SAN DIEGO
We’ve got you covered from Hollywood to Broadway...and Online!
APRIL 10 - 16, 2026
611 North Brand Blvd., Suite 1300, Glendale, CA 91203
Serving San Diego since 1987 • 12 Pages
info@asianjournalinc.com • Tel: (818) 937-9981 • (818) 937-9982 • (213) 250-9797
Also published in Los Angeles, Orange County/Inland Empire, Northern California, San Diego, New York/New Jersey Las Vegas,
Philippine debt reaches P18.16 trillion DATELINE USA U.S. moves to as domestic borrowing drives growth automatic Selective FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
Service registration
Shift toward peso financing limits external exposure; fiscal space narrows as obligations near full-year ceiling
Government will automatically register eligible men, replacing self-signup requirement
by AJPress MANILA — The Philippines’ national government debt rose to a record P18.16 trillion at the end of
February 2026, according to data released by the March figures, making February the latest available Bureau of the Treasury, marking a 0.14 percent in- data point. crease from January and bringing total obligations The latest figures reflect a continued policy prefclose to the government’s P19.06 trillion program erence for domestic financing, as authorities seek to u PAGE 2 for the year. The Treasury has yet to release end-
NPA conducting foreign linked recruitment, Philippine military says
WASHINGTON — The United States is moving to an automatic registration system for Selective Service, marking the most consequential administrative change to the process since the modern system resumed in 1980. The change is part of the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, signed into law on December 18, 2025. It transfers responsibility for registration from individuals to the Selective Service System (SSS) through the use of existing federal data. Selective Service registration is not military service. It is a legal requirement for eligible men to provide basic information to the government for use only if a draft is authorized. Implementation and scope On March 30, 2026, the SSS submitted its u PAGE 3
by AJPress
A generational shift in the pews: Gen Z men reengage with the Church Survey data indicate a narrowing gender gap in religious participation as younger men report renewed engagement with Catholic practice, even as overall affiliation continues to decline. MANILA / WASHINGTON — Survey data from the Pew Research Center and the Cooperative Election Study indicate a measurable shift in religious participation among younger men, particularly within Catholic contexts. While overall religious affiliation in the United States continues to decline, driven in part by the sustained rise of those identifying as religiously unaffiliated, recent datasets show that men under 30 report weekly attendance at rates broadly comparable to women in the same age group. Historically, women u PAGE 3
DOUBLE-DIGIT HIKE. Workers unload liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tanks for delivery at a hotel in Manila on Wednesday, April 8, 2026. LPG prices rose by as much as PHP20 per kg., pushing up the cost of a typical 11-kg. cylinder by about PHP220. PNA photo by Yancy Lim
Hormuz disruptions snarl Philippine-linked Atong Ang narrowly eludes arrest say suspect missed by hours as cargo as Iran assures passage for PH ships Authorities manhunt intensifies Manila moves to secure fuel supply and protect Filipino seafarers as shipping through a critical oil corridor remains heavily restricted despite a fragile ceasefire. by AJPress MANILA, Philippines — Philippine authorities and shipping industry representatives said cargo movement linked to the Philippines
remains under strain in the Strait of Hormuz, even after Iran conveyed assurances that Philippine-flagged vessels, energy shipments, and Filipino seafarers would be allowed safe passage. u PAGE 2
Hospice fraud cases enter court phase Ombudsman to file plunder cases after Southern California arrests against Romualdez, Escudero in May Federal prosecutors outline allegations of improper Medicare billing as enforcement action shifts from arrests to litigation by AJPress LOS ANGELES — One week after federal authorities announced arrests in a sweeping Southern California health care fraud enforcement action, prosecutors are moving forward with hospice-related cases in federal court. The U.S. Department of Justice has charged multiple defendants in connection with hospice-related billing schemes in the Central District of California, alleging
SAN JOSE, Occidental Mindoro — Philippine military officials say handwritten materials recovered after an encounter in Occidental Mindoro may indicate the presence of recruits with overseas exposure within communist insurgent ranks, which the military identified as members of the New People’s Army (NPA). The documents, described by the military as “diary-style entries,” were recovered from a vacated encampment following a recent engagement. Officials say the entries are dated March 2026 and written in English. The materials have not been independently authenticated, and their authorship remains under investigation. Military assessment, limits of verification Col. Michael Aquino, spokesperson for the Philippine Army’s 2nd Infantry Division, said the tone and fluency of the writings suggest familiarity with urban or international environments. He described the materials as indicative of what the military characterized as an “international dimension” in recruitment, though no independent verification or broader dataset was presented. u PAGE 3
that providers sought reimbursement for end-of-life care for patients who were not terminally ill. Across the broader enforcement action, authorities have cited more than $50 million in intended losses. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Allegations center on hospice eligibility and billing practices At the core of the cases are allegations that hospice providers u PAGE 3
The Ombudsman is ready to file plunder cases against Rep. Martin Romualdez and Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero. by Gideon Tinsay Philstar.com
OMBUDSMAN Jesus Crispin Remulla disclosed his plan of action in a press conference on Monday, Apr. 6. “Plunder ang aming inihahandang kasong para sa kanila... with the element of conspiracy involved in the preparation of the complaint,” he said. Remulla added that his office is only tying up evidence before finally making the complaint within the month of May. He also confirmed that the cases are in relation to the ongoing flood control scandal. He added that the two lawmakers are among several individuals his office will charge with plunder and malversation. u PAGE 2
by AJPress MANILA — Philippine authorities narrowly missed apprehending Charlie ‘Atong’ Ang during a pre-dawn operation on April 9, according to Jonvic Remulla, who said law enforcement acted on a confirmed “eyeball sighting” but arrived too late. The operation, conducted at approximately 5:00 a.m. at an undisclosed location, was based on intelligence indicating the presence of Ang, who is currently facing multiple criminal charges. Officials said the target had vacated the site roughly a day before authorities moved in. “We conducted operations because there was an eyeball sighting of him, but we were a day too late,” Remulla said in a televised interview. Ang is the subject of standing warrants issued by regional trial courts in Batangas and Laguna. According to authorities, the charges include kidnapping and serious illegal detention, as well as kidnapping with homicide—allegations tied to the unresolved disappearance of dozens of cockfighting participants, locally known as sabungeros, in 2021. Charges and ongoing inves-
tigation The case remains one of the most complex criminal investigations in recent Philippine history. Law enforcement agencies allege that the disappearances may be linked to disputes within the country’s cockfighting and betting operations. Authorities have not publicly disclosed all evidentiary details, and the allegations remain subject to judicial proceedings. Government officials have placed a P20-million reward for information leading to Ang’s arrest, underscoring the high priority assigned to the case. Security concerns and police probe Remulla described Ang as a high-risk fugitive, citing financial resources and alleged connections that may enable him to evade capture. Authorities have deployed specialized units to pursue the case. Separately, investigators are examining potential links between Ang and several former police officials. The inquiry is ongoing, and no final determinations of liability have been announced. u PAGE 3