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Volume 24 - No. 48 • 12 Pages
T h e F i l i p i n o A m e r i ca n C o m mu n i t y N e ws pa p e r
Volume 18 - No. 17 • 2 Sections – 16 Pages
November 28-December 4, 2025
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Zaldy Co extends allegations to Marcos DATELINE USA Study shows Gen Z most family; Palace rejects claims as unverified from the AJPress NEWS TEAM across America
likely to leave Las Vegas
LAS VEGAS — A new global urban-preferences study suggests that many young Las Vegans view the city as a temporary stop rather than a long-term home. The Gensler City Pulse 2025 survey, which gathered responses from 33,000 residents in 65 cities, found that half of Gen Z respondents in Las Vegas said they are likely to move away. That 50 percent share is the highest of any age group in the study. Millennials followed at 38 percent, Gen X at 35 percent, and baby boomers at 19 percent. Researchers noted that young residents weigh the same core issues as older age groups when deciding whether to stay. Respondents identified cost of living, public safety, school quality and access to health care as their top considerations. The report encourages cities to improve affordability, strengthen schools, expand transit and address safety concerns to retain younger populations. Other data show that Las Vegas experiences significant churn. Census estimates indicate that about 16 percent of city residents moved within the past year, a rate higher than the Neu PAGE 2
by AJPress MANILA — Former lawmaker Zaldy Co has widened a series of explosive online allegations to include members of the Marcos family, asserting in new video statements that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, Ilocos Norte Rep. Sandro Marcos, and the First Lady’s brother Martin Araneta held roles in budget kickbacks or agricultural supply
arrangements. The claims, released between mid-November and Nov. 27, remain unverified, and no government agency, court, or regulator has filed charges in relation to any of Co’s allegations. Co has not presented documentary evidence to support his statements. Palace officials and those named have denied wrongdoing and dismissed his claims as unfounded. Co issued the videos while facing arrest orders and
NEW YORK — Families of several Filipino nationals detained in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities are speaking out, alleging both the United States and Philippine governments have neglected their loved ones, who now face possible deportation. The statements came as relatives of Filipino freelance journalist and DACA recipient Yaa’kub Ira Vijandre – whose legal name is Jacob Ira Azurin Vijandre – and green card holder Sonny John Lasquite recently appeared in court, joined by the Tanggol Migrante Movement, an advocacy group assisting Filipino migrants across the United States. Yaa’kub Ira Vijandre Vijandre has been held in immigration deu PAGE 8
u PAGE 2
Nursing loses ‘professional degree’ status under new Trump administration loan rules Loan overhaul reshapes financing for nursing students by AJPress
Families of Filipinos in ICE detention decry neglect of migrants The families of DACA recipient Yaa’kub Ira Vijandre and green card holder Sonny Lasquite speak out
plunder referrals tied to what authorities describe as the nation’s largest ongoing infrastructure corruption investigation. Co names president, Romualdez, Sandro, first lady, DOJ official and others in expanding series In the video releases, Co alleges: • Former House Speaker Martin Romualdez received roughly P55 billion in kickbacks tied to
CHRISTMAS BAZAAR. Customers check out Christmas decorations during the first day of the Noel Bazaar Christmas Expo at the World Trade Center in Pasay City on Wednesday (Nov. 26, 2025). The expo runs until Nov. 30. PNA photo by Yancy Lim
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Trump administration removed nursing programs from the federal list of professional degrees, a change that reshapes how thousands of students finance advanced training across the United States. President Donald Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act on July 4, 2025, launching a broad restructuring of federal student-loan categories. The law reserves the highest borrowing limits for programs classified as professional degrees. Education officials later released an updated list that includes medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, law and other license-based fields. Nursing and related disciplines are not included. Graduate nursing students now face a loan ceiling of $20,500 a year and $100,000 total. Students in approved professional programs can borrow up to u PAGE 4
Manila to host first WTA tour stop with 2026 Philippine Women’s Open by AJPress MANILA — The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) has officially added Manila to its 2026 calendar with the launch of the Philippine Women’s Open, a WTA 125 tournament set for January 26–31, 2026. It marks the first time the Philippines will host a WTA tour-level event, placing the country on the global tennis map during a period of renewed expansion for the sport in Asia. The WTA lists the event as a 32-player sin-
gles and 16-team doubles tournament with a $115,000 prize purse, making it one of the key early-season stops in the region. PSC, PHILTA finalize preparations The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the Philippine Tennis Association (PHILTA) will jointly stage the competition. PSC chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio said preparations include significant upgrades to the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center, which is being reinforced to meet WTA standards. The u PAGE 2 Independent Commission for Infrastructure chairman Andres Reyes Jr. and Department of
Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon submit to Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla documents recommending plunder and graft charges against seven lawmakers and resigned congressman Zaldy Co over the flood control corruption scandal. Philstar.com photo by Miguel de Guzman
‘2025 among most disaster- Coming soon: Arrest prone years in history’ of flood scam ‘big fish’ Co, 7 lawmakers face by Delon Porcalla Philstar.com
DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian Philstar.com file photo
by Rainier Allan Ronda, Mark Ernest Villeza Philstar.com
MANILA — The Philippines has endured what could be “one of the most disaster-prone” years in its recent history this year, Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian said on Wednesday, November 26. During the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum, Gatchalian cited the series of calamities that battered the country and left hundreds of people dead nationwide. “This year would be one of the most disaster-prone years – from Typhoon Nando (in September, u PAGE 8
MANILA — Expect the “big fish” in the multibillion-peso flood control corruption scandal – including senators and congressmen – to fall into the government dragnet and get locked up in five weeks, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said on Tuesday, November 25. “Big fish are coming soon. We should expect the Discayas, senators and congressmen in the next five weeks. There will be no special treatment. They will be treated like everyone else,” Remulla said at a briefing with Bureau of
Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) officials at the New Quezon City Jail where six of eight public works officials charged for involvement in flood control anomalies are now detained. Remulla said some of the suspects or accused still at large are abroad, including in Qatar and the United States. He said they have until Thursday, November 27 to surrender to the nearest Philippine embassy. “We have copies of their passports. We can find them wherever u PAGE 8
plunder, graft cases by EJ Macababbad Philstar.com
MANILA — Seven congressmen who are owners of construction firms that have contracts with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) have been recommended for prosecution by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure. Also on ICI’s list – the eighth – was resigned party-list representative and fugitive Zaldy Co. The lawmakers – mockingly called “cong-tractors” – “ap-
peared” to have violated the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Government Officials and Public Employees, for taking part in firms found doing business with the DPWH, the ICI said in its recommendation addressed to the Office of the Ombudsman. “These congressmen should not be engaging in private business activities that conflict with their official duties and they should not influence bids and awards,” ICI chairu PAGE 4