Day: March 18, 2025

Rome: Italy-based runner Lorenzo Castro Jr. emerged as the best Filipino runner after securing 18th place in the 30th Acea Run Rome the Marathon, which was dominated by elite Kenyan athletes over the weekend. Castro navigated the slippery roads and completed the men’s 42.195-kilometer race in two hours, 31 minutes, and 13 seconds on Sunday. According to Philippines News Agency, the event saw participation from approximately 28,000 runners, including at least 100 Filipinos, many of whom reside in Europe. The race commenced at 8:15 a.m. at Fori Imperiali, officiated by Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri, who waved the Italian flag to

Legazpi City: The Bicol Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC) has issued a warning to politicians and candidates in the upcoming elections, urging them not to comply with demands from rebel groups for a permit to win (PTW) and permit to campaign (PTC). According to Philippines News Agency, Director Ramir Frades highlighted during the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas forum at the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency-Bicol (NICA-5) office that any candidate or politician who pays or supports rebel groups may be violating Republic Act (RA) 10168, the Anti-Terror Financing Act, and Section 12 of RA 11479, the

Palawan: In a demonstration of solidarity and compassion during the holy month of Ramadan, the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) delivered essential food aid to 500 families in need in the cities of Sofronio Espa±ola and Puerto Princesa in Palawan on March 11. According to Philippines News Agency, TIKA stated that the food packages were assembled to meet the nutritional needs of the families for an entire month. TIKA has a longstanding commitment to supporting Muslim communities around the world. By providing food aid, TIKA not only alleviates the immediate needs of the local families but also shares the

Makati City: The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has announced a government-to-government program with Croatia, offering 3,500 job openings for Filipino hotel workers. In an interview at the DMW office in Makati City on Tuesday, Migrant Workers Undersecretary Patricia Yvonne Caunan said the initiative highlights the growing labor ties between the Philippines and several European countries, creating more employment opportunities for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). According to Philippines News Agency, Caunan mentioned that the initial job orders through the government-to-government program do not require a placement fee. She noted that the rules are in the final stage of drafting, but

Manila: Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque is seeking asylum in the Netherlands in an effort to avoid accountability for his alleged involvement in illegal Philippine offshore gaming operations (POGOs) and related crimes, including human trafficking. According to Philippines News Agency, House Assistant Majority Leader and Tingog Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre described Roque’s asylum bid as a maneuver to escape consequences. Acidre stated that Roque has been cited in contempt and detained for refusing to cooperate in an investigation into POGO-related criminal activities. Acidre questioned Roque’s need to flee the country if he has nothing to hide. A human trafficking case