British tourist drowns off El Nido after getting caught in rip tide
A renowned London barber drowned after getting caught up in strong currents off the coast of El Nido. Kevin Bui, aged 27, was swimming off the shore of the Palawan …
Justice chief urged to explain dropping cases against alleged drug lords
Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre is being pressed to explain the dismissal of charges against self-confessed drug lord Kerwin Espinosa and 20 others. Senator Richard Gordon said he was shocked that …
President Duterte withdraws Philippines from International Criminal Court
President Duterte has announced that the Philippines is withdrawing from the International Criminal Court (ICC), a month after it launched an investigation against him. The president cited “baseless, unprecedented and …
Australian taxpayers fund alleged child abuser Scully’s legal defence
Australian taxpayers have funded $500,000 of legal aid for Peter Scully, who is awaiting trial for murdering and raping young girls. The disgraced former Melbourne businessman denies the allegations against …
Silent night: New law planned to stamp out anti-social videoke sessions
Lawmakers are working on a bill to stamp out the anti-social use of videoke machines late at night. The House of Representatives Committee on Public Order and Safety hopes to …
Tourism chiefs tout Samar as alternative to troubled Boracay
The Department of Tourism is eyeing Samar province as an alternative to Boracay as the island undergoes environmental rehabilitation. Speaking at the Spark Samar Travel Fair 2018 on Sunday (March …
Justice department drops charges against alleged drug lords
Charges against a number of high-profile drug smuggling suspects have been dropped due to ‘weak evidence’. The Depatment of Justice has dismissed charges filed against Peter Lim and 20 others …
Drug-resistant HIV strain identified as Aids epidemic looms in Philippines
UPDATED: See below A Philippine scientist has warned of a new drug-resistant subtype of HIV that could worsen the country’s worrying Aids epidemic. According to Dr Edsel Salvana, director of …
At least eight jihadis killed as Army clashes with BIFF fighters
At least eight jihadis were killed in a series of clashes with the Philippine military in the Maguindanao province of Mindanao. Armoured vehicles and artillery were used against some 50 …
Norwegian and US cops help snare producer of online child porn
Norwegian and US law enforcers have helped Philippine police snare the alleged operator of an online child pornography operation. Anselmo Ico, known to his clients as “Jaja Jhoncel”, is alleged …
UN human rights commissioner to Duterte: ‘Get your head examined!’
The United Nations commissioner for human rights has said that President Duterte needs a “psychiatric evaluation”. Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein hit out at the president after a UN human rights …
Chinese loan collateral ‘like a mortgage’ on the nation, experts warn
A Chinese scholar has been quoted suggesting that the Philippines’ natural resources could serve as collateral for Chinese loans. Zhuang Guotu, head of Xiamen University’s Southeast Asian Studies Center, told …
102-year-old veteran finally honoured for saving US pilots in 1944
A 102-year-old war veteran, who saved two wounded American pilots in 1944, has finally been rewarded for his bravery. Third Lieutenant Jesus Barracoso received the medals from the Philippine Veteran …
Air Juan forges a new link between Cebu and Catbalogan
Pioneering domestic airline Air Juan has announced the launch of a new Cebu to Catbalogan service this month. City officials in Catbalogan hope the launch of the nine-seater service will …
Chief Justice vows to fight ‘bullying’ as she faces impeachment
The Supreme Court chief justice has vowed to fight “bullying” as President Duterte’s congressional allies launched an impeachment process against her. Voting 38-2, the House of Representatives justice committee said …
Tunisian cleared of terror charges due to doubts about police account
Charges have been dropped against a Tunisian man who was accused of being an Islamic State terrorist and possessing explosives. The Department of Justice (DOJ) has dismissed a criminal complaint …
Dozen Filipinos make it onto Forbes list of world’s richest people
Twelve Filipino billionaires have made it to the Forbes’ 2018 annual ranking of the world’s richest people. The list shows that for the 11th year, SM Group’s Henry Sy remains …
Duterte insists International Criminal Court has no jurisdiction over him
A defiant President Duterte has said the International Criminal Court (ICC) would “not in a million years” have jurisdiction to indict him. The president is the subject of a Philippine …
Duterte to declare ‘state of calamity’ over Boracay environmental crisis
President Duterte has said that he plans to declare a state of calamity in Boracay, weeks after ordering a cleanup of the tourist hot-spot in six months. The president also …
Measles outbreaks as Dengvaxia mess prompts anti-vaccine backlash
Anti-vaccination sentiment sparked by the Dengvaxia mess may have contributed to recent outbreaks of measles, a senior health official has suggested. The government has identified four outbreaks of measles — …
PAL announces new service to surfer paradise island of Siargao
Philippine Airlines (PAL) has announced a new service between Davao and the surfer’s paradise island of Siargao. The flag carrier said the new four times weekly service will launch on …
Mount Mayon threat level lowered as volcanic activity reduces
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology has lowered the alert status of Mount Mayon to Level 3, but warned that the volcano remains restive. A Phivolcs advisory issued today …
Overdevelopment and corruption destroy Boracay’s vital wetlands
Overdevelopment, corruption and failure to enforce environment laws have wiped out five of the nine wetlands on Boracay Island, a Senate inquiry was told. Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu told the …
Islamic State’s new leader in Southeast Asia named as Abu Dhar
An Army spokesman has revealed the identity of the so-called Islamic State’s new leader in Southeast Asia. Major Ronald Suscano said Maute Group sub-leader Abu Dhar had been chosen to replace …
Philippines named as world’s best country to invest in for 2018
Following a survey of more than 6,000 business leaders, the Philippines has been named the best country to invest in this year. According to the US News & World Report, …
Jailed senator De Lima may vote in Chief Justice impeachment trial
Jailed senator Leila de Lima may be able to participate and vote in the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno. Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III has said it …