Day: July 12, 2025

Manila: A Korean national wanted for illegal online gambling activities in Malate, Manila was recently arrested by operatives of the Bureau of Immigration’s (BI) Fugitive Search Unit. The operation forms part of the BI’s ongoing campaign to modernize enforcement efforts and strengthen international cooperation in pursuit of fugitives and transnational criminals, in compliance with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directives. According to Philippines News Agency, BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado identified the fugitive as Lee Yong Jae, 46, who is the subject of a Red Notice from the International Criminal Police Organization and an active warrant of arrest from the

Paris: Nine new sites have been proposed for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List as reviewed during the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee, which is being chaired by Bulgaria. According to Philippines News Agency, the morning session saw the successful inscription of the Diy-Gid-Biy Cultural Landscape of the Mandara Mountains in Cameroon, Mount Mulanje in Malawi, and the Faya Palaeolandscape in the United Arab Emirates. The inclusion of the site from the United Arab Emirates was particularly notable, given that it was initially not recommended for inscription. After nearly an hour of discussion, the nomination was accepted.

Manila: The Commission on Elections (Comelec) 1st Division has disqualified Joseph Chua Cua from the May 2025 midterm elections due to unresolved issues surrounding his citizenship, even though he lost in the race for mayor of Virac, Catanduanes. According to Philippines News Agency, the Comelec granted the petition for disqualification filed by reelectionist Sinforoso Sarmiento, who alleged that Cua is not a Filipino citizen but a Chinese national, rendering him ineligible to run for public office. Cua, a former governor of Catanduanes, lost to Sarmiento. The ruling stated, “Accordingly, the Petition for Disqualification is granted. Respondent Joseph Chua Cua is

Manila: The 2016 Arbitral Award on the South China Sea has been declared binding for both the Philippines and China, as several foreign governments expressed their support for the landmark decision on its ninth anniversary. The foreign ministries of Japan, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand emphasized that the ruling was final and offered a foundation for the peaceful resolution of maritime disputes. According to Philippines News Agency, Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the Tribunal’s award is legally binding on the Philippines and China, as per the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The ministry

Manila: The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has lauded the Department of Justice (DOJ) for filing 18 criminal charges before the Court of Tax Appeals against two major corporations and their corporate officers for engaging in fraudulent activities involving ghost receipts. On April 10, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla formally filed criminal charges against ED Buenviaje Builders, Inc. and Synergy Sales International Corp. (SSIC), along with their respective officers, for violating Sections 254 (Attempt to Evade or Defeat Tax) and 255 (Failure to Supply Correct and Accurate Information) of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended. According to