MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines was chosen by the International Fair Trial Day (IFTD) Steering Group as the focal country for IFTD 2024 for various problems the nation faces. According to the group, this was due to alleged problems in judiciary independence, human rights violations, and challenges in fair trials. ADVERTISEMENTREAD: Many attacks on legal experts tagged ‘cold cases’ too soon – CaravanaNational Union of Peoples Lawyers (NUPL) Secretary-General Lawyer Edre Olalia lamented on Friday the situation in the country as observed by the IFTD. Olalia likewise expressed hope that the commemoration of IFTD in the country will raise awareness on the importance of fair trials. The IFTD, which started in 2021, is commemorated by lawyers’ groups nationwide to stress the importance of fair trials.

MANILA, Philippines — The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) said on Saturday that it plans to file criminal cases against Bamban Mayor Alice Guo for alleged association in Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) activities. ADVERTISEMENTREAD: Alice Guo ordered suspended as mayor of Bamban, Tarlac“Ang masasabi lang po namin, we have strong evidence that would support the criminal allegation against Mayor Alice Guo, and a good number of people in the Bamban operations,” Casio said in a news forum. In addition, the PAOCC earlier said on June 3 that it is also preparing a tax evasion case against Guo. READ: DILG files graft charges vs Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice GuoAs of writing, Guo is facing a Senate investigation for her alleged involvement with POGOs. ADVERTISEMENTOn June 3, the Office of the Ombudsman ordered Guo’s preventive suspension as Bamban mayor, with two other municipal officials.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — With global growth stabilizing for the first time in three years, inflation reaching a three-year low and financial conditions brightening, the global economy seems to be on its final approach for a "soft landing." But there are also bright spots in the global economy. US dynamism is a key reason the global economy has some upside potential over the next two years. But they must also recognize that, in much of the world, growth remains too slow to support progress on development and poverty reduction. Without stronger international cooperation and policies that advance shared prosperity, the global economy will remain stuck in the slow lane.

Updating the latest developments to reporters on Saturday, the father, surnamed Lai, said his daughter, Sum-yuet, is still in critical condition and a police investigation is ongoing. The patient underwent the suturing in a prone position with her head facing right,” the second statement read. He also noted that he witnessed the nurse pressing Sum-yuet’s face into the pillow. He also doubted that the hospital intentionally did not mention the nurse pressing Sum-yuet’s head into the pillow in earlier statements. The Kowloon West Cluster will continue to monitor Sum-yuet’s latest developments and the medical team will provide all necessary assistance.

Several police personnel, including three officials, have been relieved from their posts as the Philippine National Police (PNP) investigates the alleged violations during the serving of an arrest warrant against fugitive televangelist Apollo Quiboloy. According to Fajardo, the probe would allow the PNP to assess what really happened during the June 10 attempt by the police to arrest Quiboloy on charges of human trafficking and sexual abuse. READ: Arresting cops visit 3 Quiboloy properties but can’t find himBut the PNP insisted that the warrant of arrest and the operation against Quiboloy were legal. “The PNP stands by its position that what we have implemented is an arrest warrant validly issued by our courts,” Fajardo said. Earlier, Fajardo said the six attempted to attack authorities during the latest attempt to serve warrants against Quiboloy in Davao City.

Philippines still among worst countries for workersWorkers load plastic bottles at junk shops along Road 10 in Tondo, Manila on June 14, 2024. MANILA, Philippines — For the eighth consecutive year, the Philippines was included among the 10 worst countries for working people, in a list released by the International Trade Union Confederation. ITUC’s Global Rights Index 2024, released on June 12, is a comprehensive review of workers’ rights in law. Democracy, trade unions and workers’ rights go together; you simply cannot have one without the other,” he added. Aside from the Philippines, nine other countries were identified as the worst countries for workers.

A Philippine flag flutters on BRP Sierra Madre, a dilapidated Philippine Navy ship that has been aground since 1999, on the disputed Second Thomas Shoal, part of the Spratly Islands, in the South China Sea. Indonesia has also confronted Chinese coast guard and fishing fleets in the gas-rich Natuna sea in the fringes of the South China Sea. The Philippines’ undersea continental shelf could potentially overlap with those of other coastal states in the South China Sea, including that of Vietnam. Hostilities and tensions in the disputed waters have alarmingly escalated particularly between China and the Philippines over two disputed shoals since last year. The arbitration panel invalidated China’s claim to virtually the entire South China Sea in a 2016 ruling but Beijing refused to participate in the arbitration, rejected the decision and continues to defy it.

Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) spokesman, Dr. Winston John Casio, says that the recent raids of POGOs in Bamban, Tarlac and Porac Pampanga reveal illegal activities that include sex exploitation, torture, kidnapping and even murder. PAOCC believes in a partial ban of the gaming establishment as opposed to a complete one. Video and Interview by Ezrah Raya

The second Amber Rainstorm warning on Saturday is now in force as the observatory says rain is particularly heavy in the Tai Po district. This second warning was issued by the observatory at 12:55 pm. An active southwest monsoon is bringing heavy showers and thunderstorms to the coast of Guangdong, the weather watchdog said. Heavy showers are still expected to affect Hong Kong shortly. Citizens are advised to stay away from watercourses since heavy rain may bring about flash floods.

Sabrina Carpenter is hot girl in the chartsSabrina Carpenter was Taylor Swift’s opening act in some areas for the famous ‘ERAS Tour.’ That meant that everybody who bought tickets and came to watch Taylor also saw Sabrina. The name may sound new to most of us but Sabrina Carpenter is no newcomer. For one there is her big hit song Espresso. That meant that everybody who bought tickets and came to watch Taylor also saw Sabrina. That bit of a tune playing from the horn of the police car at the end of the Espresso video is Please, Please, Please.

MANILA, Philippines — Local government units (LGUs) have been urged by a senator to pass an ordinance banning Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos) within their jurisdictions. ADVERTISEMENTBut Porac Mayor Jaime Capil was quick to dismiss speculations that he is a protector of the offshore gaming firm. Meanwhile, Tarlac’s Bamban town Mayor Alice Guo was implicated in another illegal Pogo firm raided by authorities in March this year. READ: Pogo raid in Pampanga yields suspected Chinese military uniforms, pinsDocumentary evidence supposedly linking Guo to Zuan Yuan Technology Inc were reportedly found during the raid. “Meron kaming Pogo ban ordinance dito sa Valenzuela,” he pointed out in a Viber message.

DFA condemns Houthi attack on merchant vessel with Filipino crewA grab from handout footage released by Yemen's Huthi Ansarullah Media Centre on November 19, 2023, reportedly shows members of the rebel group during the capture of an Israel-linked cargo vessel at an undefined location in the Red Sea. MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Foreign Affairs on Friday condemned Houthi rebels' attack on the merchant vessel MV Tutor sailing in the Red Sea. The DFA confirmed in a statement that the Greek-owned but Liberian-flagged ship struck by Houthi's unmanned surface vessel (USV) on June 12 carried Filipino crew. In a statement, DFA Spokesperson Teresita Daza vowed to ensure the safe return of all Filipino workers on board. Both areas have been designated "high-risk areas" and "war-like zones" by the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) and the International Bargaining Forum (IBF).

MANILA, Philippines — Charges have been filed against six members of Apollo Quiboloy’s Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC) after their alleged attempt to attack authorities, the Davao police told INQUIRER.net. “Please be informed that at around 4:30 p.m. of June 13, 2024, the cases for violation of Presidential Decree No. Earlier, Philippine National Police Spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said the six attempted to attack authorities during the latest attempt to serve warrants against Quiboloy in Davao City. The KJC members were not named, but they were described to be “bearing weapons” such as knives and guns. Despite allegations hounding the PNP’s failed attempt to arrest Quiboloy, the country’s police force maintained that the operation was lawful.

— Reuters picAt least six people have been killed this week and around 2,000 tourists stranded in India's Himalayan state of Sikkim in landslides and floods after incessant rainfall, officials said on Friday. Heavy rains triggered landslides at several locations in Mangan district, which covers north Sikkim and lies about 100 km (60 miles) north of the state capital Gangtok, the local government of the northeastern Indian state said. The road to north Sikkim has been damaged in multiple locations, snapping connection to the district," said Hem Kumar Chettri, the district magistrate of Mangan. At least 179 people died last year in Sikkim when a Himalayan glacial lake outburst triggered floods. While eastern parts of Nepal have been lashed by heavy rains, the Himalayan country's western areas are facing one of the hottest seasons, weather officials said.

An earlier Miss Universe 2024 date? MANILA, Philippines — It looks like the 2024 Miss Universe pageant in Mexico will unfold earlier than what everybody has expected. In an article "Will Sheynnis Palacios break a record as Miss Universe?," written by Jovita Trujillo, dated June 6, for Hola! USA, a portion read: "The 73rd Miss Universe pageant is coming up fast on September 28, 2024 in Mexico City!" Despite this preemptive info, the Miss Universe Organization (MUO) still needs to confirm the aforementioned date.