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NEW YORK - Adrian Cruz, currently serving as Deputy Consul General at the Philippine Consulate General in New York, has been reassigned to the Philippine Embassy in Vientiane, where he will take on the dual role of Deputy Chief of Mission and Consul General. The reassignment marks a significant step in his diplomatic career. In his new post, he will serve as the second-ranking official at the embassy while overseeing consular operations for Filipinos in Laos. The move comes a

The U.S. Embassy in Manila has issued a security alert advising American citizens to exercise extreme caution following intensified military operations by the Armed Forces of the Philippines against the New People’s Army in several parts of the country. The advisory covers rural and mountainous areas in Leyte, Mindoro, Negros, and Samar, where recent clashes between government troops and NPA fighters have turned deadly. The embassy said U.S. citizens have been present in area

ICE PHOTO A Filipino national is among five suspects rounded up in a sweeping crackdown by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement targeting some of the most dangerous undocumented criminals across the United States. Authorities said all those arrested are convicted offenders linked to heinous crimes, including murder, sexual offenses involving a minor, and attempted murder, raising serious public safety concerns. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security identified the Filip

NEW YORK - Friendster, one of the earliest pioneers of social networking, is making an unexpected return more than a decade after fading from the digital landscape this time with a focus on simplicity, real-world interaction, and a break from ad-driven algorithms. The revived platform is currently available as an iOS app and is being developed by Philadelphia-based programmer Mike Carson. In a recent blog post, Carson shared that he acquired the Friendster domain and secured

NEW YORK - Grief turned into outrage outside the Philippine Consulate General in New York as Filipino community members and allies staged a fiery vigil and indignation rally for the 19 Filipinos killed in a controversial military operation in Negros Occidental. Dubbed the “Negros 19,” the victims including Filipino American activists Lyle Prijoles and Kai Sorem were remembered through chants, tears, and defiant calls for justice. Protesters accused the Armed Forces of the Phi

NEW YORK - The race for an open State Senate seat in Queens is shaping up to be highly competitive, with Assemblymember Steven Raga and Democratic Socialists of America-backed candidate Aber Kawas reporting nearly identical fundraising totals. Both candidates are seeking to succeed Michael Gianaris, the longtime deputy majority leader who is set to retire. Recent campaign finance filings show that Raga and Kawas each raised approximately $39,000 during the latest reporting pe

The tedious process of crafting and implementing international conventions at the local level remains one of the slowest human undertakings. While life unfolds often unpredictably deliberations within the United Nations continue at a characteristically measured pace, with diplomacy taking precedence until consensus is reached. This reality is evident in the decades-long journey of the Right to Development, first recognized in 1986. Forty years later, during the recently concl

Two United States citizens were among 19 people killed during a military operation against an alleged communist rebel stronghold in the Philippines, prompting an investigation by the Commission on Human Rights and renewed calls for accountability. The encounter took place on April 19 in the municipality of Toboso, where government forces engaged suspected members of the New People's Army (NPA). The clash forced more than 300 residents to flee their homes as gunfire broke out

A Filipina substitute teacher is currently in custody following an investigation into an alleged improper relationship with a student in Llano County, Texas. The teacher was identified as 27-year-old Angela Louise Palmares. She has been charged with the second-degree felony of improper relationship between an educator and a student. Under Texas law, this is a strict liability offense, meaning the professional boundary is the focus regardless of the student’s age. Last Tuesday

The Court of Appeals (CA) has issued a 20-day freeze order on assets and bank accounts linked to former House Speaker and Leyte Representative Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, citing probable cause tied to alleged plunder, bribery, graft, and money laundering. Documents obtained by Bilyonaryo show the appellate court found sufficient basis to temporarily immobilize the accounts while an investigation is underway. The order, issued on April 22, strictly prohibits any transactions i

NEW JERSEY — The Borough of Bergenfield has announced the passing of former Mayor Robert Rivas on April 23, 2026. He was 78. Rivas made history as the first Filipino American to serve as mayor of Bergenfield, holding office from 1999 to 2003. Bergenfield Mayor Arvin Amatorio paid tribute to Rivas, describing him as “a pioneer, a mentor, and a friend to so many.” “Rivas broke barriers and paved the way for future generations, showing what is possible through dedication and ser

ICC Photo Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court has unanimously confirmed all charges against former Philippine president Rodrigo Roa Duterte, clearing the way for his case to proceed to trial before a Trial Chamber. In its decision issued Thursday, the Chamber found substantial grounds to believe that Duterte bears responsibility for three counts of crimes against humanity, specifically murder and attempted murder under Article 7(1)(a) of the Rome Statute.

The International Criminal Court Appeals Chamber has affirmed the Court’s jurisdiction over former Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, rejecting in full the defense’s challenge in a landmark ruling issued Wednesday, April 22, 2026. In a majority decision, the Appeals Chamber upheld the earlier ruling of Pre-Trial Chamber I dated October 23, 2025, confirming that the Court may exercise jurisdiction over alleged crimes committed in the Philippines while it was still a Sta

BAYAN US NE PHOTO NEW YORK CITY - Anger and defiance erupted outside the Philippine Consulate in Manhattan as Filipino community organizations and anti-war groups staged a fiery protest against the upcoming Balikatan military exercises, warning of rising tensions and deepening hardship for ordinary Filipinos. Chanting slogans and holding placards, protesters demanded the immediate cancellation of the annual war drills set to begin April 20 now expected to be the largest in h

A lighthearted remark from a local resident, Noy Dulay, sparked a broader conversation about the growing presence of vloggers in communities today. “Almost everyone in our town is a vlogger now,” he joked. Though said in jest, his comment reflects a reality shaped by rapid digital transformation. With the widespread availability of smartphones and easier access to the internet, more people are now documenting and sharing their daily lives online. Platforms that once catered t

What was supposed to be a small relief turned into a heartbreaking tragedy. A motorcycle rider died while waiting in line for a ₱5,000 fuel subsidy at the Quezon City Circle on Saturday collapsing under the scorching heat as he struggled to secure much-needed assistance for his family. According to his relatives, the victim is believed to have suffered a heart attack, possibly triggered by extreme exhaustion and the intense midday sun. As early as dawn, hundreds of drivers ha

The Association of Fil-Am Teachers of America (AFTA), the oldest Filipino American teachers organization in the United States, has congratulated three Filipino American educators on their promotion to assistant principal positions within the New York City Public Schools system, highlighting their achievements as a milestone for the growing Fil-Am presence in educational leadership. Recognized were Melvin Damaolao and Jal Raval of Bronx International High School, and Marlyn Cl

Filipino excellence takes center stage as a law team from the University of San Agustin (USA) clinched the world championship in a prestigious international moot court competition held at the University of Oxford in England. The University of San Agustin-College of Law (USA-COL) confirmed that its Bulahan Price Team emerged as the top contender in the 2026 Monroe E. Price Media Law Moot Court Competition, defeating teams from around the world in a contest focused on human rig

The FBI has launched a nationwide manhunt and is offering a $25,000 reward for a Filipino citizen accused of being part of a disturbing online child exploitation ring targeting minors through gaming and social media platforms. Authorities identified the suspect as Austin Jan Sy Yatco, who is now wanted by U.S. federal agents for his alleged role in a criminal network that operated between 2019 and 2021. According to the FBI, the group preyed on vulnerable children online man

Fugitive former Ako Bicol Representative Zaldy Co may face two possible outcomes in the Czech Republic deportation or the granting of political asylum according to a retired diplomat familiar with the situation. Co is currently under the custody of Czech authorities after reportedly entering the country without proper documentation. Philippine officials have confirmed that they are coordinating closely with their Czech counterparts to facilitate legal processes that could lea

MARANTAO, Lanao del Sur - Ten members of the ISIS-linked Islamic State of Lanao, also known as the Dawlah Islamiya-Maute Group, were killed in a joint police-military operation early Friday, April 17, in what authorities described as the deadliest encounter in the region so far this year. The hour-long firefight erupted in Marantao town as government forces attempted to serve arrest warrants against Amerol Mangoranca, a key leader of the Maute-Dawlah Islamiya group. Mangoran

ICE PHOTO A Filipino former green card holder convicted of statutory rape has been kicked out of the United States and sent back to the Philippines under a court-ordered departure, authorities confirmed. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) said the man, once a lawful permanent resident, was forced to leave after his conviction made him deportable under U.S. law. In a video posted online, ICE agents were seen carrying out a “verification operation” at Louis Armstron

CALIFORNIA - Filipino pride took center stage in the global music scene as P-pop sensation BINI delivered a historic and electrifying performance at the world-renowned Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival 2026. The eight-member Filipina girl group became the first Filipino act to perform at Coachella, marking a major milestone not just for their careers, but for the entire Philippine music industry. Performing at the Mojave Stage, BINI showcased a high-energy 45-minute s

Queens, New York – Many people in Queens know lawyer Eve Cho Guillergan as quiet but with a ready smile and a steadfast reputation of helping immigrants. She is the familiar face who shows up in important community events lending consistent support. On April 8, 2026, Guillergan was sworn in as Judge of the Civil Court Queens, five months after she won in the hard-fought November 2025 election as the first Korean Filipino American judge in New York. Even before her inaugural,