📰 News & Current Affairs

Source: China complains to Philippines over 'negative moves' regarding Taiwan, security

“To better protect your travel documents and reduce unnecessary contact, all NAIA security personnel have been instructed not to touch passports during terminal entry and security verification," NAIA said in a statement. "Passengers will simply be asked to show their valid ID or travel document by holding it up themselves,” it added. NAIA said that the recent incident on the torn passport occurred at an airline check-in counter at Terminal 3. However, it clarified that “[t]here has been no report of any mishandling involving NAIA security personnel.” Source: NAIA: Airport security no longer allowed to touch passengers’ passports

The survey found that 60 percent of ãdül† Filipinos E×ρréššed trust in President Marcos, a five-point drop from 65 percent in the fourth quarter of 2024. Meanwhile, 23 percent of respondents said they distrust the President, while 18 percent were undecided. In terms of job performance, 59 percent of Filipinos said they were satisfied with President Marcos’ work, a four-point decline from the 64 percent recorded in November 2024. Dissatisfaction remained at 20 percent, while another 20 percent of respondents were undecided. Despite the declines, President Marcos maintains the highest trust and performance ratings among the country’s top officials. Source: President Marcos still most trusted, approved gov’t official — OCTA

Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, who is seeking asylum in the Netherlands, has been formally charged with qualified human trafficking on Monday, April 28, at the Angeles City Regional Trial Court in Pampanga, over his alleged involvement in the raided scam farm in Porac, Pampanga. It is non-bailable. Read More: Harry Roque, Cassandra Ong charged with non-bailable trafficking over Porac POGO

Source: Taiwan welcomes PH move to relax restrictions on official exchanges

Source: Philippines officials can now visit Taiwan

“In mid-April this year, the China Coast Guard exercised sovereign jurisdiction by exercising maritime control at Sandy Cay in the South China Sea,” it reported, without specifying the date of the landing. The officers carried out inspections on the reef “to collect video evidence of relevant îllégâl activities by the Philippines”, and cleared rubbish like plastic bottles, wood sticks and other debris, the report said. “The China Coast Guard will continue to carry out rights protection and law enforcement activities in the waters under China’s jurisdiction in accordance with the law and resolutely safeguard the country’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.” it quoted its spokesperson Liu Dejun as saying. Source...

The joint venture of the Villar-owned PrimeWater with the local water district of San Jose Del Monte City in Bulacan is under a multi-pronged investigation for “very poor” service, marking one of the first steps of accountability in over a hundred deals nationwide inked by PrimeWater during the Duterte administration. Read more: Villars' PrimeWater deal in Bulacan under probe for 'very poor' service

In a Viber message to INQUIRER.net, Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said rice currently priced at P29 per kilo in Kadiwa Centers will be reduced to P20 per kilo starting May 2. Meanwhile, at a briefing in Malacañang, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the rollout of P20 per kilo rice in the Visayas will begin on May 1. Source: Palace: Aside from Cebu, P20/kg rice rolls out at Kadiwa Centers

In a surprise move, former vice president Leni Robredo endorsed two senatorial candidates backed by her political rival President Ferdinand Marcos Jr: Manny Pacquiao and Benhur Abalos. Robredo, who is now running for Naga City mayor, has E×ρréššed support for two of Marcos’ endorsed candidates. Source: Leni Robredo endorses Marcos’ bets Pacquiao, Abalos

Titled “Konsyerto sa Palasyo: Para sa Ating Mga OFWs (overseas Filipino workers),” the concert was held yesterday at the Kalayaan Grounds to honor the sacrifices and hard work of migrant workers and to recognize their contributions to various industries worldwide. Source: Palace holds concert for OFWs

A former special counsel of the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) has asked the Supreme Court to direct the Senate to “immediately” constitute itself into an impeachment court and begin the trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. He asked the Court “for the issuance of writ of mandamus directing the members of the Senate to immediately constitute themselves into an impeachment court and forthwith conduct public trial of Vice President Sara Zimmerman Duterte without further delay.” Source: Ex-PCGG lawyer asks Supreme Court to order start of Sara Duterte impeachment trial

After changing her mind about endorsing candidates, Vice President Sara Duterte attended on Thursday a campaign sortie of former Manila mayor Francisco Domagoso or Isko Moreno, who is seeking a return to city hall in the midterm elections. Duterte, speaking before residents of Tondo in Manila, did not officially endorse Moreno, but called him “our beloved mayor of the city of Manila.” Sara hits House members. Duterte took a swipe at members of the House of Representatives from Manila who became key figures in the efforts to have her impeached. Source: VP Sara endorses Isko Moreno

Based on a police report, the suspect entered and stabbed the victims who were sleeping inside the bakery in Barangay Cupang. The victims were workers in the bakery, according to the police. Their bodies were discovered around 6 a.m. on Tuesday and the incident was reported to the police at around 8 a.m. According to the suspect, the victims allegedly plotted to kill him. Source: 7 stabbed to death in Antipolo bakery

Users online felt his outfit choice was not only "disrespectful," but some even called it an "embarrassment." "What is it with Trump that he did not even have the decency to wear a black tie, never mind he wore a blue suit," someone else lamented. Internet users also called out Trump for having "zero decorum" throughout the ceremony, with some people claiming he looked like he was going to fall asleep during the ceremony. "A true embarrassment on a global stage," another user wrote. Source: Donald Trump Wears 'Disrespectful' Wardrobe at Pope Francis' Funeral

Source: Go, Erwin Tulfo lead in latest Tangere senatorial survey

As the United States and the Philippines kick off their yearly Balikatan (shoulder-to-shoulder) combat drills, China’s foreign ministry has once again accused the Philippines of jeopardizing of regional peace and economic ties as tensions over the West Philippine Sea continue to heat up. MSN

China on Monday warned countries against striking a broader economic deal with the United States at its expense, ratcheting up its rhetoric in a spiralling trade war between the world's two biggest economies. Beijing will firmly oppose any party striking a deal at China's expense and "will take countermeasures in a resolute and reciprocal manner," its Commerce Ministry said. Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/china-opposes-any-deals-between-us-other-nations-its-expense-2025-04-21/

Human rights lawyer Kristina Conti and other lawyers representing the drug war victims said that much of the evidence they found during the preliminary examination and investigation stage was public statements of the former leader. “Videos of Duterte making statements will be there because that is evidence of intention,” she told the Inquirer in a phone interview. Source: Damaging Duterte videos may be used in ICC trial

Vice President Sara Duterte said she would be paying former president Rodrigo Duterte a visit on her birthday on May 31 with her mother, Elizabeth Zimmerman. Read: Sara returns to The Hague next month

Source: Go leads senatorial survey by Arkipelago Analytics

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his wife, First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos, will attend the funeral of Pope Francis in Vatican City on Saturday, April 26, 2025. This was confirmed by Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro to reporters on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. Source: First couple to attend Pope Francis’ funeral

An initial report reaching Camp Crame said the incident happened at about 9:30 p.m. at the barangay hall of Illuru Sur, where Ruma and his team were campaigning. A civilian identified as Merson Abiguebel was injured. Ruma and Abiguebel were brought to the nearest hospital, but the mayor was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician. Source: Cagayan town mayor shot dead in campaign sortie | Philippine News Agency

Dami kumulo dugo sa Russian vlogger na ito. Di nya ata alam kung anong jail system at conditions meron tayo dito sa Pinas.

The Commission on Elections evaluates a video, given as an anonymous tip, which showed Villar present at an apparent raffle and cash giveaway in February. “Mayroong isang kandidato, and at the same time, mayroong nabibigay, nag-aabot ng pera, parang raffle. Nanalo sa isang raffle, tapos nag-aabot ng pera. Pero ‘yung isang kandidato na nandoon, na subject natin for the show cause order, nandoon lang sa stage mismo,” Elnas said, referring to Villar as the “candidate.” Source: Comelec orders Camille Villar to explain alleged vote buying in Cavite activity

“Following the death of Pope Francis, we inform you that the Eucharistic Celebration and Rite of Canonization of Blessed Carlo Acutis… has been postponed,” the Vatican said in a brief statement. Dubbed “God’s Influencer” or the “Cyber Apostle”, Acutis spent much of his short life spreading the Catholic faith online. Source: Vatican postpones sainthood for ‘God’s influencer’ after pope’s death

Jay Tarriela, Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson, welcomed news of the West Philippine Sea label on Google Maps. "For anyone wondering if you can search for the West Philippine Sea on Google," Tarriela wrote on his social media accounts. The South China Sea, meanwhile, is the larger body of water bordered by China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Taiwan. It encompasses several disputed island groups, including the Spratly Islands and Paracel Islands, and is subject to competing territorial claims from multiple countries in the region, including the Philippines. Source: 'West Philippine Sea' label seen on Google Maps, Google Earth

Source: Heat index likely to peak in May – PAGASA

Source: Nora Aunor redefined beauty standards — Ricky Lee

Source: https://tribune.net.ph/2025/04/22/afp-rebuffs-chinas-claim-of-îllégâl-patrol-at-scarborough-shoal

“Lacanilao should have been detained immediately since the rules do not even mention a need for a show-cause order. However, instead of immediate detention, Lacanilao was given 11 days before he was eventually ordered to be detained. In contrast, it took the administration only several hours to arrest and whisk FPRRD out of the country," Marcos said in a statement. “Furthermore, to add insult to injury, Lacanilao is to be detained for only two days. While ordinary people are locked up until they purge themselves of the contempt, as sanctioned by Section 18, Resolution No. 5, Series of 2010, as amended, Lacanilao is given an ever so gentle slap on the wrist," added Marcos. "Apparently, the rules only apply to ordinary people and not to...

Malacañang on Monday said the decline in the trust and performance rating of President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. could be influenced by the proliferation of fake news. Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro also said during a press briefing that the respondents in the survey do not reflect the entirety of Filipinos. Source: Marcos' decline in trust, performance ratings due to fake news —Palace