Trump – Author Carlo Carrasco

Illegal Alien In America Sentenced To 8 Years In Prison Over $89 Million Fraudulent Payroll Scheme

July 2, 2026July 1, 2026carlocarrasco

There is no denying the fact that fraud and other forms of crime went up in the United States whenever illegal aliens get involved. Recently an illegal alien was sentenced to eight years in prison for his involvement in an $89 fraudulent payroll scheme that saw illegal alien construction workers and their employers evade taxes, according to a news report by Breitbart. The convicted illegal alien criminal is from Honduras.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the report of Breitbart. Some parts in boldface…

An illegal alien has been sentenced to eight years in federal prison for his involvement in an $89 million fraudulent payroll scheme that saw illegal alien construction workers and their employers evade taxes.

“Today, we held an illegal alien from Honduras accountable for a brazen scheme that stole more than $38 million from American taxpayers to facilitate the employment of illegal aliens,” Assistant Attorney General Colin McDonald said.

“This case exposes how unchecked illegal immigration fuels widespread payroll tax fraud and underground economies that harm American workers and taxpayers,” McDonald said. “This sentence sends a strong message: Those who exploit our open borders, cheat the U.S. Treasury, and violate federal laws will face justice.”

Department of Justice (DOJ) officials detailed how the illegal alien helped operate the payroll scheme through several maneuvers to ensure that illegal construction workers were kept off the books:

According to court documents and statements made in court, from 2015 to 2022, Mario Flores, of Honduras, an illegal alien, conspired with others to create a series of shell companies to run an unlicensed check cashing and cash courier service business. These shell companies cashed approximately $89 million in checks from subcontractors in the construction industry, charging them a percentage of the dollar amount of the checks they cashed as a fee for this service. Through this scheme, construction contractors and subcontractors paid their workers in cash without withholding and paying required payroll taxes, allowing them to operate without regard to the workers’ legal authority to work in the United States. Flores also caused the filing of false tax documents with the IRS to conceal the scheme.

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In addition, Flores and his conspirators defrauded workers’ compensation insurance companies by leasing their certificates of insurance to contractors and by providing false and fraudulent information to the insurers about, among other things, the number of workers covered by the insurance and the amount workers were paid.

“Homeland Security Investigations is committed to protecting the integrity of our financial system and enforcing our nation’s laws,” HSI’s John Condon said. “Those who orchestrate large-scale payroll tax fraud and facilitate the illegal employment of unauthorized workers will be held accountable.”

Flores pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud the U.S. government and one count of conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transmitting business.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think America still has a lot more illegal aliens working in construction and committing fraud to this day? Do you think illegal aliens are obsessed committing fraud and harming American workers and taxpayers?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

US Department Of Agriculture Says Philippines Is Missing Out On Surging Global Demand For Ube

July 2, 2026July 1, 2026carlocarrasco

There is a surging global demand for ube (purple yam) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) says the Philippines is missing out on it as its ube production declined a lot in 2025, according to a news report by the Manila Bulletin.

Ube has long been produced here in the Philippines and it has been consumed in its standalone form and also has been used as a key ingredient in making other delicacies. The strong international demand for ube of recent times is new. The purple yam is also used in certain flavors of ice cream.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the report of the Manila Bulletin. Some parts in boldface…

The Philippines is well-positioned to meet the surging international demand for ube (purple yam), but persistent gaps in domestic production are limiting its ability to capitalize on this export potential, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

In a market brief dated June 26, the USDA noted that the country’s ube production has significant room for expansion given its growing global appeal, driven by consumers who increasingly favor novel flavors and plant-based products.

Citing data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the USDA reported that the country produced only 12,483 metric tons (MT) of ube in 2025, a 6.7 percent decline from the 13,382 MT recorded the previous year.

The limited output was attributed to several constraints, including scarce planting materials, fragmented smallholder production, and insufficient processing capacity.

According to the USDA, these chronic gaps keep the ube sector underdeveloped relative to its massive market potential.

“Strengthening the ube value chain—from input supply and farm production to processing and market linkages—presents significant opportunities for increasing farmer incomes, expanding rural employment, and growing agricultural exports,” the report read.

To unlock the sector’s full potential, the USDA suggested that the government explore coordinated investment programs to address these production bottlenecks in a unified manner. One such initiative is the USDA’s Food for Progress (FFPr) program, which has identified the Philippine ube value chain as a priority sector.

In a formal notice, the USDA announced plans to award $34.12 million in funding to an eligible organization to implement a field-based project aimed at boosting ube output in both Luzon and the Visayas.

This private-sector partner will be tasked with developing a strategy aligned with existing government and donor programs to tackle key challenges, particularly where access to high-quality inputs remains limited.

Other planned interventions include training farmers on good agricultural practices and financial readiness, strengthening farmer groups and cooperatives, upgrading postharvest systems and processing quality, and promoting the adoption of sustainable technologies.

Erlier, the Department of Agriculture (DA) proposed establishing a steering committee and a technical working group to streamline government coordination and harness the ube sector’s growth trajectory.

The body would define the official scope of ube, standardize raw and processed products, and harmonize quality requirements across agencies and exporters.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you consider the UDSA’s assessment on Philippine ube as a serious wake-up call? What delicacies involving purple yam have you eaten lately? What do you think are the main factors as to why ube production in the Philippines declined a lot in 2025?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Trilateral Framework Agreement Aimed At Dismantling Hezbollah Signed by US, Israel And Lebanon

June 28, 2026June 27, 2026carlocarrasco

Following the initial talks in Washington, the United States, Israel and Lebanon signed a trilateral framework agreement that outlines a structured process for disarming the Islamic terrorist group Hezbollah, the terrorist infrastructure and enabling the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to withdraw from Lebanon one the terrorist threat is removed, according to a news report by The Jerusalem Post.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from The Jerusalem Post report. Some parts in boldface…

The United States, Israel, and Lebanon signed a trilateral framework agreement aimed at combating Iran-backed Lebanese terrorist group Hezbollah on Friday, after days of US-mediated talks in Washington.

According to a US State Department statement, the agreement outlines a structured process for disarming Hezbollah, dismantling terrorist infrastructure, and enabling the IDF to withdraw from Lebanon once the threat posed by Hezbollah is removed.

The agreement also established a US-facilitated trilateral Military Coordination Group for Lebanon (MCG4L) to ensure the implementation of the framework.

The US, according to the statement, will also take steps to improve the capabilities of the Lebanese Armed Forces and support Lebanese military efforts against Hezbollah.

In addition, the US pledged to contribute $100 million for humanitarian assistance to be coordinated with the United Nations.

A first step towards peace, prosperity, and mutual coexistence – US Secretary of State Marco Rubio commended Israeli and Lebanese leadership and delegations for their participation in the talks and for signing the agreement.

While Rubio noted that there is still much work ahead, he highlighted the importance of the framework and stated that the US is “honored to have played a part in bringing this together.”

“Today is the first step. This first step sometimes is the hardest one, but it’s an important one and the one we’ve taken together,” Rubio stated, adding that he hopes the agreement will bring about “a future of peace, a future of prosperity, a future of mutual coexistence.”

During the signing of the agreements, Israeli Ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter praised the trilateral cooperation as a “historical” move towards peace between Israel and Lebanon.

“In my opening remarks four days ago, I expressed concern that this train was running off the tracks, that Iran and its proxies wanted a trainwreck,” Leiter recounted.

He continued to describe that through the work of all involved with the negotiations, “we have put the train back on the tracks, and it’s running in the right direction,” towards “real peace, where both countries will live in security; where Israel’s and Lebanon’s sovereignty will be respected, honored, and protected.”

Framework agreement a ‘major achievement for Israel,’ Netanyahu says – Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded to the announcement in a video message on Friday, describing the framework as “a major achievement for the State of Israel.”

Netanyahu affirmed that as of the signing of the agreement, Israel will “remain [in] the security zone in southern Lebanon” and coordinate the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the area as the Lebanese army works to disarm Hezbollah and establish control over territory.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Are you convinced that the newly signed trilateral framework agreement will result in breakthroughs that can lead to real peace and coexistence between Israel and Lebanon? Do you feel confident that the Islamic terrorist group Hezbollah will get cornered (militarily and diplomatically) and stand down eventually?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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US Secretary Of State Rubio Warns Iran To Drop Its Fantasy Of Imposing Fees On Ships Passing Through Strait Of Hormuz

June 27, 2026June 26, 2026carlocarrasco

As Iran continues to be unpredictable following the deal it signed with the United States, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned the Islamic terrorist state against the fantasy of imposing fees on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, according to a Newsmax report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the Newsmax report. Some parts in boldface…

Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday warned Iran against “the fantasy” of imposing fees on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

Speaking after meetings with Gulf Cooperation Council leaders in Bahrain, Rubio said the Trump administration will not tolerate any attempt by Tehran to charge commercial vessels for using one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes.

“Fees and tolls are the same thing to me,” Rubio told reporters. “If you’re paying someone to go there, I don’t care if you call it a fee or a toll or a donation. It’s a toll.”

Rubio argued such a system would be impossible to enforce without threatening international shipping.

“Let’s say a ship says, ‘Well, I’m not going to pay the fee,’” he said. “It’s not like a toll on a road. You don’t get a ticket in the mail. They get shot at. You shoot at one ship, you sink one ship, no other ship is going to move. So that sort of system is not only unwise, it can’t happen. It’s not even workable. So you might as well abandon the fantasy now.“

The secretary said there was “zero support” among Gulf nations for any tolling system and emphasized President Donald Trump has made clear that charging for passage through the strategic waterway “cannot be a part” of any agreement with Iran.

“There isn’t a nation on Earth that supports having to pay money to go through the straits,” Rubio said, adding, “If you are charging money to use the straits, we won’t support it. We won’t tolerate it. We won’t allow it.“

Rubio’s remarks came after reports that some Iranian officials have floated charging ships for security, insurance, and other services following last week’s U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding, which temporarily restored free navigation through the strait while broader negotiations continue.

Under the agreement brokered by the Trump administration, Iran agreed to permit toll-free passage for at least 60 days as both sides pursue a broader peace arrangement.

Rubio stressed the administration is focused less on Tehran’s rhetoric than on its actions.

“We’re interested in whether or not ships are moving,” he said. “If ships are moving as they should be moving, then that’s what we’re going to judge. If this rhetoric is backed up by actual ships being threatened and ships are not moving, that’s a violation of the agreement and we’re going to have a problem with it.”

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think it is just a matter of time before the Islamic terrorist regime of Iran threatens to hit ships and force them to pay a fee for passage through the Strait of Hormuz? Who do you think is actually leading the current regime of Iran right now?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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US Supreme Court Approves Trump’s Move To End Temporary Protective Status For Haitians And Other Refugees

June 27, 2026June 27, 2026carlocarrasco

Remember years ago when the failed US President Joe Biden welcomed a massive number of Haitians to the United States with the temporary protective status (TPS)? That finally ended when the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) approved US President Donald Trump’s authority to put a definitive stop at the TPS of the Haitians as well as other refugees living in America, according to news reports by Breitbart and CBN News. The vote was 6-3.

This development is justice for the nation and the many Americans whose lives got disrupted severely when the numerous, protected Haitians arrived in their local communities causing spikes in rents, taking job opportunities away, entering schools and the like. It also clarifies that the US President has the authority on TPS.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the Breitbart report. Some parts in boldface…

In a 6-3 vote, the U.S. Supreme Court has endorsed President Donald Trump’s authority to end “Temporary Protected Status” for at least 450,000 Haitian migrants welcomed by President Joe Biden.

The judges said Congress’s law bars any judicial review of the White House TPS decisions:

The TPS statute plainly bars consideration of respondents’ non-constitutional claims. It allows “no judicial review of any determination… with respect to the… termination” of a TPS designation. 8 U. S. C. §1254a(b)(5)(A). The term “determination” can be used to describe either an individual decision or the whole process leading to a final decision, and under either understanding of the term, §1254a(b)(5)(A) squarely bars all of respondents’ non-constitutional claims.

The decision is good news for many Americans, including the citizens of Springfield, Ohio. The Ohio town has been radically disrupted because the local elite welcomed at least 10,000 wage-cutting, rent-spiking, diversity-boosting Haitian migrants into the city’s jobs, homes, schools, welfare offices, and roadways.

The decision means that the Haitian migrants will lose their work permits, access to government aid, drivers’ licenses, and legal residency. In turn, employers will face fines if they keep employing the Haitians instead of Americans, and landlords will have to negotiate cheaper rents for Americans as Haitians move out of the local housing market.

Many Haitians were actually provided visas by Biden’s officials to fly from Haiti to American towns — despite the huge economic and civic harm to the millions of left-behind Haitians. The crippling outflow included many doctors, cops, teachers, and politicians.

But the decision is also an economic loss for many investors and a management headache for many employers who hired Haitian migrants instead of competing for Americans in the national labor market.

In April, Breitbart News reported that pro-TPS lobbyists had submitted a legal brief by pro-migration economists which said Biden’s 1.4 million TPS migrants from Haiti, Venezuela, and El Salvador create $20 billion in annual profits for investors.

The report of CBN News mentions Syrians and Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor’s highly unusual way of reading her dissent from the bench. Some parts in boldface…

The Supreme Court issued a key decision on the issue of immigration on Thursday, ruling that the Trump administration has the authority to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for certain refugees living in the U.S.

The immigrants affected by this case were granted Temporary Protected Status under a law passed by Congress in 1990. The program allows the Homeland Security Secretary to let people from certain countries remain and work in the U.S. when conditions back home make it unsafe to return. That same law also gives the secretary the authority to end those protections.

“It gives people protection while the country’s in turmoil or after they suffer a hurricane,” explained Border Czar Tom Homan during a press briefing Thursday.

The Trump administration first announced its plans to end TPS for Haitians in the summer of last year, and for Syrians in the fall. Those decisions were put on hold by lower courts until Thursday’s Supreme Court ruling.

“The decision creates the type of panic, in a sense, that people in our community are wondering what the best action to do now,” said Viles Dorsainvil, who runs a support center for Haitians in Springfield, Ohio.

He and his wife are also now at risk of deportation.

“We are just TPS holders and asylum seekers. So, we’ll be relying on our asylum. We have our permit in the asylum, that we will continue to work. We will continue to do what we gotta do, but we don’t know how long,” Dorsainvil said.

Thursday’s ruling was 6-3, the majority saying Congress gave the Homeland Security Secretary broad discretion over TPS, including the authority to decide when to end it.

Justice Sonia Sotomayor strongly disagreed with the ruling, taking the unusual step of reading her dissent aloud from the bench. “The consequences of today’s decision are predictable,” said Justice Sotomayor. “More people will die.”

“More people will turn back and be subjected to violence because of something they cannot or should not have to change about themselves, such as their race, religion, nationality, or political opinion.”

Following her comments, Justice Samuel Alito, who read the majority decision, remarked that, had he known she planned to read her dissent from the bench, he would have said more in defense of the majority decision.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Has your local community been flooded by foreigners with TPS? Do you think the government should start the process of declaring temporary protective status illegal? Apart from the mentioned investors, who else do you think makes a lot of money out of TPS foreigners in America? What should the Trump administration do about the remaining TPS foreigners from other nations? Do you think US Supreme Court Justice Sotomayor tarnished the Court’s image with her unusual move?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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US Embassy Warns Filipinos About Visa Scams

June 27, 2026June 26, 2026carlocarrasco

It is a sad fact that scammers here in the Philippines continue to hound people using a wide variety of methods. The scammers – both locals and foreigners – have gotten so sophisticated and arrogant, they dared to target Filipinos who are pursuing United States visas. That said, the US Embassy in Manila officially warned Filipinos about visa scams and they clarified that applicants should rely only on official sources of the US when it comes to visa applications and processes, according to a news report by the Manila Bulletin.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the report of the Manila Bulletin. Some parts in boldface…

The United States Embassy in the Philippines has warned Filipino visa applicants about scammers who claim they can guarantee approval, reminding the public that US visas are issued only after a proper evaluation by consular officers.

In an advisory posted on its official social media pages, the embassy stressed that visa applicants should obtain information only from official US government sources and be wary of individuals offering shortcuts or guaranteed approvals.

“We cannot guarantee visa issuance. If someone guarantees you a visa, it is a scam,” the embassy said.

The embassy emphasized that it does not communicate with applicants through Viber or Telegram, endorse travel agencies or lawyers, accommodate special connections or shortcuts, or guarantee the approval of visa applications.

It reiterated that every application is evaluated individually under US immigration laws, and the final decision rests solely with consular officers.

The embassy advised applicants to rely only on its official website, the U.S. Visa Customer Service Center website, and the US Department of State’s visa page for accurate information on visa requirements and procedures.

It also reminded the public that official embassy emails end only with the @state.gov or @ustraveldocs.com domains.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Were you a victim of scammers with regards to applying for a US visa? Do you know anyone who got scammed over the same purpose?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

High-Profile Fraudster Kimble Back In The US After Getting Caught In The Philippines

June 21, 2026June 20, 2026carlocarrasco

Herbert Leon Kimble – one of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) most wanted fraudsters – was brought back to the United States following his arrest in the Philippines, according to a news report by GMA News. Kimble is notorious for illegal acts such as healthcare fraud, bribery, mail fraud and wire fraud to name a few. Kimble was caught at a casino in the Philippines.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the GMA News report. Some parts in boldface…

After his arrest in the Philippines, the US Department of Justice announced Saturday (Manila time) the capture of one of the most wanted fraudsters of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

Fugitive Herbert Leon Kimble arrived in the United States after being arrested by the Philippine Bureau of Immigration’s Fugitive Search Unit at a casino in Pasig City.

According to the US DOJ, immigration agents spent several months tracking Kimble’s whereabouts before finally apprehending him.

FBI records show that on April 4, 2019, Kimble pleaded guilty in the US District Court for the District of South Carolina, Columbia Division, to conspiracy charges related to defrauding the United States, making false claims to a federal agency, mail fraud, wire fraud, healthcare fraud, and offering kickbacks and bribes in connection with the scheme. However, Kimble failed to appear for his scheduled sentencing hearing on August 27, 2024. Federal authorities then issued an arrest warrant that same day after charging him with failure to appear.

US Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the arrest of Kimble, who is accused of orchestrating more than $1.2 billion in Medicare fraud—one of the largest healthcare fraud cases ever prosecuted in America.

A reward of up to $150,000 had been offered for information leading to Kimble’s arrest.

“Fleeing the United States does not mean you can flee justice. Instead of facing accountability for his $1.2 billion Medicare fraud crimes in the United States, Kimble fled to the Philippines hoping to escape justice. That plan failed. Under President Trump’s leadership, the FBI has now apprehended two fraudsters from its recently unveiled Most Wanted Fraudsters list in just two weeks, with more to come,” Blanche said in a statement.

Call centers in the Philippines – The FBI said Kimble was involved in the “improper marketing and distribution” of durable medical equipment (DME), particularly orthopedic braces.

It said Kimble ran a “sophisticated call-center-based operation” from around 2014 to March 2019, which acted as the “marketing engine for a nationwide fraud scheme” wherein individuals contacted call centers in the Philippines, DME suppliers who served as billers, and orthopedic brace suppliers or drop shippers.

“His operations focused primarily on initiating contact with Medicare beneficiaries and persuading them to request orthopedic braces for pain relief, which were frequently unnecessary and prescribed through telemedicine consultations that often lacked legitimate medical consultations,” the FBI said.

The prescriptions were sold to DME companies, the designated suppliers would ship the braces, then the DME companies would bill Medicare for reimbursement, the FBI added.

“His fraudulent healthcare enterprise resulted in more (than) $1.2 billion in Medicare charges and affected thousands of Medicare beneficiaries, many of whom were elderly victims,” the bureau said.

Most Wanted Fraudsters list – Meanwhile, FBI Director Kash Patel thanked Philippine authorities and US law enforcement partners for their efforts in capturing Kimble.

“Thank you to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and our Justice Department partners for their assistance in returning Kimble to the US to face justice. President Trump set a mandate to end the abuse of hardworking taxpayer money, and each and every day this team will be committed to delivering,” Patel said.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Are you delighted by the successful arrest of Herbert Leon Kimble whose criminal acts were so extensive and involved a massive amount of money? Do you personally know anyone who was affected by Kimble’s criminal acts?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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America Is Currently Top Market Of Foreign Visitors For The Philippines

June 20, 2026June 19, 2026carlocarrasco

It is not a secret that the Philippines has been having trouble attracting visitors from overseas. There was a tourism boom in Southeast Asia in 2025 and the Philippines fell way behind its neighbors (note: Vietnam attracted over 21 million visitors while Indonesia attracted over 15 million). When it comes to foreign tourists counted in 2025, the Philippines attracted 8,375 less compared to 2024.

In fairness, domestic tourism here in the Philippines is thriving as Filipinos and their families do have a strong appetite for local travel and holidays. On the aspect of foreign tourism with statistics counted as of June 16 this year, the United States has emerged as the top market for the country, according to a news article by the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA news article. Some parts in boldface…

The Philippines has welcomed 2.9 million foreign visitors from January 1 to June 16, 2026, led by those from the United States, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said.

Preliminary figures released Thursday showed tourists from the U.S. reached 591,569 out of the country’s total inbound arrival of 2,955,014 during the period.

The DOT has yet to provide the full breakdown of top visitor arrivals, but said the U.S. “has now become our number one source market,” and it expects the figures to further grow.

At the general membership meeting of the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (AmCham) on June 17, Tourism Secretary Dita Angara-Mathay said the DOT will intensify its push for more tourism and investment partnerships with the U.S.

“We no longer see tourism simply as promotion. We see it as a platform for long-term investment,” she said, citing as example the USD3.4 billion in investments, pipeline opportunities, and financial support the Philippines secured during President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s recent state visit to Japan.

“This is the direction we are pursuing — tourism as a connector sector that brings together aviation, infrastructure, healthcare, and regional development.”

The DOT, she said, will also work closely with relevant government agencies to improve and expand air connectivity across the country.

“To make this more systematic, we will convene regular airline and airport connectivity discussions with carriers, airports, stakeholders, and government agencies. The goal is simple: solve bottlenecks together and turn plans into actual flights,” she added.

At the same time, Angara-Mathay said DOT would sustain efforts to develop the Philippines’ high-value tourism segments such as meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE), gastronomy, wellness, education, and retirement tourism.

“Once people can get here more easily, the next question is what kind of experience we offer them. And that brings me to high-value tourism. Our goal is not simply to bring in more visitors, but to make every visit more meaningful, longer stays, higher spending, and deeper engagement with our destinations and communities,” she said.

To put things in perspective, 2,955,014 foreign visitors attracted in the first 167 days of 2026 is equivalent to an average of 17,694.69 per day. At that rate, the Philippines could attract more than 6.4 million this year and exceed the 2025 count. However, the DOT did not specify if the current count excludes Filipinos with foreign citizenship (or dual citizenship) based overseas.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Were you surprised that the United States overtook South Korea as the top market of foreign visitors to the Philippines? Under the new leadership of the DOT, do you feel confident that improvements on attracting foreign visitors will happen this year? What do you think the Philippines has when it comes to attracting American tourists?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Israeli Officials Fear Terrorist State Iran Will Not Live Up To Deal With America

June 19, 2026June 18, 2026carlocarrasco

The deal between the United States and the Islamic terrorist regime of Iran has officially been signed with the goal of winding down the military conflict and starting a negotiating window of sixty days. US President Donald Trump himself sign it while attending the G7 Summit in France.

For Israeli officials however, they feared that Iran will not live up to the deal and will most likely use the 60-day window to strengthen its position, exploit potential loopholes and even prolong the process, according to a news article by The Jerusalem Post. There is no guarantee that Iran will be prevented from launching ballistic missiles at Israel.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from The Jerusalem Post news article. Some parts in boldface…

Israeli defense officials fear Tehran will use the 60-day window to buy time and strengthen its position, with Iran expected to receive significant relief in economic sanctions and in fuel and oil trade, according to an N12 news site report.

Israeli intelligence assessments, as conveyed to the political echelon in recent days, indicate that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, most likely does not want to reach a final agreement.

In other words, the negotiations being held by the Revolutionary Guards, as well as the approval of the framework agreement, stem from a desire to secure control of the Strait of Hormuz and to receive an economic boost from the United States.

Thus, Iran will aim to prolong the process and avoid rushing to reach a final agreement, the officials fear.

“We should not expect anything else from a vengeful regime. It would be very surprising if Iran does not invest all its efforts and tricks to shorten its reach to nuclear weapons, under the auspices of the talks,” a senior defense official said to News 12, expressing their concern about what Tehran will do during this 60-day window.

Lack of transparency from Washington concerns government – Furthermore, Israel’s defense establishment is becoming increasingly concerned about a lack of transparency from the Trump administration regarding the Memorandum of Understanding with Iran set to be signed in Switzerland on Friday, sources told N12 News on Wednesday.

Officials are also concerned about how the interim period will unfold, with Iran expected to face significant economic sanctions and fuel and oil relief.

Israeli intelligence assessments suggest that Iran may seek to delay negotiations on the nuclear issue while using the time to shorten its breakout timeline toward a nuclear weapon. Conversely, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said that Iran will begin negotiations on the nuclear issue “on the very day we sign the MoU,” according to the report.

The US’s withholding of details in the agreement, reportedly out of concern that Israeli leaks could derail Friday’s signing, points to the extent of the current divergence between Washington and Jerusalem on Iran, N12 reported.

In fairness to the United States, President Trump officially stated that if the terrorist regime of Iran wants to change the peace agreement or fails to comply, American will “go back to shooting at them, dropping bombs on their head.”

Trump also contrasted the new deal with the Obama-era JCPOA, arguing the previous administration tried to “bribe their way out of it.”

For additional insight, watch the related videos below.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Are you convinced US-Iran deal will effectively prevent Iran from arming itself with nuclear weapons and also get rid of their existing supplies of ballistic missiles? Do you think the terrorist regime of Iran will still launch ballistic missiles at Israel in the near future? Will the deal impact Hezbollah which remains obsessed attacking Israel? Are you concerned that the current rift between Israel and America will widen further and lead to diplomatic complications?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Japanese Prime Minister Hails US-Iran Deal

June 17, 2026June 16, 2026carlocarrasco

During her European visit, Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae hailed the deal between the United States and the Islamic terrorist regime of Iran to end the fighting while paving the way for international oil tankers to safely pass through the Strait of Hormuz, according to a news report by Kyodo News. Japan also remained consistent in its opposition to Iran’s nuclear weapons ambition.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the Kyodo News report. Some parts in boldface…

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Monday hailed a U.S.-Iranian deal aimed at ending their monthslong war as a “big step” to de-escalating the conflict that has brought uncertainty to the global economy and roiled her resource-poor country.

Takaichi, who stopped by Italy before attending the Group of Seven summit in France, also told reporters Japan will take part in a joint statement issued by four European nations that welcomed the development and touched on minesweeping operations toward achieving the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

“We have been asked to participate…and we will,” the prime minister said about the statement by the leaders of Britain, France, Germany and Italy, after U.S. President Donald Trump said a deal with Iran has been reached that will lead to the reopening of the key energy artery, which has been effectively closed amid the conflict.

Takaichi noted it is important that the contents of the memorandum of understanding, which Trump said will be signed Friday, are “steadily implemented” as well as the “free and safe navigation” of vessels through the strait.

Japan, which has traditionally maintained amicable ties with Iran, has been making “proactive diplomatic efforts” based on the position that “what matters most is de-escalation of the situation,” she also said.

The joint statement by the European nations vowed support for the implementation of the U.S.-Iran deal “rapidly and comprehensively,” while noting that “the urgent re-opening of the Strait of Hormuz with unconditional and unrestricted freedom of navigation is essential.”

“We are committed to playing our part to achieve this — in accordance with our respective constitutional requirements — including through a strictly defensive and independent mission to reassure commercial shipping and conduct mine clearance operations,” it said.

With discussions between the United States and Iran over Tehran’s nuclear development to start after the signing of the deal, the statement also said the European countries are “prepared to lift relevant sanctions in response to clear, verifiable steps by Iran” toward scrapping its program.

Takaichi reiterated Japan’s position of opposing Iran’s development of nuclear weapons, citing her country’s experience of being the only country to have suffered atomic bombing in the final stage of World War II.

In Tokyo, Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said at a press conference that the memorandum, if implemented properly, would “help reduce risks to both the Japanese and global economies by ensuring free and safe navigation” through the strait.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Are you convinced that US-Iran deal will ensure complete nuclear disarmament of the Islamic terrorist regime of Iran? Do you think the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz will pave the way for significant oil price reductions? Once revealed publicly, do you think the final details of the US-Iran deal will satisfy Japan and the European nations?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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