APRIL 11 - 17, 2026
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Volume 37 - No. 15 • 14 Pages
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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 Feb-
ruary 2026, according to data released by the Bureau February the latest available data point. of the Treasury, marking a 0.14 percent increase from The latest figures reflect a continued policy prefJanuary and bringing total obligations close to the gov- erence for domestic financing, as authorities seek to ernment’s P19.06 trillion program for the year. The manage exposure to global market volatility and foru PAGE 2 Treasury has yet to release end-March figures, making
Lynda P. Johnson becomes first Filipina mayor of Cerritos
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 4
Council names Mark E. Pulido, the city’s first Filipino American mayor, as mayor pro tem by AJPress
Avoid tax scams and taxpayer ID theft Federal agencies warn of impersonation schemes, phishing and payment fraud during peak filing season LOS ANGELES — Federal regulators are warning taxpayers to remain vigilant as scam activity accelerates during the filing season, with impersonation calls, phishing messages and fraudulent payment demands continuing to target individuals expecting refunds or resolving tax obligations. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), along with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), has issued updated consumer guidance outlining how these schemes operate and how to avoid them. Impersonation and spoofed calls Authorities say scammers frequently pose as IRS officials through phone calls, text messages or emails, sometimes manipulating caller ID systems to make the contact u PAGE 4
The newly reorganized Cerritos City Council, from left: Councilmember Jennifer Hong, Mayor Pro Tem Mark E. Pulido, Mayor Lynda P. Johnson, Councilmember Frank Aurelio Yokoyama, and Councilmember Sophia M. Tse
Hormuz disruptions snarl Philippine-linked Marcos Appoints Trade Diplomat cargo as Iran assures passage for PH ships Angara-Mathay as Tourism Secretary, 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 Philip-
pines 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 NPA conducting foreign after Southern California arrests linked recruitment, 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
CERRITOS, Calif. — The Cerritos City Council on Wednesday, April 8, selected Lynda P. Johnson as mayor, marking the first time a Filipina has held the city’s highest office following its annual reorganization meeting. Johnson will serve a one-year term as presiding officer of the five-member council, which also appointed Mark E. Pulido, who previously served as the city’s first Filipino American mayor, as mayor pro tem. The council includes Johnson, Pulido, Jennifer Hong, Sophia M. Tse and Frank Aurelio Yokoyama. Under Cerritos’ council-manager system, the mayor is selected from among councilmembers and serves in a rotating capacity, presiding over meetings and representing the city in official functions. u PAGE 4
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 2
Philippine military says by AJPress
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 indicu PAGE 2
Elevating Investment-Focused Approach by AJPress
MANILA — Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed career trade and investment official Ma. Bernardita “Dita” Angara-Mathay as Secretary of the Department of Tourism (DOT), the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said Friday, April 10, 2026. The appointment places a foreign service trade diplomat with experience in investment promotion at the helm of the country’s tourism agency, as the administration seeks to further align tourism with broader economic and infrastructure development priorities. Tokyo Trade Post and Investment Promotion Role Prior to her Cabinet appointment, Angara-Mathay served as commercial counselor at the Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC) in Tokyo, Japan, under the Department of Trade and Industry’s Foreign Trade Service Corps. In that role, she represented Philippine economic interests in trade missions, investment briefings, and bilateral economic dialogues aimed at strength-
ening commercial relations with Japan, one of the country’s largest sources of foreign investment. Government investment promotion reports during the period indicated that the Philippines secured approximately P51 billion in investment commitments from Japanese firms in 2025, including engagements involving companies such as Koshidaka Holdings, Marubeni Corporation, Sojitz Corporation, and Mitsui & Co. These commitments formed part of broader national investment promotion outcomes. Tourism Policy Direction Under Review According to the PCO, the appointment reflects an effort to position tourism as both a destination development sector and a contributor to investment generation, employment, and regional economic growth. Officials said tourism strategy is expected to be more closely integrated with infrastructure development and regional economic planning under the new u PAGE 4