MANILA, Philippines - A man was arrested after police caught him in possession of firearms and ammunition with an expired license in Makati City on Thursday afternoon. Police identified the suspect as Jose Samala, 69, a retired city bank worker. Elements of Makati police station served a search warrant issued by Judge Rosario Ester Orda Caise of Makati Branch 234 Regional Trial Court on Samala inside his home along Cabanillas Street in Barangay La Paz at around 3 p.m. Seized were glock 9mm gun; 9mm gun; caliber .380 gun; caliber 22 gun; more than 500 pieces of ammunition; three holsters; magazine pouch; Beretta suppressor and magazine. Maj. Gideon Ines, chief inspector of...Keep on reading: Senior citizen nabbed for expired firearms, ammunition in Makati City

    MANILA, Philippines --- Senator Sonny Angara on Thursday lauded the signing of the law that would increase further the excise tax imposed on tobacco products. Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea earlier said President Rodrigo Duterte has signed the law which seeks to aid in funding the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act. READ: BREAKING: Duterte signs higher sin tax for tobacco "We welcome the enactment of Republic Act 11346 or the increase in the excise tax on tobacco products. We worked on passing this measure as the chairman of the Ways and Means Committee in the previous Congress with the goal of generating additional revenues to help fund the gap for ...Keep on reading: Angara lauds signing of law on higher sin tax for tobacco

      MANILA, Philippines --- The provincial bus ban along Edsa will finally push through next month following the effectivity of a Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) memorandum amending the routes of these buses. The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said Thursday that the ban will be implemented starting August as long as there is no temporary restraining order (TRO) to stop it. «Tuloy 'yan. Wala namang TRO eh. As long as the court hindi sinasabi sa amin na itigil 'yan, tuluy tuloy lang 'yung plano namin. Wala namang pumipigil,» MMDA General Manager Jojo Garcia said in an interview. Under LTFRB Memorandum Circula...Keep on reading: MMDA: Edsa’s provincial bus ban to start August; violators face arrest

A father who stabbed his five-year-old son 76 times, believing his child was the Devil, was found not guilty of murder due to his mental illness. The 38-year-old from Sydney, Australia, was found to have been suffering from schizophrenia since 2003 during the course of the trial. The court's decision was issued yesterday, July 24, as per 7News Sydney yesterday. The accused was reportedly in the middle of a psychotic episode when he committed the crime. Days before the tragedy, the man admitted to having thoughts that his son was the Devil. The tragedy took place on June 8, 2018, after the man's mother had left the pair at their house, where she had been caring for her gra...Keep on reading: Man acquitted of murdering son he thought was the Devil

    MANILA, Philippines -- Ombudsman Samuel Martires has proposed strengthening values formation and religious education in schools to combat corruption in the government. «I will assure everyone that I will shift from prosecution and investigation to values formation and religious education, as the main entry points in preventing corruption,» Martires said during a multi-sectoral meeting on Thursday. "Investigation and prosecution come after a corrupt act has been committed. We have to prevent it. And the only way to prevent is to go back to the past, where our moral standards were high, where our moral values were based on religion, not on society and governme...Keep on reading: Martires sees religious education as key to combating corruption

  MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed murder and frustrated murder case against Dennis Sytin and two others for the death of his older brother Dominic and wounding of the latter's bodyguard Efren Espartero. In a 54-page resolution, the DOJ panel of prosecutors also filed murder and frustrated murder charges against Ryan D. Rementilla alias Oliver Fuentes and self-confessed gunman Edgardo P. Luib. "All the elements of the crime of murder to exist are factually present...Obviously, the methodical manner by which the victim was attacked was purposely carried out by the assailant to give Dominic or his bodyguard no chance whatsoever to evade the ...Keep on reading: DOJ files murder raps vs. Dennis Sytin, 2 others for brother’s death

MANILA, Philippines---The government's casino regulating agency has given the green light for the use by the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) of at least P48 million that remained from a P50 million grant awarded to the commission in 2017. In a statement, the NAPC said the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) allowed the use of the funds under a new memorandum of agreement (MOA) signed by Pagcor and NAPC recently. The fund was initially turned over by Pagcor to the NAPC in July 2017 but the use of the money was suspended after projects earmarked for funding by the grant «did not materialize» within the two-year period set by the first MOA between the two agenci...Keep on reading: Pagcor grant boosts plan to help poor farmers, fishers market their produce

      MANILA, Philippines -- All fastfood chains in Manila are now encouraged to employ senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) who are wanting to apply as crew in their restaurants. This after Manila Mayor Isko Moreno announced on Thursday that he already instructed one of his officials to order fastfood chains to accept senior citizens as crew. «Kayong mga senior, mag exercise na kayo,» Moreno first said during the signing of a city ordinance granting a P500 monthly allowance to senior citizens and PWDs. READ: Isko's first 2 laws: P500 cash aid for students, elderly, solo parents, PWDs "Dahil si Fernan Bermejo ay inatasan ko nang tup...Keep on reading: Moreno to fastfood chains: Accept seniors, PWDs as work crew

MANILA, Philippines--Defending champion Petron handily defeated an erratic PLDT, 25-19, 25-15, 25-9, Thursday to score its seventh straight win in the Philippine Superliga Grand Prix at FilOil Flying V Center. The Blaze Spikers leaned on their formidable firepower led by Sisi Rondina and Mika Reyes in posting their ninth victory in 10 starts. Rondina scored 12 points, while Reyes had nine for the Blaze Spikers. After the competitive opening set, PLDT lost its fire in the next two frames, allowing Petron to out-attack, 15-7, in nailing the second set. That set paved the way to an even more lopsided third set as the Power Hitters absorbed their seventh defeat in 10 matches....Keep on reading: PSL: Petron stays hot, makes quick work of PLDT

MANILA, Philippines --- President Rodrigo Duterte rejected Thursday the move to lower the threshold amount to commit plunder from P50 million to P10 million. In his fourth State of the Nation Address (Sona), Duterte said he wanted the reimposition of the death penalty for illegal drugs and plunder. READ: Duterte reiterated push for death penalty Sen. Christopher «Bong» Go earlier filed a bill seeking to reinstate the death penalty on heinous crimes like plunder. READ: Go files bill restoring death penalty for heinous crimes "Ang una, Bong, he wants the death penalty for plunder. I am for it. Kung wala kang, wala kang plunder, threshold is P 50 million. He wants me to a...Keep on reading: Duterte nixes move to lower plunder threshold from P50M to P10M

      MANILA, Philippines --- Senator Christopher «Bong» Go said he would look into the possibility of investigating the Department of Health (DOH) over the P367-million worth of expired or expiring medicines. Speaking with reporters in a phone patch interview at the Senate on Thursday, Go said he would first seek for an explanation from the DOH about the issue prior to a Senate inquiry. «Kung kailangan, pwede nating pa-imbestigahan sa Senado ito in aid of legislation. Gusto ko munang makuha ang explanation ng DOH hinggil dito,» said Go, who has been elected as chair of the Senate health committee. "Bottom line is ayaw nating nasasayang ang pera up to...Keep on reading: Go eyes probe on DOH’s P367-M expiring medicines

A woman slammed her laptop on her husband's head after a dispute on a plane that was about to take off from Miami to Los Angeles on Sunday, July 21. The woman was caught on video yelling threats and expletives at a man which reports have said is her husband. Prior to striking him with a laptop, she cursed at him for «[trying] to look at other women.» Police identified her as Tiffany McLemore, WPLG reported on Wednesday, July 24. A flight attendant is seen trying to defuse the situation as McLemore shouts at her husband. Eventually, the man gets up and she follows him down the plane aisle. McLemore is informed that she will be charged with assault and she is heard saying, "Fine, wha...Keep on reading: WATCH: Woman slams laptop on husband’s head in fight on plane

MANILA, Philippines--Bacoor coach Chris Gavina was a picture of relief after the Strikers subdued the Soccsksargen Marlins, 65-60, Wednesday night to preserve their winning streak in the MPBL Lakan Season at Bulacan Capitol Gym in Malolos. Facing the team with one of the worst records in the league, the Strikers blew hot and cold before turning to guard Ian Melencio down the stretch to secure their sixth straight victory. A breakout star for Imus in the league's first season, Melencio finished with 14 points in his finest performance since moving to the only other Cavite-based team in the MPBL. Gavina warned his team from complacency as the Strikers struggled to put away the...Keep on reading: MPBL: Bacoor beats Soccsksargen to extend streak, Manila routs Bulacan

        MANILA, Philippines--The number of Filipinos who claimed that their lives improved has dwindled based on the latest survey released by the Social Weather Station (SWS) on Thursday. The percent of adult Filipinos who said their lives improved in the last 12 months went down to 36 percent, from a survey conducted from June 22 to 26, 2019, compared with the 38 percent released in March 2019. Meanwhile, the percentage of Filipinos who said their lives worsened in the last 12 months slightly increased from 21 percent in March 2019, to 22 percent in June 2019. The SWS said this resulted in a net gainers score of +13 in the second quarter of the ...Keep on reading: SWS survey: Less Filipinos say their lives improved in last 12 months

  MANILA, Philippines---President Rodrigo Duterte wishes Narvacan Mayor Chavit Singson good luck in his next «gimmick» to try to lean on Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray's shoulder. Duterte was referring to a viral video of Singson and Catriona in a waiting room during Manny Pacquiao's fight in MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas over the weekend. In the 10-second video, Catriona was seen using her smartphone while Singson appears to be taking a nap as they were sitting beside each other. Shortly, Singson can be seen slowly turning on Catriona's shoulder, but he suddenly woke up when the Miss Universe took notice. Social media users described the video as "Galawang C...Keep on reading: Duterte pokes fun at ‘Galawang Chavit’: May the next mission be accomplished

BANGKOK --- The bodies of a retired teacher and 14-year-old student were found side-by-side on a bed of at a Khon Kaen resort with bullet wounds to their heads in what police believe is a murder and suicide stemming from jealousy. The bodies were found in a room at a Mancha Khiri district resort after the two did not check out as scheduled at 9pm. After they did not answer a door knock, staff used a spare key to open the room and found the bodies before calling police. The man was identified as Prasit Rupanya, 60, a retired teacher living in Tambon Kham Khaen. The other body was identified as a 14-year old girl student who was studying in a school in Khon Kaen's Muang distric...Keep on reading: Retired teacher shoots dead underage lover, turns gun on himself

      MANILA, Philippines--Senator Cynthia Villar -- the sponsor and principal author of the rice import liberalization law -- has opposed calls from various industry stakeholders to review the measure following the drastic decline in palay prices that only resulted in minimal cuts in rice prices. However, the lawmaker said there have been flaws in its implementation which the Senate would tackle through an oversight committee that she would lead. READ:Review of rice tariff law pushed "There is issue in the implementation of the law, not the law itself. The law is very good... We haven't tried the law then we are reviewing the law? What kind of people...Keep on reading: Villar says new rice tariff law is ok; problem is its implementation

SEOUL --- Earlier this month, a video went viral on social media showing a Korean man beating his Vietnamese wife in front of their toddler son during a more than three-hour ordeal at their home in Yeongan, South Jeolla Province. As he assaults the wife crouched in a corner, the man shouts, «Didn't I tell you that you are not in Vietnam?» The video also shows the son, 2, crying by his mother's side. The wife, who suffered broken ribs, has been moved to a women's shelter. On his arrest, the man, 36, told police he hit his wife because she did not speak fluent Korean. While domestic violence is not limited to marriage migrants, the video cast light on how they could be more...Keep on reading: Marriage migrants often at mercy of Korean husbands

  SHANGHAI --- Trash sorting was a hot topic in Shanghai in the weeks before a new municipal regulation on waste management took effect on July 1, requiring everyone, from households to businesses, to sort their trash into recyclable, kitchen, hazardous and residual waste. Though the regulation inconveniences people while they form new habits and those who don't comply face fines, it has boosted existing waste treatment business and will create new opportunities in the circular economy. Dealing with waste is big business as 200 billion yuan ($29 billion) in investment will be needed if the current trash-sorting program in Shanghai is to be implemented across China, accordin...Keep on reading: Waste management becoming big business in China

Actress-comedian K Brosas and singer Angeline Quinto recently flew to Jerusalem, Israel, for their concert together. Brosas said that before they appear for their concert, they will be taking time to see the city, as per her Instagram post last Tuesday, July 23. https://www.instagram.com/p/B0QqQhKgE22/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link On their first day there, Brosas shared a view of the city, as seen in her Instagram post yesterday, July 24. https://www.instagram.com/p/B0THP_IATtB/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link She later revealed that she is sick, pointing out that there is a problem with her ear, as per her Instagram Stories yesterday. She is not sure if it is because of their flight int...Keep on reading: LOOK: K Brosas, Angeline Quinto relax in Jerusalem before ‘Back2Back’ concert

MANILA, Philippines -- Lawyer Lorenzo «Larry» Gadon on Thursday said that an impeachment complaint against Vice President Leni Robredo may be in the offing after sedition and other criminal charges were filed against her and 35 other personalities tagged in the release of the «Ang Totoong Narcolist» video series that linked President Duterte's family and allies to the drug trade.   Gadon is the legal counsel of the video series' self-confessed narrator, Peter Joemel Advincula, alias «Bikoy».   «That is one of the direction we may take. Of course if she is indicted, that could be the next step, the impeachment proceedings against her. That's the plan,» Gadon said in ...Keep on reading: Bikoy’s lawyer mulling impeachment rap vs Robredo

MANILA, Philippines -- Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde said he is willing to accept a Cabinet position if President Rodrigo Duterte offers him a post.   «That depends on the Commander in Chief. That depends on the President. Who am I to refuse?» Albayalde told ABS-CBN News Channel's Headstart on Thursday when asked if he was willing to join Duterte's Cabinet after his retirement as PNP chief.   «I am still willing to work if the President says so,» Albayalde added.   Albayalde is expected to step down as the PNP chief in November this year.   The PNP chief, likewise, said he is also preparing for his retirement. ...Keep on reading: Albayalde says he is open to accept Cabinet post

SEOUL---Samsung Electronics said Thursday it will release its first foldable smartphone Galaxy Fold in September, three months after postponing the launch due to display defects. To fix the problems, Samsung said the top protective layer of the foldable display has been extended beyond the bezel, making it apparent that it is an integral part of the display structure and not meant to be removed. The Galaxy Fold also features additional reinforcements to better protect the device from external particles while maintaining its signature foldable experience, it said. The top and bottom of the hinge area have been strengthened with newly added protection caps, while additional me...Keep on reading: Samsung officially announces launch of Galaxy Fold in September

MANILA, Philippines -- Malacaang welcomed in the Cabinet's new record-high net satisfaction rating and said that it is a reflection of the dedication of President Duterte's official family.   A Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey released Tuesday showed that the Cabinet's net satisfaction rating rose from «good» at +44 in March to «very good» in June of this year with a new record-high of +51.   In a statement Thursday, Duterte's spokesman Salvador Panelo noted that «it is the first time that a Cabinet received a 'very good' rating in recent memory.»   "To the Cabinet members, this survey is important as it is demonstrative of the sentiment of the Filipi...Keep on reading: Palace hails Cabinet’s record-high rating

KUALA LUMPUR ---Shaved and shamed -- that was the strategy taken by a salon owner who shaved off the hair of a teenage girl in Saigon after finding out that she was having an affair with her husband. A video of the incident showing the 15-year-old yelling as her hair was being shorn has gone viral online. Citing Vietnamese media, China Press reported that the woman had caught both of them having sex in her shop and decided to shame them on cyberspace. In the video, she is seen grabbing the girl's head and shaving chunks of her hair off with an electric hair clipper. The police later detained the three for questioning. According to a lawyer in Saigon, the man will be charged w...Keep on reading: Wife shaves head of teen over affair with her husband

MANILA, Philippines - Two robbery suspects who preyed on jeepney passengers were killed in an encounter with the police in Quezon City early Thursday morning.   Operatives from the Quezon City Police District's Batasan station said the casualties were clad in black sweatshirts and denim pants.   A concerned citizen alerted police to a robbery incident along Payatas Road corner Majaas Street.   Responding police officers pursued the suspects along Majaas Street at around 2:30 a.m.   The suspects, who were on board a motorcycle, fired at the police officers who were forced to return fire.   The suspects were killed on the spot. &nbs...Keep on reading: 2 robbery suspects killed in shootout with QC cops

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine government will extend legal assistance to the Filipina arrested in Malaysia for allegedly trafficking over 5.9 kg of shabu.   «The government will provide her with free legal assistance to protect her rights as she is a Filipino citizen. She could be an innocent courier and not a drug pusher or drug trafficker,» Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a statement Thursday.   «If she is found guilty unfairly by the Malaysian court we can avail of legal remedies available under the Malaysian legal system to exonerate her,» Panelo added.   Reports said a 32-year old Filipina, who may be sentenced to death, was ...Keep on reading: Government extending legal aid to Filipina held in Malaysia for drugs

  BEVERLY HILLS, California--- The clamor from «Game of Thrones» fans for a do-over of the drama's final season has been in vain. HBO programming chief Casey Bloys said Wednesday there was no serious consideration to remaking the story that some viewers and critics called disappointing. There are few downsides to having a hugely popular show like «Game of Thrones,» Bloys said, but one is that fans have strong opinions on what would be a satisfying conclusion. Bloys said during a TV critics' meeting that it comes with the territory, adding that he appreciates fans' passion for the saga based on George R.R. Martin's novels. Emmy voters proved unswayed by petitioners...Keep on reading: HBO chief: Sorry, fans, no ‘Game of Thrones’ do-over

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump on Wednesday vetoed a trio of congressional resolutions aimed at blocking his administration from bypassing Congress and selling billions of dollars in weapons and maintenance support to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.     Secretary of State Mike Pompeo last month cited threats from Iran as a reason to approve the $8.1 billion arms sale to the two U.S. allies in the Persian Gulf, which are enemies of Tehran.   But Trump's decision in May to sell the weapons in a way intended to bypass congressional review infuriated lawmakers.   Democrats and Republicans in the Senate banded together to introduce ...Keep on reading: Trump vetoes congressional effort to block Saudi arms sales

https://www.instagram.com/p/B0T0qLHFWbR/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link NEW YORK --- Anne Hathaway is signing up for more diaper duty. The 36-year-old actress announced Wednesday on her Instagram account that she and her husband, actor and jewelry designer Adam Shulman, are expecting their second child. She posted a photo of her growing belly with the caption «It's not for a movie...» Hathaway also went on to say that she was sending «extra love» to anyone with fertility issues because she's experienced it, too, with both pregnancies. The new baby will join big brother, Jonathan, now three. Hathaway, who won an Oscar for her work in «Les Miserables,» just wrapped filming t...Keep on reading: Oscar winner Anne Hathaway is pregnant with baby No. 2

SAN FRANCISCO -- Filipino Americans belonging to groups like the Malaya Movement and the International Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines opposed to the Duterte administration in the Philippines protested in front of the Philippine Consulate on July 22. The rally was held in solidarity with similar protests in several North American cities and in the Philippines on the occasion of President Rodrigo Duterte's State of the Nation Address. Protesters denounced extrajudicial killings of drug addicts and human rights advocates, impunity and disregard for the rule of law, tolerance of corruption and subservience to China....Keep on reading: SONA protests in New York, Chicago, San Francisco and other cities

In 1978, sounding the alarm, the Filipino band Asin launched its song «Masdan Mo Ang Kapaligiran.»   Ang mga batang ngayon lang isinilang May hangin pa kayang matitikman May mga puno pa kaya silang aakyatin May mga ilog pa kayang lalanguyan   In 1988, the Filipino bishops (CBCP) came out with the world's first pastoral letter on the environment -- «What Is Happening to Our Beautiful Land?»   When Pope Francis wrote his Encyclical Laudato Si in May 2015, he cited the CBCP 1988 pastoral letter: «Who turned the wonderworld of the seas into underwater cemeteries bereft of color and life?» Nothing has changed since the 1970s, the pontiff seemed to say. ...Keep on reading: Climate emergency, Christianity and the poor

When Karen Schirack, 67, slipped on her way into her house in January and broke her left femur in multiple places, she had a decision to make.   Should she get surgery to repair the fractured thigh bone and replace her hip near Ajijic, Mexico, where she has lived for 20 years, or be airlifted back to her home state of Ohio for surgery and rehab?   As the number of American retirees living overseas grows, more of them are confronting choices like Schirack's about medical care. If they were living in the United States, Medicare would generally be their coverage option. But Medicare doesn't pay for care outside the U.S. except in limited circumstances.   ...Keep on reading: Dreaming of retiring abroad? Medicare doesn’t travel well

  SAN DIEGO -- Filipinos and other Asians were notably among the estimated 130,000 attendees at last week's San Diego's International ComicCon (SDCC). But identifying Filipino Americans was rather had because many came as cos-players, that is, in costumes. Maddy Belle, from Oceanside, California said she just recently started to cosplay and was dressed as Marvel's Rogue. Asked if she made or bought her cosplay outfits, Maddy replied, «I spend a lot (of money), I have a shopping problem.» Chris Bunyi, from Los Angeles was found working at the Cloud Nine Superstore booth just outside the Hard Rock Hotel. He was yelling through a street hazard cone re-imagined as a megapho...Keep on reading: Once again, Fil-Am cosplayers geek out at San Diego Int’l ComicCon

SAN DIEGO, California --- Actress Regina de Vera deals with the consequences of the inefficient titular garment in the farce «The Underpants,» written by Hollywood celebrity comedian Steve Martin.   De Vera plays newly married Louise, who is bored with her demanding and uptight bureaucrat husband. When Louise jumps up on a bench to see the king go by during the royal parade, her bloomers come loose and fall down around her ankles.   Her husband is frantic that her faux pas will cost him his job and reputation. But suddenly, the room they've been trying to rent out has plenty of takers, and it just might have something to do with the underpants.   To b...Keep on reading: Ex-Manilan Regina de Vera ‘loses’ underpants in Steve Martin farce