Author: WWC NEWSDESK

Philippines

‘Antonio Pagong,’ ‘Timon Pusa’ and ₱100,000 Each: What the OVP Receipts Showed at Sara Duterte Trial

MANILA, Philippines — Unusual names including “Antonio Pagong,” “Timon Andrew Pusa” and “Xuniso P. Belat” surfaced Monday as prosecutors presented acknowledgment receipts linked to confidential-fund transactions of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) during Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial. The names were presented by private prosecutor Amando Virgil Ligutan while questioning former OVP special disbursing officer Gina Acosta about how confidential-fund transactions were docume

August 24, 2026

Business

Juanito Que Dies at 89: The Low-Key Businessman Whose Wealth Stayed Out of the Spotlight

MANILA, Philippines — Business circles are mourning the death of businessman Juanito Que, who passed away at the age of 89, according to a report published by Bilyonaryo on August 23. Que was known for keeping a remarkably low public profile despite spending decades building his business interests. Bilyonaryo described him as a businessman who made his mark in Manila's hardware trade while largely staying away from the limelight that often surrounds the country's wealthiest families. His passi

August 24, 2026

Philippines

SAF 44 Case Takes Another Turn: What Happened When Authorities Closed In on a Mamasapano Suspect?

More than a decade after the Mamasapano clash that claimed the lives of 44 elite police commandos, Philippine authorities have reported another development in the long-running pursuit of individuals allegedly connected to one of the country's most painful security tragedies. A suspect authorities linked to the 2015 SAF 44 clash was killed during a government operation in Maguindanao del Sur, according to security officials. The development adds another chapter to the continuing effort to track

August 24, 2026

Politics

Singapore Haze Alert: Indonesia Fires Intensify as PSI Nears 100 — What Happens Next Could Depend on the Winds

SINGAPORE — Singapore is once again watching the skies as fires across Indonesia intensify, with authorities warning that occasional periods of haze could reach the Republic if dry conditions and regional hotspots persist. The National Environment Agency (NEA) said on Monday, August 24, that it had detected an escalation in hotspot and smoke-haze activity over the weekend, particularly across Kalimantan and southern Sumatra. Smoke plumes were also observed in Riau. Despite the renewed concern,

August 24, 2026

Entertainment

Gela Atayde ‘Hard Launches’ Zaijian Jaranilla? One Sweet Birthday Message Has Fans Convinced

MANILA, Philippines — Are Gela Atayde and Zaijian Jaranilla finally making their relationship public? That is the question currently making the rounds among Filipino entertainment fans after Gela appeared to give her strongest public hint yet about her rumored romance with Zaijian. On August 23, Gela took to Instagram to greet Zaijian on his 25th birthday, sharing two photos of the actor along with a particularly affectionate message. “hbd to my idol since ’09 Love you, sungit,” Gela wrote, a

August 24, 2026

Philippines

Sara Duterte Wanted to Meet PBBM? Michael Poa Drops a Bombshell as Palace Stays Mum

MANILA, Philippines — A report claiming that Vice President Sara Duterte wanted to meet privately with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has been disputed by her camp, with defense spokesperson Atty. Michael Poa dismissing the claim as “fake news.” The rumor surfaced amid renewed speculation about the political relationship between Marcos and Duterte, particularly as the Vice President faces an ongoing impeachment trial before the Senate. Poa, who serves as spokesperson for Duterte’s d

August 24, 2026

Philippines

Brian Kerle Academy Takes Solo Lead in Roxas Invitational — But Can Anyone Stop the Australian Surge?

ROXAS CITY, Capiz — The Brian Kerle Basketball Academy is emerging as the team to beat in the inaugural Roxas City Invitational Tournament 2026. The Brisbane-based squad seized the solo lead after extending its unbeaten run, routing fellow Australian team Universal Athlete Centre (UAC) Keysborough in the latest round of the tournament at the Dinggoy Roxas Civic Center. The victory came after another impressive showing by Brian Kerle Academy, which had already announced itself as a serious titl

August 24, 2026

Lifestyle

Fired During Probation? This Singapore Tribunal Ruling Could Change What Employers Can — and Cannot — Do

A probation period may be designed to test whether a new hire is the right fit — but a recent Singapore employment case shows that it does not automatically give employers a free pass to terminate someone without properly supporting the reason for dismissal. The Singapore Employment Claims Tribunals ordered an employer to pay S$30,000 in compensation after finding that it had failed to establish sufficient grounds for dismissing a woman near the end of her six-month probation on the basis of po

August 24, 2026

Asia

Japan Jolted by Magnitude 5.9 Earthquake Near Tokyo — Dozens Hurt as Authorities Warn of More Shaking

TOKYO — A magnitude 5.9 earthquake rattled eastern Japan early Sunday, sending emergency alerts to mobile phones across the Tokyo region and leaving at least 37 people injured, according to Japanese authorities and local officials. The earthquake struck at around 2:00 a.m. on August 23, with its epicenter in southern Ibaraki Prefecture, northeast of Tokyo, at a depth of about 70 kilometers. Japan’s Meteorological Agency recorded the earthquake at magnitude 5.9 and said the strongest shaking re

August 24, 2026

Politics

Japan Backs Sanctioned ICC President — But Will It Stand Up to Its Closest Ally?

TOKYO — Japan has pledged to continue supporting the International Criminal Court (ICC) after the United States imposed sanctions on the court's Japanese president, Tomoko Akane, triggering rare public criticism of Washington from one of its closest Asian allies. Tokyo described the U.S. action as “very unfortunate” and reaffirmed its commitment to the Hague-based court, even as questions grow over how strongly Japan will defend its national and the ICC against mounting American pressure. The

August 24, 2026