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The Philippine peso weakened further against the U.S. dollar on Friday, sliding close to the P60 mark as growing tensions in the Middle East fueled uncertainty in global financial markets. The local currency briefly dropped to P59.75 per dollar before closing at P59.735, according to data from the Bankers Association of the Philippines. The peso opened the trading day at P59.55, already weaker than Thursday’s closing rate of P59.385. It initially strengthened in early trading

Food security and education were among the key priorities discussed during a recent meeting between Northern Samar Governor Harris Christopher Ongchuan and Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Reform. The dialogue focused on strengthening programs that support Filipino farmers, fisherfolk, and students sectors considered critical to the country’s long-term development. A major part of the discussion centered on

Vice President Sara Duterte said the move by Akbayan party-list Rep. Chel Diokno to request subpoenas in the impeachment proceedings only proves that there is no solid evidence against her and that her critics are merely “fishing” for proof. “Media outlets have recently published what is described as a letter from Rep. Diokno filed before the House Committee on Justice, seeking the issuance of subpoenas to obtain additional documents and records in connection with the impeach

NEW YORK - Filipino activists staged a noisy protest outside The Pierre Hotel on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, calling out Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. for staying in a luxury hotel suite reportedly costing up to $17,000 a night, while many Filipinos struggle with rising prices and economic hardship back home. Community members gathered outside the hotel, beating drums and playing instruments in what organizers described as a “wake-up call” protest aimed

NEW YORK — More than 200 Filipino community members and their allies staged a protest march Sunday, March 8, from the Philippine Consulate General in New York to The Pierre Hotel in Manhattan, where Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is believed to be staying during his visit to the United Nations. The demonstration coincided with International Women’s Day , as activists gathered ahead of the opening of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women , where the

LUCENA CITY, Philippines - A suspected relationship dispute turned deadly after a man was fatally shot inside a store along Enriquez Street in Barangay 4, Lucena City, around 11:00 a.m. on March 5. The victim was identified as Jayson Zoleta, who reportedly worked at a clothing outlet in a mall in the city. According to the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Lucena, the suspect has been identified as Fattah Esmai Faisal, a resident of Barangay Marketview. Authorities said th

The Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has upheld the decision of its Pre-Trial Chamber to continue the detention of former Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, rejecting his appeal seeking release from custody. In its ruling, the Appeals Chamber dismissed arguments from Duterte’s defense team that his medical condition and alleged cognitive impairment should warrant his release. The defense had claimed that Duterte’s health issues reduced the like

The House Committee on Justice has given Vice President Sara Duterte 10 calendar days to respond to the impeachment complaints filed against her after lawmakers found two of the complaints sufficient in substance. The directive came during the committee’s deliberations Wednesday on the fourth impeachment complaint filed against Duterte, which includes allegations of unexplained increases in her declared wealth based on her Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN)

NEW YORK – Women leaders continue to step up in these trying times. Alongside the UN’s 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women, three women’s organizations have bonded to create a leadership forum on March 11, 2026, at 1 Vanderbilt, NYC titled “Women's Leadership and Access to Justice.” Organizing groups HERRD, Women of World (WoW) Coaching, and the Women’s Federation for World Peace International are featuring the lived experiences and expertise of Philippine T

NEW YORK - President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will travel to New York from March 8 to 11, 2026, for a working visit centered on key United Nations engagements including advancing the Philippines’ campaign for a seat on the UN Security Council. During his visit, Marcos is expected to attend the opening of the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women, underscoring Manila’s commitment to gender equality, women’s empowerment, and inclusive development. The President is

The Filipino American Legal Defense and Education Fund (FALDEF) recently hosted a free community immigration forum in Woodside, Queens, drawing Filipino and other immigrant residents seeking reliable guidance on their rights and legal options under U.S. immigration law. Held in partnership with the Coalition of Asian American Children and Families, the forum aimed to provide practical, accessible information for individuals navigating complex immigration processes. Organizers

The Photojournalists' Center of the Philippines (PCP) has forcefully defended the authenticity of photographs documenting the Duterte administration’s bloody war on drugs, rejecting claims that the images were fabricated or manipulated. In a strongly worded statement, PCP said it “unequivocally stands behind the integrity” of Filipino photojournalists who risked their safety to capture scenes from anti-drug operations that left thousands dead, many in impoverished communities

The confirmation of charges hearing against former President Rodrigo Duterte opened with a forceful declaration from International Criminal Court (ICC) Deputy Prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang, who said the case marks “an important day for international justice” and a reminder that “those in power are not above the law.” Niang accused Duterte of being at the “very heart of the common plan” to neutralize alleged criminals in the Philippines including through murder during the ad

QUEENS, NEW YORK — The race for New York State Senate District 12 is officially underway, with Assemblymember Steven Raga announcing his candidacy, setting up a closely watched contest that also includes progressive organizer Aber Kawas. The seat is being vacated by longtime State Senator Michael Gianaris, who has represented Western Queens for decades. Raga: “This Race Is Personal” Raga formally declared his campaign, saying the decision came after extensive conversations w

Grace Meng delivered a scathing response after the Supreme Court of the United States ruled 6–3 that the Trump administration’s sweeping tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) of 1977 were illegal. Meng said the High Court’s decision confirms what many small business owners have been saying for years — the tariffs were unlawful and economically devastating. “Today’s Supreme Court decision strikes down the president’s illegal tariff regim

The International Criminal Court has granted former President Rodrigo Duterte permission not to personally attend the confirmation of charges hearing scheduled to begin on February 23. In its decision, Pre-Trial Chamber I approved the request of Duterte’s defense team to hold the hearing in his absence. The confirmation of charges hearing will proceed from February 23 to 27, 2026, even without the former president present. According to ICC Spokesperson Oriane Maillet,“Today,

BISLIG CITY, Surigao del Sur — Several families were evacuated Friday morning (Feb. 20, 2026) after rising floodwaters inundated parts of Bislig City due to continuous heavy rains brought by a shear line affecting Mindanao. Residents of Maglikian-Requina in Purok 7, Barangay Tabon were among those forced to leave their homes as water levels rapidly increased overnight. The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), assisted by local emergency responders and

NEW YORK — Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas, State Senator Gustavo Rivera, and Council Member Lynn Schulman welcomed the announcement of $1.5 billion in additional state operating support for New York City over the next two years, calling it a long-overdue step toward correcting inequities in public health funding. At the center of the agreement is legislation sponsored by González-Rojas and Rivera to reform Article 6 public health funding formulas , addressing years o

"Honor is not the exclusive property of any political party." --Herbert Hoover SOME of the incumbent politicians—especially senators and representatives—loyal to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. today are expected to start distancing themselves from Malacanang early this year if they feel he will become a sitting duck two years before the next presidential election. Especially if the anti-Duterte forces in the lower and upper chambers of congress can’t eliminate Vice

Vice President Sara Duterte has officially declared that she will run for president in the 2028 national elections, while also issuing an apology for supporting Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during the 2022 presidential race. In a recent announcement, Duterte confirmed her intention to seek the country’s top post, positioning herself as an early contender in the next presidential election cycle. During the same remarks, the vice president also expressed regret over her role in helping

NEW YORK - Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) Secretary Dante “Klink” Ang II praised the Association of Filipino American Teachers in America (AFTA), Inc. for its sustained contributions to the Filipino community abroad during the 4th International Education Convention held on February 14, 2026. The convention, themed “Puso: Paghabi at Paghubog ng Kaalaman Tungo sa Pandaigdigang Antas,” gathered nearly 200 educators, professionals, parents, and students at the ballroom of

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has filed criminal charges before the Department of Justice (DOJ) against a former newsman and a prominent YouTuber for the alleged dissemination of false medical information about President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. In a statement, the NBI said the complaints stemmed from a targeted cyber-surveillance operation conducted by its Cybercrime Division (NBI-CCD) in January 2026. The operation identified two primary sources of the alleged misi

“Who’s the husband of the queen? I mean, the father of the eggs?” I asked, my voice coarse from a sore throat. It wasn’t a Netflix series I was asking about. This rather naïve question was meant for Indig to answer. He’s an agriculturist and beekeeper at Bluewater Maribago Beach Resort. He seemed a bit stunned by my question, but he went on to explain that about eight to 15 drones would mate with the queen bee and then die afterward. The queen bee, after mating only once in h

QUEENS, NEW YORK - Assemblymember Steven Raga is exploring a possible run for the New York State Senate seat expected to open in 2026, as political movement begins to take shape in Western Queens. The seat is currently held by State Senate Deputy Majority Leader Michael Gianaris, who has announced he will not seek reelection in 2026, opening the door to a competitive race in the 12th Senate District. In a statement, Raga expressed gratitude for Gianaris’ long tenure and confi