on Tuesday, Oct. 27, marking a milestone in the province’s growing air connectivity and tourism development. The wide-body aircraft arrived at 6:25 a.m. on flight PR1771 from Manila, carrying 150 passengers. It received a water

Celeste Cortesi has given birth to a baby boy!