New York, NY - The Philippine Independence Day Council, Inc. (PIDCI) proudly commemorates the 128th in Anniversary of Philippine Independence with what is recognized as the largest Philippine Independence Day celebration outside the Philippines on June 7th 2026. This year’s festivities officially kicked off with a vibrant Meet and Greet event featuring distinguished guest celebrities and delegates from the Philippines, all united in promoting Philippine tourism and cultural p

A Filipino-American convicted in a massive $34 million fraud scheme is now being hunted by the FBI after allegedly disappearing during a court-approved trip to the Philippines. Federal authorities say Michael Lizaso Marasigan, 48, a dual U.S.-Philippine citizen, failed to return to Guam after being allowed to travel overseas while awaiting further court proceedings. The FBI has placed Marasigan on its fugitive list and is seeking information on his whereabouts. According to p

New York - Mississippi pharmacist and Filipino American entrepreneur Ruth Avegail Capapas has earned international recognition after her innovative personal care product was named a winner at the 2026 Green Product Awards in Berlin, Germany. Capapas' invention, Bebot Simple Soap, was selected as one of only 36 winners from more than 1,200 entries submitted from 54 countries, placing the Mississippi-based product among the world's leading sustainable innovations. The Green Pro

A Filipina living on Maui is facing federal charges after authorities accused her of voting in two U.S. federal elections despite allegedly knowing that she was not an American citizen. Federal prosecutors announced that Remedios Alasaas, 66, of Kahului, Maui, was charged by Information on June 1 with unlawfully voting as an alien. According to court records, Alasaas entered the United States in or around 2014 on an immigrant visa and registered to vote shortly thereafter. Pr

QUEENS, N.Y. - The race for New York's 12th State Senate District is intensifying as Assemblymember Steven Raga and community organizer Aber Kawas showcase competing visions for Queens voters ahead of the June 23 Democratic primary. Raga recently secured endorsements from seven major labor unions, including the New York State AFL-CIO, District Council 37, New York State United Teachers, and the New York State Nurses Association, further strengthening his position as the labor

New York - Celebrating a milestone in the victorious month of May is 2nd Lieutenant Mi-ae Hope Clemente Nkulu who graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY on May 23, 2026. Nkulu is the first female of Filipino-Congolese American to become a West Pointer. This historic achievement serves as an inspiration to her family, her community, and future generations of leaders. She is the youngest of three daughters of Rhia and Noel Nkulu of Arizona. She stan

International travelers may soon have to pay an additional ₱480 on round-trip flights under a proposal by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) aimed at strengthening and modernizing the country's border security system. Under the proposed scheme, international passengers would be charged $4, or approximately ₱240, upon departure from the Philippines and another $4 upon arrival, bringing the total additional cost to about ₱480 for a round-trip journey. The proposed fee will help fun

A visa consultancy firm accused of illegally recruiting Filipinos for caregiver jobs in the United States has been shut down by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), with its officers and employees now facing possible illegal recruitment charges. The DMW ordered the closure of State 101 Travel Visa Consultancy after authorities discovered that the company was allegedly offering caregiving jobs in the U.S. and encouraging applicants to enter the country using tourist visas.

A 56-year-old balikbayan from Hawaii was shot dead by unidentified assailants while walking with his wife in Barangay Aring, Badoc, Ilocos Norte, authorities said. According to a police report, the victim and his wife were strolling through the village when two men riding a motorcycle suddenly stopped in front of them. One of the suspects allegedly pulled out a firearm and repeatedly shot the victim at close range. The victim sustained multiple gunshot wounds and collapsed on

A Filipino national who federal authorities said orchestrated a large-scale visa fraud operation has been sentenced to 18 months in prison after hundreds of fraudulent work permit applications led to the unlawful issuance of employment documents for undocumented foreign nationals. Venerando Aquino Martin, 56, was sentenced on May 27 by the United States District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands after being convicted of visa fraud against the United States. Prosecutors s

A 59-year-old American fugitive wanted for child molestation charges in the United States was arrested by operatives of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) in Pangasinan as part of the government’s intensified #ShieldKids campaign against foreign sex offenders. Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado identified the fugitive as Matthew Cole Calhoun, a U.S. citizen who was apprehended by members of the BI Fugitive Search Unit (FSU) during an operation conducted on the evening of

The Department of Homeland Security announced a sweeping crackdown on alleged asylum fraud, warning that immigration attorneys who file false claims for illegal migrants could now face tougher enforcement actions from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Under a new DHS directive, ICE attorneys are being granted expanded authority to pursue violations of federal document fraud laws, including possible penalties against lawyers accused of submitting fraudulent asylum appl

NEW YORK — Several Filipino military officers and cadets brought pride to the Philippines after earning honors and completing training in prestigious military institutions in the United States. Three Philippine Army officers received top distinctions after completing the Public Affairs Course for International Students 010-2026 conducted by the U.S. Department of Defense at the Defense Information School in Fort George G. Meade, Maryland. The international training program wa

NEW YORK - Thousands of faithful devotees gathered at St. Patrick's Cathedral on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan in prayer and thanksgiving to commemorate the Centennial Anniversary of the Canonical Coronation of Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag. The sacred celebration marked 100 years of deep Marian devotion, unwavering faith, and countless testimonies of grace associated with the beloved image of Our Lady of Manaoag, one of the most venerated Marian icons in the Philippines. Dev

OFFICE OF PROSECUTING ATTORNEY A 43-year-old Filipino man in Hawaii is facing multiple criminal charges following an alleged armed standoff with police in Captain Cook, Hawai‘i. According to Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen, Earl-Lewis Camacho was arrested after the incident on May 19, 2026 at a residence along Mamalahoa Highway. Authorities said officers recovered three rifles a Winchester .22 Magnum rifle, a Marlin Firearms Co. .22 caliber rifle, and a Stevens Model 325-

The Catholic faithful in the United States and the Philippines are offering prayers and gratitude after Pope Leo XIV officially accepted the retirement of Filipino Auxiliary Bishop Alejandro Aclan of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. The announcement was made by the Holy See on May 22, marking the end of Aclan’s active episcopal ministry after decades of dedicated service to the Church. Aclan, one of only six Filipino bishops serving in the United States, submitted his resignat

Damayan Facebook NEW YORK - Filipino migrant workers and community advocates gathered last Saturday for a “Workers Bill of Rights Workshop” organized by Damayan Migrant Workers Association, where participants learned about critical labor protections and shared personal experiences involving workplace rights violations. The workshop focused on government-mandated employee protections, including Protected Time Off and other workplace rights aimed at safeguarding workers from ab

A horrifying scandal has rocked Phoenix after a 31-year-old man was accused of breaking into the Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s Office and sexually abusing multiple corpses inside the facility. Authorities identified the suspect as Fenris Lu, who allegedly used a crowbar to force his way into the building before carrying out the disturbing acts during the early hours of May 20. According to the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office, surveillance cameras allegedly captured Lu b

“Without a plan, there's no attack. Without attack, no victory.” — Curtis Armstrong THERE’S a stark contrast between the “attack” that occurred on January 17, 2007, when heavily armed units of the Philippine National Police (PNP) forcibly entered the Iloilo capitol building and the “attack” that allegedly happened in the Philippine senate on May 13, 2026. The Iloilo capitol “attack” was real because it was led by some 200 police personnel, including elements of the combat-rea

Julie Won Facebook New York - Council Member Julie Won has introduced a resolution in the New York City Council declaring June 12 as Philippine Independence Day in New York City, honoring the history, heritage and contributions of Filipino New Yorkers. The resolution recognizes the significance of June 12, 1898, when General Emilio Aguinaldo declared Philippine independence after more than 300 years of Spanish colonial rule. Won’s resolution comes ahead of the 36th Annual NYC