The Volunteer Recognition Ceremony for the Hong Kong Competitive Region of the 15th National Games, the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities & the 9th National Special Olympic Games was held at the Hong Kong Velodrome to commend all volunteers for their dedicated contributions, which enabled the smooth and successful holding of all events.
VP downplays new impeach raps, slams senatorMANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte dismissed yesterday the newly filed impeachment complaints of Akbayan party-list against her, alleging that they are politically motivated and tied to Sen. Risa Hontiveros’ supposed presidential ambitions in 2028. In a video message, Duterte questioned the credibility of Akbayan, the party-list of which Hontiveros is a member. Their leader has repeatedly publicly stated her intention to run for president – a clear indication of the political motive behind their actions,” she said. While VP Sara is in power, the threat of a full-blown Duterte comeback is still a very real and present danger. It is not clear what they are fighting for in terms of public order, but their politicking and affecting our country’s diplomacy is very clear,” Duterte added.
In a PhilStar.com report yesterday, Basyang has slightly intensified as it neared landfall in Mindanao, according to PAGASA. -PAGASA said Basyang made its initial landfall in Surigao del Sur early yesterday, moving west-northwest at 25 kilometers per hour, packing maximum sustained winds of 75 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 90 kph. Wind Signal No. 2 was raised over several areas in the Visayas and Mindanao, while some parts of Luzon were under Signal No.
USCIS checking visitor visa applications for fraudA Filipina mother and her US citizen daughter recently consulted with me after the mother’s adjustment of status was denied because the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) stated she committed fraud when applying for a visitor visa. In this case, several years ago, the Filipina mother applied for a visitor visa at the US embassy. The USCIS concluded that this constituted fraud, as the mother concealed material information from the consul, knowing that if the truth was disclosed, the visitor visa may have been denied. In many cases, people used the services of immigration consultants in filling out their visitor visa applications. Be aware that USCIS may now review your responses on your old visitor visa application.
Flags of Canada and China are placed for the first China-Canada economic and financial strategy dialogue in Beijing, China, November 12, 2018. REUTERS/Jason Lee/Pool
Together in faith during Lent, RamadanMuslim brothers gather for congregational prayer at the Manila Golden Mosque in Quiapo, Manila on March 1, 2025, ahead of the official start of Ramadan. MANILA, Philippines — The shared observance of Ramadan and the Lenten season invites Filipinos to “slow down, to return to God and to walk together in faith,” the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines said yesterday. It invites us to slow down, to return to God and to walk together in faith. He added that Ramadan and Lent remind everyone that faith must transform the heart and shape one’s actions. This vision of fraternity resonates deeply with both Ramadan and Lent.
Tabuena drops to 47thThe Philippines' Miguel Tabuena reacts after winning the International Series Philippines golf tournament at the Sta. Elena Golf Club in Santa Rosa, Laguna province on October 26, 2025. MANILA, Philippines — Philippine ace Miguel Tabuena fired another one-under 71 yesterday to drop 10 spots to joint 47th with one round left in the LIV Golf Riyadh in Saudi Arabia Friday. Tabuena gunned down four birdies in the penultimate round, including one on his final hole, the 11th of the Riyadh Golf Club, to offset a double bogey on No. 3 and bogey on the 17th, en route to a third straight 71 in his LIV Golf League debut under the 4Aces GC banner.
CEB’s Mike Szucs: Coffee, comfort and runwaysIt’s good to know that all this talk about extending runways in far-flung provinces is finally taking off – pun intended. “Let’s not think we’ve got to build a Changi,” Szucs said, referring to Singapore’s world-renowned airport, consistently among the world’s best. It’s really not that complicated, is what Szucs was trying to say – just coffee, comfort and runways, with lights. Bus service in the skyBack at the Aviation Summit, Szucs said that for airlines operating in emerging markets such as CEB, growth is no longer the hard part. It was good listening to Szucs and other aviation leaders in the region.
Obiena wins pole vault gold in Asian Indoor Athletics ChampionshipsPhilippines' athlete Ernest John Obiena competes in the men's pole vault qualification during the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo on September 13, 2025. Obiena ruled the 12th Asian Indoor Athletics Championships Saturday in Tianjin, China. The gold-medal finish came after the Olympic pole vaulter also struck gold in Germany late last month. Aside from Li, Obiena bested China’s Chen Yang (5.40 meters), Thailand’s Amsamang Patsapong (5.20 meters) and Japan’s Ejima Masaki (5.20 meters). Prior to the gold medal in Germany, Obiena copped a bronze in the ISTAF Indoor Dusseldorf.
Altas unbeaten in 5 gamesSheila Omipon and Cyille Joie Almeniana came through when their team needed it most and finished with 17 and 16 points, respectively, as the Lady Altas nailed their fifth straight win. MANILA, Philippines — University of Perpetual Help survived Emilio Aguinaldo College’s fierce first and third set challenges to hammer out a 28-26, 25-14, 26-24 victory yesterday and remain unscathed in NCAA Season 101 women’s volleyball at the San Andres Gym. Sheila Omipon and Cyille Joie Almeniana came through when their team needed it most and finished with 17 and 16 points, respectively, as the Lady Altas nailed their fifth straight win.
Philippines flag held high in MilanMANILA, Philippines — Philippine bets Francis Ceccarelli and Tallulah Proulx, both in Alpine skiing, were all smiles and waved the flag as the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics opened on Friday with a glittering ceremony at the San Siro stadium echoed by festivities at Games venues across the snow-capped Italian Alps. Ceccarelli, 22, and Proulx, 17, will see action in both the Giant Slalom and Slalom events from Feb. 14 to 18. Alberto Tomba and Deborah Compagnoni, two Italian skiing Olympic champions of the past, lit an intricate cauldron inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s knot patterns at Milan’s Arch of Peace. The ceremony in Milan showcased Italy’s rich cultural heritage, with a nod to late fashion giant Giorgio Armani. An otherwise harmonious event was punctuated by loud boos from the crowd when US Vice President JD Vance appeared on the big screen at the San Siro stadium.
Kochhar tames beast at Wack WackMANILA, Philippines — Successful in moving out of the danger zone in the second round, Indian Karandeep Kochhar cranked it up further on moving day to surge ahead of the early leaders. And with a flawless seven-under 65 on wet conditions – a hot card that sparked a frantic search to verify whether it’s a new record at Wack Wack’s tough East Course – Kochhar seized pole position in the Philippine Golf Championship presented by the Philippine Sports Commission. “It was the hardest out of the three days because of the rain today,” said Kochhar. Kochhar netted a $10,000 bonus from Wack Wack for the day’s low score. The club’s records were scarce but Internet searches showed the late Cassius Casas scoring a 64 in the 2001 Philippine Open prior to Kochhar’s 65.
Senate coups and weak institutionsThis week saw another attempted coup in the Senate. He said that he was hearing complaints from colleagues that the current Senate leadership was “preoccupied with campaigning rather than governing,” a clear predicate for a leadership challenge. Notably, the minority senators were conspicuously absent. This dynamic exposes the true motivations behind recent attempts at Senate leadership changes. Sotto, as Senate President, has begun undoing some of the institutional damage left by his predecessor.
Big guns await Alex in DohaMANILA, Philippines — A bigger mountain awaits Alex Eala in the nearby Doha City after being drawn into a tough bracket featuring Grand Slam champions and Top 10 players for the prestigious WTA 1000 Qatar Open starting today at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex. After campaigning in both singles and doubles play of the WTA500 Abu Dhabi Open marked by a roaring Filipino crowd backing, Eala was bracketed with world No. 2 and six-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek of Poland, and No. Eala, WTA No. Eala, according to live WTA rankings, has already entered the Top 40 for the first time ever at No.
