Day: April 28, 2025

Manila: The Department of Justice (DOJ) confirmed the filing of non-bailable human trafficking charges against former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque and others in a Pampanga court. The charges are related to their alleged involvement in Lucky South 99 Corporation, a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub raided in Porac. According to Philippines News Agency, Justice Undersecretary Nicholas Ty stated that there are over 40 respondents in the case, including Roque, businesswoman Cassandra Ong, Dennis Cunanan, and Duanren Wu. Ty noted that Roque had admitted to being a lawyer for Whirlwind, the company that leased its Porac compound to Lucky South

Manila: The Department of Education (DepEd) on Monday pushed for digital innovation and integration of artificial intelligence (AI) to ensure inclusive education among learners with disabilities in the country. According to Philippines News Agency, DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara said this initiative will help ’empower and support’ learners through more accessible learning resources. ‘The Department is fully committed to harnessing technology not only for instruction but also for decision-making, resource planning, and inclusive service delivery,’ he said. These initiatives include expanded access to Special Education (SPED) resources through the conversion of SPED Centers to Inclusive Learning Resource Centers (ILRCs), with plans

Manila: Suspects in the kidnapping and murder of steel magnate Anson Que and his driver, Armanie Pabillo, were presented for preliminary investigation by the Philippine National Police (PNP) before the Department of Justice in Manila on Monday. According to Philippines News Agency, the PNP Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG) transmitted the records of the case for kidnapping for ransom with homicide against the suspects to Senior Deputy State Prosecutor Herbert Abugan and Prosecutor General Richard Fadullon. Recommended for inquest proceedings were arrested suspects Richardo Austria David (a.k.a. Richard Tan Garcia), Reymart Cateqiusta, and David Tan Liao. David and Garcia were arrested on

Cagayan de Oro: The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has filed a disqualification case against Misamis Oriental Governor Peter Unabia following his alleged remarks at a campaign rally stating that only beautiful women should pursue nursing careers. According to Philippines News Agency, Comelec Chair George Garcia announced that the poll body’s Task Force on Safeguarding Against Fear and Exclusion in Elections submitted the disqualification case against Unabia to the Office of the Clerk. However, the Comelec has yet to release the petition document. The task force had previously issued a show cause order (SCO) against Governor Unabia, who is seeking reelection.

Caraga Region: Five indigenous peoples (IP) communities in the Caraga Region, each holding a Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT), have been designated as priority areas under the Mindanao Inclusive Agriculture Development Project (MIADP) by the Department of Agriculture (DA). This initiative, funded by the World Bank with a budget of PHP6.625 billion, aims to benefit these communities. According to Philippines News Agency, the primary goal of the MIADP in the Caraga Region is to sustainably increase agricultural productivity, enhance the resilience of IP farming systems, and improve their access to crucial markets and support services. Rebecca Atega, the DA-13