General

Iloilo City: Four public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers from this city tested positive for illegal drug use during the surprise drug testing operation spearheaded by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) 6 (Western Visayas) on Tuesday. The initiative was part of “Oplan Harabas,” which tested 156 PUV drivers at the Ceres Terminal in Barangay Tagbak, Jaro and the Mohon transport terminal in Arevalo District. According to Philippine News Agency, the operation aims to reduce road crashes linked to drivers under the influence of illegal drugs, as emphasized by LTO-6 Director Gaudioso Geduspan II. He highlighted that despite ongoing enforcement efforts, the

Manila: Seven police officers suspected of involvement in the shooting of Albuera, Leyte mayoral candidate Kerwin Espinosa have tested negative in a paraffin examination, the Philippine National Police (PNP) announced. Despite the test results, PNP information chief Col. Randulf Tua±o emphasized that the investigation will continue, as the paraffin test is not definitive and can only provide circumstantial evidence. According to Philippine News Agency, Col. Tua±o explained in a press conference at Camp Crame that there are numerous methods to avoid gunpowder residue detection, such as wearing gloves or long sleeves while firing a weapon. Therefore, a negative test result

Manila: A visiting United States Senate delegation has reaffirmed its commitment and support for the Philippine-United States alliance under the second Trump administration, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo stated Tuesday. US Senators John Peter Ricketts (R-Nebraska), Christopher Coons (D-Delaware), and Theodore Paul Budd (R-North Carolina) met with Manalo on Monday to discuss defense cooperation, economic security, and economic resilience, among other topics. According to Philippine News Agency, the meeting concluded with the US Congressional delegation emphasizing their commitment to the Philippines-US alliance. Manalo shared details of the meeting on X (Twitter), noting the discussions included US Ambassador to Manila MaryKay

Manila: The signing into law of the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) Act is a ‘historic reform’ and a ‘national victory,’ according to Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri. Republic Act (RA) 12145, signed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on April 10, reorganized the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) into a full-fledged Cabinet-level department. According to Philippine News Agency, the new law grants DEPDev broader authority to harmonize national and local economic strategies, oversee the Public Investment Program, and manage the Philippine Development Plan. It will also serve as the lead agency in coordinating development efforts across sectors,

Manila: The University of Santo Tomas and Pilipinas Aguilas face off in Game One of the Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (WMPBL) Invitational best-of-three championship series at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum at 5 p.m. on Wednesday. According to Philippine News Agency, Kent Pastrana, Oma Onianwa, and Eka Soriano will lead the Tigresses, who joined the tournament to enhance their skills ahead of the UAAP season. UST head coach Ged Austria emphasized the importance of the tournament for gaining experience, noting that not all collegiate teams have the opportunity to compete against semi-pro clubs or players with international experience. Austria highlighted