Day: April 26, 2025

Vatican City: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos on Saturday joined world leaders and the Catholic faithful in paying final respects to Pope Francis. The First Couple went to St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City for the late pontiff’s funeral, which started at 4 p.m. (PH time). According to Philippines News Agency, around 170 world leaders and 200,000 people attended Pope Francis’ funeral, as stated by the Presidential Communications Office. In an interview with GMA News upon their arrival in Vatican, the First Lady recalled her memories of meeting Pope Francis, describing him as ‘humble [and]

Quezon City: The Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) is on heightened alert in the wake of reported threats and violence against journalists amid the election season. ‘Ang (The) Presidential Task Force on Media Security ay (is) on alert these weeks, especially ahead of the midterm elections,’ PTFoMS executive director Undersecretary Jose Torres Jr. said in a weekly news forum in Quezon City on Saturday. According to Philippines News Agency, Torres cited the case of dzRH reporter Romeo Be±as who was threatened by La Paz, Abra Mayor Joseph Bernos through Facebook messenger and a video call on April 21.

Rome: United States President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania visited Pope Francis’ coffin at St. Peter’s Basilica on Saturday, offering a moment of silent prayer before the funeral. According to Philippines News Agency, Italian President Sergio Mattarella, joined by his daughter Laura, along with several other world leaders, also paid their respects ahead of the late pontiff’s final rites. Meanwhile, Trump also met with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky before the funeral service, Sky News quoted Vatican sources as saying. The two leaders agreed to meet later on Saturday after the funeral, according to the report.

Nonthaburi: The quest for glory continues for Tennnielle Madis as she gears up for the Nonthaburi Closed Regional Championships in Thailand from April 28 to May 3. “Try and try until you succeed, that’s my mindset. I always give my best in every match so whatever the outcome, I learn from the experience,” the 17-year-old from M’lang, North Cotabato said in a statement. According to Philippines News Agency, after a runner-up finish in the doubles with Russian Alexandra Malova at the J200 ITF Kuala Lumpur on April 20, Madis made an early exit at the J300 ITF Kuching at the

Bacolod: Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez has welcomed the additional PHP205 million allocation from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) for the expansion of the Bacolod-Silay Airport terminal in Negros Occidental. The new funding was approved amid the ongoing implementation of the PHP45 million rehabilitation of the passenger terminal building to address several outdated and deteriorated building materials and components, which is expected to be completed this December. According to Philippines News Agency, Benitez expressed gratitude towards CAAP for approving the request and allocating PHP205 million for the Bacolod-Silay Airport upgrade. The mayor anticipates an upgrade of the airport