ASIA

FIRING LINE:    Gelo’s death spotlights injustice By Robert B. Roque Jr.  l August 12, 2025 This is not how any of us would have guessed how an altar boy would lose in the game of life so early. Twenty-year-old Angelo “Gelo” dela Rosa contracted leptospirosis. He died quickly after wading through filthy floodwaters in search…

Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto Sotto Questions Political Rivals’ Flood Control Contracts  By Bing Jabadan – TheNationWeek.Com | August 12, 2025   MANILA, Philippines – Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto is questioning flood control contracts awarded to companies with ties to his political rival in the recent midterm elections.   Sotto’s concerns stemmed from a recent disclosure…

Jacinth Ziff Pageant’s Dark Secrets Exposed: Candidate Alleges Sexploitation Behind the Crown By Bing Jabadan – TheNationWeek.Com | August 11, 2025 MANILA, Philippines – The glittering facade of male pageantry has been shattered by a chilling allegation of sexual exploitation. Jacinth Ziff, a former national candidate for Mister Pilipinas Worldwide representing Butuan City in 2025,…

FIRING LINE:   The joke’s on us By Robert B. Roque Jr.  l  August 7, 2025 I picked this up from a Facebook post, and while I’m not too sure it’s an adage traced to Japan, it makes absolute sense: “Whether it’s a machine, a house, or a relationship — maintenance is always cheaper than…

P31.65-M Agarwood Shipment Seized at NAIA By Bing Jabadan  – TheNationWeek.Com  l   August 7, 2025   PASAY CITY, Philippines – Customs officials have intercepted a huge shipment of illegally exported agarwood valued at around P31.65 million at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. The shipment, declared as “Mahogany wood hand carving design” and “Pack of dried sibukaw wood…

LTO Suspends 11 NAIA Taxi, TNVS Drivers’ Licenses for Overcharging Passengers By Wilma N. Yamzon – TheNationWeek.Com | August 7, 2025 QUEZON CITY, Philippines – The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has suspended the licenses of 11 taxi and transport network vehicle service (TNVS) drivers for allegedly overcharging airport passengers. The move signaled the agency’s renewed…

Broken and ‘closed’ ticket vending machines lead to major congestion at an LRT station in Manila. (Photo courtesy of Heidi Mendoza) Ex-COA Chief Proposes ‘3Es’ Audit to Improve LRT Service By Bing Jabadan – TheNationWeek.Com | August 7, 2025 MANILA, Philippines – Former Commission on Audit (COA) Commissioner Heidi Mendoza is proposing what she calls…

Caught on Camera: A Caloocan City police officer is shown firing a handgun inside a vape shop, which led to his arrest. NCRPO Chief Maj. Gen. Anthony Aberin has vowed zero tolerance for police abuse and promised a thorough investigation. Caloocan Police Officer Arrested for Firing Gun Inside Vape Shop By Wilma N. Yamzon –…