📰 News & Current Affairs

Source: https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/2024/10/17/hunger-rises-in-september-second-highest-since-pandemic-1647

CIDG chief Police Brigadier General Nicolas Torre III led the filing of the complaint against Torreon, Badoy, and others at the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Thursday, October 17. The rest of the respondents are as follows: Eleanor Cardona Jeffrey Celis Kathleen Kaye Laurente Trinidad Arafol Lord Byron Cristobal Joey Espina Sun Esteban Lava Jose Lim III Marie Dinah Fuentes Source: Different enemy, same weapon: PNP sues Badoy, Quiboloy lawyer for sedition

North Korea said Thursday that its constitution now defined the South as a "hostile" state, the first time Pyongyang has confirmed legal changes called for by leader Kim Jong Un earlier this year. Relations between the two Koreas have deteriorated since Kim in January defined Seoul as his country's "principal enemy" and said the North was no longer interested in reunification. Source: North Korea says constitution now defines South as 'hostile' state

Source: 73% of Pinoys won't support pro-China bets in 2025 elections —Pulse Asia commissioned survey

HOUSE CUTS OVP BUDGET BY P1.3 BILLION, REALLOCATES FUNDS TO DSWD AND DOH The House of Representatives has finalized its decision to cut the budget of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) by P1.3 billion, reallocating the funds to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of Health (DOH). House Committee on Appropriations Chairperson and Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co confirmed that the small committee responsible for introducing individual and institutional amendments to the 2025 General Appropriations Bill (GAB) had reallocated the P1.3 billion cut to the two agencies. A total of P646.5 million will now bolster DSWD's Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program, while another...

Source: Comelec releases initial list of 66 bets for 2025 Senate race

"The North Korean military conducted detonations, assumed to be aimed at cutting off the Gyeongui and Donghae roads, at around noon and is carrying out additional activities using heavy equipment," the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said in a text message to reporters. The JCS said the South's military did not suffer any damage and that it responded by firing shots south of the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) as a means of self-defense and as a warning against acts that likely violate the Armistice Agreement. Source: https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1235606

"Across major areas, those ãdül† Filipinos who identify themselves as Pro-Marcos comprise around four out of every 10 Filipinos in NCR and Balance Luzon (42 percent and 43 percent, respectively). In Mindanao, nearly three out of every 10 Filipinos (25 percent) identify themselves as pro-Marcos, with a significant portion of the overall support coming from Visayas (37 percent)," the research firm said. Meanwhile, those who see themselves as pro-Duterte were 15 percent or 1 percent lower than the previous poll. ãdül† Filipinos who view themselves as independent "are most numerous in Visayas at 32 percent, followed by NCR at 27 percent, Balance Luzon at 26 percent, and Mindanao at 19 percent." Source: Support for Marcos rises; Duterte's dips

Former President Rodrigo Duterte is running for mayor in Davao City with his son, incumbent Mayor Sebastian Duterte, as running mate. The two filed their certificate of candidacy afternoon on Monday, October 7, 2024. Source: Former Pres. Duterte files COC for mayor; son runs for VM

Meanwhile, in his motion for reconsideration, Duque claimed that there was no undue injury to the government in the transfer as it occurred between two government agencies. “Considering that the issues on the administrative charges have been rendered moot, this Office sees no point in belaboring the other arguments relating thereto,” says Ombudsman. Source: Ombudsman clears Duque of P41B îllégâl fund transfer

“Preventive eye care and the inclusion of optometric services and prescription eyeglasses coverage by PhilHealth is important to enable early detection of eye and vision problems in children,” Dr. Charlie Ho, IPAO chairman, pointed out. Source: PhilHealth to cover optometric services, prescription glasses by Nov

The essential services for CKD5 patients include anti-coagulation medications and drugs and medicines for the management of anemia; laboratory tests; supplies such as dialyzers, hemodialysis solutions; and a dialysis kit per session. Other benefits for patients include administrative fees for the use of dialysis machines, facility fee, utilities, and staff time in all accredited public and private hemodialysis facilities. Source: https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1235499

One De Brazza’s monkey, a common squirrel monkey, three cotton-top tamarins, and three white-faced saki monkeys were found dead at the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens on Sunday. Source: Zoo temporarily closed after eight animals die in one day

Sa statement na nilabas ng UE Student Council ay umalma sila sa gender discrimination ng ilang netizen kay Awra. Narito ang kanilang official statement: “Everyone deserves a safe and inclusive environment-where no one is left behind or discriminated against, regardless of their identity. Recently, we’ve become aware of the backlash surrounding Awra Briguela’s post that showed her choice of uniform. Source: UE dinepensahan pambabaeng uniform ni Awra

House Speaker Martin Romualdez has congratulated President Marcos for his productive participation in the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits held in Laos, wherein the latter displayed--among other things--his "strong leadership". Source: Marcos showed 'strong leadership' in ASEAN Summit stint--Romualdez

Republic Act No. 12027 reverts the medium of instruction to Filipino and, until otherwise provided by law, English. Source: Bill ceasing mother tongue as medium of instruction in K-3 lapses into law

Investigators said the incident occurred around 2 p.m. inside Camp Melchor Dela Cruz of the 5th Infantry Division in Upi village. Source: Army sergeant kills wife, 2 others inside Isabela military camp

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. explained on Friday why he did not designate Vice President Sara Duterte as the country’s caretaker while he is in Lao PDR for the ASEAN Summit and Related Summits. Source: Marcos says VP Sara not caretaker as she’s not part of administration

"We are expecting that by Wednesday, our law department can finally submit to the Comelec en banc their proposed recommendation as to who will be retained, removed and declared nuisance (candidates),” Comelec Chairman George Garcia said Source: ‘183 Senate aspirants may be pruned to 66’

“When we rode the car, General Bato was in front. I was behind. I was seated between two police officers, and he told me ‘you admit involvement in the drug trade here in the Philippines,’ and that I should drag along Peter Lim and Leila de Lima so that they will be pinned down,” Espinosa recalled. Source: Dela Rosa ordered me to implicate de Lima in drug trade – Kerwin Espinosa

In police operations, an asset like Maslog is treated as an “action agent.” Senators asked Macapaz why, despite resources and in spite of her record, they would still trust Maslog to be their agent. “Really?” Senators Risa Hontiveros, Jinggoy Estrada, and Joel Villanueva said in unison, in disbelief. This prompted more grilling of Macapaz on why he would allow Maslog such close access to police operations. Source: Police get backlash for enlisting 'dead' textbook scam suspect in Alice Guo arrest

Alice Guo will run again for mayor of Bamban, Tarlac, her lawyer said Friday, as she continued to fight allegations that she is a Chinese national with links to organized crime. Guo, who is detained over charges related to îllégâl POGOs, will file her certificate of candidacy next week through a representative, said her lawyer Stephen David. Source: https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/10/4/alice-guo-to-run-for-mayor-again-1200

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla wants to remove the culture of extrajudicial killings (EJKs) in the Philippine National Police and the PNP Academy that became rampant in the previous administration. Remulla said there is a need for a change of mindset within the civilian police organization, which “normalized” vigilante-style killings and taking the law into one’s own hands. Source: DILG chief wants to rid PNP of EJK culture

Southeast Asian leaders stepped up pressure on China to respect international law following clashes in the disputed South China Sea, but Chinese Premier Li Qiang was defiant during annual summit talks on Thursday as he blamed “external forces” for interfering in regional affairs. Source: China defiant over South China Sea skirmishes in ASEAN talks and blames meddling by foreign forces

The NSB project's total cost could reach P33 billion if the land, furniture, commissioning and testing fees are considered. The lawmaker said the new NSB cost considered the changes in plans, systems, systems in the designs, and inflation. Source: Alan Cayetano: New Senate Building now costs P31B in updated plan

Six in every 10 Filipinos rated their families as poor in the third quarter of 2024, the highest in more than 16 years, a survey conducted by Social Weather Stations (SWS) showed. Based on SWS data, it matched the 59 percent obtained in June 2008 during the Arroyo administration. Source: SWS: 16.3 million families consider themselves poor

The Gokongwei-led airline said travelers may book flights to select domestic and international destinations for as low as P1 one-way base fare, exclusive of fees and surcharges. The seat sale will start Wednesday Oct. 9 until October 13 with travel period from June 1 to September 30, 2025. Source: https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/2024/10/9/cebu-pacific-again-offers-piso-sale-1031

In early October, Israel’s foreign minister, Israel Katz, announced on X he had declared the United Nations secretary-general, António Guterres, persona non grata. In other words, he had banned Guterres from setting foot in Israel. Source: Israel has banned the UN secretary-general. Is this legal – or right?

On Wednesday, lawyer Mark Tolentino, who filed Quiboloy's COC for him, said there was a "faction" within the WPP and that he is the president of the "legitimate" one. But to avoid a possible disqualification, Tolentino said they would file a petition in Comelec to amend Quiboloy's COC and make him an "independent" candidate instead. He added that Quiboloy running as independent won't be a problem since "many parties are inviting him as a guest candidate." Source: https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/10/9/quiboloy-may-run-as-independent-after-wpp-faction-disowns-pastor-1357

North Korea will sever road and railway access to South Korea from Wednesday in a bid to “completely separate” the two countries. Its military said the North would “permanently shut off and block the southern border” and fortify areas on its side. Source: North Korea says it will cut off all roads to the South

Duenas signed a plea agreement with the US Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California on Monday, October 7 (US time), a document obtained by Rappler showed. The 15-page agreement, signed by Assistant US Attorney Gregory Staples, Duenas, and Duenas’ lawyer John Littrell, laid out the terms: a confession of conspiracy in exchange for some measure of leniency. Staples signed the plea agreement on Tuesday, October 8, a day after Duenas had signed it. Source: Key Quiboloy associate strikes plea deal, admits role in US fraud scheme

The US Navy, US Marine Corps, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and allied forces commenced on Monday Exercise Sama Sama in the vicinity of Subic Bay to enhance interoperability and strengthen security ties among regional partners. Source: Philippines, US begin ‘Sama Sama’ naval drills in Subic