Author: Jericho Zafra

MANILA, Philippines — A Chinese man wanted for a multi-million investment scam in China was arrested in Makati City, Bureau of Immigration (BI) said Wednesday.According to Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco, Chen Xiao Bang, 29, is also on the wanted list of the BI as he was already ordered deported and blacklisted by the bureau in 2023 for being an “undesirable alien.”Upon reviewing his travel record, it was found that Chen entered the Philippines on August 25, 2019, and has not left since.Chen was accused of colluding with others to orchestrate a scam that purportedly swindled Chinese investors out of more…

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines and China held a dialogue for the first time since the violent Ayungin incident and committed to “de-escalate” tensions in the disputed West Philippine Sea. On Tuesday, the two states met in Manila to convene the 9th Meeting of their Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the South China Sea. “Noting recent incidents in the South China Sea, both sides recognized that there is a need to restore trust, rebuild confidence, and create conditions conducive to productive dialogue and interaction,” the Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.DFA Undersecretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro and Vice Foreign Minister Chen Xiaodong…

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), the country’s information communications and technology arm, has confirmed that its website fell prey to hacking on Tuesday.The bureau was added to the long list of government agencies affected by data breaches this year. The DICT, however, said that only the Disaster Risk Reduction Management Division (DRRMD) website was affected by a data breach, not its main site. It likewise clarified that the DRRMD’s system wasn’t linked to the central office’s system on purpose. It was set up this way to make it easier for information to flow during disasters by…

MANILA, Philippines — After its third-night sold-out concert at the New Frontier Theater, the nation’s girl group BINI surprised fans with a new concert, this time, at Araneta Coliseum.After their show, the girl group showed a video of their concert highlights. It then moved to Smart Araneta Coliseum, where its next big concert will be held.“Blooms, see you on October 4, 2024, at the Araneta Coliseum!” BINI leader Jhoanna Robles said. “Sabi sa inyo may pasabog kami today eh,” she added.The October concert at the big dome was tagged as the “Grand BINIverse.”Details about the girl group’s grand concert have yet…

MANILA, Philippines — The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board has approved Monday the P35 hike in the daily minimum wage of workers in the National Capital Region, but militant labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno said the increase was a “big insult.”This decision will increase the minimum wage of Metro Manila workers from P610 to P645 starting July 17.The decision from the National Wages and Productivity Commission was announced Monday morning, and it will take effect 15 days after it is published in national newspapers.Following the approval of Wage Order 25, KMU said in a statement that the wage order…

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has met with Malaysian Foreign Minister Dato’ Seri Utama Haji Mohamad Bin Hasan as part of the celebration of 60 years of bilateral relations between Manila and Kuala Lumpur.During a courtesy call in Malacanang, Marcos and Mohamad discussed the bilateral relations between the Philippines and Malaysia and other “important regional issues.”  according to the Presidential Communications Office.“Welcome, welcome to the Philippines. Thank you for finding time to visit with us while you are traveling around ASEAN. So, I hope you will have a productive visit,” Marcos told the Malaysian foreign minister.The Malaysian diplomat…

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) denied Chinese reports saying China had extended help to rescue Filipino fishers during an explosion near Bajo de Masinloc. According to Chinese reports circulating online, China Coast Guard “helped rescue” a Philippine boat in distress near Bajo de Masinloc. “They struggled with editing their videos this time. Otherwise, they could have uploaded their lies immediately before I even had a chance,” PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela said. Tarriela also showed evidence showing Filipino fishers receiving first aid from Philippine responders, not from Chinese authorities. During the rescue, the Chinese Coast Guard…

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Foreign Affairs said Thailand’s Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa would be on an official visit to the Philippines on July 4. “Secretary Enrique A. Manalo and Foreign Minister Maris will discuss bilateral areas of cooperation, including the proposed convening of the 6th Meeting of the Philippines-Thailand Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation,” the DFA said in a statement Monday. The agency likewise said that the Philippines and Thailand will also convene to discuss several regional and international issues of common concern, including the situation in the South China Sea, Myanmar, and Gaza.This visit marks Sangiampongsa’s first trip to…

MANILA, Philippines — After the Philippine-based concert promoter Pulp Live World announced on social media that the American band Secondhand Serenade will be visiting Manila for a concert, fans couldn’t help but gush over and reminisce about the era of emo music.“Hold your breath because this is the night we’ll fall for Secondhand Serenade all over again!” Pulp Live World said in an announcement. “Hold your breath because this is the night we’ll fall for Secondhand Serenade all over again!” Pulp Live World said in an announcement. “The voice that defined an era of emo music, John Vesely, is coming…

MANILA, Philippines — Social media users debate online whether or not the award-winning actress and politician Vilma Santos-Recto, otherwise known as the “Star for all Season” should be named as a national artist.Santos-Recto was nominated for the “National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts” category by Dingdong Dantes, president of Aktor (League of Filipino Actors) during a press conference held at The Manila Hotel last Friday, June 28.According to Dantes, Santos-Recto has made “incomparable works” for the past six decades and is a “paragon of professionalism, a cultural champion and nation-builder.”However, a series of parley made rounds online following the…