Before ‘maleta,’ durabox used to haul ‘kickbacks,’ court told

Inquirer.net - Oct 16, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — Before they started using suitcases (“maleta”), the alleged bagmen working for then Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co used plastic bins to deliver millions of pesos in cash to various recipients as part of their share from public works kickbacks, a witness told the antigraft court on Thursday. In support of Rodante Orbillo’s

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BIR updates 2010 tax rules on shared drug discounts for seniors

Oct 16, 2026

BIR updates 2010 tax rules on shared drug discounts for seniors

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has revised its 16-year-old tax rules on senior citizen discounts to clarify how pharmaceutical companies, distributors, and retailers can claim tax deductions when they share the cost of discounts on medicines. The amendments, issued under Revenue Regulations No. 7-2026, address a gap in the original rules

P21,500 settlement ‘cut’ lands ex-fiscal in jail

Oct 16, 2026

P21,500 settlement ‘cut’ lands ex-fiscal in jail

MANILA, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan Fifth Division has found a former Taguig City senior assistant prosecutor guilty of three counts of violating the code of conduct and ethical standards for government workers after he took P21,500 as his “share” of the settlement in a homicide case in 2014. In a decision handed down on Oct.

Before ‘maleta,’ durabox used to haul ‘kickbacks,’ court told

Oct 16, 2026

Before ‘maleta,’ durabox used to haul ‘kickbacks,’ court told

MANILA, Philippines — Before they started using suitcases (“maleta”), the alleged bagmen working for then Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co used plastic bins to deliver millions of pesos in cash to various recipients as part of their share from public works kickbacks, a witness told the antigraft court on Thursday. In support of Rodante Orbillo’s

SC rolls out e-notarization Oct. 19

Oct 16, 2026

SC rolls out e-notarization Oct. 19

MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court will begin rolling out digital notarization on Oct. 19, allowing accredited notaries to provide services regardless of their physical location and easing public access to legal services. The launch of electronic notarization, or e-notarization, marks a shift from traditional notarial services, which are restricted to a notary public’s territorial

‘Macho’ hosts turn meek, apologize for mocking Kris Aquino son Josh

Oct 16, 2026

‘Macho’ hosts turn meek, apologize for mocking Kris Aquino son Josh

MANILA, Philippines — What began as macho posturing on a podcast ended in profuse apologies after its all-male hosts faced fierce backlash for mocking celebrity Kris Aquino’s son, who is on the autism spectrum. Government agencies, advocates and netizens came together on Thursday to criticize the podcast “Machong Chismisan” over its Oct. 5 episode, where

6 firms in ‘onion cartel’ face P1.76-B fines, raps

Oct 16, 2026

6 firms in ‘onion cartel’ face P1.76-B fines, raps

MANILA, Philippines —After years of investigation, the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) has imposed a record P1.76 billion in fines on six businesses and their officers for operating an onion cartel that was uncovered after onion prices surged to as much as P800 per kilogram in late 2022. At a press conference on Thursday, the antitrust

Water shortage grips Northern Samar capital as El Niño strengthens

Oct 16, 2026

Water shortage grips Northern Samar capital as El Niño strengthens

TACLOBAN CITY, LEYTE, Philippines — At least 31 of 55 barangays in Catarman, Northern Samar, are already experiencing reduced water supply as the local government prepares for worsening dry conditions brought by the El Niño phenomenon. This prompted local officials to explore additional water sources and urge residents to conserve water. The Catarman Water District

Cop fired over gun used in Tacloban school attack

Oct 16, 2026

Cop fired over gun used in Tacloban school attack

TACLOBAN CITY, LEYTE, Philippines — The National Police Commission (Napolcom) on Wednesday ordered the dismissal from service of the police officer who failed to properly secure her service firearm that was used by her 14-year-old nephew in the attack at San Jose National High School here in June. Napolcom said it found Police Staff Sgt.

Land study paves way for development of MILF camps

Oct 16, 2026

Land study paves way for development of MILF camps

COTABATO CITY, BARMM, Philippines — The government has completed a pilot study mapping land claims in six acknowledged camps of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), a key step toward resolving land issues tied to the normalization track of the Bangsamoro peace process. The findings are expected to help the Joint Task Force on Camps

Defense ministry refutes Pyongyang's claim questioning Seoul's test of hypersonic glide vehicle

Oct 16, 2026

Defense ministry refutes Pyongyang's claim questioning Seoul's test of hypersonic glide vehicle

South Korea's defense ministry on Thursday refuted a claim by North Korea's missile chief that questions Seoul's recent test launch of a hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV). Earlier in the day, Jang Chang-ha, director-general of North Korea's Missile Administration, claimed that South Korea's test of the HGV may not have achieved hypersonic flight because its outside appearance was "not stained with any soot," according to the North's Korean Central News Agency. Jang cited photos provided by South Korea after last Thursday's test, but Seoul's defense ministry countered by saying the vehicle has advanced thermal-protection technology and the visible appearance of "soot" is impossible during hypersonic flight. South Korea's military "plans to further develop technologies involved in the weaponization process of the HGV," the ministry said. In a rare public disclosure of the development of key military assets, Cheong Wa Dae unveiled South Korea's first test launch of the HGV. The test came amid rising inter-Korean tensions following the recent explosion of a land mine in the border area that inju

Farm raising beef for tables around the world faces threat from data center construction

Oct 16, 2026

Farm raising beef for tables around the world faces threat from data center construction

A fierce battle over artificial intelligence (AI) data centers, which are increasingly being seen as unwanted facilities, is erupting around the world among governments, companies and local residents. Korea, which is also moving quickly to expand AI data centers as one of the government's three megaprojects, is no exception. Where can we find clues to resolving these conflicts? To find answers, a Hankook Ilbo reporting team traveled to Australia Aug. 7-14 for a field investigation into how the country is preparing for the future with AI data centers. Australia is seeking to make AI data centers its next major growth industry after minerals and wool. Residents are banding together to make their voices heard and searching for rules that will allow people and AI data centers to coexist. In August, winter fog in the Southern Hemisphere swallowed the morning sunlight, leaving a farm in darkness as cattle awoke to the familiar voices of an elderly couple. "Did you have any trouble during the night?" "Did you sleep well?" Every morning at 7 a.m., Paul Brackenreg, 61, and Rosalind "Rose" Murphy, 7

[WEEKENDER] 'Why not Gangnam?': Data center boom fuels fear in neighborhoods kept in the dark

Oct 16, 2026

[WEEKENDER] 'Why not Gangnam?': Data center boom fuels fear in neighborhoods kept in the dark

About 20 people gather every morning in front of Geumcheon District Office in southwestern Seoul, holding signs and staging protests. Most are in their 50s and 60s and live in a large apartment complex identified only as "L," home to more than 1,700 households. Their protest, which they say is the first demonstration they have ever taken part in, marked its 203rd consecutive day on Sept. 21. They might be expected to be tired by now, but it is anger rather than fatigue that shows on their faces. The protesters are vehemently opposed to a data center. About 100 meters from the entrance to their apartment complex, construction of an eight-story data center has been underway for 11 months. Ko Young-chan, 33, a two-term member of the Geumcheon District Council who lives in L Apartment, said, "It seems data center developers came here thinking, 'Land prices in a place like Geumcheon District make the project worth trying.'" He also claimed that the data center itself would not generate tax revenue for the district. The situation is not unique to Geumcheon District. Data center projects are

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