Day: July 9, 2025

Bangkok: Relations between Thailand and Cambodia have taken a serious turn for the worse following coordinated raids by Thai police on properties linked to Cambodian Senator and gambling magnate Kok An, a close associate of Senate President Hun Sen. According to Philippines News Agency, the raids, carried out Tuesday in 19 different locations, led to the seizure of luxury cars and more than 27 million baht (about 830,000 euros), as part of a wider operation aimed at dismantling transnational cyber fraud networks. Thai officials have issued an arrest warrant for Kok An – known as the “Godfather of Poipet” –

Pangasinan: The inflation rate in the province of Pangasinan recorded an uptick from 2.6 percent in May to 3.1 percent in June this year. According to Philippines News Agency, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Ilocos Region reported this increase, highlighting the contributions of various sectors to the inflation rise. In a forum on Wednesday, PSA Pangasinan chief statistical specialist Edgar Norberte explained that food and non-alcoholic beverages were significant contributors, sharing 43.8 percent in the uptrend. Restaurants and accommodation services contributed 28.9 percent, while housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels accounted for 14.4 percent of the increase. Rice inflation

Manila: Senator Risa Hontiveros on Wednesday stated her commitment to maintaining an independent stance in the Senate as questions arise concerning the future of the chamber’s minority bloc ahead of the 20th Congress. Speaking to reporters after filing cases against Michael Maurilio and six vloggers at the Department of Justice Prosecution Service, Hontiveros acknowledged the potential scenario of becoming the Senate’s sole minority member but expressed her determination to stand firm. According to Philippines News Agency, Hontiveros’s comments followed reports indicating that members of the prospective minority bloc have pledged their support for Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero. One senator

Manila: Senator Risa Hontiveros has initiated cyber libel proceedings at the Department of Justice against seven individuals linked to a viral video that allegedly accuses her of coercing a witness into providing false testimonies. According to Philippines News Agency, the respondents named in the complaint include lawyer Ferdinand Topacio, Byron Cristobal alias Banat By, Jeffrey ‘Ka Eric’ Celiz, Krizette ‘Kiffy’ Chu, Jose ‘Jay’ Sonza, and Alex Destor alias Tio Moreno. Additionally, former Senate witness Michael Maurilio is cited in the complaint for claiming in the viral video that Hontiveros bribed him to testify against former president Rodrigo Duterte, Vice President

Pasay city: The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Wednesday announced the seizure of PHP8 million worth of fake baby powder and body cleanser products during a raid on a Pasay City establishment. According to Philippines News Agency, NBI Director Jaime Santiago stated that units from the NBI-National Capital Region (NBI-NCR) and the Intellectual Property Rights Division (IPRD) executed two search warrants against the establishment on July 3 for violating Republic Act 8293, also known as the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines. The raid led to the discovery and confiscation of 9,093 counterfeit items bearing the trademarks “Johnson’s,” “Johnson’s