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Volume 37 - No. 17 • 12 Pages
APRIL 24 - 30, 2026
Also published in Los Angeles, Orange County/Inland Empire, Northern California, San Diego, New York/New Jersey
DATELINE USA FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
Trump administration weighs citizenship data requirement for banks; no order issued Proposal under review would expand federal banking compliance rules; officials confirm policy remains in development with no implementation timeline
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ICC Sends Duterte to Trial on Crimes Against Humanity Charges Landmark ruling commits former Philippine president to trial at The Hague, the first former Asian head of government to face the ICC. by AJPress
THE HAGUE — The International Criminal Court firming three counts of crimes against humanity tied committed former Philippine president Rodrigo Roa to killings alleged during his tenure as Davao City Duterte to full trial Thursday after unanimously conu PAGE 3
Philippine authorities move to secure return of Zaldy Co from Czech custody
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The administration of Donald Trump is evaluating a policy that would require U.S. financial institutions to collect and verify the citizenship status of their customers, according to administration officials and regulatory analysts. As of mid-April 2026, no executive order has been signed and no federal rule mandates such a requirement. The proposal, described by officials as under active review, would represent a significant expansion of existing financial compliance standards and could reshape how banks onboard and monitor customers. u PAGE 2
Maximum Social Security benefit in 2026 reaches $5,181, underscoring gap with typical retiree income WASHINGTON, D.C. — The highest possible monthly Social Security retirement benefit in 2026 will reach $5,181, according to the Social Security Administration, a figure that reflects the program’s upper boundary rather than the experience of most retirees. Federal data shows that amount applies to individuals who claim benefits at age 70, the latest age at which delayed retirement credits are applied. By comparison, the maximum benefit falls to $4,152 at full retirement age and $2,969 at age 62, illustrating the significant impact of claiming decisions on monthly income. Earnings history drives benefit size Social Security calculates retirement benefits based on a worker’s highest 35 years of u PAGE 4
Justice secretary leads Prague mission as government pursues legal pathways to bring former lawmaker back for trial by AJPress
MONITORING. Families of victims of alleged extrajudicial killings gather at Atencio-Libunao Hall of the University of the Philippines Diliman in Quezon City on Wednesday (April 22, 2026) to watch a livestream of the International Criminal Court proceedings. The Appeals Chamber affirmed the Oct. 28, 2025 decision that rejected former president Rodrigo Duterte’s challenge to the jurisdiction of ICC in handling his cases, thus the request for his immediate and unconditional release is moot. PNA photo by Joan Bondoc
Romualdez rejects allegations as Ombudsman Robredo rules out 2028 presidential bid, signals actions intensify flood control probe Denied travel request, asset-freeze move, and planned second term as Naga mayor plunder complaints mark a critical phase in one of the Philippines’ largest infrastructure investigations by AJPress MANILA — Former House Speaker Martin Romualdez has denied allegations linking him to a multibillion-peso flood control controver-
Former vice president cites unfinished local agenda, says return to national office is no sy, as the Office of the Ombudsman escalated longer on the horizon legal actions and signaled that criminal complaints may be filed in the coming weeks. A shift from silence to direct challenge In a video statement released April 21, u PAGE 4
AMLC flags P6.7B in transactions Flight cancellations spread as jet linked to Vice President Sara fuel crisis disrupts global aviation Duterte as House review deepens Strait of Hormuz disruption drives fuel by AJPress
MANILA — The Philippines’ Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) told lawmakers that bank transactions totaling approximately P6.7 billion linked to Vice President Sara Duterte and her husband, lawyer Manases Carpio, were flagged by financial institutions as either “covered” or “suspicious,” according to testimony presented before the House Committee on Justice. The disclosure forms part of congressional proceedings reviewing financial records in connection with impeachment com-
MANILA — The Department of Justice (DOJ) confirmed Thursday that a senior delegation is departing for the Czech Republic to explore legal options, including deportation or extradition, to facilitate the return of former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co to the Philippines. Justice Secretary Fredderick A. Vida is leading the mission to Prague, where Philippine officials are expected to meet with Czech counterparts to determine how Co can be returned to face pending criminal charges before the Sandiganbayan. Vida will be accompanied by Chief State Counsel Dennis Chan, with discussions focused on legal pathways available under Czech and international law. Officials did not provide a definitive timetable, citing the u PAGE 3
plaints against the vice president, with lawmakers shifting toward documentary evidence, including asset declarations and banking data. Financial trail surfaces in congressional review AMLC Executive Director Ronel Buenaventura said the agency’s database recorded hundreds of reportable transactions from 2006 to 2025 involving accounts associated with Duterte and Carpio. The total flagged amount reached about P6.7 billion, with roughly P3.7 billion linked to Duterte and P2.9 billion to Carpio, based on figures presented during u PAGE 4
shortages, forcing airlines to cut routes and raise fares ahead of peak travel season by AJPress
AIRLINES worldwide are scaling back operations as a sharp rise in fuel costs—linked to disruptions in global oil supply—continues to strain the aviation sector. At the center of the disruption is the reduced flow of oil through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for roughly 20 percent of global supply. The constraint has pushed jet fuel prices to nearly double their pre-conflict levels, prompting airlines across Asia, Europe, and North America to cancel flights, adjust schedules, and increase fares. Industry data from aviation analytics firm Cirium shows that 19 of the world’s 20 largest airlines have reduced planned capacity for May 2026. Global seat availability has declined by about three percentage u PAGE 4
by AJPress NAGA CITY — Former Philippine Vice President Leni Robredo has ruled out a run for any national position in the 2028 elections, delivering her most definitive statement yet that her political future will remain at the local level. “I am sure for myself that I won’t take part in the national elections,” Robredo said in a Bicolano-language radio interview on April 21. She added she would “most probably” seek reelection as mayor of Naga City, citing the limits of a three-year term. The remarks formalize a shift that began after her 2022 presidential loss to Ferdinand Marcos Jr., after which she moved away from national politics and refocused on local governance. She won the Naga mayoralty in 2025 by a wide margin and assumed office on June 30, becoming the city’s first female mayor. Robredo said her decision
is driven less by political calculation than by governance constraints. She described the three-year mayoral term as insufficient to carry out long-term programs, particularly those requiring coordination with national agencies. Her administration has prioritized flood mitigation, water access, traffic management, and basic services, but she acknowledged that reforms remain incomplete. Her withdrawal reshapes the opposition landscape ahead of 2028. Vice President Sara Duterte has already declared her candidacy, while Robredo had remained a potential contender in early polling discussions despite repeated reluctance. Opposition figures, including Leila de Lima and Antonio Trillanes IV, had previously urged her to clarify her plans, arguing that uncertainty could delay the emergence of alternau PAGE 4