Category: Politics

Philippines

Tulfo Can Accept Aliases in Sara Duterte’s Confidential Funds—But One Detail Raises a Bigger Question

MANILA, Philippines — Senator-judge Raffy Tulfo said he could understand why confidential informants might use aliases, but he questioned why several acknowledgment receipts tied to Vice President Sara Duterte’s confidential funds appeared to carry similar signatures and handwriting. Tulfo raised the issue Monday during the Senate impeachment trial of Duterte, as the prosecution presented Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Assistant National Statistician Marizza Grande as its 11th witness fo

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Philippines

PNP to Add 2,000 New Patrolmen, Patrolwomen in 2027 — Here’s What Applicants Need to Know

MANILA, Philippines — Thousands of Filipinos looking to join the Philippine National Police could get another opportunity in 2027, with the government setting aside nearly P700 million for the hiring of 2,000 additional patrolmen and patrolwomen nationwide. The proposed allocation is included in the government's 2027 national budget, which also provides substantially higher funding for the PNP's personnel costs, welfare programs and operational capabilities. The Department of Budget and Manage

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Philippines

25 Minors Listed as OVP, DepEd Confidential Fund Payees — Then PSA Found Something Even More Troubling

MANILA, Philippines — Questions surrounding the controversial confidential funds of Vice President Sara Duterte deepened Monday after the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) told the Senate impeachment court that 25 names appearing in the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and Department of Education (DepEd) payee records corresponded to minors in civil registry records. The revelation came on the 22nd day of Duterte’s impeachment trial, where PSA Assistant National Statistician Marizza Grand

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Politics

Thailand Set for Government Spokesman Shake-Up as ‘Dr Ek’ Tipped for Top Communications Role

BANGKOK, Thailand — Thailand’s government is preparing for a shake-up in its communications team, with Ekkapob Pianpises, widely known as “Dr Ek,” tipped to become the new government spokesman. The expected appointment would see Ekkapob take over a high-profile role responsible for communicating Cabinet decisions, government policies and official positions to the public and media. The move comes as Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s administration seeks to strengthen and streamline its publi

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Politics

Kim Jong Un’s New Nuclear Navy Warning Raises Alarms — But What Is North Korea Preparing Next?

SEOUL — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has vowed to transform his country’s navy into a nuclear-armed force, escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula as the United States, South Korea and Japan launch fresh trilateral military drills. Kim made the remarks while commissioning the Kang Kon, a new 5,000-ton-class destroyer that North Korea says will play a role in strengthening the country’s nuclear deterrence and maritime combat capabilities. The development marks one of Pyongyang’s stronges

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Business

Thailand Cuts 11.16 Billion Baht From 2027 Budget Ahead of Crucial Parliamentary Debate

BANGKOK, Thailand — Thailand's proposed 2027 national budget has been cut by more than 11.16 billion baht ahead of a crucial three-day parliamentary debate, setting the stage for intense scrutiny over how the government plans to spend nearly 3.8 trillion baht. The House of Representatives is scheduled to debate the 2027 Budget Bill during its second and third readings from Sept. 7 to Sept. 9, after a parliamentary committee completed its review of the government's spending plan. The proposed b

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Philippines

Romualdez Faces Plunder Case Over P56-B Flood Control Allegations—What Happens Next Could Be Crucial

MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Ombudsman has formally brought its case against former House Speaker and Leyte 1st District Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez before the Sandiganbayan, escalating the government's investigation into alleged corruption surrounding multibillion-peso flood control projects. The anti-graft agency filed the plunder case on Monday, September 7, against Romualdez and former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co. Investigators allege that the two were invol

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Philippines

37 Names Linked to Sara Duterte’s Confidential Funds Are Reported Dead—But the PSA Findings Raise an Even Bigger Question

MANILA, Philippines — The scrutiny surrounding Vice President Sara Duterte’s controversial confidential funds intensified after a Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) official testified that government records show 37 people listed as alleged recipients of confidential funds were already deceased. PSA Assistant National Statistician Marizza Grande told the Senate impeachment court on Monday that the agency’s re-verification found death records corresponding to names appearing in documents subm

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Philippines

PNP Chief Orders Verification of Sara Duterte’s Security Concerns as Vice President Says She Fears for Her Safety

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police Chief General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. has assured Vice President Sara Duterte that authorities will examine and verify the security concerns she raised after saying she feared for her safety. Nartatez said the Philippine National Police would take Duterte's concerns seriously and assess any information that could indicate a potential threat to the vice president or her family. The assurance came after Duterte publicly expressed fears for her

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Business

Taiwan Defense Budget Lifts Veil on Secret Ching Tien Missile Program

TAIPEI, Taiwan — Taiwan's proposed defense budget has offered the clearest public indication yet that the military has moved a long-rumored long-range missile program into operational service — while also pointing to the development of a more advanced successor capable of reaching deeper into China. The non-classified portion of Taiwan's proposed defense budget for next year includes a new spending item for the “Fei Chi II weapons system and equipment maintenance program,” scheduled to run from

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