General

Vatican City: Massive crowds and world leaders filled Saint Peter’s Square on Saturday to bid farewell to Pope Francis, who passed away on Monday at the age of 88, ending a 12-year papacy that shaped the global Catholic Church. According to Philippines News Agency, 160 official delegations are attending the funeral, including about 50 heads of state and 10 reigning monarchs. Among them are US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. An estimated 250,000 people visited St. Peter’s Basilica between Wednesday and Friday to pay their respects as the Pope lay in state. A similar number is expected

Pasay: Three suspected human traffickers were charged following an inquest filed by the National Bureau of Investigation-International Airport Investigation Division, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) reported Saturday. According to Philippines News Agency, the case, which stemmed from the sworn complaints of seven overseas Filipino victims, was filed before the Office of the City Prosecutor of Pasay on April 24, BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said in a news release Saturday. The BI, which assisted in the investigation, said the victims were promised jobs but were instead forced to work in cyberscam operations under severe physical abuse and coercion. The victims

Manila: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is reinforcing its efforts to uplift solo parent-headed families by implementing Program SOLo, or Strengthening Opportunities for Lone Parents, its spokesperson said on Saturday. According to Philippines News Agency, Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao stated that the initiative seeks to empower solo parent-headed families not only through economic assistance but through holistic and technology-aided psychosocial support. “The Program SOLo is designed to complement Republic Act (RA) No. 11861 or the Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act. It is crafted with the realities of solo parents in mind – acknowledging the daily challenges they

Nonthaburi: The quest for glory continues for Tennnielle Madis as she gears up for the Nonthaburi Closed Regional Championships in Thailand from April 28 to May 3. “Try and try until you succeed, that’s my mindset. I always give my best in every match so whatever the outcome, I learn from the experience,” the 17-year-old from M’lang, North Cotabato said in a statement. According to Philippines News Agency, after a runner-up finish in the doubles with Russian Alexandra Malova at the J200 ITF Kuala Lumpur on April 20, Madis made an early exit at the J300 ITF Kuching at the

Manila: The soon-to-be-issued digital nomad visas (DNVs) for remote workers is expected to drive spending by international visitors who will be allowed to stay longer in the Philippines, as well as help boost tourism activities during off-peak seasons. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed on April 24 Executive Order No. 86, authorizing the Department of Foreign Affairs to issue DNVs to non-immigrant foreigners planning to visit and work remotely in the Philippines. According to Philippines News Agency, Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco described the move as a ‘progressive policy’ that reflects the Marcos administration’s strong commitment to elevating the Philippine tourism