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It hurts only when they laugh (The 1982 Pepsi Paloma rape case) Part 1
By Cristina P. del Carmen I wrote this article as a young reporter for WHO magazine — a publication of the Manila Bulletin — fresh out of journalism school in UP. In light of recent reports that the Philippine Daily Inquirer had taken down a series of articles suggesting Tito Sotto’s involvement in the coverup […]
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The Keystone Cops behind Duterte’s war on drugs
By Cristina DC Pastor Ever heard of the tokhang victim who rose from the dead? How about the riding-in-tandem assassin who fell off the bike? Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Manny Mogato of Reuters shared some of the grim and hilarious episodes he has learned covering Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s brutal ‘war on drugs.’ Almost 7,000 suspected […]
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Inspiring kindness from football star in wake of Santa Fe shooting
By Ludy Astraquillo Ongkeko, Ph.D. On May 18th, eight students and two teachers from Santa Fe High School in Texas lost their lives to gun violence. The shooter was identified as 17-year-old student Dimitrios Pagourtzis. This article is not so much about the shooting. Instead, it tells the story of J.J. Watt, Houston Texans’ football […]
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Businesswoman Rena Avendula charged with 5 counts visa fraud
By Cristina DC Pastor The United States has filed five counts of visa fraud against businesswoman Rena Beduya Avendula, 50, for allegedly creating “fake job positions” using the H-1B work visa program. Avendula is the owner and managing executive of Professional Placement & Recruitment, Incorporated (PPRI), with offices in Woodside, Queens. PRRI was described in […]
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Duterte is 1st Asian leader to face charges at ICC; ‘inner circle’ also liable
By Rene Pastor President Rodrigo Duterte is the first Asian leader to face possible charges of crimes against humanity before the International Criminal Court (ICC), according to international lawyer Ruben Carranza. He said officials in Duterte’s inner circle may also face charges for the murders committed under his brutal drug war. Carranza, the senior staff […]
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The International Criminal Court will open inquiry on PHL drug killings to determine jurisdiction
By Cristina DC Pastor The International Criminal Court in The Hague will open “preliminary examination” into the rash of drug killings in the Philippines. The announcement was made by ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda on the ICC website. “The preliminary examination of the situation in the Philippines will analyse crimes allegedly committed in this State Party […]
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Older AAPIs vulnerable to fraud and scams: AARP survey
Nearly four in 10 (39 percent) Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) age 50 and older report that they or their family members have experienced fraud schemes, according to the recent fraud survey from AARP. Additionally, one-third (33 percent) of victims lost $15,000 on average. Non-financial costs are even more widespread, with most fraud victims […]
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Human rights forum echoes: Stop the killings, stop the killer
By Cristina DC Pastor Human Rights Watch’s Phelim Kine remembered a chilling encounter he had with then presidential candidate Rodrigo Duterte in 2015. The two met on the sidelines of the presidential debate forum organized by Rappler. When Duterte learned Kine was deputy director of Human Rights Watch’s Asia division, Kine recalled the mayor inviting […]
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Let’s all focus on the Independence Day parade: PIDCI
By Cristina DC Pastor PIDCI President Antero ‘Ner’ Martinez voiced optimism the lawsuit filed by two organizations — United Mindoro International, Inc. and the Philippine Community Center Services for Aging – against the Philippine Independence Day Council, Inc. will result in better understanding within the community. “We believe that both parties did what had to […]