NEW YORK - Philippine Consul General Senen T. Mangalile joined members of the consular corps in a diplomatic engagement with the New York Police Department (NYPD), underscoring continued cooperation between law enforcement authorities and the international community in New York City. The meet-and-greet session, organized by the NYPD in partnership with the Society of Foreign Consuls in New York (SOFCNY), was followed by a guided tour of the NYPD’s Joint Operations Center at O

A 20-year-old Filipino-American man from Harvard, Illinois has been sentenced to prison following a major investigation into the possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material. Authorities began investigating the suspect in April 2025 after the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force flagged suspicious uploads of illegal content on social media platforms. Forensic investigators traced the uploads to an IP address linked to the suspect’s residence in Har

Luke Nathan Phillips | Facebook ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA — Filipino American representation is entering the 2026 race for Virginia’s 8th Congressional District, as Republican candidate Luke Nathan Phillips challenges longtime incumbent Rep. Don Beyer. Phillips, 32, an Arlington-based writer, outdoorsman, and civic activist, traces his roots to the Philippines through his mother, an immigrant who helped shape his upbringing and values. His candidacy adds to the growing presence of

QUEENS, NEW YORK - From consumer and health protections to environmental and public safety initiatives, Queens Assemblymember Steven Raga is banking on his legislative track record as he sets his sights on the New York State Senate this November. “I have always stood for Queens and my work as an organizer and now legislator has proven that,” Raga said during a conversation at a Philippine gala in Woodside. As the race intensifies, Raga and his team are mounting a grassroots

A Filipino American nurse is at the center of a massive federal investigation into alleged hospice fraud schemes that authorities say siphoned millions from Medicare. Federal prosecutors identified Lolita Beronilla Minerd, 65, a licensed vocational nurse from Anaheim, California, as a key figure behind Topanga Hospice Care Inc. in Artesia described in court filings as a vehicle for fraudulent billing. Authorities allege that from July 2020 to April 2025, the operation submitt

New York – The UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) concluded its 70th session with an outcome statement using a formal vote for the first time, instead of the traditional consensus, to uphold previously agreed conventions that protect the rights of women and girls worldwide. The vote had effectively weighed against the US’s proposed eight amendments to the texts on gender identity, diversity, equality, and inclusion. Thirty-seven member states voted in favor of the out

A Fil-Am 17-year-old high school student was fatally stabbed during a violent after-school fight near Milpitas High School, prompting an outpouring of grief from family, friends, and the local community. Authorities said the incident happened Tuesday afternoon, shortly after classes ended, just one block from the campus. Responding officers found the victim, identified as Jarred Cavan, suffering from stab wounds. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounc

A Filipino couple is facing multiple felony charges in San Diego County for allegedly exploiting workers’ immigration status in a human trafficking and wage theft scheme tied to elder care facilities, prosecutors said. The San Diego County District Attorney’s Office identified the defendants as Rolando and Maria Corpuz, who are accused of operating two residential care homes in Vista and Escondido where workers were allegedly forced to endure grueling conditions while being u

A Filipino lawful permanent resident and her husband are among those charged in a sweeping U.S. federal crackdown on health care fraud schemes that allegedly defrauded Medicare of millions of dollars. Nita Almuete Paddit Palma, 76, a Filipino national and lawful permanent resident, along with her husband Adolfo Catbagan, 68, of Glendale, are facing multiple federal charges tied to an alleged $4.8 million hospice fraud scheme, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Pros

NEW YORK —A 7-month-old baby girl has died after being shot in a brazen daytime attack in Brooklyn on Wednesday, prompting an urgent manhunt for two suspects who fled on a moped, according to police. The shooting happened at around 1:21 p.m. at the intersection of Moore Street and Humboldt Street. Authorities said two unidentified individuals riding a moped approached the area when the passenger at the rear pulled out a firearm and opened fire multiple times. The infant was

Filipino American communities joined millions of Americans who took to the streets across the United States to protest the policies of President Donald Trump. In New York, thousands of demonstrators flooded the streets, marching from Columbus Circle to Times Square in Midtown Manhattan for the third “No Kings” protest. Carrying placards and banners, protesters openly condemned Trump’s leadership. At the center of their concerns were immigration policies, funding for the Depa

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has joined the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and its partners in intensifying efforts to protect Filipinos from online scams through digital literacy and improved cyber hygiene, including a warning for Filipinos abroad. In a joint push under the #BSPSecuriTips campaign, authorities flagged a rise in cybercriminals hacking social media accounts and impersonating friends or relatives to solicit money. The DFA said overseas Filipinos a

The Philippine-American Educational Foundation (PAEF), also known as Fulbright Philippines, marked its 78th anniversary on March 24, highlighting nearly eight decades of academic exchange and enduring ties between the Philippines and the United States. The reception, held at SPACE at One Ayala, gathered more than 300 partners, alumni, scholars, and representatives from the business sector, along with officials from both the Philippine and U.S. governments. Among those present

The Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. has reiterated its warning to Filipino teachers participating in or applying for the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program, stressing that the visa does not lead to U.S. permanent residency or citizenship. In its advisory, the embassy reiterated that the J-1 visa is a temporary, non-immigrant program designed for cultural exchange not a work visa or a pathway to long-term stay in the United States. Filipino teachers under the program are requ

ALBANY, NEW YORK - Assemblymember Steven Raga joined fellow elected officials, union members, immigrant justice advocates, and community supporters at the State Capitol and in rallies across the streets, calling for the immediate passage of the New York for All Act. Raga, who represents a predominantly immigrant and working-class district in Queens, delivered a strong message against federal immigration enforcement policies, particularly those tied to mass deportation effort

NEW YORK - New York Attorney General Letitia James has announced a total of $3 million in grants for two organizations serving the Filipino community in New York City, marking a major investment in cultural and community programs. The funding will be equally divided between Ma-Yi Theater Company and Woodside on the Move, with each organization receiving $1.5 million to expand services for Filipino New Yorkers. According to the Office of the Attorney General (OAG), the funds

Despite mounting public concern over soaring fuel prices and the weakening peso, Malacañang insists the situation has not yet reached crisis level. Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said that while many Filipinos are already feeling the strain, the government does not consider the current economic pressures a full-blown crisis. “Hindi pa ito krisis,” Castro said, pointing to the country’s stable oil supply even as fuel prices continue to rise. Pe

The Philippine peso slid to a new record low, closing at ₱60.3 against the US dollar, as escalating conflict in the Middle East rattled global markets and boosted demand for the safe-haven greenback. Currency traders said heightened geopolitical tensions have strengthened the US dollar, with investors shifting funds to safer assets amid fears of a wider regional conflict. The surge in the dollar placed renewed pressure on emerging market currencies, including the peso. Analys

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents will begin assisting Transportation Security Administration (TSA) operations at U.S. airports starting tomorrow, as federal authorities move to address staffing pressures and operational challenges. Officials said the deployment is intended to support TSA personnel during periods of high passenger volume, with ICE agents expected to take on limited, support-related roles. TSA will remain the lead agency responsible for passenge

CALIFORNIA — A Filipina tax preparer has been sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for orchestrating a scheme that resulted in more than $1.23 million in fraudulent tax refunds, authorities said. Amy Evangelista, 60, of Lathrop, was convicted of two counts of aiding or assisting in the preparation of false or fraudulent tax returns, according to U.S. Attorney Eric Grant. Prosecutors said that from 2017 to 2020, Evangelista falsified more than 1,000 tax returns without her