Ombudsman suspends Cavite town mayor amid illegal gambling probe

Inquirer.net - Nov 12, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Ombudsman imposed a preventive suspension against Rosario, Cavite Mayor Jose Voltaire Ricafrente over his alleged involvement in gambling activities at a casino in Bacolod City.  According to the Office of Ombudsman on Thursday, the case stemmed from a complaint filed by its Field Investigation Office I after conducting

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Carpio’s pal says 11 people chipped in for P200,000 meal in Tokyo

Nov 12, 2026

Carpio’s pal says 11 people chipped in for P200,000 meal in Tokyo

MANILA, Philippines – A witness in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte testified on Thursday that 11 people chipped in for a P200,000 meal in Tokyo, which was paid for using the credit card of Duterte’s husband, Atty. Manases Carpio. Anel Martin Antero took the witness stand in connection with the prosecution’s allegation

When government AI gives wrong answers, who is accountable?

Nov 12, 2026

When government AI gives wrong answers, who is accountable?

MANILA, Philippines – Days after its September 21, 2026 launch, the Philippine government’s AI assistant, Kuya A, incorrectly named US President Donald Trump as the Philippine president.  When challenged, it named former US President Joe Biden before giving the correct answer, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the following morning. Integrated into the eGovPH Super App, Kuya A

First female PMA alumna rises to Army brigadier general

Nov 12, 2026

First female PMA alumna rises to Army brigadier general

BAGUIO CITY — One of the first female graduates of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) and its first female summa cum laude has been promoted to Army Brigadier General. Army Brig. Gen. Leah Lorenzo Santiago was accorded arrival honors at the military school’s Sundial on Tuesday after receiving her one rank bump-up along with 12 other

Escudero reminds senator-judges vs threatening, insulting witnesses

Nov 12, 2026

Escudero reminds senator-judges vs threatening, insulting witnesses

MANILA, Philippines – Senate impeachment court presiding officer Francis “Chiz” Escudero on Thursday reminded his fellow senator-judges to refrain from threatening witnesses with the use of their contempt powers or making insulting remarks against them. In recent days, some senator-judges, including Escudero himself, have expressed displeasure with defense witnesses who softened their testimonies or could

PNP boosts security ahead of Asean Summit, holiday travel rush

Nov 12, 2026

PNP boosts security ahead of Asean Summit, holiday travel rush

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) is stepping up security operations nationwide ahead of an expected influx of travelers during the extended holiday break, which coincides with the country’s hosting of the 49th Asean Summit. PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. instructed all police regional offices to increase police visibility in anticipation

Prosecution seeks clarity on VP Duterte’s alleged dollar accounts

Nov 12, 2026

Prosecution seeks clarity on VP Duterte’s alleged dollar accounts

MANILA, Philippines — The prosecution has raised concerns over Vice President Sara Duterte’s alleged dollar accounts after her defense team dropped a Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) official from its witness list before the Senate Impeachment Court. Defense team spokesperson Michael Poa said the testimony of BPI senior vice president and lawyer Paul Roderick

How social aid could fund green jobs and reforestation

Nov 12, 2026

How social aid could fund green jobs and reforestation

Despite the Philippines spending hundreds of billions of pesos annually on social assistance programs, poverty, environmental degradation, watershed decline, biodiversity loss, flooding and climate vulnerability persist. At the same time, decades of reforestation efforts have produced mixed results because success has frequently been measured by the number of hectares planted rather than the number of

'The old America is gone': OPCON transfer is Korea's answer to changing US, Moon Chung-in says

Nov 12, 2026

'The old America is gone': OPCON transfer is Korea's answer to changing US, Moon Chung-in says

Korea's push to regain wartime operational control (OPCON) of its military is not just an attempt to reclaim military sovereignty, but a necessary response to a fundamental shift in the United States' foreign and security policy, according to Moon Chung-in, a former presidential special adviser. In an interview with The Korea Times on Tuesday, Moon, currently a professor emeritus at Yonsei University, argued that President Lee Jae Myung's pursuit of OPCON transfer comes in line with Washington's growing expectation that Seoul assume primary responsibility for its own defense, rather than the self-reliant defense agenda set by former President Roh Moo-hyun. "The U.S. is changing, but we are still clinging to the old America. The old America is gone," Moon said. He pointed to U.S. President Donald Trump's repeated demands that Korea shoulder a greater share of its defense burden. Under such an arrangement, Korean forces would take the lead in conventional defense against North Korea, while U.S. forces would provide complementary capabilities in areas where Seoul remains relatively weak, i

India, Guatemala highlight coffee for global consumers at Seoul cafe show

Nov 12, 2026

India, Guatemala highlight coffee for global consumers at Seoul cafe show

Coffee brands, roasters, experts and authorities from around the world are gathering in Seoul for the 25th Seoul International Cafe Show, a four-day event that kicked off Wednesday. This year, India and Guatemala took part in one of the event’s flagship programs, Origin Discovery, showcasing their coffee traditions and explaining how their distinctive beans have won loyal followings among coffee lovers worldwide. Organized by the Coffee Board under the Government of India, a session titled Coffees of India introduced the country’s history of coffee cultivation, which dates back to the 1600s and reached its commercial zenith in the 18th century. Indian coffees, including Arabica, Robusta and Excelsa varieties, have been cultivated across Western Ghats — a biodiversity hotspot recognized by the UNESCO — as well as Eastern Ghats and Northeastern states. Amulya K.G., director of the Coffee Board and the host of the session, said there are 441,000 coffee farms in India, 99 percent of which are small holdings of less than 10 hectares. India is the world’s fifth largest coffee export

Luxury van market heats up in Korea as Mercedes-Benz joins rivalry with V-Class

Nov 12, 2026

Luxury van market heats up in Korea as Mercedes-Benz joins rivalry with V-Class

Mercedes-Benz Korea has entered the nation's fast-growing luxury van market with the V-Class, intensifying competition in a segment previously dominated by Toyota’s Alphard and Lexus LM. The German luxury carmaker launched Wednesday the seven-seat V-Class as a single-trim model priced at 124 million won ($92,700), targeting customers looking for a premium vehicle that combines passenger capacity with a high level of comfort. The launch comes as demand for high-end vans grows in Korea, particularly among business executives, celebrities and families seeking more spacious and comfortable transportation. Toyota and Lexus have established a strong presence in the segment with their Alphard and LM models, respectively. The two brands have benefited from growing demand for premium multipurpose vehicles that offer more space and comfort than conventional luxury sedans and SUVs. The arrival of Mercedes-Benz is expected to intensify competition by giving consumers another premium option. The V-Class luxury van is only available for a diesel powertrain here. The V-Class is positioned as a more sp

Deutsche Bank urges Korean financial markets to match its companies' global reach

Nov 12, 2026

Deutsche Bank urges Korean financial markets to match its companies' global reach

Deutsche Bank said Korea needs to improve financial market accessibility and regulatory predictability to attract more global capital, as its world-class companies continue to underpin the country's investment appeal. In a recent exclusive interview with The Korea Times, Alexander von zur Muehlen, Deutsche Bank's CEO of Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East & Africa and Germany, said "few economies have produced such a concentration of globally competitive companies across strategically important industries" as Korea has. "The next step is to make its financial markets as international as its companies," said von zur Muehlen, who is also a member of the bank's management board. "Greater openness, simplicity and predictability can help broaden international participation." Korea has been opening its financial markets to global investors, introducing 24-hour foreign exchange trading in July. The country also allows foreign institutions to participate directly in its onshore foreign exchange market through the Registered Foreign Institution program, with Deutsche Bank among the first participa

Lee calls for unity at dinner meeting with DPK leaders

Nov 12, 2026

Lee calls for unity at dinner meeting with DPK leaders

President Lee Jae Myung called for unity between the government and the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) as he held a dinner meeting with DPK leader Kim Min-seok and floor leader Han Byung-do on Wednesday, his office said. During the dinner at Cheong Wa Dae, Kim asked the government for bold and swift measures to overcome polarization and boost consumption, presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said in a written briefing. In response, Lee stressed the need for the party and the government to "move as one" in order for the people's lives to improve, and asked that the party and the National Assembly extend their active support to get the government's 2027 budget proposal passed, Kang said. Lee also asked his chief of staff, Lim Kwang-hyun, and senior political affairs secretary, Choi In-ho, to closely communicate with the National Assembly at all times. Lim and Choi were among the dinner participants. Though there had been speculation Lee and the party leaders could discuss controversial issues, such as real estate taxes and a special counsel bill on alleged fabricated indictments,

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