By Tony Chavez
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) said its officers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) arrested two Chinese nationals who are wanted for deportation by the agency for being undesirable aliens.
Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado disclosed that the passengers were intercepted at the airport on separate dates last September as they were about to leave the country.
“They were not allowed to board their flights after their names yielded positive derogatory hits in our records while our officers processed their documents in our departure counters,” Viado said.
He added that the duo were arrested and detained at the BI’s detention facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City pending deportation to their country of origin. >>> Read More
By Tony Chavez
In line with its commitment to intensify the Bureau of Customs' (BOC) anti-illegal drug campaign, the Port of Clark successfully thwarted an attempt to smuggle illegal drugs by intercepting 4,891
Ecstasy tablets, or “party drugs,” valued at PhP8.314 million.
The BOC Port of Clark identified and intercepted the shipment in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), the BOC's Enforcement
and Security Service (ESS) – Customs Anti-Illegal Drug Task Force (CAIDTF), and the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS).
The BOC X-ray Inspection Project flagged >>> Read More
By Tony Chavez
The Philippines’ efforts to bolster disaster resilience received a significant boost at the start of the 2024 Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (APMCDRR) today (Oct. 14) at the Philippine International Convention Center
in Pasay City.
Kamal Kishore, the special representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction and head of the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), highlighted the country’s swift adoption of >>> Read More
Sen. Imee R. Marcos, during the continuation of the discussion on the proposed 2025 budget of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and its attached agencies by the Finance Subcommittee I on Monday, October 14, 2024, sought clarification on the cash grant deficit for the 2023 Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) budget, which was not included in the computation of the 4Ps budget for 2025.
Based on the submission of the
DSWD to the committee, Marcos pointed out that the agency has a deficit of P1.956 billion in subsidies in arrears for fiscal year 2023, yet it was included in the special provision of the agency’s 2025 National Expenditure Program (NEP) as if there would be savings.
“Why is it in the special provision for 2025? How sure are you that you will have savings?” the senator asked. DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian explained that it is not savings >>> Read More
The Archdiocese of Capiz has asked lay leaders and those who are serving in ministries in parishes who are running in next year's polls to resign from their church duties. “It has been also our practice in the Archdiocese
that lay leaders and those who hold ministerial responsibilities in our parishes who filed their certificates of candidacy (COC) for an elected position automatically inhibit themselves from their pastoral responsibilities
in the parish so that they avoid using their office for their political advantage,” Archbishop Victor Bendico said in Circular No. 23 issued on Monday.
He said this >>> Read More
The National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) on Monday took pride in Raihana Ambangala for securing second place in the female recital category of the 64th International Qur’an Recital and Memorization Assembly held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia last Oct. 12.
“The NCMF is proud to share not only to the Filipino Muslim community but to the whole Philippine nation the triumph of Ambangala who bannered the Philippine flag in an international arena,” NCMF Secretary Sabuddin Abdurahim said in a news release.
“Just like how Filipino athletes bring home pride to the country, Filipinos who excel at a global arena --in a competition organized by reputable foreign governments like Malaysia, which hosts this annual competition since 1961 --should also be recognized. And so, the NCMF shares this good news to the Filipino people.”
The NCMF said Ambangala surpassed participants from 13 countries, with Malaysia and Indonesia placing first and third, respectively.
The 28-year-old from Pikit, Cotabato has a history of success in similar competitions, having placed fifth in 2018 and winning a Qur'an reading contest in Brunei in 2015.
Meanwhile, Abdurahim said NCMF is also exploring the possibility of hosting an International Qur'an Reading Competition (IQRC) in 2026, coinciding with the ASEAN Summit in the Philippines.
This proposal, he said, aligns with the Philippine Constitution’s aim to promote indigenous culture and support peace and unity.
"A Philippine hosting of an IQRC in 2026 to be participated in by ASEAN Plus Three --consisting of 10 ASEAN Member States and the People’s Republic of China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea– is timely and supportive of the APT’s socio-cultural cooperations,” Abdurahim said.
The NCMF aims to partner with the National Organizing Council for ASEAN 2026, furthering socio-cultural cooperation within the ASEAN Plus Three framework, to promote awareness and knowledge of Islam and celebrate Philippine diversity. (PNA)
The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) said Monday there has been a sharp decline in the number of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) under its monitoring.
As of latest count, there are only 100 POGO hubs being monitored.
“Ayon po sa report na binigay sa amin ng PAGCOR (Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation), >>> Read More