APRIL 4 - 10, 2026
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Volume 37 - No. 14 • 14 Pages
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DATELINE USA FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
Los Angeles County leads California’s domestic outmigration as structural pressures mount Residents leaving Los Angeles County are increasingly relocating to Texas, Arizona, Nevada, and Florida as housing costs, affordability pressures, and shifting economic conditions reshape migration patterns.
Birthright citizenship at center of Supreme Court challenge to Trump order Justices probe whether the executive branch can reinterpret the 14th Amendment as administration defends limits on automatic citizenship. by AJPress WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, appeared skeptical of a
sweeping executive effort to limit birthright citi- terpretation through executive action. zenship, with several justices across the ideological The oral arguments in Trump v. Barbara - a consolspectrum questioning whether the presidency has idated challenge in which the American Civil Liberthe authority to alter long-standing constitutional inu PAGE 2
House to proceed with Sara impeachment hearings by Delon Porcalla, Evelyn Macairan Philstar.com
LOS ANGELES — New estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau and the California Department of Finance show that Los Angeles County continues to post the largest numeric population decline of any U.S. county, underscoring its central role in California’s ongoing domestic outmigration. As of early 2026, the county’s population is estimated at about 9.7 million, down from u PAGE 3
U.S. expands social media vetting in visa process worldwide State Department reinforces five-year disclosure requirement as digital footprint becomes central to visa screening. WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of State has reinforced the role of social media vetting in visa adjudication, requiring applicants to disclose online identifiers as part of security and identity screening. The policy, reflected in consular operations as of late March 2026, builds on measures first implemented in 2019, when most visa applicants were required to list social media identifiers used within the previous five years on forms such as the DS-160 and DS-260. U.S. officials state that the information is used to verify identity and assess eligibility under immigration law, including the evaluation u PAGE 2
NO PRICE INCREASE. Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Cristina Roque leads the special monitoring of basic necessities and commodities in several supermarkets in Taguig City on Tuesday, March 31, 2026. Over the weekend, the DTI said the prices of goods have remained steady but might increase beyond April 16. PNA photo by Avito Dalan
Iran allows passage for Philippines Federal authorities announce charges against multiple bound ships through Hormuz defendants in Southern California healthcare fraud crackdown by Cristina Chi Philstar.com
MANILA — Iran has assured the Philippines that its vessels and seafarers will be allowed safe and unhindered passage through the Strait of Hormuz — a breakthrough that Manila hopes will ease its deepening energy crisis triggered by the month-long blockade of the waterway. Foreign Affairs Secretary Theresa Lazaro secured the commitment in a phone call
Thursday, April 2, with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi. Tehran pledged to allow Philippine-flagged vessels, energy shipments, and all Filipino seafarers to transit the strait without obstruction. “During the call, the Iranian Foreign Minister assured the Secretary that Iran will allow the safe, unhindered, and expeditious passage through the Strait of Hormuz of Philippine-flagged vessels, energy sources, u PAGE 2
USTR flags ‘widespread’ Trump removes Pam Bondi as Philippine customs corruption U.S. attorney general, elevates L K -E M. Z Todd Blanche in interim shift at Justice Department by ogan
al l Inquirer.net
MANILA — Corruption remains a sticking point in trade between Manila and Washington, with the United States Trade Representative (USTR) again flagging irregularities across Philippine institutions as a major trade barrier. In its 2026 National Trade Estimate report, the USTR described corruption in the Philippines as “pervasive and longstanding.” The agency warned that graft and bribery could disrupt markets and “frustrate broader reforms and economic stabilization programs.” “Corruption is a pervasive and
MANILA — The House of Representatives will continue its impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte next month despite a petition filed before the Supreme Court by her supporters. San Juan Rep. Ysabel Maria Zamora said the move was expected, noting that Duterte’s legal camp is merely exhausting available remedies. “Of course, we expected that, and we felt that they were going to file a petition before the SC. I mean, she (Duterte) has her lawyers, and it is just natural for the lawyers to exhaust all remedies available to them,” Zamora said on Monday, March 30 over ANC. The lawmaker said the House committee on justice, chaired by Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro, will proceed in line with the 1987 Constitution and House impeachment rules. “What will happen next is the continuation of the proceedings before the committee on justice, where we will have a hearing, as stated under the Constitution and as stated in the rules of impeachment of the House. So we will proceed with a hearing,” she said. The panel began clarificatory hearings on March 25 after finding two impeachment complaints filed by Fr. u PAGE 3
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longstanding problem in both the private and public sector in the Philippines,” the report said. “National and local government agencies, for example the Bureau of Customs (BOC), are beset with various corruption issues, including allegations of overt bribery.” Singling out the BOC, the USTR said some shipments are subjected to 100-percent inspection and testing. Others face inconsistent fee assessments and processing delays. The report also cited complications in customs valuation, such u PAGE 2
by AJPress WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald Trump removed Pam Bondi as U.S. attorney general on April 2, 2026, reshaping leadership at the Department of Justice and ending a tenure that had drawn increasing scrutiny. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche will serve as acting attorney general, according to multiple confirmed reports and official statements. Bondi had been sworn in as attorney general in February 2025 and remained in the role until her removal Thursday, marking one of the most consequential Cabinet-level changes of Trump’s current term. Sudden leadership change at the Justice Department Trump confirmed the decision publicly, naming Blanche as inu PAGE 2
DOJ announcement and court filings allege more than $50 million in intended losses across hospice and private health plan schemes by AJPress LOS ANGELES — Thursday, April 2, 2026 — According to a U.S. Department of Justice press release and related federal court filings, federal authorities arrested eight defendants and charged multiple others in Southern California healthcare fraud cases alleging more than $50 million in intended losses. The charges arise from criminal complaints and indictments filed in federal court. The cases were filed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California in coordination with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, and other federal partners. Federal officials said the enforcement actions are part of ongoing efforts to combat health-
care fraud involving Medicare and private insurance programs. Hospice fraud allegations focus on ineligible enrollments According to prosecutors, several cases involve hospice companies that allegedly enrolled Medicare beneficiaries who prosecutors say were not terminally ill. Under Medicare rules, hospice care is intended for patients certified by a physician as having a life expectancy of six months or less if the illness runs its normal course. Court documents allege that some defendants falsified patient eligibility certifications and paid illegal kickbacks to induce enrollment. In certain instances, beneficiaries were allegedly offered monthly payments in exchange for enrolling in hospice services despite not qualifying. Case filings outline alleged u PAGE 3