Public confidence in several key government institutions continues to erode, with the sharpest declines recorded in the Senate and the House of Representatives, based on the findings of the Pahayag 2025 End-of-the-Year Survey. While the survey notes that overall approval ratings across most government agencies remain technically “stable,” the data reveal a clear and sustained drop in public trust, particularly toward agencies associated with flooding, soaring consumer prices,

ALBAY, Philippines - Authorities have ordered the pre-emptive evacuation of residents within the six-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) of Mayon Volcano after state volcanologists raised the volcano’s status to Alert Level 3, citing increased volcanic activity and the heightened risk of hazardous eruptions. Following the advisory from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, Albay Governor Noel Rosal, together with the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and

NEW YORK - Four years after its inauguration, Sentro Rizal New York stands as a lasting testament to the enduring spirit of Philippine culture, history, and identity in the United States. Established on 06 January 2022 as the 36th Sentro Rizal in the world, the center has emerged as a vital cultural landmark in Manhattan, dedicated to preserving and promoting the arts, language, and heritage of the Filipino people. Under the stewardship of the Philippine Consulate General in

NEW YORK - The Philippines is stepping up its digital transformation push, pitching major infrastructure projects, telecom reforms, and artificial intelligence readiness to U.S. tech leaders and investors during a high-level roundtable in New York. The Philippine Trade and Investment Center in New York (PTIC-NY), together with the Philippine Consulate General in New York, hosted the closed-door briefing with Henry Rhoel Aguda, head of the Department of Information and Communi

Six boxes of official documents from the office of former Public Works Undersecretary Maria Catalina “Cathy” Cabral are missing, according to her lawyer, amid the continuing controversy surrounding the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) flood control scandal. Atty. Mae Divinagracia said Cabral allegedly took her own life after being unable to bear what she believed was her role as a scapegoat in the controversy involving allocable funds now considered equivalent t

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States is exerting control over Venezuela’s future through an aggressive oil “quarantine,” sanctions enforcement, and maritime interdiction rather than direct military occupation, following the arrest of Nicolás Maduro and his wife. In separate appearances on This Week and Face the Nation, Rubio defended President Donald Trump’s assertion that the United States is effectively “running” Venezuela, saying Washington is using court-

The Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu, led by Consul General Arman R. Talbo, commemorated the 129th Anniversary of the Martyrdom of Dr. José P. Rizal with a solemn wreath and lei offering ceremony at the Philippine Consulate grounds. The Rizal Day activity was held in partnership with the Knights of Rizal under the leadership of Area Commander Jerry Felicitas, together with the Aloha Chapter, Hawaii Chapter, and Maysa Ohana Chapter. Members of the Filipino community an

Investigators from the Basud Municipal Police Station and the Provincial Investigation and Detective Management Unit (PIDMU) have traced the origin of the body found dumped at the Pinagwarasan Bridge in Purok 1, Barangay Pinagwarasan, Basud, Camarines Norte, following information provided by a tricycle driver and a bus conductor who unknowingly transported the container where the victim was allegedly placed. According to police, the tricycle driver surfaced after seeing repor

A 12-year-old boy was killed after his right hand was blown off and he sustained severe injuries to his leg and thigh when an illegal firecracker exploded, while another child was injured in the same incident in Tondo, Manila on Sunday night. The tragic incident happened at around 8:30 p.m. at the corner of Lorenzo Street and Abad Santos Avenue, according to the Manila Police District (MPD). Authorities said the two children were playing in the area when they discovered a fir

A humanitarian relief mission led by AFTA President Rena Pedaria brought much-needed assistance to hundreds of disaster-affected residents in Barangay Cotcot, a barangay in Liloan town, Cebu, identified as ground zero in the aftermath of Typhoon Tino. The outreach was spearheaded by the Association of Fil-Am Teachers of America (AFTA) through its Kaisang Palad Project, providing relief to 100 families and more than 200 children affected by severe flooding. The initiative mobi

Two days before Christmas, the Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu brought the spirit of the holiday season to Filipino fishermen working at the Honolulu Port, reaching out to those spending the festivities far from their families and loved ones. Led by Consul General Arman R. Talbo, the Consulate distributed clothes, care packages, and warm Filipino meals, along with heartfelt messages of encouragement and solidarity. The visit aimed to remind the fishermen that they ar

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson urged President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to stay out of the investigation into alleged irregularities in flood control projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). Lacson made the call during a radio interview when asked if he believes the Marcos administration is being selective about who should be investigated and charged in the controversial flood control scandal. “Honestly, I think that’s possibl

Former Miss Universe CEO Anne Jakrajutatip is facing up to two years in prison after a court in Thailand found her guilty of fraud in connection with a 30-million-baht (approximately ₱56.7 million) corporate bond investment. According to a report by the Bangkok Post, the Bangkok South Kwaeng Court handed down the ruling after Jakrajutatip failed to appear in court, prompting judges to proceed with the case despite her absence. Court records show that the South Bangkok Crimina

Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Legarda Leviste has claimed that members of the House of Representatives are set to receive massive incentives once the bicameral conference committee report on the 2026 national budget is ratified on Monday, December 29. Leviste alleged that as much as ₱10 billion has been earmarked for incentives or bonuses for lawmakers, reportedly sourced from the House’s Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE). “On the day of the budget approval

The Makabayan bloc slammed President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. for failing to jail any high-ranking government officials linked to the controversial flood control scandal before Christmas, despite his earlier promise. The group said Marcos’ self-imposed deadline has passed with no “big fish” arrested, calling the pledge a public relations stunt. “So much for the promise that someone would spend Christmas in jail. The Filipino people were misled,” the bloc said. “The Pre

The Philippine Navy confirmed that it monitored and challenged a Chinese warship spotted “loitering” off the coast of Zambales, prompting a calibrated maritime response. According to the Navy, the vessel was identified as a Jiangkai II–class frigate of the People’s Liberation Army Navy, bearing bow number 569. The ship was detected approximately 41 nautical miles southwest of Capones Island, within waters closely monitored by Philippine authorities. Upon initial detection, th

IT is rare for a high-ranking Filipino public official to commit suicide after being caught in a web of corruption scandal. Except for Angelo Reyes and Maria Catalina Cabral, no other known public official of national stature in the Philippines has chosen the route to perdition to escape prosecution and permanent shame and scandal if they were alive. Reyes, 65, a retired general, shot himself in the head in the cemetery in 2011 after being linked to graft and corruption in th

The Supreme Court of the Philippines has affirmed the murder conviction of three police officers for the killing of Kian delos Santos, a 17-year-old student fatally shot during an anti-drug operation in Caloocan City in 2017. In a Decision written by Associate Justice Jhosep Y. Lopez, the Court’s Second Division found police officers Arnel Oares, Jeremias Pereda, and Jerwin Cruz guilty of murder. The High Court sentenced the three to reclusion perpetua, or up to 40 years in p

Philippine lawmaker Antonio Tinio has called for the immediate return of former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan, insisting he must face investigation over alleged large-scale irregularities in flood control projects. Tinio said Bonoan, as DPWH secretary at the time, held ultimate authority over project approvals and funding releases, stressing that no allocation could be approved and no public funds could move without Bonoan’s knowledge

NEW YORK CITY - Top business leaders, investors, and entrepreneurs from across the U.S. Northeast and Midwest converged at the Philippine Center in Manhattan on December 17 as the Philippine Trade and Investment Center–New York (PTIC New York) hosted Impact Social: A Year-End Networking Mixer , an event aimed at strengthening trade, investment, and cross-sector partnerships between the United States and the Philippines. Organized in collaboration with Planet X Studios and Th