📰 News & Current Affairs

The latest directive, issued through a series of special orders from Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Rommel Francisco Marbil and signed by Police Major General Alan Okubo, acting chief of the directorial staff, has raised questions about its timing and intent, given the growing rift between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and former president Rodrigo Duterte. Source: 65 Davao cops transferred outside Mindanao

Asked about AFP's reason for the request, Fajardo said, "That was, I think, triggered by the possible recall of some of the AFP personnel under detail po sa VPSPG as a result of what happened po last Saturday." According to Fajardo, the 25 cops were sent to the VPSPG on Tuesday. Source: 25 cops deployed as Sara's guards amid possible recall of military security

“Nakakabahala ang mga pahayag na narinig natin nitong mga nakaraang araw. Nandiyan ang walang pakundangang pagmumura at ang pagbabanta ng planong ipapatay ang ilan sa atin,” Marcos Jr. said. “Yang ganyang kriminal na pagtatangka ay hindi dapat pinapalampas. Kung ganun na lang kadali ang pagplano sa pagpatay ng isang Presidente, papaano pa kaya ang mgapangkaraniwan na mamamayan?” he continued. Source: https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2024/11/25/marcos-on-vp-sara-duterte-s-kill-threat-yan-ay-aking-papalagan-1337

AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said at a press conference on Tuesday, November 26, that the AFP is a "non-partisan organization" whose loyalty lies with the Constitution and not with political figures. "As our Chief of Staff has already stated, our Armed Forces is united and professional. So, with all of these things, sir, we respectfully request that we are shunned away from political issues," she added. "At this point, there is no need for loyalty checks. [The AFP Chief of Staff] has already stated that he trusts that each soldier will perform their (sic) mandate accordingly and remain professional," she said. Source: AFP: No need for loyalty checks among soldiers after Rodrigo Duterte's remarks

“Liza Marcos, naaalala mo, nagpadala ka sa akin ng video? Sinabihan mo ako saan kukunin ang pera. Pinakita mo ang mukha ng tao doon sa video message mo,” Duterte said. “You sent me written instructions about money, millions a month. Anong nakalagay sa envelope? Department of Education. Ano ginawa ko? Binigay ko sa DepEd. P*** ina mo ka!” she said. “Wala ka ngang posisyon sa gobyerno, namimigay ka ng pera ng gobyerno,” she said. “Sisirain ninyo yung mga pangalan ng kasama ko sa Office of the Vice President? Sasabihin ninyo sa mga tao nakaw 'yan, confidential funds 'yan, ni wala nga kayong isang proof na confidential funds yan,” Duterte said. “Hindi niyo nga nilabas na wala pang confidential funds, mayroon nang white envelope kasi 2022 pa...

Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) spokesperson Jail Superintendent Jayrex Bustinera said the court rejected the Senate committee’s order for Guo’s attendance to the panel’s hearing. “Yes po. The Court did not grant the Order to attend the Committee hearing as there is conflict of schedule with the Court Hearing of RTC 167 Pasig,” Bustinera told GMA News Online in a message. Source: Alice Guo to skip final Senate hearing on POGOs due to conflict in schedule

The NBI team arrived at the Office of the Vice President in Mandaluyong headquarters past noon. The subpoena was later received by OVP staff. Source: https://www.rappler.com/philippines/sara-duterte-served-subpoena-nbi-threats-marcos/

In an exclusive interview with Brigada News FM, Bropal admitted to killing Lagria after she allegedly bit his tongue. “She bit my tongue, so I killed her,” Bropal confessed, detailing the events leading up to the crime. He revealed that Lagria had boarded his multicab early Tuesday morning, intending to attend a meeting. Inside the vehicle, Bropal strangled her to death. Source: https://www.brigadanews.ph/driver-admits-killing-22-year-old-woman-after-she-allegedly-bit-his-tongue/

“We are a democracy. We just had recently elected a president and a vice president under our Constitution. Now, it seems, some people want a regime change,” Enrile stated on Facebook. His statements came as he questioned the motives behind efforts that appear to challenge the current administration. “If we want to test our popular strength, why don’t we wait for the coming midterm election next year? If we want a regime change, why don’t we wait for the national election in 2028?” he suggested. Source: Enrile on regime change calls: ‘So many people are going to get hurt’

MANILA -- Vice President Sara Duterte's kill plan against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and her repeated cursing in an online press conference are grounds for disbarment from legal practice, a former president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines said on Sunday. https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2024/11/24/sara-duterte-violated-lawyers-code-miscalculated-political-moves-experts-1537

House committee on good government chair Joel Chua said Duterte initially requested that she be allowed to accompany Lopez in detention, citing “humanitarian” reasons including Lopez’s chronic back problem and lack of sleep due to safety concerns. According to Duterte, Lopez was “not used to being alone worried that other detainees may cause her harm” and “requested me to join her” for her “peace of mind and to get adequate rest.” Chua said he rejected the Vice President initial request as she was not a detainee and also because of the security risks and requirements involved. Duterte then wrote him another letter to allow her to visit Lopez on Thursday, which he granted. Source: Sara Duterte flouts House protocols, spends night in...

In a statement on Thursday, the Netherlands-based court said it found “reasonable grounds” to believe that Netanyahu bears criminal responsibility for war crimes including “starvation as a method of warfare” and “the crimes against humanity of murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts.” Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2024/11/21/middleeast/international-criminal-court-issues-arrest-warrant-for-israeli-prime-minister-intl/index.html

Threats from the United States and its allies including South Korea and their military confrontation with North Korea have brought tension to "the worst phase in history," he said, calling the Korean peninsula "the world's biggest hotspot." "He ardently called upon all the participants to go all out for bringing about substantial and fundamental improvement in improving their capabilities for fighting an actual war," KCNA said. The report came amid international criticism over rapidly developing military cooperation between North Korea and Russia. Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/north-koreas-kim-urges-improved-military-capabilities-war-kcna-says-2024-11-17/

On his social media platform Truth Social, Trump amplified a recent post by a conservative activist that said the president-elect was "prepared to declare a national emergency and will use military assets to reverse the Biden invasion through a mass deportation program." Alongside the repost, Trump commented, "True!" Source: https://news.abs-cbn.com/world/2024/11/18/trump-confirms-plan-to-use-military-for-mass-deportation-606

Spain's new immigration rules will allow for the regularization of some 300,000 undocumented migrants per year over the next three years as the country seeks to expand its labor force, Migration Minister Elma Saiz told reporters on Tuesday. "Spain has to opt between being an open, prosperous country or being a closed and poor one, and we have chosen the former," Saiz said, adding that the nation needs around 250,000 to 300,000 foreign workers a year "to sustain (its) welfare state". Source: Spain to regularize about 300,000 undocumented migrants per year

Veloso, who has been on Indonesia's death row, was arrested in 2010 after Indonesian authorities found 2.6 kg. of ****** in her suitcase. She was given a last-minute reprieve (cancel of punishment) in April 2015 when the Philippine government informed Indonesia that her recruiters had surrendered. Source: Marcos: Indonesia agrees to transfer Mary Jane Veloso to PH | Philippine News Agency

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday said he had a “friendly” and “productive” call with US President-elect Donald Trump, where he E×ρréššed the Philippines’ desire to further deepen the ties between the Philippines and the US. “It was a very good call, it was a very friendly call, very productive. And I’m glad I was able to do it. I think President-elect Trump was happy to hear from the Philippines,” Marcos said in an ambush interview in Virac, Catanduanes. Source: INQToday: Marcos says he had ‘friendly, productive’ phone call with Trump; ‘Amihan’ season begins

Sixteen beauty queens from Pampanga will compete in hopes of bringing home the crown and representing Pampanga in the next Miss Universe Philippines pageant. Among the candidates named is Keylyn Trajano, a transgender woman from Siñura, Municipality of Porac. “Keylyn Trajano, proudly representing her Kapampangan roots, makes history as the first trans woman to compete in Miss Universe Pampanga 2025. A successful model, entrepreneur, and advocate, she champions inclusivity, diversity, and empowerment,” MUPH - Pampanga wrote. Source: Transgender woman among candidates set to compete in Miss Universe Philippines - Pampanga 2025

“Unang-una, hindi ako naniniwala sa [jurisdiction ng] ICC.” Para kay Singson, insulto sa mga justice ng Supreme Court ang pagpapaunlak sa ICC. “May batas tayo. Hindi ba natin kaya ang ating bansa? Bakit pa tayo mag-iimport ng sesentensya ng tao [sa bansa]?” tanong ni Singson. Payo ni Singson, dapat pagtuunan ang ekonomiya ng bansa at kapakanan ng mga Pilipino. “Ang imbitahan natin ‘yong mga [foreign] investor, hindi ‘yung mga judges sa ibang bansa,” wika niya. Source: Senatoriable Chavit sa ICC isyu: Foreign investors imbitahan, hindi judges

The latest execution, on Saturday in the southwestern region of Najran, was of a Yemeni national convicted of smuggling drugs into the Gulf kingdom, the official Saudi Press Agency reported. That brought the number of foreigners executed so far in 2024 to 101, according to state media reports. This is almost triple the figures for 2023 and 2022, when Saudi authorities had put to death 34 foreigners each year. Source: Saudi Arabia executes more than 100 foreigners in 2024

Malaysia's Deputy Foreign Minister Mohamad Alamin said the government has reviewed the reference documents related to the Philippines' laws and found that they touch upon claims to the Malaysian state of Sabah on Borneo island. "We will send a protest note today to demonstrate our commitment to defending Sabah's sovereign rights and the sovereignty of our country," Mohamad told parliament. Source: Malaysia to protest to Philippines over new maritime laws

The ICC has convicted and imprisoned individuals found guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity. According to its website, four cases have led to prison sentences. For complete listing, visit source. Source: FACT CHECK: ICC has imprisoned individuals convicted of grave int'l crimes

“Mahirap nang pumatol sa ganyan. Hallucination na ‘yan,” Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin told reporters in a media interview. Duterte reportedly raised suspicions that Trillanes’ latest attacks against him were “Malacañang-sponsored” during a phone call with his legal counsel Salvador Panelo, which was aired live on social media. Source: Palace hits Duterte claim Trillanes is admin’s attack dog | Philippine News Agency

“We already want the investigation of the blue ribbon committee to end so we can file our committee report. In all honesty, because we want the committee hearings to finish, we in the blue ribbon committee and the quad comm, we give importance to requests for resource persons to attend the hearing,” he said in Filipino. “Especially those who signed acknowledgment receipts. So we lawmakers talked and voluntarily raised a P1-million reward to anyone who could say or give information as to who Mary Grace Piattos is,” he added. Source: P1-M reward for information on Mary Grace Piattos – House lawmakers

Source: Filipinos still âhighly proficientâ in English language - BusinessWorld Online

According to her, OVP personnel are hopeful that the budget will be increased to allow the office to retain employees and continue its programs. “If it’s returned, it would be a huge thing for us because we wouldn’t need to reject those who approach our office seeking help, especially those who need medical and burial assistance,” she said. Source: Sara asks senators to restore cut in OVP budget: 200 could lose jobs

“The Japan Meteorological Agency reported that it was the first time since records began in 1951 that so many storms co-existed in the Pacific basin in November,” said NASA. NASA shared a satellite image taken last November 11 where storms Yinxing (Marce), Toraji (Nika), Usagi (Ofel), and Man-Yi (Pepito) were either approaching the Philippines or had already passed over the islands at that time. Source: NASA: Four storms concurrently near PH ‘unusual’

In a new X post on Thursday that doubled as a job announcement and another one of Musk’s trolling attempts, the account for the newly formed Doge wrote: “We don’t need more part-time idea generators. We need super high-IQ small-government revolutionaries willing to work 80+ hours per week on unglamorous cost-cutting.” “If that’s you, DM this account with your CV. Elon & Vivek will review the top 1% of applicants,” the statement added. Source: Musk asks ‘high-IQ revolutionaries’ to work for no pay on new Trump project

While being firm that he will not apologize for his administration's war on drugs, former President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday told a congressional hearing that he will take “full, legal” responsibility” on the matter. Source: Ex-Pres. Duterte: I take full, legal responsibility for drug war

Donald Trump is expected to take a slew of executive actions on his first day as president to ramp up immigration enforcement and roll back signature Biden legal entry programs, a sweeping effort that will be led by incoming "border czar" Tom Homan and other Republican immigration hardliners, three sources familiar with the matter told Reuters. Source: Trump’s Day One: Deportations, border wall, scrapping Biden humanitarian programs

Out of the nearly 300,000 takers this year at the professional level, only 47,449 individuals, or 14.4 percent, made it. This was lower than the 18.7 percent passing rate recorded by the CSC out of 345,194 takers in 2023. Source: CSC: Civil service exam passers dip to 14 percent

“The medical examination conducted by the health service revealed that he has an irregular heartbeat that may be considered as life-threatening,” Fajardo said in a press conference in Camp Crame. Quiboloy was brought to the heart center on Friday, Nov. 9, and was expected to leave on Monday. However, Fajardo said the Pasig Regional Trial Court extended Quiboloy’s medical furlough until Nov. 16, 5 p.m. Source: Quiboloy hospitalized due to ‘irregular heartbeat’ – PNP