Sara Duterte trial: Prosecution forgoes CSC exec as witness

Inquirer.net - Sep 21, 2026

MANILA, Philippines – The House prosecution panel withdrew Civil Service Commission (CSC) Assistant Commissioner Ariel Ronquillo as a witness on the preparation and filing of Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN). Ronquillo was supposed to be the first witness of the week, but House prosecutor Rep. Terry Ridon said Ronquillo’s testimony would no

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Northern Mindanao on full alert for martial law protests

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The police force in Northern Mindanao has been placed on full alert on Monday for mass actions marking the 54th anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law. Maj. Joann Navarro, Police Regional Office-10 (PRO-10) spokesperson, told the Inquirer they have deployed units to key areas to ensure public safety and

Sep 21, 2026

Sultan Kudarat cops question 13-year-old over school threats

COTABATO CITY – Police in Sultan Kudarat are investigating what prompted a 13-year-old student to allegedly issue shooting threats against a school in Lambayong town on Monday morning. Major Jayson Ortega, chief of the Lambayong municipal police station (MPS), said the matter is under “cautious investigation” due to the case’s sensitivity. The Lambayong MPS refused

Sep 21, 2026

WATCH: Prosecution drops CSC witness to speed up Sara Duterte trial

MANILA, Philippines – House prosecutor and Rep. Terry Ridon said Monday that the panel will no longer present Civil Service Commission Assistant Commissioner Ariel Ronquillo as a witness in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, as they already satisfied with the testimonies of retired Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang and Office of the

Sep 21, 2026

Sara Duterte trial: Prosecution forgoes CSC exec as witness

Sep 21, 2026

Sara Duterte impeachment trial: Who is lawyer Erwin Matib?

MANILA, Philippines —Lawyer Erwin Matib is among the private lawyers assisting the House prosecution panel in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. Matib is a partner at Pecabar Law, formerly known as Ponce Enrile Reyes & Manalastas Law Offices. He joined the firm in 2016 and currently heads its Special Projects and Tax

Sep 21, 2026

Stronger won to test chip, display firms' Q3 profitability

The strengthening Korean won is emerging as a fresh earnings risk for chipmakers, display firms and other electronics companies that rely heavily on dollar-denominated transactions, prompting brokerages to cut earnings estimates for the third quarter. According to data from the Bank of Korea, Sunday, the Korean currency traded at 1,480 won against the dollar on July 16, before strengthening to 1,413 won on Aug. 17 and 1,382 won on Sept. 17. This represents a 6.6 percent narrowing in the dollar-won exchange rate over the two-month period. The change in the dollar-won exchange rate accelerated particularly from August, with the Korean currency gaining value to 1,336 won per dollar on Sept. 9. This prompted brokerages that had based their earnings forecasts at 1,450 won per dollar to begin cutting their estimates, causing the third-quarter earnings consensus for major companies such as Samsung Electronics and SK hynix to drop. According to market tracker FnGuide, brokerages’ consensus on Samsung Electronics’ third-quarter operating profit stood at 122.35 trillion won ($88.27 billion) o

Sep 21, 2026

Authentic Korean convenience meals attract foreigners

The global popularity of Korean food has reached a point where convenience store meal boxes, known as “dosirak,” have become part of a new market trend where signature Korean flavors and traditional recipes have become a hit with international visitors and popular in new markets. Min Jung-hwan, who plans and oversees dosirak production for GS25 at GS Retail’s Merchandise Headquarters, is seeing the shift firsthand. Rather than creating separate products for foreign customers, the retailer is increasingly offering the same dosirak that appeal to Korean consumers, reflecting growing interest in authentic Korean flavors. “We don’t make dosirak that are specially for foreigners because many of them like what Koreans enjoy. Even at GS25 stores in Vietnam and Mongolia, visitors are interested in authentic Korean-style dosirak. We try to meet such expectations so that they can feel they are inside a Korean convenience store,” Min said in an interview with The Korea Times. “To serve the rising number of foreigners coming to Korea, we are boosting a pipeline for those with banchan

Sep 21, 2026

N. Korea stays quiet on Sunday's missile launches

North Korean state media remained silent early Monday morning on the country's latest missile launches. The Korean Central News Agency made no mention of Sunday's launch of two short-range ballistic missiles toward the East Sea, fired hours apart. North Korea has typically reported its missile tests the following day, though that pattern has grown inconsistent in recent months. Three missile launches last month were not reported at all, while a Sept. 12 launch, which came a day after South Korea, the United States and Japan wrapped up a trilateral military exercise, was reported two days later. North Korea on Sunday launched two missiles from the Wonsan area, roughly three hours apart — the first around 3:00 p.m. and the second at roughly 5:50 p.m. — South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said. The first flew about 450 km, while the second traveled more than 600 km, according to the JCS. The launches came ahead of the U.N. General Assembly's high-level general debate, slated to open Tuesday (U.S. time), and the upcoming summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese Presiden

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Jeonbuk National University partners with defense companies on career-linked program

Jeonbuk National University has partnered with 15 defense companies and related organizations to offer a career-linked industry-academia cooperation program covering education, scholarships, field training and employment. The university said Friday that its Department of Advanced Defense Technology and Industry hosted a workshop titled “Customized Talent Development and Recruitment-Linked Cooperation Program for the Defense Industry” at Shilla Stay Jeonju on Thursday. The workshop was attended by university officials and representatives from defense companies and related organizations that signed a memorandum of understanding with the university in June. A university official noted that the workshop was organized to translate the memorandum of understanding on the cooperation program, signed June 26, into tangible outcomes in education and recruitment. Fifteen defense companies and related organizations are participating in the partnership. The participants included Hyundai Rotem, Korea Aerospace Industries, LIG Defense & Aerospace, HS Hyosung Advanced Materials, Danam Systems, DN Sol

Sep 21, 2026

Journalist-turned-political critic becomes new presidential spokesperson

Kim Sung-wan, a journalist-turned-political commentator, has been appointed as the new presidential spokesperson, the presidential office said Monday. Kim — a former reporter with Media Today and later a radio host and political analyst —officially assumed his duties as presidential spokesperson on Monday, according to Cheong Wa Dae. "I have often had my words passed along to others, but knowing that I am now speaking directly to the media makes me feel a heavy sense of responsibility … As President Lee Jae Myung has said, I will do my best to communicate more with the public with humility," Kim told reporters. The post has remained vacant since April, when former presidential spokesperson Rep. Jeon Eun-su stepped down to prepare for the June 3 local elections. Kim's appointment adds to the current two spokespersons — Kang Yu-jung and Ahn Gwi-ryeong.

Sep 21, 2026

Gov't, ruling party agree to lenient approach for minor violations in farmland survey

The government and the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) agreed Monday to take a lenient approach to minor violations identified in an ongoing national farmland survey while cracking down on clear acts of land speculation. The country launched the comprehensive nationwide survey earlier this year in an effort to determine actual ownership of farmland and prevent it from being used as a speculative asset. The move, however, has faced criticism from the main opposition People Power Party, which has argued the survey has caused anxiety among farmers and could infringe on their property rights. "If the purpose of speculation is clear, (we) will take corrective action under the law and principles," Agriculture Minister Song Mi-ryung said in a policy meeting with DPK officials. "For minor or routine violations identified in the field, (we) will provide guidance or take alternative measures, such as making improvements to the system." The minister said the government would focus on ways to restore the intended purpose of farmland rather than immediately taking action against violations. Rep.

Sep 21, 2026

Lee's approval rating rises for 1st time in 10 weeks to 34.8%: poll

President Lee Jae Myung's approval rating rose for the first time in 10 weeks last week, helped by his clarification of key political issues during a press conference, a pollster said Monday. In a poll conducted on 2,507 adults nationwide from last Monday to Friday, positive assessments of Lee's job performance rose by 1 percentage point from the previous week to 34.8 percent, while negative assessments rose 0.1 percentage point to 63.4 percent, Realmeter said. It marked the first time in 10 weeks that Lee's approval rating rose following a 48.9 percent rating on July 13. There was a gradual increase throughout the week from 32.9 percent Tuesday and 32.1 percent Wednesday to 35.3 percent Thursday and 37.2 percent Friday, the day he held the press conference. "At the start of the week, his approval rating continued to decline due to controversy over personnel vetting and the repercussion of the confirmation hearings," the pollster said. Lee's approval rating was beset by controversy surrounding the qualifications of Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won and Gender Equality Minister nomin

Sara Duterte trial: Prosecution forgoes CSC exec as witness

MORE NEWS

Northern Mindanao on full alert for martial law protests

Sultan Kudarat cops question 13-year-old over school threats

WATCH: Prosecution drops CSC witness to speed up Sara Duterte trial

Sara Duterte trial: Prosecution forgoes CSC exec as witness

Sara Duterte impeachment trial: Who is lawyer Erwin Matib?

Stronger won to test chip, display firms' Q3 profitability

Authentic Korean convenience meals attract foreigners

N. Korea stays quiet on Sunday's missile launches

Jeonbuk National University partners with defense companies on career-linked program

Journalist-turned-political critic becomes new presidential spokesperson

Gov't, ruling party agree to lenient approach for minor violations in farmland survey

Lee's approval rating rises for 1st time in 10 weeks to 34.8%: poll

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