Day: December 16, 2025

Manila: Former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) National Capital Region official Gerard Opulencia has turned over PHP40 million to the Department of Justice (DOJ) as part of the PHP150 million he committed to return to the government. According to Philippines News Agency, Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida showed reporters the PHP40 million surrendered by Opulencia as part of the conditions for his acceptance as a state witness in the anomalous flood control projects. DOJ spokesperson Polo Martinez, in a message to reporters, said Opulencia, along with Henry Alcantara and former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo were ‘provisionally admitted’ into the

Saudi arabia: Saudi Arabia is set to finance the separation surgery of another pair of Filipino conjoined twins, the Saudi Embassy in Manila said Tuesday. The embassy announced that the twins, Olivia and Gianna Manuel, will soon travel to Saudi Arabia, where they will undergo routine medical check-ups leading up to the eventual separation surgery. According to Philippines News Agency, Saudi Ambassador to the Philippines Faisal Ebraheem Alghamdi received the twins and their parents on Monday. During the meeting, he conveyed King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud’s ‘unwavering commitment to humanitarian causes.’ The Saudi-funded operation also ‘exemplifies the Kingdom’s leading

Tokyo: The Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) is studying the creation of localized welfare desks for children of Filipino migrants with foreign nationals in Japan, following reports of domestic abuse and custody battles, and other challenges. In a news release on Tuesday, CFO Secretary Dante ‘Klink’ Ang II underscored the need for more focused and responsive services for overseas Filipinos. According to Philippines News Agency, the plan to establish welfare desks for these children with foreign roots followed a two-day outreach mission in the Kansai region, which highlighted gaps in migrant support and dialogues with the Shiga Intercultural Association for

Manila: Olympic medalist Kayla Sanchez made a stunning debut at the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, capping her formidable performance with a haul of three gold and five silver medals in the swimming competition. Sanchez, who previously secured two Olympic medals for Canada at the 2020 Tokyo Games, expressed her pride in representing the Philippines this time around. ‘It’s very special. I love my teammates, my whole family is here, and I really hope I made the country proud,’ she said. According to Philippines News Agency, Sanchez immediately made her presence felt by anchoring the 4×100-meter freestyle relay team to

Makati city: State-run Home Development Mutual Fund capped the year by rewarding its members with cash prizes of up to PHP500,000. The Pag-IBIG Fund on Tuesday held year-end grand draws of its One-Plus-One Raffle Promo and Multi-Purpose Loan (MPL) Loan-to-Win Raffle Promo in Makati City. According to Philippines News Agency, the One-Plus-One Raffle Promo helped expand its membership base, including overseas Filipino workers and those in the informal sector, while the MPL Loan-to-Win Raffle Promo rewarded members who availed of the agency’s short-term cash loan facility for their financial needs. The raffle initiatives, the agency said, are part of its