https://twitter.com/T2TupasINQ/status/1159436846511693824?s=20     MANILA, Philippines - President Rodrigo Duterte must not bring up the arbitral ruling on the West Philippine Sea when he visits China this month because such move will «not be fruitful at all,» former Solicitor General and Minister of Justice Estelito Mendoza said Thursday. «I will not suggest that he bring it [Arbitral ruling] because I do not think it will be fruitful at all. We will certainly be rebuffed,» Mendoza told reporters at the Rotary Club of Manila. Mendoza helped craft the country's Baselines Law. He said the case filed by the administration of then-President Benigno Aquino III bef...Keep on reading: Ex-SolGen cautions Duterte on raising Hague ruling during China visit

SEOUL, South Korea --- South Korean police raided the office of a marketing agency on Thursday as part of a fraud investigation into Cristiano Ronaldo's non-appearance in a friendly match between Juventus and a K-League selection last month. The game has become the subject of lawsuits issued by disgruntled fans after Ronaldo remained on the bench for the entire game, despite promoters having said he was contractually obligated to play at least 45 minutes. More than 65,000 tickets costing up to $330 had been sold for the July 26 game, which was organized by marketing agency The Fasta. The Fasta issued a statement after the raid promising to "fully cooperate with the police in th...Keep on reading: South Korean police raid company involved in Cristiano Ronaldo no-show

The Philippines' gaming regulator on Thursday (Aug 8) sought to give assurances that online casino hubs, or those designed for Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogo), were meant to protect the welfare of their mostly Chinese workers which the Chinese Embassy had said were working in an industry illegal in China. There are an estimated 138,000 Chinese workers in Pogo offices, a number close to the manpower of the entire Philippine National Police. In a statement, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. chair and CEO Andrea Domingo said Pogo hubs are integrated real estate developments that have all the basic needs of mainly Chinese workers. "The hubs are, in fact, being established ...Keep on reading: Amid embassy letter that online casinos illegal in China, PH building hubs for Chinese gambling

MANILA, Philippines--Bulacan coach Britt Reroma knew his team got the wake up call it needed when it got hammered by Manila at home two weeks ago in the MPBL Lakan Season. «Two things can happen - either they will be inspired or they will continue to struggle,» said Reroma, whose coaching resume includes an NCAA juniors title with San Beda. «But more than anything else, we want to redeem ourselves in our home court after getting embarrassed against Manila.» Responding to their coach's challenge, the Kuyas got off to a blistering start and never looked back on the way to a 97-79 drubbing of the Valenzuela Classic Wednesday night at Bulacan Capitol Gym in Malolos City. It w...Keep on reading: MPBL: Bulacan mans up after Manila loss, whips Valenzuela

MANILA, Philippines--Collegiate basketball's fabled rivalry of Ateneo and La Salle take center stage in the first week of the UAAP Season 82 men's basketball tournament which gets going September 4. The defending champions Blue Eagles open their three-peat bid with two games on opening week, including a showdown with their archnemesis Green Archers on September 8 at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao. The league released the official first-round schedule of the men's and women's games on Thursday. University of Santo Tomas and University of the East meanwhile, officially kick off the basketball hostilities on opening day while Season 81 semifinalists Far Eastern U and Universit...Keep on reading: Ateneo-La Salle showdown highlight UAAP Season 82 opening week

MANILA, Philippines -- The Supreme Court has affirmed with finality its May 2019 ruling ordering the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to conduct a competitive selection process (CSP) on all power supply agreements (PSAs) submitted by distribution utilities on or after June 30, 2015.   In a two-page resolution, the high court denied the separate appeals filed by the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) on behalf of the ERC and the Panay Energy Development Corporation (PEDC) for their failure to raise new arguments that would warrant the reversal of its decision. "Acting on the following motions for reconsideration of the decision dated May 3, 2019, the Court resolved,...Keep on reading: It’s final: SC orders rebidding of power supply deal

MANILA, Philippines --- With Senators Bong Go and Ronald «Bato» dela Rosa sitting in the upper chamber, policemen should not fear about getting grilled or humiliated during Senate investigations, President Rodrigo Duterte said Thursday. «P*** baka kayo ang tawagin (sa Senado). But with Bato and Bong, komportable ako. Hindi kayo ma-ano. You're safe in the Senate,» Duterte said in his speech during the oath-taking of newly-promoted star rank police officers. Go was a long-time aide of Duterte while Dela Rosa was a former Philippine National Police chief appointed by Duterte. The President also asked police officers to immediately leave when they were shamed during Senate investiga...Keep on reading: Duterte assures cops: ‘You’re safe in the Senate’ with Go, Bato

    MANILA, Philippines --- Korean actor Lee Seung-gi is set to hold a fan meeting in Manila on October 12, 2019. Photo from @leeseunggi.official on Instagram Entertainment agency Applewood announced Thursday Lee will have an Asian tour with Manila as his first stop. https://twitter.com/applewood_kr/status/1159388797659836417?s=21 The venue and ticket prices of his fan meeting billed as «Vagabond Voyage» have yet to be announced. Lee is also set to bring his fan meeting in Bangkok, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. Lee, 32, is known for his roles in «My Girlfriend is a Gumiho,» «Korean Odyssey» and «Vagabond.»...Keep on reading: Korean actor Lee Seung-gi to meet Filipino fans in October

  MANILA, Philippines --- President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday said he is open to using Dengavaxia again amid the prevailing dengue epidemic in the country. «I'm open in the use of Dengavxia again,» Duterte told reporters in an interview in Malacaang.   The Department of Health (DOH) stopped the school-based dengue immunization program in 2017 after Dengvaxia manufacturer Sanofi Pasteur issued a belated communication thatthe vaccine may lead to more severe symptoms of dengue for those who have never been infected by the virus prior to inoculation. Consequently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) permanently revoked Dengvaxia's certificate of product ...Keep on reading: Duterte: ‘I’m open in the use of Dengvaxia again’

  MANILA, Philippines---President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday increased to P6 million the bounty for the capture of those behind the brutal killing of four police officers in Ayungon, Negros Oriental. «Kung sino makatiklo nyan, P6 million na 'yan. Kung dalhin mo ang ulo sa harap ko...give to me his head,» Duterte said in a speech before newly promoted star-rank police officers in Malacaang. Authorities arrested two suspects in the murders allegedly perpetrated by communist rebels but the President said he has yet to confirm the involvement of the arrested suspects, adding that he would conduct his «own reading.» The four policemen were on three motorcycles when ambus...Keep on reading: Duterte raises bounty for Negros cops killers to P6M

PHNOM PENH --- A man trapped for four days after falling into a Battambang cave while collecting bat guano (bat dung)was finally freed on Wednesday by a 200-strong rescue team. Sin Bora did not suffer serious injuries after falling into the cave on Chakrei Mountain in Phnom Proek district's Baraing Thleak commune. Sao Ratana, the deputy police chief of Phnom Proek district told The Post on Wednesday that the 27-year-old resident of Teuk Thla village in Sampov Loun district's Angkor Ban commune said he was hungry and tired after having not eaten during his three-night, four-day ordeal. "At the scene, the victim was able to speak to authorities. He was conscious and told us that he was...Keep on reading: Man rescued from cave in Cambodia after four days

      MANILA, Philippines --- A group of drivers impressed and amused netizens online as they showed discipline and formed a «tricycle parade» while traversing a highway in Nueva Ecija. Abigail Lagidnon shared a video on Wednesday of the tricycles traveling through Maharlika Highway in Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija in a perfect line, with no vehicle attempting to cut in. «Ang cute, walang pasaway!» Lagidnon wrote on Facebook. The netizen told INQUIRER.net that the tricycles were only following the newly implemented of the New Traffic Code of Cabanatuan City. Click here to check video The traffic code, according to Lagidnon, was in line with President Rodr...Keep on reading: WATCH: Drivers show discipline, form tricycle parade in Nueva Ecija 

MANILA, Philippines --- The covenants forged between the Department of National Defense (DND) and state schools like the University of the Philippines (UP) must be reviewed to maximize police presence inside campuses, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Thursday.   «I already asked to review 'yung memorandum of understanding and memorandum of agreement between the DND and UP... This is a government property, this is a public property and yet 'di pwede papasukin ang ating mga law enforcers,» Albayalde told reporters in Camp Crame when asked if he agrees with Senator Ronald «Bato» dela Rosa's proposal to increase police patrols inside public schools.   Dela Rosa...Keep on reading: PNP eyes review of memos between state universities, military

  MANILA, Philippines --- Paraaque City prides itself as the first local government unit (LGU) in the country to «fully comply» with the order of President Rodrigo Duterte to simplify permit processes by launching the Express Lane Operation 2.0.   Calling the project a «game changer», Paraaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez on Thursday spearheaded the launching of Express Lane Operation 2.0 or ELO 2.0 which seeks to simplify the application for business and working permits in the city by utilizing technology.   "This should boost our ongoing efforts to digitize and computerize all our systems, especially those involving applications for business and work permits,...Keep on reading: Parañaque is first LGU to be ‘fully compliant’ of Duterte’s order to simplify business processes

DAVAO CITY ---- Following the cue from Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, the Task Force Davao (TFD) commander here urged the public to make the «culture of security,» part of their lifestyle for a safer and more secured Davao City. Colonel Consolito Yecla told reporters at the AFP-PNP press conference here that martial law would not be a permanent security measure in battling terrorism here, but the practice and strengthening of the «culture of security» are for the long term. «The culture of security is what we want to develop. We are looking at the long-term security awareness and cooperation of the people. Security will be their lifestyle,» Yecla told the Inquirer. The culture of se...Keep on reading: ‘Culture of security’ nurtured in Davao City

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY ---- A Customs official here said the remaining 5,177 metric tons of mostly plastic garbage from South Korea would be ready for reshipment once the boat that would pick it up has arrived from South Korea. John Simon, Bureau of Customs (BOC) Region 10 Mindanao Container Terminal sub-port collector, however, said there was no definite date yet for the reshipment. «We are awaiting the vessel from Korea. The announcement is forthcoming,» Simon said in a text message to the Inquirer on Thursday. He said the amount that would be spent for the re-exportation of the garbage had to be approved by the Korean National Assembly, details of which had not yet been divulged...Keep on reading: South Korean gov’t: Trash reshipment slated September

MANILA, Philippines---Gilas Pilipinas picked up a second straight victory in Spain, beating Ivory Coast, 94-83, in a tune-up game Thursday (Manila time) at Palacios Multiusos in Guadalajara. Naturalized center Andray Blatche paced the Filipinos anew with 18 points, seven rebounds, and 10 assists. Paul Lee fired 16 points while Japeth Aguilar and Gilas rookie CJ Perez had 12 and 11 points, respectively. Gilas Pilipinas trailed the taller Ivory Coast side, 28-19, in the first quarter, but Lee and Perez sparked the comeback for the Nationals, who held the African team to just eight points in the final quarter. https://twitter.com/officialSBPinc/status/1159231869323362304 "I'...Keep on reading: Gilas Pilipinas picks up 2nd tune-up win in Spain, turns back Ivory Coast

      MANILA, Philippines -- The local government unit of Marawi City has clarified that 932 houses out of the planned 1,500 temporary shelter project were already built even before the Commission on Audit (COA) finalized its audit report. In a text message, Marawi's Public Information Office (PIO) explained that the housing project in barangay Boganga remains to be «ongoing» because of the limited availability of funds when COA was conducting its audit of the city for 2018. By September 2018, Marawi's local government unit (LGU) only had 50 percent of the total P300 million budget. "The project in question is not completed but almost 900 houses were ...Keep on reading: Marawi gov’t: Over 900 houses built in Boganga housing project

MANILA, Philippines --- The government will file a diplomatic protest against China if it is proven that two of their survey ships operated within the country's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) without proper clearance from Philippine authorities. Presidential spokesman and chief legal counsel Salvador Panelo said this Thursday amid reports that two Chinese survey ships were seen operating on the eastern and northwestern side of the Philippines. READ:2 Chinese survey ships spotted operating in Philippines' EEZ Panelo said in a Palace briefing that China should have secured clearance from the Philippines before two of its survey ships operated within the country's EEZ, noting th...Keep on reading: Gov’t to protest if proven China ships entered PH’s EEZ sans clearance

    MANILA, Philippines --- The Philippines will be deporting any illegal Chinese nationals working in Philippine offshore gaming operations (POGOs) in the country, Malacaang said Thursday.   «E pag malaman natin na illegal bakit hindi,» presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo told reporters in a phone patch interview.   Panelo issued the reaction after the Chinese embassy called the Philippine government to «punish»casinos and offshore gaming firms that illegally employ Chinese nationals.   The embassy said Chinese workers had their passports taken away or confiscated while others were subjected to "extortion, physical abuse and tor...Keep on reading: Philippines to deport illegal Chinese workers in Pogos; urges abused workers to file raps

MELBOURNE, Australia --- NBA players Patty Mills, Aron Baynes, Matthew Dellavedova and Joe Ingles have been included in Australia's 12-man squad for the FIBA World Cup next month in China. Three players were picked in the squad announced Wednesday to make their international debuts, including Jonah Bolden of the Philadelphia 76ers and Xavier Cooks, who played in Germany for Oliver Wurzburg before playing in the NBA Summer League with the Phoenix Suns. Jock Landale, who plays for Lithuanian club Zalgiris Kaunas and the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA Summer League, also will make his debut for the Boomers. Andrew Bogut and Chris Goulding are returning to the national squad after play...Keep on reading: NBA players Mills, Dellavedova, Baynes in Australia final 12 for World Cup

      MANILA, Philippines --- Filipino math wizards once again displayed their skills in numbers abroad when they successfully bagged 35 awards from a competition in South Africa. The 26-member Philippine team, composed of elementary and high school students, won one gold, five silver and 15 bronze medals, as well as five merit awards in the individual competitions at the 2019 South Africa International Mathematics Competition (SAIMC), the Mathematics Trainers Guild-Philippines (MTG) said in a statement. In the team and group contests, meanwhile, the team won two first runners-up and seven second runners-up trophies. Filbert Ephraim Wu, who hailed fro...Keep on reading: Filipino math wizards take home 35 awards in South Africa competition

MANILA, Philippines --- Partido Demokratiko Pilipino--Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) should take back the committee chairmanship given to San Jose del Monte Rep. Florida Robes, who supposedly deserted the party and jumped ship to the National Unity Party (NUP), Surigao del Sur 2nd District Rep. Johnny Pimentel has said. In an interview after she took her oath as NUP member on Tuesday, Robes confirmed getting the House committee on people's participation while she was a PDP-Laban member. "'Yung kay Rida Robes, to tell you frankly, we worked hard for her to get a chairmanship but unfortunately, after she got the chairmanship she transferred to NUP which is in bad faith because the people...Keep on reading: Surigao solon: PDP-Laban must retake House panel headship from Robes

MANCHESTER, England --- One thing Pep Guardiola does not tolerate is complacency. After his formidable Manchester City side powered to the Premier League title with a record-equaling five games to spare in 2018, Guardiola insisted there should be no let-up in the remaining matches. City switched its focus to breaking more records, and smashed a host of them as it went on to break the 100-point barrier. It carried that momentum into last season and again proved the dominant force as it claimed an unprecedented domestic treble after edging a thrilling title race with Liverpool. Still, the relentless Guardiola shows no sign of easing up, with a club record 62.8 million pounds...Keep on reading: Man City looking to make it a hat trick of league titles

  MANILA, Philippines -- Jail units nationwide are set to strengthen efforts in raising awareness on the spread of dengue after the government declared a national dengue epidemic, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) said Thursday.   BJMP Chief Jail Director Allan Iral ordered jail units to coordinate with local health units in the conduct of anti-dengue programs in their respective areas.   Iral also advised jail personnel and persons deprived of liberty (inmates) to follow the Department of Health's (DOH) «Sabayang 4 o'clock habit para Deng-Get Out» which involves searching and eliminating breeding sites of mosquitoes that carry the disease. ...Keep on reading: Jails to intensify information dissemination, cleanup drive vs dengue – BJMP

MORTON, Miss. - U.S. immigration officials raided seven Mississippi chicken processing plants Wednesday, arresting 680 mostly Latino workers in the largest workplace sting in at least a decade.     The raids, planned months ago, happened just hours before President Donald Trump was scheduled to visit El Paso, Texas, the majority-Latino border city where a man linked to an online screed about a «Hispanic invasion» was charged in a shooting that left 22 people dead.   About 600 U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents fanned out across the plants operated by five companies, surrounding the perimeters to prevent workers from fleeing.   In ...Keep on reading: Largest US immigration raids in a decade net 680 arrests

You're not the only one at the edge of Bankruptcy, so stay calm. There are a thousand others seeking a way out of debt, even if it means filing for Bankruptcy. I don't know where you are or what you're facing, but this guide could help you answer the prominent questions every indebted person asks... «is bankruptcy a better option?» «what are the consequences of filing bankruptcy?» «What are the best alternatives to bankruptcy» There are various ways to get rid of loan debt, though people only see two, which are; paying your debts or filing for bankruptcy. In this article, we're going to discuss the consequences, different ways of avoiding Bankruptcy, and the potential alter...Keep on reading: How Do I Avoid Bankruptcy?

It's that time of the year again when all 32 teams in the NFL get set to take incoming campaign head-on. As you would expect, there have been remarkable improvements in the past few weeks in almost every camp in preparation for the challenges the journey ahead is going to pose to each team. Superbowl LIV Going into the NFL Predictions 2020, we take a look back at the 2019 series of games and find out that there have been a number of offensive line packages that have been able to make a difference. As usual, lots of decisions are being made at the front end offices by executives, but as the case has always been, the effects of their decisions don't come to the fore on a short term basi...Keep on reading: NFL Predictions 2020

MANILA, Philippines -- The families of passengers of perished after three motorboats capsized in the Iloilo Strait on August 3 received P50,000 cash assistance from President Rodrigo Duterte Wednesday night.   Duterte distributed the cash assistance when visited the wake of the fatalities at the Gegato-Abecia Funeral Homes and Crematory in Iloilo City.   The President was likewise supposed to meet with families of the fatalities in Guimaras, but could not make it to the island due to unfavorable weather conditions.   READ: Duterte's trip to Guimaras canceled due to bad weather Three motorboats capsized off Iloilo and Guimaras over the weekend. &...Keep on reading: Kin of Iloilo-Guimaras sea tragedy casualties get P50k aid

MANILA, Philippines - President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday declared August 12as a regular holiday nationwide in observance of Eid'l Adha or the Feast of Sacrifice.   «Yes,» Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea replied in a text message when asked if August 12 would be declared a holiday.   Eid'l Adha is one of the two most important holidays on the Muslim calendar, the other being Eid'l Fitr. ...Keep on reading: Palace: August 12 a regular holiday for Eid’l Adha

  Despite competition in the food business and changing preferences of the millennial market, Cibo, the homegrown Italian casual-dining chain, is enjoying robust growth. This year it opens five more outlets and offers a reward---an all- expense paid trip to Rome. At the launch of the «P22 Dining Seat Sale» and «Fly to Rome» promo, the Cibo Uptown Mall branch simulated an in-flight dining experience. Tables were arranged to suggest aisles on an airplane. Waiters, dressed in purser jackets, served food on trays. Dessert was a new homemade gelato. Chef-owner Margarita Fors announced the promo offer---customers can buy a Gift Card for a meal worth P599. Cardholders are ent...Keep on reading: Cibo marks 22nd anniversary with a Roman holiday

MANILA, Philippines - A magnitude 4.0 earthquake struck Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental on Thursday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.     The quake struck at 3:53 a.m. 41 kilometers southeast of Jose Abad Santos.   Phivolcs said the tremor was of tectonic origin, and had a 60-kilometer depth of focus.   No aftershocks and damage are expected, Phivolcs added./gsg    ...Keep on reading: Magnitude 4.0 quake hits Davao Occidental town

      This month, Davao City is celebrating Kadayawan Festival in thanksgiving for a bountiful harvest. The moveable feast used to be held on the third week of August but this year, it's a monthlong event punctuated by parades and street dancing on two consecutive weekends. The «Indak-Indak sa Kadalana» street dancing competition is set on Aug. 17, while the «Pamulak Kayawan» floral float parade will be on Aug. 24. Both will pass through set parade routes. Last week, Davao City Vice Mayor Sebastian Duterte said that they were anticipating a rise in tourist arrivals because Kadayawan is already a monthlong celebration. Food, especially fresh fruit like pomelo...Keep on reading: Davao’s new dining destinations

  Aspiring food writers look for reliable food guides when visiting a city, town or province in the country. I was fortunate to have met some of the most prominent foodies as guides to their respective hometowns. Claude Tayag took me to Angeles, Pampanga, to experience Aling Lucing's Sisig by the railway tracks. Dez Bautista gave me several tours in Malolos, Bulacan, including a riverine picnic. Dindo Montenegro asked his mother to cook for me her Taal, Batangas, specialties, and also brought me to the livestock market of Padre Burgos. Sonny Tinio was my guide in Nueva Ecija and Bicol, where his parents hail from. He also learned about other regional cuisines w...Keep on reading: Iloilo’s ‘tinuom’ is like breakfast and ‘merienda’ combined

EL PASO, Texas --- Aiming to play the traditional role of healer during national tragedy, President Donald Trump paid visits Wednesday to two cities reeling from mass shootings that left 31 dead and dozens more wounded.     But his divisive words preceded him, large protests greeted him and biting political attacks soon followed.   The president and first lady Melania Trump flew to El Paso late in the day after visiting the Dayton hospital where many of the victims of Sunday's attack in that city were treated.   The president was kept out of view of the reporters traveling with him, but White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham said the co...Keep on reading: Protesters chant as Trump visits Dayton, El Paso