Survey says Philippines is one of the most welcoming countries for expats
A survey by an international bank has concluded that the Philippines is one of the most welcoming countries for expats. According to a survey by HSBC Bank, over half of …
Banning distracting religious trinkets “lacks common sense”, says church
A plan to ban dangling rosaries and other religious “distractions” from the dashboards of vehicles has prompted an outcry from the Catholic Church — which insists divine protection is essential …
Union of journalists slams government news agency for “fake news”
The government-run Philippine News Agency (PNA) has been accused of pedalling “fake news” by the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP). The union today (Monday, May 22) slapped …
Food, family, friends and talk: The classic Filipino beach picnic
Beach resorts across the Philippines cover a multitude of styles, needs and budgets — from the opulent five-star models such as the white sands of Shangri La in Cebu, all …
UK documentary catches mothers selling their children for sex
A shocking documentary has shed light on the Filipino mothers who who allow their own children to be sexually abused for cash. In the latest episode of the BBC’s Stacey …
“Stagnating” Boracay could go into terminal decline, warn experts
Environmentalists and urban planners have warned that Boracay has hit its “stagnation stage” due to over-development. The Philippine Institute of Environmental Planners (PIEP) and Alliance for Safe, Sustainable & Resilient …
Duterte’s friends in China warn of “war” over South China Sea claims
China warned it would go to war if Manila acted in accordance with The Hague’s arbitration on the South China sea by drilling for oil, President Duterte said yesterday (Friday, …
Chinese fighter jets dangerously close to US plane with “Top Gun” move
Chinese fighter jets are accused of an “unprofessional” intercept of a US Air Force plane — including flying upside-down above the aircraft in a move apparently inspired by the Tom Cruise …
Boracay drink ban: Will it be mother nature or the cops who get to clean up?
Call me cynical, but aren’t Boracay’s new no-drinking zones (to combat litter, apparently… seriously?) just another ploy by the most overrated part of the Philippines to grab more money from dumb drunk …
Law against using phone behind the wheel now in place
A law banning motorists from using electronic devices is now in force. The Anti-Distracted Driving Act (RA 10913) prohibits motorists from checking their phones or other devices, even if they …
Deerhurst: Police say cell hidden behind bookcase “wasn’t a secret”
In-house police investigators have concluded that the jail cell carefully hidden behind a hinged bookcase at a Manila police station was not “secret” — and has cleared officers involved of …
Man gets nine years for raping Filipina domestic helper in Hong Kong
A man from Togo who raped his Filipina domestic worker after she refused to be his girlfriend has been jailed in Hong Kong for nine years and ordered to pay …
Stubbed out: Duterte signs nationwide smoking ban into law
After months of apparent prevarication, President Duterte has signed an executive order banning smoking in public throughout the Philippines. The ban, which could see persistent offenders jailed for four months …
Duterte refuses EU aid millions while threatening to behead human rights critics
President Duterte has said that he wanted to behead human rights critics and warned that 50,000 more people could die in his war on drugs. The incendiary words today (Thursday, …
Retired US Navy officer arrested for taking underage girls to beach resort
A retired US Navy officer was arrested yesterday (Wednesday, May 17) for being in the company of two minors at a beach resort at 11pm. Jason Anderson Stone, aged 40, …
Mindanao Muslim leaders aim to “reform” Abu Sayyaf terrorists
Muslim religious leaders in Mindanao believe they can “reform” surrendered members of the Abu Sayyaf terror group. Alih Sakaluran Aiyub, secretary-general of the Ulama Council of the Philippines, said efforts …
Tributes to last living Czech survivor of Bataan Death March
Tributes have been paid to the last living Czech survivor of the Bataan Death March, who is still going strong at 97. To mark Karel Aster’s birthday, the Czech Embassy in …
Philippines eyes $500 million “no strings” loan to buy Chinese weapons
The Philippines is considering an offer of a $500 million loan to buy Chinese weapons — saying similar deals with the USA come with too many conditions. Defence Secretary Delfin …
It’s over: Last two Abu Sayyaf terrorists killed on Bohol Island
The last two Abu Sayyaf terrorists that raided Bohol Island in an apparent bid to kidnap tourists have been killed. More than a month after the incursion on April 10, …
Duterte: Turkey and Mongolia are in Southeast Asia, so let them join ASEAN
President Duterte said today (Tuesday, May 16) that he would push for Turkey and Mongolia to join the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), dismissing concerns about their geographic location. …
‘Tinny Terrorists’ planned to sail to Philippines to join Abu Sayyaf, court told
Six Australians dubbed the “Tinny Terrorists” are accused of planning to sail to the southern Philippines where they hoped to join Abu Sayyaf. Robert “Musa” Cerantonio, Paul Dacre, Shayden Thorne, …
Lawmakers throw out impeachment complaint against Duterte
Lawmakers in the Philippines unanimously voted to throw out an impeachment complaint against President Duterte today (Monday, March 15). The complaint accused him of orchestrating mass murder, holding undisclosed wealth …
British pervert arranged to watch Filipino babies being sexually abused
A British pervert who arranged to watch babies be abused in the Philippines has been jailed for 18 years. Alain Collings paid women in Manila £33,000 to abuse at least …
‘No drinking’ zones zones expanded in Boracay to cut down on trash
‘No drinking’ areas in the popular tourist resort of Boracay are being expanded. A new ordinance by the local council is banning the drinking of alcoholic beverages within five metres …
More than a million Chinese tourists will visit Philippines this year
More than a million Chinese tourists are expected to flood into the Philippines this year. Philippine Ambassador to China, Chito Santa Romana, said embassies in the country were being inundated …
Man extradited from Philippines to USA faces 13 child abuse charges
A man has been extradited to Las Vegas to face child abuse charges after living and working in the Philippines for a year. As we reported in March, Brian Keith Ziemba, aged …