Liam Demafelix
Reporting from the TSR newsroom.
Isko Moreno orders relief of MPD drug unit after riders’ complaint reaches Napolcom
Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso on Friday, September 12, ordered the immediate relief of the Manila Police District’s (MPD) District Drug Enforcement Unit (DDEU) following allegations of extortion and misconduct by seven of its operatives. Upon the Mayor’s directive, MPD chief…
From 22 to 7: Isko Moreno slashes zoning requirements, fulfills vow to cut red tape
Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno, in his capacity as chairman of the Manila Zoning Board of Adjustment and Appeals (MZBAA), announced sweeping changes to the city’s zoning requirements to promote streamlining and ease of doing business. During the first MZBAA meeting under Moreno’s new term on…
South Korean President orders immediate halt to Philippine project amid corruption concerns, says local media
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung on Tuesday, September 9, ordered an “immediate halt” to procedures for a Philippine civil engineering project worth 700 billion won after reports that it had been revived despite being earlier rejected over corruption and mismanagement concerns. According to…
Lacson reveals how the ‘BGC Boys’ laundered flood control funds through casinos
They are called the “BGC Boys.” Not for Bonifacio Global City, but for the ‘Bulacan Group of Contractors,’ a nickname used by casino employees. A focus of ongoing Senate scrutiny into flood control anomalies, the group of former and current DPWH Bulacan district officials is now accused of using…
Lacson urges AMLC to freeze assets of DPWH execs linked to flood control scam
Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on Tuesday, September 9, called on the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) to freeze the bank accounts of Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials he accused of laundering kickbacks from anomalous flood control projects through…
Ping Lacson links ex-DPWH chief Manuel Bonoan to contractors behind anomalous Bulacan projects
Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on Tuesday, September 9 linked former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan to alleged irregularities in flood control projects in Bulacan, citing family and corporate connections that he said formed part of a web of corruption. In his second…
DPWH exec tied to flood control anomalies once served as Manila City Engineer
Public Works Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, who has been linked to alleged irregularities in flood control projects, previously served as City Engineer of Manila under then-Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada. Testimony before the House Infrastructure Committee on Tuesday revealed Bernardo’s long…
Ex-DPWH engineer links Estrada, Villanueva to flood control anomalies
Former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bulacan assistant district engineer Brice Hernandez has implicated Senators Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada and Joel Villanueva in alleged irregularities involving flood control projects. The revelation came during the House Infrastructure Committee…
Rida Robes denies Discaya allegations, mulls libel case
San Jose del Monte City Mayor Florida “Rida” Robes on Monday, September 8, categorically denied the allegations made by contractor Curlee Discaya linking her to supposed irregularities in flood control projects. Robes branded the claims as “false and absurd,” saying she has never received money or…
Artificial sweeteners may accelerate memory loss, cognitive decline: study
A new study has found that heavy consumption of artificial sweeteners, including those found in diet soda, may accelerate memory loss and cognitive decline. Published in the journal Neurology, the research conducted in Brazil revealed that participants who consumed the highest levels of artificial…
Philippines delivered the worst tourism investment returns in Southeast Asia, says report
The Philippines delivered the worst returns on tourism spending among Southeast Asia’s major economies, despite allocating about US$23 billion to infrastructure and promotional programs, a study has found. In 2024, the country generated only US$13.1 billion in receipts from 5.9 million…
The basics we envy abroad are the luxuries we lack at home
It only takes one subway ride abroad for the jokes to start: “Ano na, Pilipinas?” Every time I travel abroad with fellow Filipinos, this familiar chorus comes up: “Philippines can never.” Soon enough, the group’s running commentary is set: “Ibang iba talaga dito, no? Why can’t we have this in our…
In the shadow of power, Paco Magsaysay built his own brand
Francisco “Paco” Magsaysay grew up surrounded by politics. His grandfather was the late President Ramon Magsaysay, celebrated as the “Man of the Masses.” His father, Jun Magsaysay, capped a political career with two terms in the Senate and one in the House of Representatives. Every opportunity to…
THE PAPAL SCOOP: Pope Francis, nag-‘sharon’ ng Pinoy ice cream?
When the late Pope Francis wrapped up his historic visit to the Philippines in January 2015, few could have imagined that one of his sweetest souvenirs would be Filipino-made ice cream. According to Carmen’s Best founder Francisco “Paco” Magsaysay, the Holy Father enjoyed not one, but two scoops…
Isko Moreno hits ‘wasteful’ ₱39.9M street sign project: “Oh diba, inutil?”
Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno on Friday, September 5 addressed the viral post showing two overlapping street sign poles and a utility post at the corner of Pedro Gil Street and Felix Street. “Mali naman ‘yan. Ang tawag ko dyan ay paggasta ng resources ng gobyerno na walang kapararakan. Walang…