📰 News & Current Affairs

According to Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia, questions on the legitimacy of an aspirant’s party are not included as grounds for disqualification under the Omnibus Election Code and the Local Government Code. Source: Quiboloy’s party issue not enough to block his Senate bid – Comelec

Advocacy group Ecowaste Coalition has found "dangerously high" levels of potentially toxic lead-containing paints in several reusable water bottles and tumblers bought online and in select retail stores in Metro Manila and neighboring areas. Source: https://news.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/2024/10/9/high-levels-of-toxic-lead-found-in-some-reusable-water-bottles-1156

Malacañang disclosed on Tuesday, Oct. 8 that Marcos has designated Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, and Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Secretary Conrado Estrella III as the Philippine Government's caretaker. Source: PBBM designates 3 Cabinet officials, not VP Duterte, as PH caretaker

“Scrutiny of the chronology of events in this case shows a plethora of motions for extension filed due to unpreparedness or lack of witnesses/documentary evidence, aside from pending incidents, and scheduled pre-trial cancellations contributing to inordinate delay.” Source: Sandiganbayan dismisses P276-M ill-gotten wealth case vs Marcoses

Iran has dismissed calls from the UK and other Western countries to refrain from retaliation against Israel for the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran last month. Source: Iran rejects Western calls to refrain from attack on Israel

Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada said Comelec must ensure that every candidate participating in the 2025 midterm elections meets the requirements for those seeking elective posts. Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said Guo's plan to run for public office is another brazen attempt to undermine the country's laws. Sen. Joel Villanueva noted that the Comelec had already filed a case for material misrepresentation against Guo for running for public office in 2022. "It would be ridiculous if she would still be allowed to run again," he told reporters in a Viber message on Friday. Source: Senators outraged by Guo election bid

Dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo has changed her mind about seeking reelection next year, saying she would face the allegations against her first. “Not for now,” Guo, also known as Guo Hua Ping, told senators at the resumption of the Senate hearing into her alleged involvement with îllégâl Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos). Source: Guo junks plan to seek reelection

Bishop Pablo Virgilio David of the Kalookan Diocese, one of the most vocal critics of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s brutal drug war, on Monday, likened being picked by Pope Francis as the country’s newest cardinal to “being caught in a whirlwind.” Source: Duterte drug war critic is newest PH cardinal

DFA maintained that they did "all we could" to halt the execution or minimize the punishment, but the victim's family advocated for the death penalty. Meanwhile, the DFA and the Department of Migrant Workers are currently working to repatriate the remains of the Filipino worker. Source: https://news.abs-cbn.com/world/2024/10/8/saudi-executes-pinoy-over-murder-dfa-says-925

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed on Tuesday a law requiring the Philippine government to pursue a self-reliant defense posture. Under the law, the Department of National Defense is tasked to formulate and implement the Self-Reliant Defense Posture Program to revitalize the defense industry and address the short-, medium-, and long-term needs for defense equipment in the country. Source: https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1234986

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) yesterday declared the official termination of the southwest monsoon or habagat in the country. PAGASA administrator Nathaniel Servando said recent analyses showed a significant weakening of the southwest monsoon over the past few days. Servando added that the strengthening of the high-pressure system over East Asia has been observed, gradually changing the weather patterns in the country. “With these developments, the southwest monsoon season has officially ended,” Servando said. According to Servando, the country is now transitioning to the northeast monsoon season, which may be apparent and declared in the coming...

MANILA, Philippines – Blacklist International silenced doubters as it secured the final playoff spot in the last week of the regular season of the Mobile Legends Professional League (MPL) Philippines Season 14. With the Codebreakers' five points, the team edged RSG Philippines, which will miss out on its first playoffs since the league adapted a franchise model back in 2021. The latter ended the season at seventh place with three points. Fnatic ONIC Philippines suffered its first defeat at the hands of Smart Omega, but with its near-perfect run, the team had gotten enough points to secure the upper bracket advantage with 13 points. Meanwhile, defending world champion Falcons AP Bren survived an aggressive Team Liquid Philippines to...

The USA's Janelis Leyba won the crown, besting 32 other candidates. Mexico's Karen Sofia Nunez was named 1st runner-up while Belgium's Selena Ali was 2nd runner-up. Sharifa Akeel was the first representative from the Philippines who won the title in 2018. Source: https://news.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/2024/10/7/blessa-figueroa-is-miss-asia-pacific-international-2024-3rd-runner-up-2347

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol witnessed the MOU signing between the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power Co., Ltd. (KHNP) in Malacañan Palace. Under the MOU, KHNP will shoulder the entire cost of conducting the technical and economic feasibility study for the BNPP. The study aims to assess the viability, safety, and sustainability of various nuclear energy options, as well as help the Philippine government make well-informed decisions on pursuing nuclear energy to support the country’s long-term energy goals. Source: https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1234940

Former Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles has resigned from his post as chairperson of the Civil Service Commission (CSC). "This experience has moved me to return to my roots in Davao City––where I hope to bring and apply the lessons I have learned in my tenure as the head of the Commission, as well as my two decades in government,'' Nograles said. Source: Karlo Nograles resigns from Civil Service Commission

“You think I can carry a national campaign at my age, or you want me to die?’’ wika ni Duterte. “Magko-collapse lang ako niyan.” “Mukhang hindi ko na kaya. Let us be realistic about it,’’ dagdag pa niya. Muli namang nagbabala si Duterte sa mga drug dealer na lumayas sa Davao kapag siya ay naging mayor uli ng lungsod sa 2025. “As early as today I am warning drug dealers: mamamatay kayo! Bring it somewhere else. At this early sabihin ko na: Lumayo na kayo. Ngayon na. Kung may mga droga ka maghanap ka na lang ng ibang lugar. Kalaki naman ng Pilipinas, mamili ka Cebu, Manila doon kayo. Kung ako mayor mamamatay talaga kayo!” diin ni Duterte. Source: Digong takot tumakbong senador: ‘Gusto n’yong mamatay ako?’

Rep. Erwin Tulfo (ACT-CIS party-list) E×ρréššed support for anti-political dynasty legislation while filing his certificate of candidacy (CoC) for senator on Sunday, October 6. Tulfo, who is looking to join his brother Raffy in the Senate, stated that he would back such a law if it benefits the nation. Source: Erwin Tulfo backs political dynasty ban while aiming to join brother in Senate

The Philippines accused Chinese maritime officials on Friday of carrying out an “unjustified assault” on Vietnamese fishermen in the contested waters of the South China Sea, adding its voice to a fraught dispute over the confrontation. Source: Philippines accuses China of assaulting Vietnamese fishermen in South China Sea

On Saturday, Espinosa, who is running for mayor in his hometown of Albuera, Leyte, said in a press conference that he was “1,000 percent” willing to testify before the ICC. “Of course, his testimony will be relevant since it is related to the EJKs. Will he ever be material to the case? It will depend on his testimony,” Colmenares pointed out. Source: Kerwin Espinosa willing to testify before ICC

Speaking on Teleradyo Serbisyo on Saturday, David said his client has not been convicted and allegations that she is not a Filipino citizen have yet to be proven in court. “Sa ngayon, wala namang husgado na nagsasabing îllégâl siya o na hindi siya Pilipino,” David said. He said that while her birth certificate, which was filed when she was already a teenager, is being questioned in court, there is no ruling on it yet. He said that allegations being raised at congressional hearings still need to be proven in court, where, he said, his client will be able to answer them and air her side. Source: https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/10/5/only-court-can-stop-guo-from-running-for-bamban-mayor-again-lawyer-959

The alleged sexual molestation supposedly took place at the principal's office last September 28, the QCPD said. Three of the victims were 15 years old while the other one was 17, the police said. One of the minors alleged that the principal touched his ***** while both of them were in the kitchen and started to molest him, but the assault was stopped when one of the victims knocked on the door. Source: Belmonte slams sexual assault on 4 HS students

He declared that he would return to his post that he held before becoming president and his son, current mayor Sebastian Duterte, should be his vice mayor. Earlier during the press briefing, the former president said he has no plans of pursuing national office, particularly as a senator, due to his age. Source: Former president Duterte hints at mayoral run

The Office of the Ombudsman has dismissed Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama and Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes from government service in two separate decisions that were made public on Thursday, October 3. Despite this, Rama still filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) for reelection as mayor on Thursday morning, while Cortes filed his certificate of candidacy also for reelection as mayor on Friday morning, October 4. Source: Dismissed Cebu mayors Mike Rama, Jonas Cortes still file candidacies for 2025 elections

NBI Director Jaime Santiago said complaints of perjury, falsification and obstruction of justice were filed against Guo and lawyer Elmer Galicia, plus four alleged accomplices: Dante Catapay, Cheryl Medina, Catherine Salazar and Geraldine Pepito. Source: NBI files perjury raps vs lawyer who notarized Guo reply

Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes has been found guilty of grave misconduct and is meted the penalty of dismissal from the office by Office of the Ombudsman. The complaint is anchored on the alleged act of Cortes for allowing the continuous operation from 2020 to 2022 of SUPREA Phils. Development Corp, a batching plant of concrete mix cement located in Sitio San Jose 1, Circumferential Road, Barangay Labogon, Mandaue City. Source: Mandaue Mayor Jonas Cortes dismissed from office - Ombudsman

Preventively suspended Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama has been permanently disqualified from holding any government position after the Office of the Ombudsman found him guilty of nepotism and grave misconduct. Source: Preventively suspended Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama banned from public office

Juan Ponce Enrile, former senate president and now chief presidential legal counsel, has been acquitted of plunder in the pork barrel scam, effectively making it a 0-3 loss for the Benigno Aquino government’s biggest pork barrel scam cases. Source: Juan Ponce Enrile acquitted of plunder in pork barrel scam

In February 2019, the Pangasinan RTC held that the victim’s testimony was “positive and straightforward,” and her claims were corroborated by a medico-legal report that showed evidence she was raped. Source: Supreme Court affirms father, mother guilty in rape of teen daughter

Rodrigo “Rigo“ Duterte II was accompanied by his father, Rep. Paolo Duterte, and his brother Omar, the barangay captain of Buhangin, in filing the COC. Other members of the Duterte family have yet to file their COCs. Source: Duterte grandson files COC for city councilor

“The cases that have been filed against Alice Guo, none of them have achieved finality. The one from ombudsman, which is the decision that dismissed and disqualified her perpetually from running for public office, I believe that is still not final,” he added. The same is true for the other cases filed against her, including the quo warranto and the petition for the cancellation of Guo’s birth certificate. Source: SolGen: Guo can still run, unless…

The Commission of Elections (Comelec) on Tuesday said it does not have the power to automatically cancel dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo's certificate of candidacy (COC) should she run for another seat in government. Source: Comelec: We have no power to automatically cancel Alice Guo candidacy

Nine of the key priority measures of the administration, including the value-added tax (VAT) on digital transactions, are now up for the signing of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero said Sunday. Source: 9 key priority measures up for Marcos’ signature—Chiz Escudero