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Catriona Gray reacts to Miss Universe s fake inclusivity issue
Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray hoped that the Miss Universe Organization (MUO) would prove that the pageant's inclusivity shouldn't be seen as "token thing" after owner Anne Jakrajutatip had a leaked viral video about the pageant's alleged "fake inclusivity." .....»»
3 caught smuggling P4.3M worth of marijuana in Kalinga
Authorities seized around P4.3 million worth of marijuana bricks from three alleged drug smugglers from Valenzuela City at a checkpoint in Brgy Dangoy, Lubuagan, Kalinga......»»
Talisay drug bust: E-bike driver, cohort caught with P68,000 shabu
CEBU CITY, Philippines – An e-bike driver and his alleged female cohort landed in jail after getting arrested during a buy-bust operation in Talisay City, Cebu on Thursday evening, January 4, 2024. Both arrested persons are described by police as high-value individuals (HVIs). READ: Christmas eve drug bust: Shabu worth P13.6M seized in Cebu City.....»»
Cebu Daily Newscast: Alleged mastermind in pawnshop heist nabbed in Argao
Listen to Cebu Daily Newscast and get the latest stories in and around Cebu. Here are the top stories as of Wednesday, November 29, 2023. Robbery update: Alleged mastermind in pawnshop heist nabbed in Argao Authorities in Cebu believed they had caught the alleged mastermind in the daring broad daylight pawnshop robbery on Colon Street.....»»
Gun-for-hire group members nabbed in Bohol, P300K shabu seized
CEBU CITY, Philippines – Members of a suspected gun-for-hire group that is based in Bohol landed in jail after they were caught by authorities during a buy-bust operation early on Thursday morning, October 19,2023. The anti-illegal drugs operation was made in Purok 1, Barangay Danao in Panglao, Bohol at around 6:30 a.m. Two of the arrested persons were identified as Regie Abundo and his alleged cohort, Christian Manayaga. Also arrested were their “associates” who were identified as Bridget Rose Olaivar and Princess Vanna Cutaran. Meanwhile, two minors were also rescued during the buy-bust operation. Police described the suspects as high-value individuals (HVI) who are part of an “emerging” gun-for-hire group. Authorities recovered from their possession 55 grams of suspected shabu worth at least P374,000; a .9mm pistol loaded with 9 live ammunitions; and a KG-9 sub machine gun with 19 live ammunitions. The buy-bust operation was organized by the Provincial Intelligence Unit (PIU)/ Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (PDEU) of the Bohol Police Provincial Office together with the Panglao Municipal Police Station and Dauis Municipal Police Station. Gun-for-hire group Police Lieutenant Colonel Gerard Ace Pelare, spokesperson of the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7), said that based on their investigation, the arrested individuals were part of a gun-for-hire group. He said that the highly-organized group may have been responsible for previous drug-related shooting incidents in Bohol province. “Sa atong investigation nga gihimo, kini nga grupo na-involve ni sila sa mga drug-related shootings in Bohol previously. So, atoning gitan-aw. What we are going to do is we conduct ballistic examination sa armas nga nakuha, atong i-match didto sa mga previous shooting incidents,” he said. Pelare said that they will be conducting backtracking as part of their ongoing investigation. “We are now considering backtracking of shooting incidents in previous months kay naa tay nakita nga mga information nag na-involve sila sa drug-related incidents,” he said. Surveillance According to Pelare, local authorities conducted surveillance and intelligence monitoring to gather evidence before the conduct of the buy-bust operation. He also disclosed that they received information that the group may have been used to commit crimes and disrupt the conduct of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections scheduled on October 30. “Ato sang nakita nga kining grupoha, possible untang magamit sa Barangay and SK elections by some unscrupulous political candidates. But because of this aggressive operation instructed and supervised by our Regional Director Police Brigadier.....»»
In Bohol, man accused of stalking then killing 25-year-old woman
CEBU CITY, Philippines – A 25-year-old woman was killed by her alleged stalker in Talibon town in Bohol on Friday, October 13, 2023. Police in Talibon Police Station confirmed that a stabbing incident occurred at Purok 4, Brgy. Calituban, Talibon, and claimed the life of a female college graduate. The victim was identified as Rosana Amorin, who is also a resident of the same area. The suspect, Jerald Garcia, is currently under police custody. Amorin sustained a total of eight stab wounds, said Police Corporal Elton Jan Fuentes who is part of the investigating team. Citing their initial findings, Fuentes said Garcia had allegedly been stalking Amorin before committing the crime. A few days prior to her untimely demise, the victim had apparently caught the suspect trailing her. She called out his attention, said Fuentes. Police believed personal grudge as Garcia’s motive in attacking and then killing Amorin. “Basin nauwaw (pagkahuman nasakpan siya nga nagsunod-sunod sa biktima),” Fuentes added. According to investigators, the crime took place around 3:30 a.m. on Friday. The suspect trespassed the Amorins’ residence by accessing the house’s back door, which was unlocked. Garcia, carrying a kitchen knife, went towards the victim’s room where she was sleeping. The victim’s older brother told the police he suddenly woke up after hearing Rosana’s screams. He rushed to her room where he reportedly saw the suspect clutching the knife and the younger Amorin bathed in her own blood. The brother immediately apprehended Garcia, and called the authorities. Neighbors have also heard the commotion and helped the older Amorin bring Garcia to the barangay hall. Rosana was rushed to a nearby hospital but she succumbed to her stab wounds shortly. Fuentes said they will file murder charges against Garcia on Monday, October 16. In the meantime, police continue to verify reports that the suspect had apparently been under the influence of illegal drugs when he committed the crime. Police have also seized the murder weapon from Garcia. RELATED STORIES Robbery eyed in death of taxi operator, who was shot, stabbed in Cebu City house Construction worker jailed for stabbing woman he suspected as pickpocket, sex worker.....»»
PBBM says govt will not tolerate agri hoarders as rice smugglers apprehended
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. reiterated that the government would not tolerate smugglers plaguing the agriculture sector as the government has already apprehended four rice traders for alleged smuggling and hoarding of rice. Speaking during the distribution of rice in Taguig on Wednesday, Marcos said the government will not tolerate those who take advantage and harm our livelihood and the entire agricultural sector. Marcos Jr. cited Republic Act No. 10845, which allows for the imprisonment for life and double fines for those proven to be smuggling agricultural products, including all associated taxes, duties, and charges. He also highlighted Republic Act No. 7581, which imposes heavy penalties on individuals caught illegally stockpiling supplies. Marcos also said that the government has charged four violators for violating the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, the Rice Tariffication Law, and the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016. "We have now filed charges against San Pedro Warehouse and Blue Sakura Agri Grain Corporation, F.S. Ostia Rice Mill, and Gold Rush Rice Mill for their actions," Marcos said. He also emphasized that there is no rice shortage in the country and placed the blame squarely on smugglers, hoarders, and price manipulators for the fluctuating prices. "You know, there shouldn't be any problem with rice. We have an abundant supply. Our buffer stock, as they say, our reserves are at 30 days, and it's steadily increasing," Marcos said, adding that the country would have more than 70 days of rice buffer after the harvest. President Marcos Jr. also commended the efforts of ordinary citizens engaged in urban farming initiatives in Taguig. He applauded projects like the BGC Community Farm, situated in the heart of Bonifacio Global City, and the City Farm led by student Anna Beatriz Suavengco, showcasing the cultivation of vegetables in an urban farm in North Signal, Taguig. The Taguig Agriculture Office was not left out of the President's praise, as he lauded their extensive efforts to promote urban gardening in communities. The post PBBM says govt will not tolerate agri hoarders as rice smugglers apprehended appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Limasawa cop axed for ‘planting’ evidence
TACLOBAN CITY — A policeman based in Limasawa, Southern Leyte was ordered relieved from his post after he was caught in a viral video planting a pack of cigarettes as evidence against a sari-sari store last 30 September. Southern Leyte Provincial Police Office director P/Col. Hector Enage on Sunday said that he ordered the immediate relief of cop identified as P/Cpl. Ruel Arot of Limasawa Municipal Police Station to give way to an investigation by the provincial police office on the incident. The viral video showed that Arot was conducting a routine inspection of the store due to alleged repeated reports that the owner was violating a local ordinance that prohibits selling of cigarettes. It also showed him stating the Miranda rights normally read to accused of a crime. When the owner asked why he is read of the Miranda rights, the police took a pack of cigarette from his sling bag and put it right in front of the owner as if it was his proof of violation. The post Limasawa cop axed for ‘planting’ evidence appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
6 minors in online sex rescued
The National Bureau of Investigation yesterday said they nabbed two persons while six minors were rescued from alleged online sexual exploitation activities in Manila. Those arrested were identified as Lynette S. Cruz and Paulo R. dela Cruz who were caught last 8 September during an entrapment operation conducted by the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking and the NBI. The operatives were armed with a Warrant to Search, Seize and Examine Computer Data. The NBI said that aside from the rescuing six minors, the operation “also resulted in the seizure of various inventory indicated in the WSSECD.” The two subsequently were charged before the Department of Justice with violations of Republic Act 11930, the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials Act; RA 9208, the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act, as amended; and RA 7610, the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act. The operation was conducted after the NBI Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Division received “information from Homeland Security Investigation Manila regarding an alleged facilitator in the Philippines who transmits sexually exploitative images and videos of minors to United States.” “NBI-AVAWCD reviewed the pieces of evidence which include child sexual abuse or exploitation materials, Skype and WhatsApp chat logs, Paypal Subpoena results, and screen record of video call through Skype between Subject Lynette and the poseur-customer,” it said. It added that operatives also went to HSI Manila Headquarters and it was found that Lynette was still offering live streaming and sexual shows. The post 6 minors in online sex rescued appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
OTS on fire anew as passenger loses $300
As a video of two US-TSA screening officers taking things from bags in trays lined up at the x-ray machine went viral over the weekend, another episode of theft at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 has allegedly included the Office for Transportation Security. A press release from the OTS only came out on Monday afternoon, confirming the incident involving one of their Security Screening Officers at NAIA. But the issue began circulating in social media group chats as early as last week. Notably, the press release was also issued after a member of the Airport Press Club confirmed with the OTS public information office that such information was true. The said release did not contain vital details of the incident, referring to when, where, and how the alleged theft happened. Information revealed that the incident happened as early as 8 a.m., at Terminal 1 of NAIA. After going through the final security check, a departing passenger who is a foreign national, reportedly complained of having lost $300 in cash and was creating a commotion about the incident. The alleged theft was reportedly committed by one of the OTS SSO at that time, a female, while the passenger was passing through the final security check on the said terminal. It can be recalled that six months ago (22 February 2023), five personnel of the OTS assigned at the NAIA Terminal 2 were suspended after two videos of them went viral on social media, taking money from a transiting Thai tourist identified as Kitja Thabthim. The amount involved was 40,000 yen. A few days later, another screening officer was caught on CCTV stealing a watch of a Chinese passenger at the NAIA Terminal 1. Passenger Sun Yuhong complained that his watch was missing in his bag after he was screened by Valeriano Ricaplaza Jr., 31. Ricaplaza was later nabbed by members of the Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group. Closed-circuit television footage at NAIA Terminal 1 reveals a female personnel from the OTS swallowing the $300 taken from a departing Chinese passenger in what appears to be an effort to get rid of the evidence after the passenger complained about losing his money shortly after his bag had passed through at the final security checkpoint. Records from the airport authorities, which identified the involved OTS personnel as a female SSO and stated that an x-ray operator and her supervisor also had a part to play in the incident, provided evidence to support this. The post OTS on fire anew as passenger loses $300 appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
OTS on fire anew as another theft incident uncovered at NAIA-1
As a video of two US-TSA screening officers taking things from bags in trays lined up at the x-ray machine went viral over the weekend, another theft incident at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 has been uncovered. A press release from the Office for Transportation Security (OTS) came out on Monday afternoon, confirming the incident involving one of their security screening officers (SSO) at NAIA. But the issue began circulating in social media group chats as early as last week. Notably, the press release was also issued after a member of the Airport Press Club (APC) confirmed with the OTS public information office that such information was true. The said release did not contain vital details of the incident, referring to when, where, and how the alleged theft happened. Information revealed that the incident happened as early as 8 September 2023 at the NAIA Terminal 1. After going through the final security check, a departing passenger who is a foreign national reportedly complained of having lost US$300 in cash and was creating a commotion about the incident. The alleged theft was reportedly committed by one of the OTS security screening officers at that time, a female, while the passenger was passing through the final security check at the said terminal. It can be recalled that six months ago 22 February 2023), five personnel of the OTS assigned at the NAIA Terminal 2 were suspended after two videos of them went viral on social media, as they were shown taking money from a transiting Thai tourist identified as Kitja Thabthim. The amount involved was 40,000 yen. A few days later, another screening officer was caught on CCTV stealing a watch of a Chinese passenger at the NAIA Terminal 1. Passenger Sun Yuhong complained that his watch was missing from his bag after he was screened by Valeriano Ricaplaza Jr., age 31. Ricaplaza was later nabbed by members of the Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group. The post OTS on fire anew as another theft incident uncovered at NAIA-1 appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Absent Trump expected to steal show at Republican debate
Eight Republican presidential candidates face off for the first primary debate of the 2024 cycle on Wednesday -- with frontrunner Donald Trump bidding to steal the spotlight despite spurning the showdown. The former president announced at the weekend that he would not be in Milwaukee for the two-hour event, depriving a chasing pack of rivals -- whom he leads by a historic margin -- of the opportunity to take shots at him. "President Trump has already won this evening's debate because everything is going to be about him," said Chris LaCivita, a senior aide on the 77-year-old billionaire's campaign. "Only President Trump has the policy ideas, the fortitude, and the polling to go head-to-head with Crooked Joe Biden in the general election." With the largest polling lead in more than 40 years of Republican presidential nominating contests, Trump has made clear he sees no benefit to standing on a debate stage and opening himself up to hits from the rest of the field. He announced Wednesday that he is planning counterprogramming that will consist of a pre-recorded interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, to be posted online just as the debate gets underway. "'SPARKS WILL FLY.' ENJOY!" he teased on his social network, Truth Social. Despite his no-show, Trump is expected to loom over the debate stage in Wisconsin's largest city, with his multiple prosecutions set to be the subject of questions from the Fox News hosts moderating the event. I can take it The former reality TV star is even planning to deprive his rivals of post-debate headlines as he surrenders to authorities in Atlanta Thursday afternoon over his fourth indictment of the year, for an alleged criminal conspiracy to steal the 2020 election. His former attorney Rudy Giuliani, who is charged with racketeering in the case alongside Trump and 17 other co-defendants, headed to Georgia's capital hours before the debate to turn himself in. "I'm a big boy. I can take it. I have fought battles much worse than this," Giuliani, a former federal prosecutor, told reporters outside his New York residence. For Trump's closest rival, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, the name of the game will be to reverse his flagging poll numbers and demonstrate that he is a viable alternative to the frontrunner. Candidates will likely be asked about competition with China and America's foreign policy in Ukraine and Russia -- an issue that caused DeSantis to stumble early in the campaign. With a seismic shift needed to dethrone Trump, many commentators were viewing the debate as primarily a showcase for candidates angling to be Trump's running mate. Lower profile candidates like businessman Vivek Ramaswamy will see the debate as a chance to introduce themselves to the wider public -- and perhaps make their case for jobs in a future Trump administration. "Tonight's Republican undercard event really shouldn’t even be called a debate, but rather an audition to be a part of President Trump's team in his second term," LaCivita said. Not a coronation However, analysts have argued that with more than four months until the first nomination votes in Iowa and New Hampshire, it is way too early to call the race. "If the same person finishes first or second in Iowa and New Hampshire, this becomes a two-person race no matter how many other people (are) in it... Nobody's caught the wave yet but somebody's going to and when they do, Trump's going to have a race on his hands," former US senator Judd Gregg told political outlet The Hill. Trump dodged a debate in Iowa in 2016, ensuring that his closest rival Ted Cruz took all the heat, although the Texas senator went on to win the Iowa vote days later. The DeSantis team is expecting a similar dynamic on Wednesday, although US media reported that political newcomer Ramaswamy is also likely to be attacked over inconsistencies in his policy statements. Trump won't have it all his way, though, with distant underdogs Chris Christie and Asa Hutchinson both hoping for a breakout moment skewering the former president and his former vice president Mike Pence unlikely to pull his punches. Christie is also expected to go after DeSantis over his awkwardness on the campaign trail and a memo posted online by the leading political organization supporting his campaign, urging him to defend Trump. "I think it's fair when these other candidates say it's not a coronation, it's an election," debate co-moderator Bret Baier said in an interview this week with conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt. The post Absent Trump expected to steal show at Republican debate appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
3 alleged QC thieves captured
Three alleged thieves were nabbed over the weekend by operatives of the Quezon City Police District. In the first incident, Erwin Albaniel Dizon, 30, was arrested by QCPD Masambong Police Station after his boss and accounting staff complained that he gambled the P45,000 he withdrew from a bank. Dizon was the liaison officer of the company and was tasked to withdraw the company money at the BDO West Avenue Branch. However, instead of depositing the money, Dizon purportedly used it for online gambling. The victim and the accounting staff filed a complaint with the police, which led to Dizon’s arrest. He was found in possession of five bet list receipts from a 7-11 convenience store, with a total amount of P45,000. In the second incident, the QCPD Kamuning Police Station arrested Rommel dela Peña, 23, and Casper Reyeg, 26, for alleged cable theft and resisting arrest. The suspects were reportedly caught cutting cable wires from an iron pole in Barangay Pinyahan. When the police approached them, the suspects fled. The police gave chase and eventually arrested them. Reyeg tried to resist arrest, but the police were able to subdue him. The suspects were found in possession of a metal steel hacksaw, a 7-inch knife, a black backpack, and five meters of cable wire. They will all be charged in court. The post 3 alleged QC thieves captured appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Alleged ‘Salisi Gang’ members caught in Cebu City mall
CEBU CITY, Philippines – Police arrested five alleged members of a ‘Salisi gang’ who victimized shoppers inside a mall at the South Road Properties in Barangay Mambaling, Cebu City on Wednesday, August 2, 2023. The arrested persons were identified as Jessica Sarco, 35; Mark Anthony Balan, 30; Mark Anthony Aragosa, 28; Jericho Sarco, 24; and […] The post Alleged ‘Salisi Gang’ members caught in Cebu City mall appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
US actor Kevin Spacey cleared of UK sex offenses
Hollywood actor Kevin Spacey was acquitted on Wednesday in Britain of nine alleged sex offenses, in the latest court victory for the Oscar winner who was one of the first huge stars felled by the #MeToo movement. The star of "American Beauty" and drama series "House of Cards", who turned 64 on Wednesday, was acquitted by majority verdicts in London following a trial lasting several weeks. "I'm enormously grateful to the jury for having taken the time to examine all of the evidence and all of the facts carefully before they reached their decision and I am humbled by the outcome today," he told reporters outside court. It comes less than a year after a New York court dismissed a $40 million sexual misconduct civil lawsuit brought against him, and follows charges of indecent and sexual assault being dropped in Massachusetts in 2019. Spacey's once-stellar career has been halted by the various allegations of sexual offences, which first emerged in 2017 and which he has always denied. The actor told Germany's Die Zeit that he expected to mount a comeback following the acquittal. "I know that there are people right now who are ready to hire me the moment I am cleared of these charges in London," he told the German national weekly. "The second that happens, they're ready to move forward." Madness The jury in London, which began considering the charges on Monday, cleared Spacey of all nine counts that he faced, after more than 12 hours of deliberations. The alleged offences included seven counts of sexual assault, one count of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent, and one count of causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity without consent. They were said to have occurred in 2005 and 2008 in London, and in 2013 in Gloucestershire, western England. Jurors heard evidence from the four alleged victims, who cannot be named for legal reasons. British rock star Elton John was also among those to testify, as a witness for Spacey. The prosecution claimed he was a "sexual bully" who revelled in making others feel uncomfortable, including by aggressively grabbing men's crotches. One of victims, a former aspiring actor, said he woke up to find Spacey performing a sex act on him, suggesting the actor "drugged" him. He was accused of grabbing another man's crotch "so hard" while driving to a fundraising event, that the car nearly came off the road. Spacey, whose full name is Kevin Spacey Fowler, called the claims "madness" and a "stab in the back". He had been on unconditional bail since first being charged in Britain last year, and on Wednesday walked out of the south London court a free man. The Crown Prosecution Service said it had charged him following "a thorough investigation" by London's Metropolitan Police. "It is the role of the jury to consider the charges and we respect the decision of the court," a spokesman added. Career success Spacey enjoyed a highly successful decades-spanning career with roles such as a middle-aged father lusting after a teen in "American Beauty," a serial killer in "Se7en" and the villain in "Superman Returns". He worked as artistic director at London's Old Vic Theatre between 2004 and 2015. In 2017 he was one of the first stars caught up in the global #MeToo movement as he was accused of sexual assault by multiple young men. He was dropped from the final season of the political drama "House of Cards" and other projects. A New York court dismissed a $40 million civil sexual misconduct lawsuit brought against him in October last year. The complainant, actor Anthony Rapp, alleged the star had assaulted him when he was 14. He brought the civil case after being told it was too late to bring a criminal charge but failed to convince the jury in that case. In 2019, charges of indecent and sexual assault were dropped against Spacey in Massachusetts. The post US actor Kevin Spacey cleared of UK sex offenses appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
POGO’s 2022 tax payment up 127% to P8.88-B
After the pandemic's economic recovery, tax and gaming officials in the country reported positive numbers for Philippine offshore gambling businesses even though the number of POGOs in the country is going down. Data from the Department of Finance (DOF) showed that tax payments made by POGOs to the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) surged by 127 percent to P8.88 billion in 2022 from P3.91 billion in the previous year. POGO companies also paid P805.99 million in income taxes, P43.2 million in business taxes, P19.42 million in document tax stamps, and P9 million in other taxes. The big tax increase aligns with what Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) Chair and CEO Alejandro Tengco said. He said that gross gaming revenue from POGOs is expected to reach P24 billion by the end of 2023, which is more than double what it was the year before. PAGCOR is still optimistic about its prediction, even though the number of registered POGOs has steadily declined. As of 18 July, there were only 32 POGOs, down from 281 at the height of the pandemic in 2019. Tengco said that this year's goal would be easier to reach because PAGCOR is committed to eliminating illegal gaming operators and works well with law enforcement to do so. He also said that PAGCOR would use stricter monitoring methods and add new fees to make it easier for them to stop people from running illegal gaming sites. Since July, PAGCOR has put in place strict rules that make it easy to fine and punish POGO operators and service providers who are caught doing illegal things. "We shall undertake this painstaking process to weed out the unscrupulous companies and individuals using the Pagcor license for illegal activities, tainting the name of the whole industry and most especially the Philippines," Tengco said in a recent conference in Macau. As of 18 July 2023, PAGCOR has 32 active offshore gaming licenses and accredited 106 service providers, while it has canceled 46 POGO licenses and 228 service providers, including those in the special class of business process outsourcing. In March of this year, PAGCOR made the decision to terminate its consultancy contract with a company engaged in auditing the revenues and cash flows of POGOs, citing their failure to fulfill contractual obligations and alleged engagement in "unlawful acts." Meanwhile, Tengco said that PAGCOR has accredited gaming system service providers for a range of gaming categories, such as traditional Bingo, electronic Bingo, electronic (eCasino) Games, sports betting, and e-billiards. Furthermore, licensed brick-and-mortar casinos have been granted permission by PAGCOR to employ remote gaming platforms exclusively for their live casino games, specifically catering to registered casino players. As of 17 July 2023, PAGCOR has licensed a total of 20 gaming system service providers and has also authorized eight other online or remote gaming platforms. In the first semester of the year, the gross gaming revenues across the industry, as reported by PAGCOR, soared to P136.37 billion, a substantial increase of 48.7 percent compared to the P91.72 billion recorded in the previous year. Tengco expressed confidence that the Philippines will emerge as a more enticing gaming and entertainment hub for investors and guests in the region. He attributed it to the fine-tuning of regulatory policies. The post POGO’s 2022 tax payment up 127% to P8.88-B appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Cebu Daily Newscast: Briton, mistress caught in the act in Moalboal
Listen to Cebu Daily Newscast and get the latest stories in and around Cebu. Here’s what you need to know on Thursday, July 6. Briton, mistress caught in the act in Moalboal A British national and his alleged mistress landed in jail after they were caught together inside a house in Moalboal town, southwestern Cebu […] The post Cebu Daily Newscast: Briton, mistress caught in the act in Moalboal appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
US actor Kevin Spacey due in UK court for sex offenses trial
Oscar-winning Hollywood actor Kevin Spacey was due in a London court on Wednesday to stand trial for a dozen sexual offenses which allegedly occurred more than a decade ago. The 63-year-old star of "American Beauty" and drama series "House of Cards" is facing a four-week trial at Southwark Crown Court in south London. Dozens of photographers and journalists gathered outside the court from 6:30 am (0530 GMT) on Wednesday hoping to catch a glimpse of Spacey, who arrived by taxi with his legal team not long after 8.00am. Walking past the cameras Spacey looked relaxed and gave a small wave, according to an AFP journalist. Spacey has been on unconditional bail since first appearing in court in Britain last year. The actor's stellar career has been halted by large numbers of allegations of sexual offences, although he has not been convicted of any crime. Last year he appeared at London's Old Bailey court to plead not guilty to five offences against three men, including four counts of sexual assault and one of causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity without consent. They allegedly took place in 2005 and 2008 in London, and in 2013 in Gloucestershire, western England. In November, prosecutors then announced seven additional charges involving another man, taking the total number of counts Spacey faces in the UK to 12. Denial The fresh counts, allegedly committed between 2001 and 2004, comprise three offences of indecent assault, three of sexual assault and one of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent. Spacey, whose full name is Kevin Spacey Fowler, appeared at Southwark Crown Court in January to deny all the new charges. He spoke only to confirm his identity and to enter the not guilty pleas. None of the alleged victims can be identified under English law and reporting restrictions prevent further details being disclosed before trial. Spacey enjoyed a highly successful acting career with roles such as a middle-aged father lusting after a teen in "American Beauty," a serial killer in "Se7en" and the villain in "Superman Returns". He worked as artistic director at London's Old Vic Theatre between 2004 and 2015. In 2017 he was one of the first stars caught up in the global #MeToo movement and was accused of sexual assault by multiple young men. He was dropped from the final season of the political drama "House of Cards" and other projects. Last year a New York court dismissed a $40 million sexual misconduct lawsuit brought against Spacey. The complainant, actor Anthony Rapp, alleged the star had assaulted him when he was 14. He brought the civil case after being told it was too late to bring a criminal charge. In 2019, charges of indecent and sexual assault were dropped against Spacey in Massachusetts. In court appearances, Spacey has denied all allegations of sexual assault. The post US actor Kevin Spacey due in UK court for sex offenses trial appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Two ‘drunk’ men beat vice mayor
CAMP GEN OSCAR FLORENDO, La Union — Two alleged drunk men choked and beat a Pangasinan town vice mayor who tried to compose them during a local fiesta on Wednesday. Jay-ar Gonzales and Wilmar Gonzales were brought to a police station after attacking Bautista Vice Mayor Joseph G. Espino, according to a police report. Brig. Gen. John Chua, director of the Philippine National Police Office in the Ilocos Region, citing the report, said the Gonzaleses were celebrating at the Bautista Municipal Gymnasium in Barangay Poblacion East. The two men then threw two bottles of liquor that hit Maricel T. de Belen, a 20-year-old college student and resident of Barangay Darawey, Bayambang town. The commotion caught the attention of Espino who was nearby and he tried to calm down the two. Without any apparent reason, Jar-Ar Gonzales choked Espino and Wilmar Gonzales punched the vice mayor in the face. The two suspects are facing charges of direct assault, according to authorities. The police spot report does not mention what happened to Espino and the De Belen after the altercation. The post Two ‘drunk’ men beat vice mayor appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Thousands of Colombians protest against president
Thousands of Colombians protested in the capital Bogota and other cities Tuesday against reforms by the country's first-ever leftist president Gustavo Petro, which many say go too far. Since taking over last August, Petro has submitted several reform projects to parliament to reduce private participation in the healthcare system, redistribute unproductive land, and reform labor and pension regulations. But he has since lost his majority backing in the legislature, tying his hands in reform efforts. The 63-year-old leader has also opened negotiations with armed groups in the quest for "total peace" after decades of violence and has vowed to lead the country to a greener future. Called by the right-wing opposition under the banner "march of the majority," protesters gathered Tuesday in cities including Bogota, Medellin, Cali and Barranquilla. Many waved Colombia's yellow, blue and red flag, and held up posters with such messages as: "No to ending up like Cuba or Venezuela." The mobilization seemed particularly large in Colombia's second-largest city, Medellin, according to images broadcast by national media. Police estimated the national turnout at 92,000, including 30,000 in the capital, where protesters marched to Bolivar Square near the presidency and parliament, shouting slogans denouncing Petro and his plans. Among them, Diego Molano, defense minister under the former government, accused the Petro administration of "weakening institutions" while pointing to what he said was an increase in violence "while the guerrillas get stronger" under the peace process. "They (the government) are going to destroy pensions and healthcare," Senator Maria Fernanda Cabal charged at the demonstration in Cali in western Colombia. On the campaign trail, Petro had vowed to address deep social inequality. But in a country marked by a deep-rooted fear of the political left -- associated with guerrilla groups that sowed decades of misery -- the pushback was fierce with rivals seeking to paint him as a radical, Hugo Chavez-style populist. Petro, an ex-guerilla himself, "has improvised a lot and instead of wanting to improve what works, he wants to do away with everything that already existed," Gloria Huertas, 59, told AFP in Bogota. The president has also been caught up in a scandal involving an ex-aide's alleged illegal wiretapping of a nanny suspected of stealing a briefcase full of money. Petro's popularity has plummeted from about 50 percent in November to 34 percent last month, according to the latest Invamer poll. The post Thousands of Colombians protest against president appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»