Day: January 29, 2025

MANILA: The Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno, commonly known as Quiapo Church, has welcomed a new parish priest, as announced by the Archdiocese of Manila on Wednesday. According to Philippines News Agency, Fr. Isidro Marinay, the Manila Archdiocese Chancellor, issued Circular No. 2025-06, confirming the appointment of Fr. Ramon Jade Licuanan as the head of the minor basilica, effective next month. Fr. Licuanan will take over the position from Fr. Rufino ‘Jun’ Sescon Jr., who has been appointed as the new bishop of the Diocese of Balanga. Before this new role, Fr. Licuanan served as the parish

Pasay City: The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Wednesday reported that a raid on an establishment in Pasay City yielded fake branded products worth PHP42 million. The operation, carried out on Jan. 21, stemmed from a complaint filed by the authorized Gucci representative regarding the increasing number of fake products bearing the luxury brand’s trademark in the market. According to Philippines News Agency, the operation resulted in the seizure of 1,675 pieces of counterfeit Gucci products with an estimated value of PHP42,000,000 from Stratum Merchandising. Meanwhile, in a separate development, the NBI said it seized 22 tons of smuggled

Manila: The Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) seized a record-breaking PHP85.167 billion worth of smuggled goods in 2024, Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio reported Wednesday. Rubio stated that this is an unprecedented anti-smuggling accomplishment in the bureau’s history. According to Philippines News Agency, Rubio emphasized the need for continued vigilance in light of the emerging practices utilized by criminal organizations. “Recognizing that the challenges we face are evolving, we must reinforce our anti-smuggling drive, bearing in mind that safeguarding our society is paramount,” he said in a statement. During the 38th founding anniversary celebration of the CIIS