Nagpaplano ang isang energy solution company na magsagawa ng pilot project na nangangakong maghatid ng 24/7 na serbisyo ng elektrisidad sa mga komunidad sa Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro, gamit ang mga power technology at clean energy.
Nakipagpulong si Bongabong Mayor Elegio Malaluan kay DM-X Technologies Inc. chair at chief executive officer Deodato Reloj Jr. noong Biyernes sa Clark, Pampanga at tinalakay ang posibleng partnership.
Ang core ng DM-X ay nag-aalok ng distributed power generation system (DPGS) na bumubuo ng primary power kumpara sa pagiging standby power generator lang.
Ang kumpanya ay distributor din ng mga lubricants and clean fuel proprietary technology na pag aari ng isang gas company na Amptron Corporation sa Estados Unidos.
Umaasa si Malaluan na ang mga teknolohiya ng DM-X ay magbubukas ng higit pang mga pagkakataon at magbibigay daan para sa pag-unlad ng Bongabong na aniya ay nahahadlangan ng hindi episyenteng serbisyo ng kuryente sa isla.
“Sa Mindoro, parating brownout. Ang pino-propose nila (DM-X) ay magkaroon ng power plant sa Bongabong at Roxas, at ‘yung Bongabong ang magiging model or pilot. Kung magkaganoon, ‘pag naging maayos iyon, sa ibang bayan naman,” ayon kay Malaluan sa isang panayam ng Philippine News Agency.
“The decision was to pilot a one-megawatt project in Bongabong to show the DOE, Transco, and Napocor that DM-X can be a primary source of power. In the future, we would expand to serve more of Bongabong’s constituents and provide them with electricity 24/7,” dagdag pa niya.
POWER SUPPLY. (Mula kaliwa) DM-X Technologies Inc. chair Deodato Reloj Jr., National Commission for Indigenous Peoples Provincial Officer for Oriental Mindoro Reynante Luna, DM-X Philippine representative Jenifer Reloj, at Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro Mayor Elegio Malaluan habang tinitingnan ang power generation equipment sa DMX warehouse sa PhilExcel Business Center sa Clark, Pampanga noong Biyernes, Enero 28, 2022. Ang DM-X ay nagnanais na mag-pilot project ng 24/7 power project sa Bongabong. (Photo credits:Joey Razon)
VATICAN CITY. Royal figures, world leaders, and hundreds of thousands of mourners are expected to converge at St. Peter’s Square on Saturday to bid farewell to Pope Francis in a funeral that reflects both his profound influence and his desire for simplicity.
Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, a 91-year-old Italian prelate, will preside over the funeral Mass, which will begin at 10 a.m. (0800 GMT). Pope Francis, who led the Roman Catholic Church for 12 years, passed away after a papacy marked by compassion, bold reforms, and occasional controversy.
The Vatican confirmed that representatives from over 150 countries will attend, including U.S. President Donald Trump, who often disagreed with Francis over issues such as immigration. Other attendees include the presidents of Argentina, France, Gabon, Germany, Italy, the Philippines, Poland, and Ukraine, along with the prime ministers of Britain and New Zealand. European royals are also expected to join the global delegation.
In the past three days, approximately 250,000 people viewed the Pope’s body as it lay in state inside the majestic 16th-century St. Peter’s Basilica. On Saturday, his casket will be carried out through the basilica’s main doors into the square, where mourners will fill the cobblestone esplanade and the Via della Conciliazione.
A formal Latin summary of Pope Francis’ papacy placed beside his body read: “Francis left everyone a wonderful testimony of humanity, of a holy life and of universal fatherhood.”
As the first non-European pope in nearly 1,300 years, Pope Francis championed the poor and marginalized, and boldly challenged affluent nations to respond to the migrant crisis and climate change. However, his reformist agenda met resistance from traditionalists within the Church, particularly in his efforts to promote transparency and curtail opulence.
A Final Act of Simplicity
True to his lifelong commitment to humility, Pope Francis opted for a stripped-down funeral and burial. Unlike the elaborate, multi-casket interments of his predecessors, such as Pope John Paul II’s three-hour funeral, Saturday’s ceremony will last just 90 minutes.
He also rejected the centuries-old tradition of being entombed in three nested coffins made of cypress, lead, and oak. Instead, he was laid in a single zinc-lined wooden casket, which was sealed overnight.
In a break with Vatican custom, Francis will be buried not within the Holy See, but at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome, about four kilometers from St. Peter’s. His tomb bears only a simple inscription: “Franciscus.” Above it hangs a replica of the modest, iron-plated cross he wore during his papacy.
The late pope’s funeral motorcade will pass through Rome one final time, giving the public a last opportunity to say goodbye. Italian authorities have launched an extensive security operation, closing city airspace and deploying anti-aircraft systems and patrol boats in one of the largest security mobilizations since the funeral of Pope John Paul II in 2005.
As Pope Francis is laid to rest, focus will shift to the election of his successor. The conclave of cardinals, cloaked in secrecy, may begin as early as May 6, though initial meetings are expected to occur before voting starts. Cardinals will assess the Church’s future direction, which remains mired in financial strain and internal division.
Pope Francis’ papacy may have ended, but his legacy, marked by humility, courage, and a call for unity, will continue to shape the Church and the world beyond.
MAYNILA. Nagpahayag ng matinding pag-aalala ang Malakanyang kaugnay ng ulat mula sa National Security Council (NSC) na may indikasyon umano ng pakikialam ng China sa nalalapit na halalang pambansa at lokal sa Mayo 2025.
Sa isang press briefing sa Palasyo, sinabi ni Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary at Palace Press Officer Claire Castro na sisimulan na ang mas malalim na imbestigasyon ukol sa nasabing isyu.
“Sa ngayon po, ang sinabi po sa atin ay pag-iimbestigahan pa po muna para malaman natin kung ano pa po ang mga detalye dito at kung ano po ang napapaloob sa mga ganitong klaseng pangyayari. So, ang iba pa pong mga detalye ay maaari po nating matanong or aming kakausapin muli ang National Security Council,” ani Castro.
Dagdag pa niya, ipinaabot na sa kaalaman ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ang ulat, at iginiit na kinakailangan ng “agaran, mas malalim na pag-imbestiga.”
Sa naunang pagdinig ng Senate Special Committee on Maritime and Admiralty Zones, inihayag ni NSC Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya na may operasyon umanong isinasagawa ang Chinese state-sponsored actors sa Pilipinas na naglalayong impluwensyahan ang eleksyon.
“There are indications that information operations are being conducted… are Chinese state-sponsored in the Philippines and are actually interfering in the forthcoming elections,” pahayag ni Malaya.
Ayon sa kanya, layon ng mga operasyong ito na itaguyod ang mga kandidatong maka-China at siraan ang mga tumutuligsa sa Beijing.
“Yes, there are indications of that,” tugon ni Malaya nang tanungin kung may partikular na mga kandidato na sinusuportahan ang China.
Dagdag pa niya, may mga nakikita silang naratibo mula sa China na kaakibat ng mga mensahe mula sa mga “local proxies” sa Pilipinas, tulad ng mga komentaryo kaugnay ng Balikatan exercises. Aniya, inuulit ng mga lokal na kasabwat ang linya mula Beijing na ang nasabing military exercise ay “isang banta sa ating regional peace and stability.”
Kinumpirma rin ni Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Erwin Garcia ang mga natanggap nilang impormasyon ukol sa mga automated bot mula sa ibang bansa na ginagamit upang palakihin ang mga isyung tumutuligsa sa Comelec o sa halalan.
“Mayroon tayong natanggap na intelligence information coming from different agencies na kasama natin. Kahit ‘yung nakikita sa social media na tumutuligsa sa Comelec o sa proseso, naka-automatic bot po ‘yun. Ito ay nanggaling sa ibang bansa at hindi sa atin bansa. Pero may mga ginagamit dito upang masigurado na kung ano ima-magnify o palalakihin na isyu, ‘yun ang makikita ng sambayanan,” ani Garcia.
Sa kabila nito, tiniyak ni Garcia na ang darating na halalan sa 2025 ay magiging patas at tapat.
Samantala, mariing itinanggi ng China ang alegasyon ng pakikialam. Ayon kay Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun sa isang press conference noong Huwebes, Abril 24, “China follows the principle of non-interference in other countries’ domestic affairs. We have no interest in interfering in Philippine elections.”
Patuloy namang binabantayan ng mga awtoridad ang sitwasyon upang tiyaking hindi maaapektuhan ang integridad ng halalan.
WASHINGTON. Houthi rebels in Yemen have shot down seven American MQ-9 Reaper drones in under six weeks, according to U.S. defense officials, marking a significant and costly escalation in the Pentagon’s ongoing military campaign against the Iran-backed group.
Each drone, manufactured by General Atomics, is valued at approximately $30 million. The total loss of over $200 million underscores the intensifying threat to U.S. assets operating in the region. Three of the drones were downed just in the past week, suggesting that the Houthis are improving their ability to detect and target high-altitude unmanned aircraft, which typically operate at over 40,000 feet (12,100 meters).
U.S. defense officials, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the operations, said the drones were conducting either attack runs or surveillance missions when they were hit, crashing into either water or land. Confirmed dates for the drone losses include March 31 and April 3, 9, 13, 18, 19, and 22.
Although hostile fire is the likely cause, one official noted that all incidents remain under investigation. The official added that the uptick in U.S. military activity has increased risks, but emphasized: “We will take every measure possible to protect our troops, equipment, and interests in the region.”
Since President Donald Trump ordered an expanded campaign on March 15, promising “overwhelming lethal force” until Houthi attacks on shipping cease, U.S. forces have launched over 750 strikes against Houthi targets. The American campaign uses a combination of Reaper drones, fighter jets, bombers, and warships, with daily attacks being conducted from two Navy aircraft carriers currently deployed in the region.
The USS Harry S. Truman and the USS Carl Vinson strike groups are now operating in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is currently weighing whether to extend the Truman’s deployment further at the request of U.S. Central Command, which would mark another rare instance of dual carrier operations in the Middle East.
Despite the heavy investment in military firepower, the Houthis continue to fire missiles and one-way drones at U.S. warships, though none have landed a hit. In addition to the Reaper drone losses, the Houthis’ sustained campaign has already dramatically disrupted global trade through the Red Sea, a vital corridor that usually handles about $1 trillion in goods annually.
From November 2023 to January 2024, the Houthis targeted over 100 merchant vessels, sinking two and killing four sailors.
In the wake of recent U.S. strikes, concerns about civilian casualties are mounting. Democratic Senators Chris Van Hollen (Maryland), Elizabeth Warren (Massachusetts), and Tim Kaine (Virginia) wrote a letter Thursday to Defense Secretary Hegseth questioning the administration’s commitment to minimizing harm to noncombatants. The senators specifically cited reports that U.S. strikes on the Ras Isa fuel terminal last week may have killed more than 70 civilians.
Their letter reads: “Military leaders agree that ingraining civilian harm mitigation practices within U.S. operations leads to better outcomes and that civilian casualties actually undermine the mission that the military has been sent in to do.”
The Houthis have framed their attacks as retaliation against Israel’s war in Gaza, stating that their actions aim to end the Israeli military campaign against Hamas.
The situation remains volatile, with further escalation likely as U.S. forces remain engaged in what has become the most intense maritime and aerial conflict the region has seen in decades.
Pope Francis’ ordinary shoes bring pride to his Argentine neighborhood, and his cobbler
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina. In the heart of the Flores neighborhood in western Buenos Aires, a small cobbler’s shop has suddenly become a place of pilgrimage, not for its luxury, but for its simplicity. As tributes continue to pour in following the death of Pope Francis, one unlikely item has captured global attention: his humble, black leather shoes.
Unlike the ornate red slippers worn by his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, Francis’ simple footwear has long stood as a symbol of his humility. The plain loafers, purchased from a family-run store called Muglia Shoes, have become an emblem of the pope’s roots, and of his enduring bond with his community.
From Local Priest to Global Icon
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio to Italian immigrant parents, had been a regular customer at Muglia Shoes since his days as a Jesuit priest at the nearby Basilica of San José de Flores.
“My father, my grandfather, they told me stories about how Father Jorge came from the church around the corner to buy these shoes, they were the ones he liked, he wore them all the time,” said Juan Jose Muglia, the 52-year-old third-generation cobbler now running the shop. “They’re simple, it’s the kind of shoes that waiters like to wear today. They can last you years and years.”
The Muglia family’s shoe business, established in 1945, became the go-to place for Francis, even after he rose through the ranks of the Catholic Church. The loafers, now priced at around $170 due to Argentina’s runaway inflation, have been sought after by priests from across the city — and even young clergy visiting from Rome.
“Priests came here from all the basilicas in the city, some young priests even came from Rome to buy them,” Muglia recalled.
A Humble Choice Amid Papal Tradition
When Francis became pope in 2013, Muglia offered to send him a new pair of his favorite shoes to the Vatican. But Francis declined.
“He told me, his feet had become too swollen in his old age and he needed something more customized for Rome,” Muglia said.
Rather than don the traditional red velvet or silk papal slippers, Francis remained true to his identity. He wore ordinary black shoes with orthopedic soles — continuing a break from papal opulence that resonated deeply with Catholics around the world. Esquire Magazine once dubbed Benedict XVI “Accessorizer of the Year” for his crimson shoes, prompting speculation about their designer. In contrast, Francis remained steadfast in his minimalist approach.
Flores Mourns One of Its Own
The news of Francis’ death on Monday at the age of 88 sent a wave of emotion through the Flores neighborhood. While the foot traffic at Muglia Shoes has surged with visitors and curious customers, locals recall the man behind the shoes as much more than a pope.
“It was a world of people,” Muglia said. “They came from everywhere.”
At a newsstand nearby, 69-year-old vendor Antonio Plastina fondly remembered Francis’ weekly visits. “We made small talk like any two Argentines, a bit of this and that, some politics mixed with soccer,” he said, his eyes misting. Even after becoming archbishop and cardinal, Bergoglio continued to visit Flores every Sunday, reading the news with a cup of coffee at a corner café that’s now a mattress shop.
Flowers and handwritten notes now adorn the barred windows of Membrillar 531 — the modest home where Francis grew up as the eldest of five children. Alicia Gigante, 91, a longtime neighbor and family friend, stopped by on Thursday morning with her daughter for support.
“My vision is going but my memory is long,” she said softly. “I’ll remember him for a long time, always his kindness, his smile, and that greeting, when you rang the doorbell and he came out into the street. There he was, always the same, he would caress you and bless you.”
As the world bids farewell to Pope Francis, it is perhaps the story of his shoes, handmade in Flores, worn with devotion, that best reflects the enduring simplicity of a man who walked with the people, in every sense of the word.
Juan Jose Muglia shows the shoe model, right, that was regularly worn by Jorge Bergoglio at the Muglia shoe store in the Flores neighborhood where the late Pope Francis grew up and where Muglia’s father and grandfather attended the former pope at their shop in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Thursday, April 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
KYIV/WASHINGTON. U.S. President Donald Trump issued a rare and pointed rebuke of Russian President Vladimir Putin following a devastating missile and drone attack on Kyiv that killed at least 12 people and injured 90 others, in what has been described as the most intense assault on the Ukrainian capital this year.
At the White House on Thursday (April 24), Trump confirmed that his administration was “applying a lot of pressure” on Russia and Ukraine to finalize a peace agreement. Reacting to the assault, Trump said: “I am not happy with the Russian strikes on KYIV. Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP! 5000 soldiers a week are dying. Let’s get the Peace Deal DONE!” — a message he also posted on Truth Social.
Despite the aggression, Trump expressed optimism about ongoing negotiations, noting that the Kremlin had made a “pretty big concession” and is now open to “stopping the war, stopping taking the whole country,” referring to Ukraine.
“This next few days is going to be very important. Meetings are taking place right now,” Trump said. “I think we’re going to make a deal … I think we’re getting very close.”
Civilians Among Casualties in Kyiv
Emergency crews in Kyiv reported that they were still retrieving bodies from the rubble over 12 hours after the attack. The blasts destroyed buildings, triggered over 40 fires, and left families devastated.
“There was the air raid siren, we did not even have time to dress to go out of the apartment. One blast came after the other, all windows were blown out, doors, walls, my husband and son were thrown to the other side,” said Viktoria Bakal, a Kyiv resident.
Tymur Tkachenko, head of the Kyiv city military administration, confirmed the death toll and said rescue teams had been deployed to 13 locations across the capital. Mobile phones could still be heard ringing under the debris as responders with climbing specialists and sniffer dogs worked through the wreckage.
Russia Denies Targeting Civilians
The Russian Ministry of Defence said the assault was aimed at Ukraine’s military-industrial complex using high-precision long-range weapons from land, sea, and air. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, speaking with CBS News’ Face the Nation, said the peace process was “moving in the right direction” but still required refinements on “some specific points.”
Lavrov maintained Moscow’s position that civilians were not targeted in the operation.
However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy contradicted that claim, stating on X (formerly Twitter) that Russia used a North Korean KN-23 ballistic missile in the Kyiv strike. He also reported on Telegram that Russian forces used the aerial assault to mask intensified land-based offensives, particularly in the eastern Pokrovsk sector, though these were successfully repelled.
Talks Intensify as U.S. and NATO Push for Resolution
Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed Trump’s urgency, saying further talks were scheduled over the weekend and that both Russia and Ukraine needed to act decisively.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, following meetings in Washington, added: “There is something on the table now, I think, where Ukrainians are really playing ball, and I think the ball is clearly in the Russian court now.”
Trump also commented on his differing tones toward leaders, noting it would be difficult for Ukraine to reclaim Crimea. He criticized Zelenskiy’s hardline stance, particularly after the Ukrainian leader reiterated that Kyiv would never recognize the Russian annexation of Crimea. Trump went as far as referring to Zelenskiy as a “dictator” in earlier remarks.
Meanwhile, a U.S. official said Trump’s special envoy is expected to meet with Putin on Friday for further negotiations.
Wider Damage Across Ukraine
Apart from Kyiv, the Ukrainian Interior Ministry reported that seven other regions were affected by the Russian offensive. Infrastructure damage was reported in Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, as well as in the Zhytomyr and Pavlohrad regions.
The latest developments come at a critical juncture in the war, with both Kyiv and Moscow under pressure to meet Trump’s call for a “fast” resolution to the conflict.
“I have my own deadline, and we want it to be fast,” Trump said when asked if there was a timeline for the talks.
MAYNILA. Patuloy ang Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) sa pagsasagawa ng mga aktibidad na tumutugon sa isyu ng child bullying sa mga pampublikong paaralan, bilang bahagi ng suporta nito sa kampanya ng Department of Education (DepEd) laban sa pambu-bully.
Ayon kay Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao, tagapagsalita rin ng DSWD, isa sa mga pangunahing hakbang ng ahensya ay ang pagsasagawa ng mga Family Development Sessions (FDS) sa ilalim ng Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), upang bigyang-kaalaman ang mga magulang sa papel nila sa pagprotekta sa kanilang mga anak mula sa pambu-bully.
“Ang bullying ay isa sa mga pangunahing sanhi ng pagkagambala sa pag-aaral ng mga bata at kabataan. Upang makatulong na matugunan ang alalahaning ito, ang DSWD’s 4Ps ay nagsasagawa ng mga family development session (FDS) upang ipaalam sa mga magulang ang kahalagahan ng pagkakaroon ng isang mapag-aalaga na kapaligiran ng pamilya at paaralan para sa mga bata upang maiwasan ang pambu-bully,” pahayag ni Dumlao.
Dagdag pa niya, nakatutulong ang FDS sa pagpapalakas ng kakayahan ng mga magulang na mapangalagaan ang emosyonal na kalusugan ng kanilang mga anak at mahikayat ang bukas na komunikasyon sa loob ng pamilya.
Bukod sa FDS, aktibo rin umano ang mga DSWD Field Offices sa pagpapatupad ng mga adbokasiya sa mga paaralan upang mapalawak ang kaalaman ng mga guro at mag-aaral tungkol sa iba’t ibang anyo ng bullying at ang mga mekanismo upang ito’y maiwasan.
Isa sa mga kamakailang halimbawa ng kanilang kampanya ay ang isinagawang aktibidad noong Abril 8 sa Barangay Nato, Sagñay, Camarines Sur. Dito, nagsagawa ng talakayan ang mga kawani ng 4Ps mula sa DSWD Field Office 5–Bicol Region kasama ang mga estudyante at guro sa high school, hinggil sa kani-kanilang mga responsibilidad sa pagpigil sa pambu-bully.
Samantala, ibinahagi rin ni Dumlao na sa ginanap na pambansang kongreso para sa mga batang benepisyaryo ng 4Ps noong Nobyembre 2024, isa sa mga makabuluhang rekomendasyong inaprubahan ay ang pag-amyenda sa Anti-Bullying Act of 2013.
Ang 4Ps, na inilunsad noong 2008 at na-institutionalize sa bisa ng Republic Act No. 11310 noong 2019, ay pangunahing programa ng gobyerno sa pagbabawas ng kahirapan at pagpapalakas ng human capital. Layunin nitong makapagbigay ng conditional cash transfer sa mga mahihirap na sambahayan sa loob ng pitong taon, upang mapabuti ang kalusugan, nutrisyon, at edukasyon ng mga bata.
Sa patuloy na pagtutok ng DSWD sa isyung ito, umaasa ang ahensya na mas maraming bata ang mapapangalagaan laban sa banta ng pambu-bully sa mga paaralan at komunidad.
BEIJING, China. In a groundbreaking blend of technology and athleticism, humanoid robots shared the spotlight with human runners at a half-marathon held in the Chinese capital on Saturday, marking a unique first in the world of distance running.
Covering the full 21.1 kilometers (13.1 miles), bipedal robots of various shapes and sizes ran alongside thousands of flesh-and-blood competitors. The event, described by organizers as a historic milestone, featured a dual-course system: one lane for humans and a parallel lane reserved for the mechanical participants, separated by a divider for safety.
The Humanoid Robot Half-Marathon involved 20 robot teams, each supported by dedicated human navigators, engineers, and operators. Unlike their human counterparts, the robots competed under customized rules, including scheduled pit stops for battery swaps, essential for sustaining their energy-intensive mechanical strides.
Taking the top spot in the robot race was the Sky Project Ultra, also known as Tien Kung Ultra, developed by the Tien Kung Team. The humanoid machine completed the course with a finishing time of 2 hours, 40 minutes, and 42 seconds.
Apart from overall ranking, the event also celebrated design and innovation with awards for Best Endurance, Best Gait Design, and Most Innovative Form.
Event organizers lauded the competition as “a new frontier where athletic performance meets artificial intelligence,” highlighting the growing integration of robotics into everyday human experiences.
This pioneering event not only captured the imagination of the crowd but also pointed to the future of robotics in sports and public life.
The Sky Project Ultra robot also known as Tien Kung Ultra is awarded the gold medal after winning the Humanoid Robot Half-Marathon held in Beijing on Saturday, April 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
RIZAL, CAGAYAN. Patay sa pamamaril si Atty. Joel Ruma, kasalukuyang alkalde ng Rizal, Cagayan at muling tumatakbo sa parehong posisyon, habang dalawa pa ang sugatan matapos pagbabarilin sa isang campaign rally sa loob mismo ng barangay hall ng Iluru bandang 9:30 ng gabi, Miyerkules.
Ayon sa paunang ulat, isinagawa ang kampanya sa loob ng barangay hall nang biglang sumalakay ang mga hindi pa nakikilalang suspek at pinaulanan ng bala ang lugar. Napatay si Mayor Ruma habang sugatan naman sina Merson Abiguebel at Melanie Talay, mga residente ng barangay Iluru.
Kaagad na nagsagawa ng manhunt operations ang Rizal Municipal Police Station upang tugisin ang mga salarin. Isa sa mga tinitingnang motibo ng krimen ay ang nalalapit na halalan, pati na rin ang dating kinakaharap na kasong legal ng alkalde.
Matatandaang noong halalan ng Mayo 2022, si Ruma ay nangangampanya lamang sa radyo habang nagtatago sa batas dahil sa kasong kinakaharap, subalit nanaig pa rin ito sa laban. Nagtala siya ng 5,746 boto kontra sa 4,405 ni dating Phil. Air Force General Ralph Mamauag. Muli siyang tumatakbo ngayong 2025 kasama ang kanyang maybahay na si Vice Mayor Brenda Ruma.
Tatlong kandidato ang maglalaban sa pagka-alkalde sa Rizal: si Mamauag, si Florence Littaua, at ang nasawing si Ruma. Sa pagka-bise alkalde naman, makakaharap ni Brenda Ruma sina Konsehal Pastor Boyet Ligas Jr. at Edilberto Jose Jr. May kabuuang 19 kandidato rin para sa Sangguniang Bayan.
Sa pahayag ng isang taga-suporta ni Ruma na hindi nagpabanggit ng pangalan, sinabi nito: “Hindi lang siya lider, kundi haligi ng komunidad. Masakit at nakakabigla ang sinapit niya.”
Patuloy ang imbestigasyon ng mga awtoridad. Ang karahasan sa kampanya ay muling nagbigay-diin sa panganib na dala ng politika sa ilang bahagi ng bansa, lalo na’t papalapit na naman ang halalan.
VATICAN CITY. A wave of grief and reverence swept across St. Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday as thousands of Catholic faithful began filing past the wooden casket of Pope Francis, who passed away on Monday at the age of 88. The start of the three-day public viewing marked a solemn milestone ahead of Saturday’s funeral, which will be attended by world leaders including U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Positioned before the basilica’s main altar, the late pope’s open casket, draped in red robes, with a rosary between clasped hands and a bishop’s miter upon his head—drew mourners from across Italy and around the world. In just the first 8.5 hours, the Vatican reported that 19,430 people had paid their respects.
“It gave me chills,” said Ivenes Bianco, a visitor from Brindisi in southern Italy. “He was important to me because he encouraged co-existence. He brought many people together.’’
Unlike his predecessors, Francis’ casket was placed on a ramp rather than an elevated bier, consistent with his wishes for a modest papal funeral. He had long expressed that the pope should be remembered as a “simple pastor, not a world leader.”
Wednesday morning began with the tolling of the basilica’s bells as Francis’ body was brought into St. Peter’s in a moving procession led by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who is temporarily overseeing Vatican affairs. The ceremonial Litany of Saints filled the air as clouds of incense wafted toward the heavens. Cardinals, bishops, and members of the clergy paid their respects before the doors were opened to the public.
Among the crowd, the mood was hushed and reverent, punctuated by the rustling of prayer books, quiet murmurs, and the occasional cry of a child. “It’s the feeling one experiences when a family member passes away,” said Rosa Morghen from Naples. “As he is a father, a grandfather who has gone.”
Francis’ public viewing will continue until 7 p.m. Friday, after which his casket will be closed and sealed in preparation for the Saturday funeral, scheduled for 10 a.m. in St. Peter’s Square.
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina, Pope Francis led the Catholic Church for 12 years. His papacy was defined by advocacy for the poor, calls for inclusion, and efforts to simplify and modernize Church traditions. Though widely beloved, he also faced criticism from conservative sectors of the Church for his progressive stance on issues ranging from LGBTQ rights to climate change.
Following the funeral, the Church will enter a transitional phase as preparations begin for the conclave to elect Francis’ successor. The process, conducted in the historic Sistine Chapel behind closed doors, is expected to commence no earlier than May 5. Of the 135 cardinals eligible to vote, 133 are currently set to participate after two bowed out due to health concerns.
“We’ll see what the Holy Spirit says,” said South Korean Cardinal Lazarus You Heung-sik, who heads the Vatican office for clergy. When asked whether the next pontiff could come from Asia, he replied, “For the Lord, there’s no East or West.”
Papua New Guinea’s Cardinal John Ribat, the country’s first and only cardinal, reflected on his journey to Rome, saying: “To have a representative from here to be in the conclave, it is a big thing.” He expressed hope for a pope who can lead “in a way that is truthful and binds everyone together.”
Security in Rome has been tightened, with Italian authorities deploying both foot and mounted patrols around the Vatican amid a steady stream of pilgrims arriving for the Holy Year celebrations that Francis inaugurated in December.
“The death of a pope is not a small thing, because we’ve lost our leader,’’ said Julio Henrique from Brazil. “But still, in a few days, we will have a new leader. So … the thing of hope remains. Who will assume Peter’s throne?”
WASHINGTON/LONDON/PARIS. In a renewed clash between Washington and Kyiv, U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy butted heads once again over efforts to end the ongoing war in Ukraine, with Trump warning that American involvement in peace negotiations may soon come to an end.
The tension came to a head during a series of high-stakes talks in London this week, where U.S., Ukrainian, and European officials gathered in pursuit of a diplomatic resolution to the war that began with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Vice President JD Vance, speaking from India, stated that the time had come for Russia and Ukraine to either accept a U.S.-brokered peace proposal or risk the U.S. withdrawing from the negotiation process altogether. “The only way to really stop the killing is for the armies to both put down their weapons, to freeze this thing,” Vance said. He emphasized that the U.S. plan seeks to freeze current territorial lines and initiate a “long-term diplomatic settlement.”
According to a former Western official familiar with the proposal, it includes recognizing Russia’s annexation of Crimea, a key sticking point for Ukraine. Zelenskiy, who has long maintained that Ukraine will never cede any part of its territory, reaffirmed this stance on Tuesday. “There’s nothing to talk about here. This is against our constitution,” he declared.
The Ukrainian president’s uncompromising position drew a sharp rebuke from Trump, who said such statements “make peace harder to achieve.” In a post on Truth Social, Trump insisted that Crimea was lost long ago and “is not even a point of discussion.”
Trump has disrupted long-standing U.S. policy toward the war since assuming office in January, shifting focus from applying pressure on Russia to urging Kyiv to pursue a ceasefire. He has repeatedly stated that he could end the war within 24 hours of returning to the White House, a claim that has raised eyebrows among allies and critics alike.
Despite the friction, Zelenskiy remained cautiously optimistic, writing on X (formerly Twitter) that while the London discussions were “marked by high emotions,” he hoped “future joint work will lead to peace.” He reaffirmed Ukraine’s commitment to its constitution and shared a 2018 Crimea Declaration signed by then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, which stated: “The United States rejects Russia’s attempted annexation of Crimea and pledges to maintain this policy until Ukraine’s territorial integrity is restored.”
Trump, however, remained adamant that a deal was close. “We’re very close to a deal for peace,” he claimed to reporters, calling the London talks “pretty well” despite the tension. “We’ve got to get two people, two strong people, two smart people, to agree. And as soon as they agree, the killing will stop.”
Further complicating the diplomatic push, Secretary of State Marco Rubio canceled his trip to the London talks at the last minute, resulting in the scrapping of a broader meeting that would have included foreign ministers from Britain, France, Germany, and Ukraine. The cancellation underscored growing rifts among Western allies about how to end the war.
White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said Trump’s “patience is running very thin” and expressed frustration with Zelenskiy’s approach, claiming he “seems to be moving in the wrong direction.”
Trump’s Ukraine envoy, Steve Witkoff, has proposed concessions that go beyond Crimea. According to several sources, his recommendations include recognizing Russian control over approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory, blocking Ukraine’s future NATO membership, and lifting Western sanctions on Russia.
On X, another Trump envoy, Keith Kellogg, voiced optimism about the London talks, saying: “It’s time to move forward on President Trump’s UKR-RU war directive: stop the killing, achieve peace, and put America First.”
Witkoff is expected to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin again on Friday, marking his fourth meeting with the Kremlin leader to discuss possible terms for ending the war.
As Trump pushes for a swift resolution, European allies have been scrambling to support Kyiv while trying to stay aligned with Washington. Britain, France, and Germany issued a joint statement after the London summit highlighted the balancing act. It read: “All parties reiterated strong support for Trump’s commitment to stopping the killing and achieving a just and lasting peace,” adding that “significant progress was made on reaching a common position on next steps.”
Further talks are expected in the coming weeks as all sides grapple with whether a compromise is still possible or if the U.S. is indeed prepared to walk away.
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