General

Washington DC: A high-level economic delegation from the Philippines recently met with United States Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in Washington DC, marking a significant step in discussions over the 17 percent reciprocal tariff imposed by US President Donald Trump. The Philippine Embassy in Washington DC announced the meeting on Saturday, describing the talks as ‘productive’ and ‘positive’. According to Philippines News Agency, the meeting aimed to address the paused tariffs and explore ways to strengthen the trade relationship between the two nations. The Philippine government is keen on negotiating these tariffs to improve economic ties and benefit both economies. The

Batangas City: Senatorial candidates from the administration-backed Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas have pledged their support for initiatives aimed at curbing internet trolling and revisiting the Free Tertiary Education Act. At a campaign rally in Batangas City, ACT-CIS Representative Erwin Tulfo emphasized the need for a provision addressing online trolling within the proposed anti-disinformation legislation currently under consideration in Congress. According to Philippines News Agency, Tulfo highlighted the influence of trolling on readers, particularly given the increasing reliance of Filipinos on social media over traditional media outlets. He referenced the case of InfinitUS Marketing Solutions Inc., a Makati-based firm allegedly

Sta. Maria: Authorities nabbed two fugitives in separate operations in Sta. Maria, Bulacan and Angeles City, Pampanga on Friday. In a social media post Saturday, the Police Regional Office-Central Luzon (PRO-3) revealed that a vendor known as alias ‘Intoy’, 59, and a resident of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, is the prime suspect in the killing of Roderick Constantino due to alleged drug-related conflict. He was arrested in Barangay Poblacion, Sta. Maria town by operatives of the San Jose del Monte City Police Station at around 11:33 a.m. According to Philippines News Agency, a warrant of arrest for murder was

Batangas City: Reelectionist Senator Francis Tolentino is advocating for the establishment of a Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea that aligns with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 Arbitral Award. According to Philippines News Agency, China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are in discussions to formulate a substantive COC that would provide a framework to manage tensions among claimant states in the contested maritime region. Tolentino emphasized the importance of a COC that adheres to international maritime law, supports the 2016 Hague arbitral ruling, and aligns

Vatican City: The chimney that will signal the election of a new pope was installed Friday atop the Sistine Chapel, as preparations continue for the conclave set to begin next Wednesday to choose a successor to Pope Francis, who passed away on Easter Monday at age 88. The Vatican confirmed successful testing of the chimney, which is connected to two stoves: one historic cast-iron unit from 1939 to burn ballots, and a modern one from 2005 used to produce the smoke signals. Black smoke will indicate no decision; white smoke, accompanied by the ringing of St. Peter’s bells, will announce