Author: Jericho Zafra

MANILA, Philippines — Queer dating show “Sparks Camp” officially ended its second season on Wednesday night with only two pairs getting a match. Similar to the first season, the final episode of the dating show aims to create a “spark” between the desired camper and the recipient. The recipient will then respond by indicating whether they feel a mutual spark, with campers saying either, “You are my spark” or “Sorry, but you are not my spark.” Each camper will be called individually, and the camper who chooses them will come forward to share their “spark.” During the show, Miggy was…

MANILA, Philippines — Because of multiple marital affairs and engaging in sexual acts with his house helpers, a lawyer’s license was revoked by the state, the Supreme Court said. In a 24-page ruling, the SC said the lawyer admitted to having extramarital affairs with at least three women during his marriage, completely ignoring his vows. The High Court did not name the lawyer. “In a Per Curiam Decision, the Supreme Court En Banc has disbarred a lawyer for grossly immoral conduct, in violation of the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability,” it said. Under Canon VI, Section 33(f) of the…

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines will only commit to the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol), not the International Criminal Court, because the Philippines is no longer a member of the tribunal, the Department of Justice said. “We no longer have a commitment to the ICC. But with Interpol, we do. Interpol is far-reaching, and we should be prepared. They are more significant, especially for Filipinos traveling around the world who may need Interpol’s assistance,” Remulla said during the Kapihan Forum at the DOJ. Remulla responded to recent comments by Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, who questioned whether he and Solicitor…

MANILA, Philippines — Over 92 Chinese naval and coast guard vessels are spotted patrolling in the West Philippine Sea late Tuesday night, the Philippine Navy said. In its bulletin, the Philippine Navy said an increase in the number of vessels had been observed from August 6 to 12. Specifically, nine People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) ships and 13 China Coast Guard vessels (CCGVs) were spotted in the West Philippine Sea, compared to six PLAN ships and 12 CCGVs reported from July 30 to August 5. During this period, two China Research and Survey Vessels (CRSVs) were also sighted, an increase…

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos Jr. is now being pressured to phase out the use of fossil fuel in the country and instead shift to renewable energy following the onslaught of the Bataan oil spill last month. “The government should urgently phase out fossil fuels to prevent further environmental and climate destruction and to protect communities. It’s impossible to fully clean up an oil spill, and ecosystems never completely recover,” Greenpeace Campaigner Jefferson Chua said during the Senate hearing The group criticized the owner of MTKR Terranova, a subsidiary of San Miguel Shipping and Lighterage Corporation. This company is linked…

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health said Tuesday that over the past two weeks, the number of reported Leptospirosis cases in the country increased by 17 percent citing the effects of Typhoon Carina. From July 21 to August 3, about 255 new leptospirosis cases were reported following the devastation caused by Super Typhoon Carina and the intensified southwest monsoon. This number surpasses the 217 cases recorded during the previous period, from July 7 to 20, according to the health department. The total number of leptospirosis cases reported nationwide between January 1 and August 3 has now reached 2,115, it…

MANILA, Philippines — Fish from areas affected by the Bataan oil spill are now safe to consume, except those from Cavite, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources said. In a bulletin, BFAr said that fish from the areas of Bulacan, Bataan, Pampanga, Batangas, and Metro Manila, specifically from the cities of Navotas, Paranaque, and Las Pinas are now all tested negative for traces of oil and grease and are safe for human consumption. The bureau also lifted the fishing ban in these areas except in the province of Cavite since fish and shellfish in the area are still unsafe…

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Tuesday that it formally protested China’s recent aerial maneuver against the Philippine Air Force plane conducting patrol in the West Philippine Sea last week. This comes after pressure from several lawmakers urging the national government to file another protest following China’s “irresponsible, unprofessional, illegal, and dangerous acts” in the Philippine airspace. While Manila confirmed that it filed a diplomatic protest against Beijing, DFA spokesperson Teresita Daza told reporters that the national government will continue its “de-escalatory approach to tensions in the West Philippine Sea.” In a Monday interview, Foreign Secretary…

MANILA, Philippines — Following the flak received by a venture capital firm where it said working from home makes an employee “dumber” various employees and data came forward to either challenge or support the claim.  Up to this day, the heat of conversation about working from home shortly after that video went viral remains high, with others saying work from home setups are beneficial given the high transportation costs and other commodities affecting consumers.  Aleia Bungcad, 27, has been working from home since 2018, even before the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, and even during that time, she said working…

MANILA, Philippines — Davao City 1st District Representative Paolo Duterte has proposed a bill that would require all elected and appointed officials, including the president, to undergo “mandatory random” drug testing every six months. House Bill (HB) 10744 proposed that all elected and appointed public officials, including the President of the Philippines, must undergo random drug testing every six months using hair follicle tests. The bill also aims to introduce voluntary random drug testing for candidates running for office within 90 days before Election Day. This would amend Republic Act 9165, known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.…