REPOST

  MANILA, Philippines  — According to Atty.  Barry Gutierrez, Robredo’s former spokesperson, confirmed the visit in a message to reporters, sharing a statement from Robredo. “While she was in Naga City for the Peñafrancia Festival, VP Sara Duterte took the opportunity to visit me at my home. The conversation we had was personal and not political,” Robredo stated. Earlier reports indicated that Duterte was seen at the Bicol International Airport on Friday morning. Despite their political differences—Robredo ran for president under the Angat Buhay lineup in the 2022 national elections, while Duterte was the running mate of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. under the UniTeam banner—the two have maintained a friendship that dates back to before 2016. In December 2015, Robredo expressed hope that politics would not affect their relationship. She ran for vice president in 2016 alongside presidential candidate Mar Roxas, who competed against Duterte’s father, former President Rodri...

  Manila, Philippines – A police captain and his family were brutally murdered in an early morning attack in Muntinlupa City. Captain Aminoden Mangonday, 40, a member of the Muntinlupa police, and his wife Mary Grace, 40, were gunned down in their home in Barangay Alabang around 1:10 AM on [Date]. According to the Southern Police District, the suspect forced entry into the couple's residence and fatally shot Captain Mangonday in the head. His wife, who was in the bedroom, was also killed. Tragically, their 12-year-old daughter was injured and remains hospitalized. Muntinlupa Mayor Ruffy Biazon strongly condemned the violent act in a Facebook post, demanding a thorough investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice.

  Manila, Philippines — The Philippine government's debt payments surged by 40% to P1. 36 trillion in the first seven months of 2024, primarily due to increased amortization to domestic lenders. The Bureau of the Treasury reported that the Marcos administration's debt service payments rose from P972.39 billion in the same period last year. Approximately 67% of this total, or P907.3 billion, was allocated for amortization, a 45% increase from the previous year. Meanwhile, interest payments climbed by 32% to P456.66 billion. The majority of both amortization and interest payments were made to domestic creditors, with 84% of amortization and 70% of interest going to local sources. The government's outstanding debt reached a record P15.69 trillion by the end of July. For 2025, the government aims to settle P2.05 trillion in debts, consisting of P848.03 billion in interest payments and P1.2 trillion in principal amortization.

  Manila, Philippines - As of 5 p.m. today, Tropical Depression Gener is located approximately 290 kilometers east of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan. The depression is steadily moving closer to Northern Luzon, and is expected to make landfall in either Isabela or Aurora by Monday night or early Tuesday morning. Gener is currently packing maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour, with gusts reaching up to 70 kilometers per hour. The central pressure of the depression is 996 hectopascals. After making landfall, Gener is projected to emerge over the coastal waters of La Union or Pangasinan late Tuesday morning or afternoon. In anticipation of the depression's impact, Wind Signal No. 1 remains in effect for the following 19 areas in Luzon: Cagayan including Babuyan Islands Isabela Quirino Nueva Vizcaya Apayao Kalinga Abra Ifugao Mountain Province Benguet Ilocos Norte Ilocos Sur La Union Pangasinan Zambales Tarlac Nueva Ecija Aurora   Northern portion of Quezo...

  Manila, Philippines -  The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has raised Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal 1 (TCWS) No. 1 over 11 areas in Luzon. This comes after a low-pressure area east of Aurora developed into Tropical Depression Gener.     The areas under TCWS No. 1 include: The eastern and central portions of Mainland Cagayan Isabela Quirino The eastern portion of Nueva Vizcaya The eastern and southern portions of Apayao Kalinga The eastern and central portions of Mountain Province Ifugao Aurora The eastern portion of Nueva Ecija The northern portion of Mainland Quezon, including Polillo Islands Gener is expected to make landfall over Isabela or Aurora within the next 24 hours and intensify into a tropical storm on Wednesday. Heavy to intense rains are expected over Cagayan, Isabela, and Aurora, while moderate to heavy rains are possible over other nearby areas. The Southwest Monsoon (Habagat), enhan...

  . The MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) returned to UBS Arena in New York with a star-studded bang on September 12th! The ceremony not only honored the best music videos of the past year but also marked the show's impressive 40th anniversary. While Taylor Swift undeniably stole the show, let's not overshadow the night's other highlights! Swift, nominated for a whopping 12 awards, took home a record-breaking seven Moonpersons. This win solidifies her position as the artist with the most VMAs ever, surpassing Beyoncé's 30 (including collaborations). Her wins included: Artist of the Year Video of the Year (Burger King Award) for "Fortnight" (ft. Post Malone) (3rd consecutive win for Video of the Year) Best Direction for "Fortnight" (2nd win) Best Collaboration for "Fortnight" Best Pop Video for "Fortnight" Best Cinematography for "Fortnight" Song of the Summer for "Fortnight" "Fortnight" also secured the...

  Manila, Philippines - The highly anticipated sequel to the hit film "Hello, Love, Goodbye," starring Kathryn Bernardo and Alden Richards, is just around the corner! Tickets for "Hello, Love, Again" are now available at SM Cinema outlets and through their app. Reuniting the beloved onscreen couple, the film picks up five years after Joy left Ethan in Hong Kong. Their paths cross once again in Canada, where they navigate the complexities of their renewed love. The sequel has already wrapped filming in Canada, and fans are eagerly awaiting the chance to see their favorite stars back on the big screen. "Hello, Love, Again" marks the first film collaboration between GMA Pictures and Star Cinema. Don't miss out on this romantic sequel! Grab your tickets now and experience the magic of Ethan and Joy's love story. https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=0c0edd1fabbb5fe3JmltdHM9MTcyNjM1ODQwMCZpZ3VpZD0yNDYxYmFmMC0zNWJkLTZkNzYtMWFiOS1hZTA2MzQyMDZjYjUmaW5zaWQ...

MANILA, Philippines   — The Supreme Court (SC) has mandated Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia to settle her debt to a foreign bank, rejecting her petition to block the payment order. In a 12-page decision issued in December last year, the SC Second Division instructed a Makati trial court to enforce its August 2012 resolution. This resolution requires Garcia to pay the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corp. (HSBC) $700,000 in damages, along with 12 percent legal interest from July 2000, and P404,560.50 in legal costs. The SC’s directive followed Garcia’s challenge to the alias writ of execution issued in 2018. Garcia argued that the debt collection order was issued without giving her an opportunity to contest it. She also claimed that the writ was improperly served, as it should have been directed to her business, GGC Enterprises. In denying her petition, the SC stated that Garcia failed to present any facts or circumstances that would justify quashing the writ. “Garcia can point to no s...

Manila, Philippines - Heavy rains brought by the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) overnight led to flooding in several areas of Metro Manila. In Mandaluyong City, near Maysilo Circle, commuters and motorists were stranded due to the rising floodwaters. Rescue volunteers had to use boats to transport people to safer areas. Despite the risks, some individuals and vehicles attempted to navigate through the flooded streets, while others waited for the waters to subside. via GMA News

International News - Central Europe has been inundated with an extraordinary amount of rainfall in recent days. Jeseník, Czech Republic, has received a staggering 435mm (17 inches) of rain in just three days. This extreme precipitation has triggered severe flooding. The downpour is expected to continue through Sunday night and Monday, causing river levels to rise further. While the weather is predicted to improve from Tuesday with drier conditions, the floodwaters will take considerable time to recede. This means that some communities will likely experience even worse flooding in the days ahead, even after the rain has stopped. Photo via BBC News

 Manila, Philippines - There were no winners in the Ultra Lotto 6/58 and Superlotto 6/49 draws on September 15. The winning numbers for Ultra Lotto 6/58 were 31-22-19-43-37-05, and the jackpot is now P168,722,286.80. The winning numbers for Superlotto 6/49 were 32-25-15-19-21-09, and the prize is now P54,359,713.20. via GMA News

Manila, Philippines -  The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) is monitoring two low-pressure areas (LPAs) that could develop into tropical cyclones. One LPA is located inside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) and the other is outside.     The LPA inside PAR is located 460 kilometers east of Casuguran in Aurora. If it intensifies, Pagasa will raise wind signals in areas of Cagayan and the eastern section of Northern Luzon. The LPA outside PAR is located 2,160 kilometers east of Eastern Visayas. The southwest monsoon or habagat will continue to bring heavy rains over the northern portion of Palawan, Occidental Mindoro, Aklan, and Antique. A gale warning remains hoisted in the following areas, waves could reach as high as 3.7 to 4.5 meters:   Occidental Mindoro Palawan Romblon Western Visayas Negros Island Region Central Visayas Southern Leyte Leyte (Matalom, Bato, Hindang, Hilongos, Inopacan) Zamboanga del ...

Actress Maja Salvador and her partner, Rambo Nuñez, recently celebrated the christening of their first child, Maria. The joyous event was attended by a close circle of family and friends, including notable celebrities. On Instagram, Salvador shared heartwarming photos and videos capturing the special day. Among the guests were TV host Maine Mendoza, former beauty queen MJ Lastimosa, Thou Reyes, Kakai Bautista, and celebrity dermatologist Aivee Teo. The christening was a star-studded affair, with several showbiz personalities joining the celebration. In June, Salvador welcomed her baby girl after announcing her pregnancy earlier in the year. The couple had tied the knot in Bali, Indonesia, in July and later held a private wedding in Manila on their anniversary, February 14.

Manila, Philippines - The Department of Health (DOH) has issued a public warning against purchasing mpox vaccines that are allegedly imported from other countries. DOH spokesperson, Asec. Albert Domingo, expressed concern about the safety and efficacy of these unregulated vaccines. Domingo explained that these vaccines may not adhere to the necessary cold chain storage conditions, rendering them ineffective. Moreover, the World Health Organization has only recently prequalified the mpox vaccine, and global supply is currently prioritized for regions with high outbreak rates, such as Africa. The DOH spokesperson emphasized the potential risks associated with these unregulated vaccines, stating that they could provide a false sense of security. While the packaging may appear legitimate, the improper handling and storage could compromise the vaccine's effectiveness. Domingo urged the public to avoid purchasing these vaccines, as they cannot guarantee their safety and efficacy. The DOH...

 A huge fire engulfed a residential area in Tondo, Manila on Saturday September 14, 2024, destroying the homes of around 1,000 families. The fire started in one of the units before noon and spread quickly, reaching Task Force Bravo at 1:33 p.m. Around 40 firetrucks and hundreds of firefighters from Manila and nearby cities responded to the fire. The Philippine Air Force also deployed a helicopter with a bambi bucket to aid in the firefighting efforts. The fire was declared under control at 6:20 p.m. The estimated total damage is at P2.5 million. There were no casualties, but seven minor injuries were reported. Some residents were able to save some of their belongings, but others lost everything. Several covered courts have been opened as evacuation centers. The local government of Manila has vowed to provide assistance to the affected families. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Manila, Philippines - The Department of Justice (DOJ) is set to file a qualified human trafficking case this week against former Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo and her alleged business partners, including the alleged POGO "big boss," Huang Zhiyang.     The Supreme Court has approved the DOJ's request to transfer the hearing from Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 66 of Capas, Tarlac, to the Pasig Regional Trial Court. Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla requested the transfer in a letter dated April 22, 2024, addressed to Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo.   DOJ Undersecretary Nicholas Felix Ty, head of the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking, said that the key factor in requesting the transfer was the involvement of Mayor Alice Guo and her associates, which include three corporations: Baofu, Hongsheng, and Zun Yuan. The evidence clearly shows their involvement in facilitating the criminal activities of the POGO operation.   The Justice Department says t...

M anila, Philippines (September 16, 2024) - A prominent Philippine pastor, Apolo Quiboloy, has entered a not guilty plea in court today to charges of human trafficking and sexual abuse. The allegations stem from a series of complaints filed against him by former members of his religious organization. Apolo Quiboloy, the leader of Kingdom of Jesus Christ , has been accused of coercing young women into sexual relationships under the guise of religious teachings. The alleged victims claim they were subjected to physical and emotional abuse, as well as forced labor. Prosecutors have presented evidence, including testimonies from the alleged victims, to support the charges against the pastor. However, his legal team has maintained his innocence and vowed to fight the allegations. The trial is expected to be lengthy and complex, involving numerous witnesses and expert testimony. The outcome of the case could have significant implications for the religious organization and its followers....