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Saturday, June 27, 2026 Vol. 21 No. 256
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HOW A FIL-AM NURSE ALLEGEDLY SCAMMED U.S. MEDICARE By Malou TalosigBartolome
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EDERAL prosecutors in Houston, Texas, have charged Filipino-American nurse practitioner Marizel Cambri Yukee, 49, with allegedly masterminding a US$906‑million healthcare fraud scheme that exploited Medicare and TRICARE, two major US government health programs. Medicare is the US national health insurance program for senior citizens and certain disabled individuals, while TRICARE covers members of the military and their families. Both are taxpayer-funded, making fraud against them a direct loss to the public. Yukee was indicted in the Southern District of Texas
(Houston Division) by the Texas Strike Force as part of the DOJ’s nationwide healthcare fraud takedown. While the case is federal, her Las Vegas ties are central: she resides in Nevada, operated a clinic there, allegedly bribed a local administrator, funneled kickbacks through a Las Vegas shell company, and purchased multiple Las Vegas properties now subject to seizure. See “Fil-Am,” A2
PERFECT CALM Now calmer and showcasing its natural beauty, the majestic Mayon Volcano has brought a sense of relief to the townsfolk of Albay, who have long boasted of its “perfect cone” to promote tourism across the entire Bicol region. Ironically, this peaceful landscape belongs to a region famous for its fiery, spicy cuisine and a people known for their passionate, oragon spirit. JOEL C.PAREDES
CONSUMER CONFIDENCE AT LOWEST SINCE Q4 2020 TheFilipino-madePopemobile FIL-AM nurse practitioner Marizel Yukee (top photo)allegedly funded a lavish lifestyle with illicit Medicare and TRICARE proceeds, including a $865,000 Bulgari necklace and a $4.6‑million resort in the Philippines. SOURCE: MARIZEL YUKEE VIA LINKEDIN
FROM POPE FRANCIS TO POPE LEO XIV:
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By Andrea E. San Juan
HE high cost of food and fuel due to the Middle East conflict, alongside “insufficient” government policies to cushion the impact of rising prices, have made Filipino consumers more pessimistic in the second quarter of the year, according to data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). Consumers likewise expected higher unemployment and a weaker Philippine peso. Based on the results of the BSP’s Consumer Expectations Survey (CES), the overall consumer confidence index (CI) dropped to -42 percent in the second quarter of 2026—the lowest confidence index since the fourth quarter of 2020 when the index was at -47.9 percent. See “Consumer,” A2
-42%
The overall Consumer Confidence Index (CI) fell to -42 percent in the second quarter of 2026, its lowest level since the fourth quarter of 2020, reflecting growing pessimism among Filipinos over the economy, family finances, and income prospects amid higher food and fuel prices.
BSP says ready to take ‘appropriate’ action on Fitch ‘deteriorating’ outlook on banks By Andrea E. San Juan
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OLLOWING Fitch Ratings’ revision of the Philippine banking sector’s 2026 outlook to “deteriorating” from “neutral,” the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) assured the public that it stands ready to take “appropriate” supervisory action as needed to preserve financial stability. In a statement on Friday, the Central Bank said: “The BSP notes Fitch’s assessment and continues to closely monitor risks to credit quality, profitability, liquidity, and capital adequacy.” The BSP said Philippine banks remain “well positioned” to withstand potential shocks, supported by ample liquidity, adequate capital buffers, and manageable asset quality. “While some pressure may emerge in specific borrower segments, risks remain contained, with See “BSP,” A2
KEY VULNERABILITY
8%
Share of the Philippine banking system’s total lending now made up of unsecured credit card receivables, a segment Fitch says carries higher credit risk.
“The BSP stands ready to take appropriate supervisory action, as needed, to preserve financial stability and protect the public.” — Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), after Fitch Ratings revised its 2026 outlook for the Philippine banking sector to “deteriorating” from “neutral,” citing expectations of higher loan losses and weaker bank profitability.
Women, girls face critical risks after M7.8 Sarangani quake, says UNFPA By Malou TalosigBartolome
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HE United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has warned that the lives and safety of women and girls in Mindanao are at risk following the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck the region on June 10. In a situation report released June 24, UNFPA said damaged health facilities and overcrowded evacuation centers have left pregnant women, adolescent girls, and displaced families at heightened risk. At Sarangani Provincial Hospital in Alabel, maternity wards were forced into makeshift outdoor tents after permanent facilities collapsed. See “UNFPA,” A2
WITH its maternity ward damaged by the powerful June 10 earthquake, Sarangani Provincial Hospital in Alabel has moved deliveries into makeshift outdoor tents, where doctors and nurses continue caring for mothers and newborns under challenging conditions. PRESIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE
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Y all appearances, a vehicle born in the Philippines has once again found itself at the center of a historic moment in the life of the Catholic Church. In some of Pope Leo XIV’s travels during his Apostolic Journey to Spain, the Popemobile was seen accompanying him in various public engagements, allowing the Holy Father to greet the faithful gathered along his route. Its presence became part of several moments where the Pope moved among large crowds during his visit. Its most notable appearance came on June 10, 2026, when Pope Leo XIV traveled through the streets of Barcelona aboard the Popemobile en route to the Basilica of the Sagrada Família. Thousands of faithful lined the roads leading to the iconic basilica to greet the Holy Father and witness a historic moment. The Pope rode in the Popemobile as he made his way to one of the most significant events of his pontificate: the inauguration and blessing of the Tower of Jesus Christ, the final and tallest central tower of Antoni Gaudí’s masterpiece. After celebrating Mass inside the basilica, Pope Leo XIV blessed the newly completed tower, marking the centenary of Gaudí's death
and a milestone in the construction of what is now the tallest church in the world. For many Filipinos, however, the event carried an additional layer of meaning. Observers noted striking similarities between the Popemobile used during the apostolic visit in Spain and the custom-built Isuzu D-MAX Popemobile created in the Philippines for Pope Francis’s 2015 visit. That vehicle was commissioned through the efforts of the Cabangon family and built by Isuzu Gencars and Almazora Motors in partnership with Filipino craftsmen and engineers. See “Popemobile,” A2
PESO EXCHANGE RATES n US 61.3890 n JAPAN 0.3795 n UK 81.0151 n HK 7.8305 n CHINA 9.0291 n SINGAPORE 47.3534 n AUSTRALIA 42.4075 n EU 69.8238 n KOREA 0.0398 n SAUDI ARABIA 16.3495 Source: BSP (June 26, 2026)