Day: October 16, 2025

Manila: Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla revealed that the Philippine National Police (PNP) returned PHP500 million of its PHP1.3-billion intelligence fund for 2025 after discovering it had been inserted into its budget by former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co. According to Philippines News Agency, Remulla informed senators during a Senate budget hearing that the PHP500 million was an insertion which they handed over to the Office of the President. He stated that the insertion came from the same person who requested 3,000 containers of fish, referring to former lawmaker Zaldy Co. Department of Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu

Tacloban: The arrest of 12 Chinese nationals employed by an Internet service provider in this city uncovered a clear pattern of alleged fraudulent activity, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) district office here said on Thursday. According to Philippines News Agency, the BI said several Chinese nationals reportedly entered the country on tourist visas and then attempted to secure working visas by applying for Alien Employment Permits (AEPs) using invalid Tax Identification Numbers (TINs). ‘Furthermore, others had obtained AEPs through different, unrelated companies but were illegally working for Ocean Wave Communications, a direct breach of their permit conditions,’ the BI stated.

Davao: State-run Social Security System (SSS) activated on Thursday its calamity loan program for members affected by the two powerful earthquakes in Davao Oriental. In a statement, SSS said qualified members can avail of calamity loans of up to PHP20,000 with a 7 percent interest per annum. Applications can be filed online through their My.SSS account and approved loans will be credited directly to the member’s enrolled bank account. According to Philippines News Agency, to qualify for the calamity loan, members must reside or work in an area declared under State of Calamity; have at least 36 monthly contributions with

Manila: The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has rescued four fisherfolk aboard their disabled fishing boat in the waters of Mariveles, Bataan, on Wednesday. In a situation report on Thursday, the PCG said BRP Boracay (FPB-2401) began search and rescue (SAR) operations for fishing banca (FBCA) John Vincent at 11 p.m. Tuesday after receiving a report of the missing boat. According to Philippines News Agency, at around 3:10 a.m. on Wednesday, the said PCG vessel arrived at the area and initiated SAR operations. Several FBCAs in the area were also approached by BRP Boracay for inquiry on the possible sightings of

Santa rosa city: Filipinos James Buytrago and Ran Abadilla were defeated by Australians D’Artagnan Potts and Jack Pearse, with scores of 14-21, 18-21, in the first quarterfinal match of the Volleyball World 2025 Beach Pro Tour Challenge. The match took place at the Nuvali Sands Court by Ayala Land in Santa Rosa City, Laguna. According to Philippines News Agency, the Alas Pilipinas duo, who secured bronze at the 2023 Cambodia Southeast Asian Games, came close with an 18-19 score but ultimately fell short in the Pool H match. Buytrago, despite playing with an injured right index finger, expressed that their