Witness: VP earned P2M from ‘loose investment’

Inquirer.net - Nov 12, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte received P2.14 million from GenCorp Industries Inc. between 2022 and 2025 as what a defense witness described as a “return of capital” on a “loose investment” in a Jollibee branch in Davao City, the Senate impeachment court heard on Wednesday. However, the company’s in-house counsel, lawyer Suzette Balucanag-Punay,

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Cops destroy P38M in contraband cigarettes in Bacolod City

Nov 12, 2026

Cops destroy P38M in contraband cigarettes in Bacolod City

BACOLOD CITY, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Philippines — The police destroyed around P38.78 million worth of suspected illicit and untaxed cigarettes at the Bacolod City Sanitary Landfill in Barangay Felisa on Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 11. The Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) led by  PCol. Eugene N. Rebadomia partnered with concerned government agencies to perform the joint inspection

Random tests in Negros Occ. show 10 gov’t workers positive for drug use

Nov 12, 2026

Random tests in Negros Occ. show 10 gov’t workers positive for drug use

BACOLOD CITY, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Philippines — Confirmatory tests conducted by the Department of Health (DOH) revealed that 10 Negros Occidental provincial government employees tested positive for illegal drug use. Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz made the announcement on Wednesday, Nov. 11, adding that one employee tested negative while results for three others remain pending. The testing

W. Visayas cops net 32 suspects, P2.3M in meth during 24-hour crackdown

Nov 12, 2026

W. Visayas cops net 32 suspects, P2.3M in meth during 24-hour crackdown

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — Personnel of Police Regional Office 6 (PRO6) arrested 32 individuals and seized some P2.29 million worth of suspected illegal drugs in a series of coordinated operations across Western Visayas, authorities said on Tuesday. The intensified anti-crime drive, conducted from 6 a.m. on Nov. 9 to 5:59 a.m. on Nov. 10, also

'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,

N. Korea's Kim inspects east coast naval base under construction, urges timely completion

Nov 12, 2026

N. Korea's Kim inspects east coast naval base under construction, urges timely completion

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has inspected a major naval base under construction on the east coast, calling the project "crucial" to the country's security and maritime sovereignty, state media reported Thursday. Kim made the remarks during his Wednesday visit and urged the construction work to be finished within the deadline set by the ruling Workers' Party of Korea (WPK), the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said. Accompanied by Pak Jong-chon, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission of the WPK, Kim was briefed on the progress of the project by commanding officers at the site. Kim called for building "as early as possible" a Korean-style naval command center, a hub of naval culture and a center of naval combat capability, along with the base's infrastructure, according to the KCNA. "As the construction of the modern naval base is a crucial core undertaking directly related to the security of our state and the defense of its maritime sovereignty from A to Z, it should be completed without fail" to the standard required by the party and within the period it has set, he was qu

Congressman-elect Koh expresses concerns over S. Korea-US alliance under Trump administration

Nov 12, 2026

Congressman-elect Koh expresses concerns over S. Korea-US alliance under Trump administration

WASHINGTON — Korean American Congressman-elect Dan Koh expressed concern Wednesday over the state of the South Korea-U.S. alliance under President Donald Trump, pledging to help restore bilateral ties while questioning the prospects of productive diplomacy between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Koh, a Democrat who won a House seat representing Massachusetts in last week's midterm elections, made the remarks during a press conference hosted by the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus in Washington. "I'm very concerned about the relationship," Koh said, stressing that the alliance should remain strong regardless of whether a Republican or Democratic president occupies the White House. In the past, Koh served as a White House official during former President Joe Biden's administration and chief of staff of former Boston Mayor Marty Walsh. He criticized Trump's treatment of Korean immigrants and Korean workers in the U.S., citing an incident involving South Koreans in Georgia last year, as well as the administration's tariff policies toward U.S. allies. "So I will be doin

Gov't to curb incumbents' influence over CEO selection process in sweeping corporate governance overhaul

Nov 12, 2026

Gov't to curb incumbents' influence over CEO selection process in sweeping corporate governance overhaul

The government is set to prevent incumbent CEOs at financial companies from having an undue influence on appointing their successors, while imposing tougher voting requirements for bank holding company chiefs who seek to extend their tenure, according to financial authorities, Thursday. The measures are part of a long-delayed corporate governance reform package unveiled by the Lee Jae Myung administration and the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), aimed at making leadership succession more transparent and strengthening board independence across the financial sector. The Financial Services Commission (FSC) plans to draw up amendments to the Act on Corporate Governance of Financial Companies within the year. The changes are expected to take effect six months after the legislation is passed. A central focus is to give independent directors greater control over leadership succession and strengthen their ability to hold management accountable. Under the proposed changes, committees responsible for nominating CEO candidates would consist entirely of independent directors. Sitting CEOs wou

Korea opens final 2026 round of foreign worker permits

Nov 12, 2026

Korea opens final 2026 round of foreign worker permits

Korea will accept its final round of applications this year for foreign worker visas starting Nov. 23, offering 6,699 new permits to help businesses ease persistent labor shortages while introducing incentives for employers who complete human rights and labor law training, the Ministry of Employment and Labor said Thursday. The five-day application window, running through Nov. 27, covers nonprofessional employment visas, known as E-9, across five major sectors. Manufacturing accounts for the lion’s share of the quota with 4,510 slots, followed by agriculture and livestock with 954, fisheries with 897, construction with 198 and services with 140. Should employer demand exceed sector caps, officials said they will tap into a flexible reserve pool of 10,000 additional permits. The announcement underscores Korea’s growing reliance on overseas labor to sustain its export-driven factories, farms and fishing fleets amid one of the world’s fastest-aging populations and lowest birthrates. Over the past several years, the government has steadily expanded its Employment Permit System, which

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