PH Politics

PNP chief: Foreigners trying to revive Pogo hubs underground

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The Philippine National Police acting chief, Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez, said on Monday that foreign nationals continue to attempt to revive underground Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (Pogo) hubs despite a nationwide ban. He reported that police units conduct surveillance, raids, and joint operations with other agencies to track and shut down suspected illegal Pogo facilities, verify the status of foreign nationals involved, and investigate related cyber-enabled crimes. Authorities monitor former Pogo sites, business districts, and economic zones to prevent the resurgence of offshore gaming operations.

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Japan to help accelerate major infrastructure works in the Philippines

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Japan on Monday reaffirmed its full support for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s infrastructure push in the Philippines, following the 4th Technical and Business Cooperation on Road Tunnel Construction workshop in Manila. Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon said Japanese assistance, coursed through the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, will help fast-track key projects to improve mobility, connectivity and economic development. He added that the Department of Public Works and Highways will ensure that Filipinos benefit from the partnership through upgraded infrastructure and enhanced quality of life.

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Alice Guo transferred to female correctional facility after conviction

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Philippine authorities transferred dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo and two co-accused to the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong City on Friday night after their conviction for qualified human trafficking. A Mittimus Order from Regional Trial Court Branch 167 mandated the move from Pasig City Jail. The three women, each sentenced to life imprisonment and fined P2 million, will undergo a 60-day reception, quarantine, and diagnostic process at the CIW before placement in the Maximum Security Camp, according to Bureau of Corrections and CIW officials.

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Fil-Ams warned on risks of renouncing PH citizenship amid new bill

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The Philippine Embassy in Washington issued an advisory urging Filipino Americans to carefully review the implications of renouncing Philippine citizenship amid the filing of the “Exclusive Citizenship Act of 2025” in the U.S. Senate. The bill, introduced by Republican Senator Bernie Moreno, seeks to abolish dual citizenship for U.S. citizens and require exclusive allegiance to the United States. The Embassy stressed that the measure remains a proposal, highlighted prior legal recognition of dual citizenship, and warned that renunciation of Philippine citizenship is irreversible. Filipino Americans are encouraged to monitor the bill and consult the Philippine Embassy or consulates for guidance.

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Pag-IBIG honored for Best Sustainability Initiatives at GOCC awards

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Pag-IBIG Fund received the Best Sustainability Initiatives Award for 2025 from the Governance Commission for GOCCs (GCG) in Parañaque City on December 1, 2025, for integrating sustainability values into its programs, services, and internal operations. DHSUD Secretary and Pag-IBIG Board chair Jose Ramon Aliling accepted the award, which recognized the agency’s efforts in responsible governance, resource management, and support for national development goals under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration. The recognition forms part of the GCG Awards program that highlights government-owned or -controlled corporations meeting governance, accountability, and sustainability benchmarks in the Philippines.

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Tokhang survivor seeks Supreme Court action as Duterte goes before ICC

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A tokhang survivor who witnessed a 2016 anti-drug operation that left four people dead is asking the Supreme Court of the Philippines to review the legality of the raid, as former president Rodrigo Duterte faces trial before the International Criminal Court over his administration’s war on drugs. Court records show the petitioner challenges police conduct during the operation and seeks accountability for the deaths. The case proceeds in the domestic legal system while the ICC pursues charges related to alleged extrajudicial killings under Oplan Tokhang.

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Sara Duterte insists Duterte, not Marcos, secured Davao Bridge funds

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Vice President Sara Duterte said former president Rodrigo Duterte secured Chinese government funding for the Davao River Bridge in Bucana, Davao City, after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. cited the nearly completed structure as one of his legacy projects. She explained that planners originally budgeted only the Davao City Coastal Road and left the bridge unfunded, prompting the former president to seek financing from China. She said Chinese funding covered construction costs at no expense to the local or national governments and described the bridge as a crucial link between the southern and northern parts of Davao City.

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SC orders gov’t to return P60-B PhilHealth funds, Palace says

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The Philippine executive branch on Friday, December 5, 2025, announced it will return P60 billion in unused Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) funds in compliance with a Supreme Court order. Presidential Communications Office Secretary Dave Gomez said the government has started coordinating with fiscal agencies to identify fund sources, validate amounts, and process the remittance to PhilHealth through standard budget and accounting procedures. Officials will brief PhilHealth’s management on the transfer schedule and will submit compliance reports to the Supreme Court. Further implementation details will follow after interagency consultations.

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Marcos vows to excise corruption, calls it a cancer

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President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. pledges to intensify his administration’s anti-corruption campaign, comparing graft in government to a “cancer” that requires major systemic surgery, while acknowledging the disruption and hardship caused by reforms. He cites investigations into anomalous flood control and infrastructure projects, asset freezes worth about P12 billion, and ongoing cases filed by the Ombudsman. Separately, the Bureau of Immigration moves to deport Chinese national Cao Cheng, alleged importer of luxury cars tied to contractor couple Curlee and Sarah Discaya, after his arrest for alleged misrepresentation and use of an alias. Authorities link Cao to a suspected luxury car smuggling syndicate and report multiple vehicles with missing import entries, unpaid duties, and tax deficiencies.

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