BACOLOD CITY --- The Commission on Elections has deactivated 85,612 voters in Negros Occidental and its capital, Bacolod City, for failure to vote in two consecutive elections. The largest number of deactivated voters were in Bacolod City at 42,593, said Provincial Elections Supervisor Jessie Suarez. He said the list of deactivated voters is posted in barangay halls. «The deactivated voters can apply for reactivation at the Comelec offices where they were registered,» Suarez said. He said they only need to fill up a reactivation form at the Comelec offices, which are open Mondays to Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m./lzb...Keep on reading: Comelec deactivates 85,612 voters in Negros Occidental

          MANILA, Philippines --- Four Chinese nationals were arrested in Makati City for alleged robbery and extortion, the Makati City Police said Saturday.   The suspects, identified as Zhang Xu, 30; Liyu Han, 20; Xhou Jurfeng, 24; and Leng Shung, 20, were arrested Friday afternoon at a condominium on Kalayaan Ave., Barangay Pinagkaisahan.   According to the Makati City Police, a woman identified as Wang Jiangwen said that she met the suspects in front of the Chinese Embassy. They introduced themselves as fixers and confiscated her passport with expired visa.   Jiangwen told police that she was threatened to be d...Keep on reading: Makati cops nab 4 Chinese nationals for alleged extortion racket

Kris Aquino shared her disappointment on horror movie «Kampon» being removed from the Metro Manila Film Festival after its request for change of lead actor was denied. Aquino, who is an actress and producer in the film, revealed Friday, Aug. 16, on Instagram that the MMFF executive committee had denied the change of lead actor from Derek Ramsay to Gabby Concepcion because the letter of request was sent five days late. If the movie pushed through with Concepcion, it would be disqualified from the festival. https://www.instagram.com/p/B1OHveThfmc/ "Pinalaki po ako to ABIDE by RULES. Hindi po kami ang lead producer ng (K)Ampon (I was raised to abide by the rules. We are not the lead p...Keep on reading: Kris Aquino saddened by ‘Kampon’ pull-out from MMFF

            MANILA, Philippines --- Two female officers of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) were injured after four unidentified armed men on board a car shot them in Makati on Friday evening.   In a report by Police Maj. Gideon Ines, Makati police Criminal Investigation Division chief, the victims were identified as Maricon Manalo, 56, officer-in-charge at the Formal Entry Division at BOC's Port of Manila; and Marietta Lasac, 60, Principal Appraiser at the Formal Entry Division at BOC's Port of Manila.   Initial investigation showed that the victims had just finished work and were on their way home on board their vehic...Keep on reading: 2 female Customs officers hurt in Makati ambush

    DALLAS --- Travelers flying into the United States on Friday ran into long lines at major airports nationwide because of a temporary computer outage that affected the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency.   Airports warned travelers --- both Americans returning home and foreign visitors --- of delays, and some travelers tweeted photos and videos of huge lines.   A CBP spokeswoman said the systems were running again by early evening on the East Coast.   The agency didn't precisely describe the breakdown, but the spokeswoman said there was «no indication of any nefarious activity.» She said officers were able to access security-...Keep on reading: Customs and Border Protection outage snarls major US airports

  MANILA, Philippines--A boy was killed after being snatched from a boat by a saltwater crocodile off the southernmost island of Palawan, as the reptiles' shrinking habitat leads to repeated attacks, authorities said Wednesday. The 10-year-old was on board with his two older siblings near the town of Balabac, which is notorious for confrontations with the massive creatures, when he was yanked into the water. His father failed to find the boy after an overnight search, but a fisherman discovered the child's half-eaten remains late Monday in a mangrove swamp, a police report said. ThePhilippines' booming development and population have steadily invaded the creatures' h...Keep on reading: Boy, 10, eaten by crocodile off Palawan town

    SALT LAKE CITY --- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has issued a warning to members that coffee is prohibited no matter how fancy the name, that vaping is banned despite the alluring flavors and that marijuana is outlawed unless prescribed by «competent» doctors.   The new guidance in the August issue of a church youth magazine does not include fundamental changes to the religion's strict health code, but the clarifications are significant and seem to reflect growing concern about young Latter-day Saints' adherence to the rules.   The article says it aims to clear up issues that could be confusing for young people within the re...Keep on reading: Java still a no-no for Mormons despite fancy coffee names

  LOS ANGELES --- Actor Peter Fonda, the son of a Hollywood legend who became a movie star in his own right after both writing and starring in the counter-culture classic «Easy Rider,» has died. His family said in a statement that Fonda died Friday morning at his home in Los Angeles. He was 79.   The official cause of death was respiratory failure due to lung cancer.   «In one of the saddest moments of our lives, we are not able to find the appropriate words to express the pain in our hearts,» the family said in a statement. «As we grieve, we ask that you respect our privacy.»   Born into Hollywood royalty as Henry Fonda's only son, Peter Fond...Keep on reading: ‘Easy Rider’ star and writer Peter Fonda has died at 79

    SRINAGAR, India -- Hundreds of protesters in Indian-administered Kashmir clashed with police Friday as New Delhi seethed at a rare UN Security Council meeting about the disputed Muslim-majority region -- the first in nearly 50 years. Tensions are high since India earlier this month stripped the part of Kashmir that it controls of its autonomy, a move which sparked calls from Pakistan for the international community to intervene on the decades-old issue. U.S. President Donald Trump again urged the nuclear-armed rivals to come back to the negotiating table, conveying to Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan the importance of «reducing tensions.» But India's a...Keep on reading: India slams international interference in Kashmir after clashes

MANILA, Philippines---Gabe Norwood and Kiefer Ravena had to stay on the sidelines during Gilas Pilipinas' training camp in Spain last week, but they still managed to make most of the experience. Norwood, who was nursing a groin injury, and Kiefer Ravena, who was still serving his suspension missed the chance to join their teammates in a series of scrimmages and a pocket tournament in preparation for the 2019 Fiba World Cup. «It was a different training camp for me because this is the first time ever really that I sat one out,» said Norwood at Gilas' Thursday practice. «I think I've only missed three or four games even in the PBA my whole career.» "I just tried to learn as much a...Keep on reading: Sidelined Ravena, Norwood relish Spain experience with Gilas

Lara May (not her real name to protect confidentiality) was a dedicated and long-time employee for ABC Equipment Co. She was injured at work and had to take an extended medical leave of absence. Prior to her injury, Lara May was a valued employee at ABC Equipment, and was praised for her work ethic and job performance by her supervisors. During her medical leave, Lara also had an ongoing Workers' Compensation case for her work-related injuries.   While her injuries had healed, a judge found that Lara was 17% permanently disabled. However, Lara's doctor gave her a clean bill of health and released her back to work. When she contacted her employer to advise that she could re...Keep on reading: Employer’s duty to a ‘permanently disabled’ employee

VALLEJO, California -- To identify issues affecting Vallejo's Filipino community, Stanford University, Solano County Public Health, and the Filipino Community of Solano County, will host eight town hall meetings for input from the community. The next town hall will be from 6:30 to 8 p.m., Friday, at the Filipino Community Banquet Hall, 820 Sonoma Blvd. in Vallejo. Once the information is gathered, aCommunity Action Board (CAB), made up of community members, will be formed to address the issues picked by the community members. Filipino community members are urged to express their views on health issues in their community and regarding a Community Action Board, officials said....Keep on reading: Vallejo, Calif. town hall meetings set to ID health issues among Filipinos

  MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said on Friday that it received more than 200,000 applications on the second week of the two-month voter registration period. Specifically, Comelec received 269,087 applications nationwide since it started the voter registration on August 1. Of the number, 159,126 applications come from first-time registrants, of which 36,649 applications are from those aged from 15 to 17 while 122,477 are from those aged 18 years and above. Comelec said Region IV-A had the highest turnout for regular voters with 43,777 applications while Region I had the highest number of Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) registrants with 5,880 a...Keep on reading: Comelec: More than 200k applied in 2nd week of voter registration

MANILA, Philippines --- Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Friday voiced his frustration over China's repeated unannounced presence of Chinese warships in Philippine waters. «Tayo sa defense, naiinis na din tayo dahil hindi nga sila nagsasabi sa 'tin,» he told reporters Friday. The Philippine military this week cited fresh reports of the unannounced transit of five Chinese warships in Sibutu Strait since July. This comes after the Philippine government recently protested the passage of Chinese warships in Sibutu Strait from February to June. Sibutu Strait is an international waterway located near Tawi-Tawi that is within the Philippines' archipelagic and territorial water...Keep on reading: Lorenzana hits repeated intrusions of Chinese warships in PH waters

MANILA, Philippines--It was only last conference that Terrence Romeo had his first taste of a championship of his career. Now, he can also call himself a Finals Most Valuable Player. Romeo took home his first Finals MVP award, providing the spark for San Miguel en route the 2019 PBA Commissioner's Cup title after a 102-98 victory over TNT in Game 6 Friday night. READ: San Miguel captures PBA Commissioner's Cup crown, finishes off TNT in Game 6 https://twitter.com/pbaconnect/status/1162358644924530688 The explosive guard averaged 14.8 points, 4.3 assists, 2.3 rebounds six games, but it was his epic performance in Game 2 that set him apart. With San Miguel trailing 0-...Keep on reading: Beermen guard Terrence Romeo named PBA Finals MVP

MANILA, Philippines---Arwind Santos is determined to right his mistakes as he personally apologized to Terrence Jones during shootaround of Game 6 between San Miguel and TNT in the PBA Commissioner's Cup finals Friday at Smart Araneta Coliseum. Santos sought out Jones a few minutes before tip-off to personally seek forgiveness for his racist gestures towards the TNT import that happened in Game 5. READ: PBA fines Santos P200K for racial taunt on Jones The PBA veteran already said sorry to Jones via a video on social media Thursday night after he was slapped a P200,000 fine and required to do community service and counseling by the PBA. Santos caused an uproar after he was cau...Keep on reading: Arwind Santos reaches out to Terrence Jones in person before Game 6

LIVERPOOL, England --- Liverpool might need to play a 35-year-old free agent in goal against Southampton in the Premier League on Saturday after backup goalkeeper Adrian hurt his ankle in a freak incident during the team's post-match celebrations after the UEFA Super Cup. Liverpool manager Jrgen Klopp said a supporter ran onto the field, headed toward the celebrating players, slipped and ended up kicking the ankle of Adrian --- the Spanish goalkeeper who saved what proved to be the deciding penalty in the shootout against Chelsea. Klopp said Adrian's ankle is swollen. With first-choice goalkeeper Alisson Becker out because of a calf injury sustained in Liverpool's 4-1 win o...Keep on reading: Freak injury leaves Liverpool facing goalkeeper crisis

MANILA, Philippines -- Four Chinese nationals were apprehended after kidnapping their compatriot who failed to pay his debt inside a casino resort in Pasay City on Thursday night, police said Friday.   A report from Pasay City police station identified the suspects as Hui Qin, 29; Shengtao Tan, 40; Kaisi Luo, 36; and Pu Fei, 29. Police said the suspects are all tourists in the Philippines.   Initial investigation showed the victim Samuel Chang, 26, was illegally detained by the four suspects after failing to pay his debt worth P300,000.   Chang then asked assistance from a roving waitress who prompted security guards to rescue him and apprehend the suspects.  ...Keep on reading: 4 Chinese men nabbed for abducting fellow Chinese in Pasay

MANILA, Philippines--San Miguel Beer pounced on TNT's shooting woes and early foul trouble to hammer out a 102-98 victory and capture the 2019 PBA Commissioner's Cup crown in six games Friday night at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao. They Beermen their bid for a Grand Slam alive, winning two of the three titles so far this season. They got the goods from import Chris McCullough and June Mar Fajardo, who had 35 and 19 points, respectively, and drew a commendable performance from Christian Standhardinger who added 18 off the bench to script a scintillating end to what initially looked a goner conference. San Miguel kept its poise throughout a humid first half and came back an ...Keep on reading: San Miguel captures PBA Commissioner’s Cup crown, finishes off TNT in Game 6

MANILA, Philippines---The military on Friday (Aug. 16) showed it pays to be a spy, at least for five people who received P14.2 million in cash for tipping off the armed forces on whereabouts and backgrounds of key communist guerrilla leaders leading to their capture or killing. Armed Forces Chief Benjamin Madrigal Jr. personally gave the cash rewards to the five who had given the military information that led to the capture or killing of what the military said were key guerrilla leaders. They wore mask to hide their identities. One of the five received P5 million in cash for providing information that led to the killing of Victoria Tesorio, a communist guerrilla leader charged w...Keep on reading: It pays to spy on Reds as 5 tipsters get P14.2M in reward from AFP

    MANILA, Philippines - Transgender woman Gretchen Diez filed on Friday a complaint against Araneta Center Group of Companies after she was taken under police custody for trying to enter a female toilet in a mall in Quezon City. The complaint was filed before the Quezon City Legal Office. On Tuesday, Diez documented the alleged harassment against her by a janitress who prevented her from entering the ladies' room at Farmers Plaza, which is under Araneta Center. «Diez formally filed a complaint to the QC Legal Office against Araneta Center, Inc. and Starline Security Agency for violation of the said ordinance,» Quezon City Public Affairs Department wrote in ...Keep on reading: Gretchen Diez files complaint vs QC mall for violating gender-fair ordinance

  LEGAZPI CITY---Twenty-two giant masks depicting characters of the Bicol epic Ibalong paraded the streets of this city Friday for the opening of the Ibalong Festival. https://twitter.com/InqNational/status/1162248362327855104 From St. Vincent village, the street dance and float parade made its way for some 2.5 kilometers to Legazpi Boulevard at 3 p.m., accompanied by the signature Ibalong theme song. Museo de Legazpi curator Darlito Perez Jr. said that the giant masks were made by young Bicol artists from local organic materials like pili shells, coconut husks, and abaca fibers. "We made these giant masks to hopefully remind the Legazpeos, the Bicolanos, of the o...Keep on reading: Giant masks of Bicol epic characters join Ibalong Festival opening parade

MANILA, Philippines--Steadily rising from the pits, the Mapua Cardinals thumped the Jose Rizal U Heavy Bombers, 83-63, built on the heroics of Laurenz Victoria and Paolo Hernandez on Friday in the NCAA Season 95 men's basketball tournament. Victoria buried five triples and finished with 24 points while the rookie Hernandez sustained an impressive output with 20 points on 7 of 11 shooting as the Cardinals notched their third straight win after a 0-5 start. The Heavy Bombers gamely fought in the first half but consequently slowed down in the next two quarters that led to their fifth defeat in eight games. Creeping within eight early in the final period, the Heavy Bombers couldn't ...Keep on reading: NCAA: Still on a roll, Mapua dominates JRU for 3rd straight win

SACRAMENTO, California --- A pair of handmade Nike track shoes from the 1972 Olympic trials has sold for $50,000. Dave Russell, of Sacramento, sold the rare kicks last month to the Graduate Eugene hotel, a Nike-themed property in Eugene, Oregon. «They wanted something that would say, 'This is Nike town,' » Russell said. «And here are these shoes that were a prototype before Nike was even a public shoe.» Russell was 25 when he qualified for the trials in the marathon in Eugene, where the shoe and the Nike brand debuted that year, he told KTXL-TV. Known as «moon shoes» for their waffle-like bottom, the shoes were the first prototype designed by Nike co-founder Bill Bowerman...Keep on reading: Nike track shoes used in 1972 Olympic trials sell for $50K

  MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Transportation (DOTr) said it was considering building elevated walkways and bike lanes on Edsa to help decongest the traffic-choked highway, following Senate majority floor leader Juan Miguel Zubiri's promise to realign P1 billion in funds to the department for this purpose. Assistant Secretary Goddes Hope Libiran said the DOTr already had such projects in the pipeline, but still needed the support of Congress. She did not outline specifics, only that the department was planning to build alongside major mass transportation systems linked to central business districts. "We believe that if we have good walkway and bikeway connecti...Keep on reading: DOTr eyes elevated walkways, bike lanes on Edsa

EL SEGUNDO, California--- Daniel Cormier has always seemed to have the endgame all figured out. The UFC heavyweight champion has everything in place for a satisfying, fulfilling life after mixed martial arts. A loving family. A burgeoning career in broadcasting. Varied business interests, including a couple of Los Angeles barbershops and a poke restaurant in Miami. Even more impressively, Cormier actually understands how important it is to get out of fighting with his health and finances intact, and he has planned this exit for years. The fight game is littered with champions who stayed too long and devolved into clichd palookas. Cormier is determined to avoid the decline...Keep on reading: Cormier closes in on fighting farewell with mixed feelings

MANILA, Philippines --- Canadian singer-songwriter Carly Rae Jepsen is coming to Manila once again in October, this time to promote her album «Dedicated.» Events promoter Wilbros Live announced Friday that Jepsen will hold «The Dedicated Tour» concert at the New Frontier Theater on October 23.   https://www.facebook.com/wilbroslive/photos/a.313238442020960/2668064326538348/?type=3&theater&_rdc=1&_rdr Wilbros Live said tickets will go on sale on August 31. This is the third time for Jepsen to visit the country for a concert after her shows in 2013 and 2015, both held at the Araneta Coliseum. Jepsen is most known for her songs like «Call Me Maybe,» "I Really Like...Keep on reading: Carly Rae Jepsen coming to Manila in October

    MANILA, Philippines --- Actress Erich Gonzales has exited from upcoming series «Love Thy Woman» starring Kim Chiu and Xian Lim.   Dreamscape Entertainment cited «creative differences» as the reason for Gonzales' withdrawal from the show.     https://www.instagram.com/p/B1LvHnZgVpb/   «Due to creative differences, Erich Gonzales has resigned from 'Love Thy Woman,' a Dreamscape Production from ABS-CBN,» Dreamscape said in a statement Thursday.   It was also announced that Yam Concepcion, best known for her role in series «Halik,» will be replacing Gonzales in the show.   "Yam Concepcion will be taking the ro...Keep on reading: Erich Gonzales quits ‘Love Thy Woman’

Have you been suffering from LSS due to «Julien»? At night, do you listen to 'Emotion' and 'Dedicated'? Your tears and your feelings are not for nothing. Carly Rae Jepsen is coming to Manila! https://www.instagram.com/p/B1Ng73AlSiF/ Wilbros Live, who's brought Rita Ora, Westlife, and Pentatonix this year to the Philippines, announced via social media today the good news. Set the alarm for Aug. 31 when you can buy your tickets via TicketNet for Jepsen's Oct. 23 concert. The Canadian singer-songwriter, who first burst into the mainstream scene with «Call Me Maybe,» will be performing at New Frontier Theater in the Araneta Center, Quezon City. 'The Dedicated Tour' is Jepsen's co...Keep on reading: ALERT: Carly Rae Jepsen’s ‘The Dedicated Tour’ Is Coming to Manila

EL SEGUNDO, California---DeMarcus Cousins is facing rehab from another major injury, and the Los Angeles Lakers have endured their first big problem of a season with championship expectations. Cousins was diagnosed Thursday with a torn ACL in his left knee, an injury that could sideline the six-time All-Star big man for much --- if not all --- of this coming season. Cousins' agent, Jeff Schwartz of Excel Sports Management, said a timeline for surgery is being discussed. Cousins, who spent last season with Golden State, got hurt earlier this week in a workout in Las Vegas. The ACL tear comes about 18 months after he ruptured his left Achilles tendon, and roughly four months...Keep on reading: Lakers’ DeMarcus Cousins tears ACL in left knee, awaits surgery

          MANILA, Philippines---Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto said Friday that hiring more Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) traffic management personnel should be made a priority to help arrest the worsening road traffic in Metro Manila.   Due to the continuous surge in the number of vehicles, major roads and critical intersections in the capital region now require «round-the-clock and rain-or-shine» supervision of MMDA personnel, Recto said in a statement.   «MMDA needs an active night brigade,» he stressed.   The Senate President Pro Temore, second highest rank official in the Senate, point...Keep on reading: Recto wants MMDA to prioritize hiring of more personnel

    San Miguel Beer forward Arwind Santos was fined P200,000 by the PBA for his monkey gesture directed at TNT import Terrence Jones in the second quarter of Game 5 of the PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals on Wednesday.   Commissioner Willie Marcial, who summoned Santos on Thursday, said the San Miguel player will also render 100 hours of community service and undergo seminar and counseling on equality and racial discrimination.   «Racial discrimination has no place in basketball and sports in general and the PBA in particular,» Marcial said in Filipino. "The PBA will never allow such acts and if he does it again, the league will hand out a stiffer p...Keep on reading: PBA fines Santos P200K for racial taunt on Jones

  The House of Representatives on Wednesday evening approved on second reading a bill that would raise the excise on alcoholic drinks effective Jan. 1, 2020, as well as on regular and electronic cigarettes.   Without the usual lengthy deliberations, lawmakers approved a substitute bill that amended House Bill No. 1026, the original measure that the House ways and means committee passed the previous day to raise the «sin tax» on alcoholic products.   They also passed HB 313, formerly known as Trabaho Bill but had been renamed as the Corporate Income Tax and Incentive Rationalization Act (Citira), which would remove tax incentives for large companies while...Keep on reading: House approves higher tax on liquor, e-cigaretes

  A lawyer who has accused Public Attorney's Office (PAO) Chief Persida Acosta of graft says President Duterte should fire her if the Ombudsman would not immediately suspend her.   «If the Ombudsman cannot act on my request for preventive suspension, which has been pending for months, the President can fire her,» lawyer Wilfredo Garrido Jr. said in a statement on Thursday, after lawyers from the PAO filed a motion in intervention in the graft case he brought against the chief public attorney in May.   Garrido accused Acosta and PAO forensic chief Erwin Erfe of establishing a forensic laboratory for the agency without authorization from Congress.  ...Keep on reading: PAO chief’s accuser urges Duterte: Fire Acosta if Ombudsman won’t act

Reigning champion Ceres Negros remained unstoppable halfway into the Philippines Football League season, while Kaya-Iloilo labored to another tough win on Wednesday night at Aboitiz pitch in Lipa, Batangas.   A brace from Mike Ott and a goal each from Carlie de Murga, Robert Mendy and Bienvenido Maraon propelled the Busmen to a 5-0 demolition of Stallion Laguna that sent them three points ahead of Kaya at the top of the table with 31 points.   Kaya needed a late goal from Jordan Mintah to overcome Green Archers Globe, 1-0, in the other game in Lipa, while Philippine Air Force notched a 1-0 win over Mendiola at PFF Training Center.   The win upped Kaya's t...Keep on reading: No stopping Ceres; Kaya also scores