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Dev Flores

Crime & Investigation

DMW shuts down travel and visa consultancy due to fake “work abroad” offers

June 2, 2026 4:54 PM
PST

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) announces the shutdown of Visa to America Manila Inc., a travel and visa consultancy agency, for offering fake work in the United States despite insufficient licenses under DMW.

According to DMW, the complainant reveals that most of the applicants are teachers. They were allegedly promised work in America and allegedly apaid ₱370,000 to ₱500,000 as a processing fee and for family applications. 

“Karamihan ay mga guro, ang pinangakuan umano ng trabaho sa Amerika at pag-alis sa loob lamang ng tatlong buwan. Siningil umano sila ng mula PhP 370,000 hanggang PhP 500,000 para sa processing fee at family application,” according to the department’s press release

The DMW also stated that it had already ordered the shutdown of its Ortigas branch and the other seven provincial branches on August 1, 2025. They also mentioned that the case has already been filed in the court, including the complaint in the Regional Trial Court Branch 284 in Cabarroguis, Quirino. 

“May mga kasong naihain na at kasalukuyan nang umuusad sa korte, kabilang ang mga reklamong iniharap sa Regional Trial Court Branch 284 sa Cabarroguis, Quirino,” on DMW’s press release

The department is calling on the victims to file a complaint and hold the involved accountable.

Lifestyle

Angara calls for support for JHS and SHS students pursuing public service path

May 22, 2026 3:04 PM
PST

Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sonny Angara has directed offices and schools to support High School (JHS) and Senior High School (SHS) students who wants to pursue public service careers. 

The support includes encouragement for qualified students to apply for the Career Service Examination - Pen and Paper Test (CSE-PPT) on August 9, 2026. The Secretary also calls on the offices and schools to help the aspirants by giving them the following information:

  • Qualifications and requirements
  • Review materials
  • Review sessions
  • Career preparation activities

The education department stated that students who graduated from a K-12 program can secure a first-level government eligibility after passing the Civil Service Commission examination.

“Ang direktiba ay kasunod ng opisyal na pagkilala ng Civil Service Commission sa mga nagtapos ng K to 12 para sa first-level government eligibility,” according to DepEd

The eligibility paves the way for them to pursue public service careers.

“Sa ilalim ng CSC Resolution No. 2500229, ang mga nagtapos ng SHS o K to 12 Curriculum, pati ang mga nagtapos ng kaugnay na technical-vocational programs, ay itinuturing na kwalipikado para sa first-level government positions, basta pasok sa qualification standards at iba pang legal requirement,” according to the agency

Students aged 18 and above are also encouraged to take an examination at the Professional/Subprofessional level.

“Sa pamamagitan ng DepEd Memorandum No. 32, s. 2026, hinihikayat ni Angara ang mga mag-aaral na 18 taong gulang pataas at nakatapos ng JHS o SHS na kumuha ng CSE-PPT para sa Professional at Subprofessional Levels,” the DepEd said

Secretary Angara calls to support students who want to pursue that path.

“Para sa mga gustong pumasok sa serbisyo publiko, tutulungan natin silang makapaghanda, makapag-apply, at makita na may lugar sila sa pamahalaan kung nais nilang maglingkod,” he said via DepEd’s press release

The application period is ongoing and will end on June 10, 2026.

Crime & Investigation

Court allows NBI to access gadgets of PGMN Founder Mabanta

May 22, 2026 8:10 PM
PST

The Pasig City Regional Trial Court grants the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) the authority to access the gadgets of Peanut Gallery Media Network na si Franco Mabanta.

NBI Director Atty. Melvin Matibag believes the authorization will be helpful to obtain the necessary information related to the alleged extortion of money from former House Speaker Representative Martin Romualdez, in exchange for withholding the publication of a video concerning flood control anomalies.

“On Friday, we received the order allowing us to have access sa mga gadgets nila, including ‘yong kay Franco Mabanta. So ‘yung cyber warrant namin na approve, ibig sabihin po nito, ‘yong telepono ni Franco Mabanta, mabubuksan na namin at legally we can obtain information, videos, pictures, text messages, text logs, lahat po,” Matibag he said

[“On Friday, we received the order allowing us to have access on their gadgets, including Franco Mabanta. So our approved cyber warrant, meaning, the telephone of Franco Mabanta, we can open it and legally we can obtain information, videos, pictures, text messages, text logs, everything.”]

Crime & Investigation

DPWH Sec. Dizon issues relief orders to two engineers over Benguet road accident

May 25, 2026 3:31 PM
PST

Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon has issued a relief order to the District Engineer and Engineer III of DPWH-Cordillera Administrative Region over the cyclist’s death in La Trinidad, Benguet.

According to DPWH, the lack of sufficient road safety signs and traffic control devices installed in the area where the cyclist fell, which cited as a cause of death.

“walang sapat na road safety signages at traffic control device tulad ng concrete barrier sa nakatiwangwang na gumuhong bahagi ng kalsada sa Beckel, La Trinidad, Benguet na ikinasawi ng isang siklista matapos mahulog sa bangin,” according to the agency

[“There is insufficient road safety signage and traffic control devices, such as a concrete barrier at the exposed, collapsed portion of the road in Beckel, La Trinidad, Benguet, which resulted in the death of a cyclist after he fell.”]

Secretary Dizon also issued a warning against contractors who violate safety directives.

“Nagbabala si Secretary Dizon sa lahat ng mga kontratista ng DPWH na hindi nagpapatupad ng striktong safety requirements habang may konstruksyon na awtomatiko itong mahaharap sa kanselasyon ng kontrata, blacklisting at kaukulang kasong kriminal,” based on the online-issued statement of the department

[“Secretary Dizon warns that contractors of DPWH who are not implementing strict safety requirements amid ongoing construction will automatically lead to cancellation of contract, blacklisting, and appropriate criminal charges.”]

Politics

SSS to launch Palengke Caravan on May 25, 2026

May 25, 2026 7:36 PM
PST

The Social Security System (SSS) has issued an advisory regarding the nationwide Palengke Caravan, which will start from May 25, 2026. 

The caravan will be conducted simultaneously, bringing different services, including:

  • SSS number issuance
  • Member data change
  • SSS records and contributions verification
  • Employer registration
  • PRN Generation
  • Loan Application
  • My.SSS Registration and Assistance
  • General Inquiries

Palengke Caravan is available until May 31, 2026.