Lawmakers on Thursday called for a House investigation of the proliferation of Philippine offshore gaming operation (Pogo) sites manned largely by Chinese citizens, citing national security and labor concerns.   Puwersa ng Bayaning Atleta Rep. Jericho Nograles said Congress should exercise its oversight function and look into the «challenges» that the country faced in the wake of the «unforeseen» impact of the Pogo sites nationwide before it passed any measure to regulate them.   He cited «sensitive» security concerns regarding the presence of Pogo sites close to military and police headquarters---Camp Aguinaldo (Armed Forces of the Philippines); Camp Crame (Philipp...Keep on reading: House to probe rise of Pogos amid security, labor concerns

Warning Signs Of Depression: It could be clinical, where you may need medication and the 'normal' type which basically everyone has at some point in their lives experienced. I was once depressed in my life. I know all too well how it feels. My reasons at that time were really grave for me but I look back and it's not as heavy as I actually felt. Depression is a disorder that makes you feel, act and respond differently from your normal self, it's a feeling of despondency and dejection. Your daily activities turn into boring tasks. Things you once loved, you loathe. Being an illness in the mind, it is not easy to notice and at times the symptoms and signs are misdiagnosed into what ...Keep on reading: Warning Signs Of Depression

MANILA, Philippines--As Gilas Pilipinas patiently awaits three of its players who are still tied up in the PBA finals, head coach Yeng Guiao is tempering his expectations when it comes to their shape once they rejoin the national team practices. «At least we have 11 or 12 guys coming in. We're still waiting for the three guys playing in the Finals,» Guiao told reporters after their light training session--their second since returning from a camp in Spain--at Meralco Gym in Ortigas Thursday. «We'll add more hours next week and we're hoping by that time, the three are ready,» he said, referring to San Miguel Beer's June Mar Fajardo, TNT's Roger Pogoy and Troy Rosario who are neck...Keep on reading: Yeng Guiao, Gilas still awaiting full roster for homestretch of World Cup preps

4 Easy Steps To Get Out Of Debt: At one point in time of our lives, we have had to borrow a loan or ask for financial help, but the scary part is paying back. There are few things to get easily away from and credit card debt is one of them, only as long as you are ready to do what it takes. Few people have had luck with this while many are still struggling with this; that is why this article is aimed at explaining the best way to pay off credit card debt. Although it may not seem as easy as we have portrayed it to be, there are tips to let you off any financial crisis. What you are about to read, you may not get detailed information from a foundation for credit counseling. We humb...Keep on reading: 4 Easy Steps To Get Out Of Debt

Bitcoin and US Stocks Steady After Plunge: Stocks around the world remained stuck in the spin cycle Thursday, as worries about a possible recession collided with hopes that the strongest part of the U.S. economy shoppers spending at stores and online can keep going. The S&P 500 moved between modest gains and losses in morning trading after suffering a steep decline a day earlier, when stocks tumbled after a fairly reliable warning signal of recession emerged from the bond market. Stocks in Asia and Europe, meanwhile, sank after China said it would take «necessary countermeasures» if President Donald Trump follows through on a threat to impose tariffs on more than $100 billion o...Keep on reading: Bitcoin and US Stocks Steady After Plunge

Philadelphia News Today: A gunman holed up for 7 hours in a Philadelphia rowhouse, firing on police and wounding six in a dramatic standoff that trapped two officers inside all while the commissioner and his attorney tried to negotiate his surrender. Philadelphia Police Commissioner Richard Ross expressed amazement that the standoff, which began Wednesday when officers attempted to serve a warrant, ended with no one dead. It «could have been far worse,» he said Thursday. «This was a very dynamic situation, one that I hope we never see again,» he said outside the Philadelphia Police Department. The gunman came out of the home after police used tear gas in the building. He was...Keep on reading: 6 Police Shot in Standoff

  MANILA, Philippines --- Consular officials at the US Embassy in Manila dismissed the perception that securing a visa is difficult, noting that the process is «easy and transparent» as seen in the «high» approval rate in the Philippines. Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, the embassy's deputy consul general Kimberly Kelly said the number of visas denied in the Philippines is «much lower» than that of the issuance rate. «It's actually not difficult to apply for a US visa. We saw more than 250,000 applicants last year applying for US visas and our approval rate is quite high. Filipino applicants are actually very good visa applicants,» Kelly pointed out. Figu...Keep on reading: US visa application ‘easy’; issuance rate ‘high’ in PH – embassy

WASHINGTON -- A Kansas man who traveled to the Philippines and had sex with minor females there was sentenced to over 84 years in prison on Aug. 8. pleaded guilty to three counts of producing child pornography in July 2018 before U.S. District Judge Eric F. Melgren of the District of Kansas. According to the guilty plea, Shultz engaged in sex acts with minor females in the Philippines. He videotaped his sexual encounters with two minors and transported the videos to his home in Kansas. Shultz would also sell the videos online. One of the girls was only 12 years old at the time; the other was 15 years old. In one of the videos, Shultz is seen giving the 15-year-old money afte...Keep on reading: Kansas man gets 84 years for making child porn in PH

SACRAMENTO, California -- A Filipino is among 3 of the country's top street artists who will create murals for the University of California in Sacramento during the Wide Open Walls mural festival from Aug. 8 to 18.   The artists chosen this year are Hoxxoh, who lives and works in Miami and Jillian Evelyn and Eliseo Art Silva, both based in Los Angeles   Silva, who was born in the Philippines, calls himself «a weaver of history and heritage.» His 1995 mural «Filipino Americans: A Glorious History, a Golden Legacy» was named one of the 10 monumental murals in Los Angeles. It is a tribute to the Filipino American farmworkers whose protests in the late 1960s fueled ...Keep on reading: Filipino among 3 noted artists to make murals for Cal State U in Sacramento

SEATTLE---A kitchen fire has closed a long-running Filipino restaurant in downtown Seattle, and it may be for good if the owner can't find a cheaper lease elsewhere in the city.   Ludi's Restaurant and Lounge's low prices and friendly service have attracted regulars for decades and serves an all-day breakfast with Filipino specialties such as ube pancakes with coconut sauce, lumpia, and longsilog, alongside chicken-fried steak and eggs and corned beef hash.   It was already facing closure at the end of its current lease on Aug. 31, when an early Wednesday morning fire damaged its kitchen, including the ventilation ducts, but caused no injuries. Ludi's has...Keep on reading: Fire closes longtime Seattle restaurant known for Filipino breakfasts

  NEW YORK -- I was at the recent IndieKet Komikon convention in Ortigas assisting my good friend comic artist Clark Steven Lupton who was exhibiting at his table.   I took some time to walk around to see what the other artist booths had on display. To my amazement, one was selling copies of the first issue of Marvel Comic's new series «The War of the Realms, New Agents of Atlas,» which features the debut of Marvel's newest superhero Wave, depicted as a Filipina water warrior from Cebu City.   Marvel never ceases to impress me with how increasingly inclusive it has grown within the past few years. It has expanded its storytelling through the creation of ...Keep on reading: Wave, Marvel’s latest superhero, is a Cebuana

CITY OF SAN JOSE DEL MONTE---A man believed to be a member of the Ozamiz-Parojinog crime group was arrested in this city on Thursday (Aug. 15), police said. Col. Chito Bersaluna, Bulacan police director, said Gregie Albar Azcona, 36, a native of Ozamiz City, is wanted for murder and robbery. Azcona was arrested in Barangay Sta. Cruz 5 here. Bersaluna said Azcona's group is behind several murder cases and robberies in Mindanao and Metro Manila. Carmela Reyes-Estrope/TSB...Keep on reading: Cops say Parojinog gang member arrested in Bulacan

  MANILA, Philippines - A reinvestigation into the killing of a three-year-old girl in Rizal will kick off soon, the head of Philippine National Police's (PNP) Internal Affairs Service (IAS) said on Thursday. PNP-IAS Inspector General Alfegar Triambulo said he wanted to launch another probe into Myca Ulpina, who was shot dead in a buy-bust operation in Rodriguez, Rizal, to determine the real suspects behind the killing. «Nangyari noon na-charge na namin yung police na involved pero pina-pa-imbestigahan ko ulit kahit gumugulong na yung kaso dahil gusto kong alamin kung sino yung nakabaril nung bata at paano nabaril kaya pinapaulit ko yung imbestigasyon,» Triambulo told r...Keep on reading: PNP-IAS chief wants new probe into death of 3-year-old Rizal kid 

MANILA, Philippines---The Philippine National Police recorded at least 52 cases of kidnapping linked to casinos since 2017. The PNP Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG) released data on Wednesday (Aug. 14) showing that at least 119 Chinese nationals had been arrested in connection with the kidnapping cases. The PNP AKG said gangs penetrated casinos and offer loans to gamblers at usurious rates. When gamblers fail to pay, they are kidnapped by the gangs to force them to cough up payment. The PNP AKG said the rise of kidnappings may be attributed to the influx of gambling sites in casinos and hotels and the increasing number of online casino operators in the Philippines. The anti-kidnap...Keep on reading: Casinos in PH magnet for crime gangs, says PNP report

When 6-year-old Naziru Abdulwahab was abducted from northern Nigeria, his kidnapper transported him across the country and tried to sell him, but the potential buyer backed out. What saved the boy from the child-smuggling rings, police said, was the traditional facial scarrings on his cheeks that he had been marked with at birth. Fearing they would make him too recognizable, the would-be purchaser refused to buy him. After suspicions were then raised by local residents, the trafficker was arrested and the child rescued. The incident in June shone a spotlight on the practice of tribalmarkingsthat has been fading since the 1980s in the fast-changing country of nearly 200 mi...Keep on reading: Nigeria’s divisive tradition of facial markings fades

CITY OF CALAPAN---Five men were arrested for illegal mining on Thursday (Aug. 15) in the resort town of Puerto Galera in Oriental Mindoro, police said. Capt. Arman Rubio, acting Puerto Galera police chief, identified the arrested men as Wilfredo Baltazar, 45; Alfredo Sanchez, 46; Martin Adem, 52; Argie Reyes, 20; and Michael Nobleza, 19. They had been digging for gold at the village of Tabinay, Rubio said. Police seized a generator, wires, flashlights, blower, pails, bar, hammer and other tools being used for mining. Charges are being readied. Madonna Virola/TSB...Keep on reading: 5 held for illegal gold digging in Mindoro resort town

MANILA, Philippines---Malacaang vowed not to interfere with the appeal of lawyers from the Public Attorney's Office (PAO) before the Ombudsman to suspend the agency's head Persida Acosta for alleged corruption. «As a matter of policy, the President does not interfere in the work, function, (or) the activity of any constitutional body or any branch of the government. Let the law takes its course,» presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said in a Palace briefing Thursday. In a statement submitted to the Office of the Ombudsman, the lawyers accused Acosta and her allies including forensics chief Erwin Erfe of having a «systematic scheme» for defrauding the government by doctoring purc...Keep on reading: Palace distances from plea to suspend PAO chief Acosta

MANILA, Philippines --- Instead of a gender-inclusive or unisex toilet, 1-Pacman Rep. Enrico Pineda on Thursday proposed establishing a third toilet for members of the LGBTQIA+ community. LGBTQIA+ refers to lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgenders, queers, intersexuals, and asexuals. Pineda's proposal came after a transgender woman, Gretchen Custodio Diez, was arrested for unjust vexation after she documented how a janitress denied her entry to a women's toilet inside a mall in Quezon City on Tuesday. READ:Solons want House probe on discrimination, harassment of trans woman "I think one resolution there is to also come up with another (toilet) for the third sex so that hindi n...Keep on reading: Solons mull third toilet, ‘all-gender’ toilet after harassment of trans woman

  MANILA, Philippines --- Malacaang will ask Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua to explain the presence of Chines warships in the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ) without informing the Philippine government, a move that broke the Chinese envoy's earlier commitment.   Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana earlier said Zhao assured him on July 22 that the Chinese Navy will inform the Philippine government if their warships will enter Philippine waters.   But since Zhao had made the commitment, the military has confirmed that two Chinese warships were spotted in the Sibutu Strait in the Southern Philippines and three more in August. READ: Chinese war...Keep on reading: Palace to Chinese envoy:  What happened to commitment over China warships in PH waters? 

        MANILA, Philippines --- Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte said Thursday she will meet with the QC Pride Council (QCPC) on Friday following an incident where a a transgender woman was arrested inside a mall for entering a comfort room for women.   Belmonte explained that the meeting would revolve around the implementation of the city's Gender Fair Ordinance, which includes gender-sensitivity trainings in the companies located in the city.   "Ang QC Pride Council ang pangunahing inisyatiba ng lokal na pamahalaan para sa pagbuo ng mga programa para sa mga miyembro ng LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer), para sa g...Keep on reading: QC mayor to meet Pride Council after arrest of transgender inside mall

TV host Kaladkaren Davila and comedian Brenda Mage spoke up on the challenges that the members of the LGTBQ+ community face on a seemingly simple decision like using the restroom. The statements come after trans woman Gretchen Diez was barred from entering a women's restroom in a Quezon City mall this week. Kaladkaren (real name: Jervi Li), herself a transgender woman, detailed in a series of tweets on Wednesday, Aug. 14, the discrimination trans women experience when they use public restrooms. https://twitter.com/jervijervi/status/1161431854836137984?s=20 When trans women enter women's restrooms, she said they receive stares. "Sa tuwing papasok kami ng CR na pambabae, wagas ang iny...Keep on reading: LGBTQ+ celebs Kaladkaren Davila, Brenda Mage speak up on trans women’s struggles of using public restrooms

    HONG KONG --- A top opposition leader imprisoned on public disorder charges was released on bail Thursday as Hong Kong's government attempts to quell a protest movement that has paralyzed parts of the territory, including its international airport, and led to hundreds of arrests.   Benny Tai was sentenced to 16 months as one of nine leaders of a 2014 drive for universal suffrage known as the Umbrella Movement. He was allowed to return home on $12,755 cash bail but barred from leaving Hong Kong.   The 2014 movement fizzled, its demands unmet and leaders arrested. However, it laid the groundwork for the new protest movement that began in June w...Keep on reading: Hong Kong Umbrella Movement leader released on bail

MANILA, Philippines --- Residents of Nueva Ecija and Zambales will experience a rainy afternoon Thursday as the state weather bureau said that these areas will have moderate to heavy rains.   In a thunderstorm advisory issued at 1 p.m., the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said that moderate to heavy rainshowers with lightning and strong winds are expected over Nueva Ecija and Zambales within the next two hours.   Meanwhile, moderate to heavy rains are currently being experienced in parts of Tarlac (Gerona, Santalgnacia, Victoria and Pura), which may persist within two hours.   Residents in nearby areas...Keep on reading: Pagasa: Moderate to heavy rains over Nueva Ecija, Zambales on Thursday

      MANILA, Philippines --- Philippine Airlines (PAL) flights to and from Hong Kong resumed on Thursday after the Hong Kong International Airport Authority (HKIAA) tightened its security measures in view of the ongoing mass demonstrations. Several flights to and from Hong Kong were canceled on Wednesday due to the protest actions in the special administrative region of China. READ: LIST: Canceled flights to, from Hong Kong on Aug. 14 In an advisory issued on Thursday, PAL said the following flights will push through as scheduled: PR 313 Hong Kong - Manila PR 300 Manila - Hong Kong PR 301 Hong Kong - Manila PR 318 Manila - Hong Kong PR...Keep on reading: PAL flights to and from Hong Kong resume on August 15

ILIGAN CITY -- The National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) on Wednesday ordered a probe on the reported issuance of fake Hajj identification cards to Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) so that they can join the pilgrimage, one of the five pillars of Islam. Dr. Dimapuno Alonto Datu-Ramos, Jr., NCMF public relations head, said NCMF Secretary Saidamen Pangarungan got wind of the practice after he was informed that some regular pilgrims, those who came straight from the country, had been eased out of their accommodations by hundreds of OFWs who were allegedly «illegally smuggled inside» the site. In a statement released through social media, Pangarungan revealed that he discovered...Keep on reading: Issuance of fake Hajj IDs probed

Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach recently flew to Vietnam for her web travel program «Pia's Postcards» for Metro Channel. «Xin Chao! Strolling around the beautiful and timeless streets of of Hoi An old town,» the beauty queen said in her Instagram post on Tuesday, Aug. 13. https://www.instagram.com/p/B1GB6m0jgo7/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link She also expressed her excitement to take part in the town's lantern festival. «It'll be a first for me!» she stated. «Releasing a lantern is said to bring good fortune.» As a coffee lover herself, Wurtzbach took the time to savor a cup in the old town. https://www.instagram.com/p/B1GZgjhDPjA/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link She also got to don a...Keep on reading: LOOK: Pia Wurtzbach strolls in streets of Vietnam

TOKYO, Japan --- A powerful tropical storm lashed Japan on Thursday, bringing strong winds and torrential rain that injured at least 14 people, prompted warnings of landslides and flooding, and sparked evacuation advisories and travel chaos at a peak holiday period. Severe Tropical Storm Krosa -- one notch below a typhoon -- was churning slowly through southwestern parts of Japan, packing wind gusts of up to 144 kilometers per hour. Dramatic television footage showed violent winds uprooting trees, snapping lampposts and spinning pods on a ferris wheel. Meanwhile, high waves smashed into a breakwater, engulfing a 10-meter lighthouse, while swollen rivers broke their banks and...Keep on reading: Powerful storm lashes Japan, snarls holiday travel

MANILA, Philippines---President Rodrigo Duterte is supporting theSexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Gender Expression (SOGIE) Equality Bill, Malacaang said Thursday.   Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo made the statement days following the discrimination of a transgender woman that stirred talks on the passage of the measure aimed at protecting thelesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community.   «I remember the President expressed support for the LGBT one time di ba? So I think he will support that kind (of measure) kasi ang gusto niya fair treatment to all e,» Panelo said in a Palace briefing.   The Palace official also called on the publ...Keep on reading: Panelo: Duterte supports SOGIE bill

    MANILA, Philippines --- San Juan Rep. Ronaldo Zamora is eyeing to build a new Eastern Police District (EPD) headquarters by 2021.   According to Zamora, the new eastern police command center he is planning to construct in San Juan already has a budget of P200 million -- half coming from his office and half coming from Senator Panfilo «Ping» Lacson.   Zamora made the announcement during EPD's 45th founding anniversary and 118th police service anniversary on Thursday at the EPD Multi-Purpose Hall in Pasig City.   He said the new EPD headquarters can be considered a gift to outgoing EPD director Brig. Gen. Nolasco Bathan and incoming ...Keep on reading: Construction of new EPD headquarters eyed in San Juan

MANILA, Philippines --- A training program for those who use motorcycles for livelihood as drivers or couriers is set to happen on Sunday, August 18, in a move to educate them on road safety and legal rights, among others.   The Ridelihood program, spearheaded by the Legal Engagement Advocating Development and Reform Inc. (LEADER, Inc.) and the NCR East branch of the Land Transportation Office, will take place at the LTO Compound in East Avenue, Quezon City.   Executive Director of LEADER, Inc., Emiliano Bantog, said the program was launched amid the rising number of motorcycle-based ride-hailing and courier-services.   "Tinatarget natin na hindi lang saf...Keep on reading: Free training program for motorcycle drivers launched

          MANILA, Philippines --- Agriculture Secretary William Dar on Thursday vowed to «review and strengthen» the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the Sugarcane Industry Development Act (Sida), noting that the programs and projects under it «has not moved.»   Dar also committed to review the memorandum of agreement (MOA) with government agencies and private sector on the implementation of the said law.   He pointed out that challenges the law face is the «slow implementation of programs and the slow utilization of Sida funds.»   "I affirm my personal commitment to personally oversee the necessary r...Keep on reading: DA’s Dar vows to review IRR, MOA of Sugarcane law

MANILA, Philippines-- Gilas Pilipinas will be parading new home-and-away uniforms for its upcoming campaign in the 2019 Fiba World Cup in China. In the kit released by sports apparel giant Nike, the new men's national team uniform features a clean look with the word «Pilipinas» emblazoned on the front and the Philippine flag on the back neck area. The Philippine jerseys will be available in white and blue. Other countries have also unveiled their gear for the Fiba World Cup, which will run from late August until September in several cities in China. The Filipinos' preparations for the world meet are in full swing as they just wrapped up their training camp in Spain. T...Keep on reading: Gilas Pilipinas gets fresh uniforms for 2019 Fiba World Cup

BEIJING - Asian stock markets followed Wall Street lower on Thursday after the Dow Jones Industrial Average plunged on mounting fears of a possible recession.   Market benchmarks in Shanghai, Tokyo and Hong Kong all retreated.     The Shanghai Composite Index 0.9% to 2,782.67 and Tokyo's Nikkei 225 sank 1.3 to 20,392.99. Hong Kong's Hang Seng lost 0.1% to 25,271.23.   Australia's S&P-ASX 200 fell 2.2% to 6,447.60. Markets in Taiwan, New Zealand and Southeast Asia also retreated.   South Korean markets were closed for a holiday.   U.S. investors dumped stocks, sending the Dow into its biggest one-day drop of the year, ...Keep on reading: Asian stocks lower after US indexes tumble on recession fear

  PHILADELPHIA --- At least one gunman opened fire on police Wednesday as they were serving a drug warrant in Philadelphia, wounding six officers and triggering a standoff that extended into the night, authorities said.   Two other officers were trapped inside the house for about five hours after the shooting broke out but were freed by a SWAT team well after darkness fell on the residential neighborhood. None of the officers sustained life-threatening injuries and they've been released from the hospital, Philadelphia police Sgt. Eric Gripp said.   «It's nothing short of a miracle that we don't have multiple officers killed today,» said Philadelphia P...Keep on reading: Gunman wounds at least 6 Philadelphia police; 2 others freed

BAGUIO CITY ---- A man died after the van he was driving fell into a 500-meter ravine in Eheb village, Tinoc town, Ifugao on Tuesday afternoon, police said. Rescuers recovered the body of Wilson Batang-e Jr., 35, a resident of Poblacion village in the same town. Investigators said the victim was heading towards Buguias town, Benguet when his vehicle reportedly skidded off a portion of the Tinoc-Buguias Road, which was still covered by debris from recent soil erosion. Heavy monsoon rains since last week have made some roads in Ifugao and Benguet slippery. The local government has warned motorists against traveling on the same highway during and after a heavy downpour. /lzb...Keep on reading: Driver dies after van falls into ravine in Ifugao