📰 News & Current Affairs

The suspect in Sunday's apparent assassination attempt on Donald Trump was a pro-Ukraine activist, reports say. US media, including the BBC's US parter CBS, have named the suspect as Ryan Wesley Routh, 58. Source: Donald Trump latest: Suspect in apparent Trump assassination attempt, Ryan Wesley Routh, was pro-Ukraine activist, reports say

Kristina Conti, a cocounsel in the ICC case who represents families of victims of extrajudicial killings (EJKs) during the Duterte administration, said they wanted to further speed up the issuance of the warrant although this would be a challenge. To do this, she said they would have to convince the ICC there was an urgent need to arrest Duterte and his coaccused as some of them remain in power and could influence any ongoing probes, particularly into his drug war. Source: Lawyer cites need to fast-track ICC warrant vs Duterte

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump was safe on Sunday after the FBI foiled what appeared to be an assassination attempt while he was golfing on his course in West Palm Beach, Florida. Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-is-safe-following-gunshots-his-vicinity-says-campaign-2024-09-15/

The Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality on Monday cited dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo in contempt for the second time by for allegedly continuing to lie before the senators. Source: Alice Guo cited in contempt for 2nd time by Senate panel

The Philippine National Police has now joined the manhunt for former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, who was issued an arrest order after being cited for contempt by the House of Representatives on Sept. 12 for refusing to submit subpoenaed documents related to his alleged involvement with îllégâl Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos). Source: PNP manhunt on for Harry Roque

A woman has put up for sale three Taylor Swift concert tickets that she had purchased for her daughter's 13th birthday because of the popstar's recent endorsement of Democratic nominee Kamala Harris. In a viral video she posted on social media, the woman said she no longer supports Swift due to the singer's political stance and what she described as "non-Christian beliefs." Source: Woman Sells Daughter's Taylor Swift Tickets Over Popstar's Kamala Harris Endorsement

A Chinese scientist and his team launched a DJI Phantom 4 Pro drone off the coast of Guangdong. The drone was roughly the size of a bird and had a radar cross-section similar to a s†éálth fighter. Despite its s†éálth characteristics, the target unexpectedly appeared on the screen even though the ground-based radar did not emit any radio waves that would have resulted in an echo. The scientists explained that this was possible because the drone was illuminated by electromagnetic radiation from a Starlink satellite passing over the Philippines. Source: https://www.eurasiantimes.com/china-can-detect-f-22-f-35-s†éálth-jets/

As of this writing, no statements have been released by either Manila or Beijing regarding the movement of the Coast Guard vessel from Sabina. Prior to its departure, the Philippine Coast Guard stated that the vessel was running low on supplies. Manila’s previous attempts to resupply Teresa Magbanua with other patrol ships failed due to Chinese forces intercepting and blockading the missions. Source: https://news.usni.org/2024/09/14/manila-withdraws-coast-guard-flagship-from-sabina-shoal-ais-shows

The National Security Council (NSC) on Saturday said the Philippines is not a pawn of the United States after a Chinese military official warned that it "will never have any patience" if Washington "moves its pawns behind the scenes." Source: https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/9/14/nsc-says-philippines-not-a-us-pawn-after-china-s-crush-threats-1521

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has appointed Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Undersecretary for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Development Ma. Cristina Aldeguer-Roque as acting Trade chief, Malacañang announced on Friday. Source: Marcos names Aldeguer-Roque as acting DTI secretary

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday appointed four new associate justices to fill vacancies in the Court of Appeals (CA), including the sister of Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. Source: Marcos names 4 CA justices, including military chief’s sister

“According to my source, Alice Guo went to Singapore, where she met with her parents Lin Wen Yi and Guo Jian Zhing. The couple flew in from China on July 28, 2024. It seemed like a reunion because they were also with Wesley Guo and Cassandra Ong,” Hontiveros said, speaking partly in Filipino. Source: Alice Guo has left the Philippines – Hontiveros

Interviewed by the Inquirer after the five-hour proceedings, Hontiveros declined to elaborate on the alleged payoff. “We’re still checking on it,” the senator said. Source: Alice Guo, siblings gave ‘P200-M’ bribe to leave PH – Hontiveros

A what seems like tug of war between the Senate and the Tarlac Regional Trial Court over the custody of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo is in the offing. This was after the Tarlac RTC issued an arrest warrant against Guo, which would take precedence over the one issued by the Senate. Source: Senate or Tarlac RTC? Alice Guo custody in question

Matatandaang si Sen. Risa Hontiveros ang nagsabing nasa ibang bansa na si Alice Guo noon pang Hulyo, na nagpunta sa Malaysia, Singapore, at huli nga raw ay sa Indonesia. Source: 'Friends kayo, Your Honor?' Sen. Risa, kasama sa isang pic si Alice Guo

Dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo has been arrested in Jakarta, Indonesia, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said on Wednesday, September 4. Source: Alice Guo arrested in Jakarta

A Tarlac court has issued an arrest warrant against dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo for graft charges, the Philippine National Police (PNP) confirmed on Thursday, September 5. Source: Alice Guo ordered arrested by Tarlac court

The Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) has secured a freeze order from the Court of Appeals (CA) for the assets of suspended Mayor Alice Leal Guo and other individuals allegedly involved in the îllégâl operations of Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGO). Source: Court of Appeals orders asset freeze on suspended Mayor Alice Guo | Philippine News Agency

“I have seen and felt the needs of our people and the serious gaps in addressing their problems. Reform is an understatement of what needs to be done and I am ready to take on that challenge to uplift Caloocan and its people. Today, I am announcing my candidacy for mayor of Caloocan City,” he said. Source: Trillanes to run for Caloocan City mayor

Chooks to Go sparked a heated reaction among netizens following the arrest of Pastor Apollo Quiboloy. While some were offended by what they saw as a direct reference to the incident, others voiced their support for the brand. Source: Witty or offensive? Chooks to Go’s Quiboloy ad ignites online debate

THE Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) said on Wednesday it is preparing to help around 27,000 workers bound to lose their jobs once the total ban on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) takes effect by end-December. Source: Nearly 27,000 to be affected by POGO ban, says DoLE - BusinessWorld Online

“In light of these recent developments, i call on this esteemed body to consider a resolution of support for the US offer to ****** our resupply missions. This proposal is not merely a matter of convenience; it is a significant step in asserting our rights under international law and challenging the persistent encroachments by the PRC (People’s Republic of China),” Tulfo said. Source: https://politiko.com.ph/2024/09/10/erwin-tulfo-to-govt-accept-us-******-for-wps-resupply-missions/headlines/

Diokno, chair of the Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG), said the PNP’s Command Memorandum Circular (CMC) No. 16-2016 operationalized the drug war and was issued by then PNP chief and now Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa. Diokno said the neutralization and negation of suspected drug offenders are not part of the PNP’s mandate. Source: Diokno: House can focus on Dela Rosa’s ‘drug war’ memo

"Nag-motion din po ang mga abogado po nina Quiboloy na malipat po itong si Quiboloy at Ingrid Canada doon po sa [Veterans Memorial Medical Center] po sa Davao because, accordingly, mayroon po silang mga existing medical condition at nahihirapan po sila sa custodial facility,” ayon kay Fajardo. Source: PNP: Pastor Quiboloy, gustong magpa-hospital arrest sa Davao City

To recall, Magno spoke with Guo in Indonesia after her arrest and showed Guo a photo on his cellphone. "Ikaw ito? (Is this you?)" Magno asked. Guo shook her head. Magno then asked her, "Sino ito?" (Who is this?). Guo said, "Si...ano po... Tao ko po 'yan" (That's...ah... She's part of my staff.) Source: Alice Guo 'body double' arrives at NBI, speaks with probers

"I have to say, what is really your policy? You have to be consistent. You cannot do it in the first year or second year, and then the third year, mag-iiba. ‘Yun na lang , the issue of consistency," Villanueva said. “If you're going to do that, keep on doing that the entire duration of your term, nitong term. Kasi as tradition dictates nga, hindi po talaga ginagawa ‘yan.” Source: https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1233347

“It was already served in his law firm, but he is not there, cannot be located. So the law enforcement agencies were informed to look for him and serve [the arrest] order,” Velasco told reporters in a phone interview, partly in Filipino. Source: Authorities searching for Harry Roque after House arrest order

Arroyo had “publicly embraced China as a friend” despite the two countries’ maritime disputes, according to the report, which AidData representatives presented to the media on Thursday, September 12. As a result, Beijing’s development finance to the Philippines spiked by more than 950% during her presidency (from US$88 million to US$931 million), particularly in energy and telecommunications projects. Source: Before Duterte admin, Chinese investments surged 950% under Arroyo – study

“When I filed my certificate of candidacy, I have made declarations on my personal information, such as my citizenship and domicile, on the basis of the legitimate documents in my possession — which documents were issued by the Philippine government and which remain valid and existing since the time I filed my COC and still as of this writing,” Guo said. Source: Alice Guo contests Comelec 'misrepresentation' case, insists 2022 candidacy is valid

Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) founder Apollo Quiboloy and his co-accused pleaded not guilty to charges of qualified human trafficking, according to the legal counsel of one of the victims. Quiboloy and 4 co-accused were arraigned at the Pasig City Regional Trial Court branch 159 on Friday morning for the human trafficking complaint against them. Source: https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/9/13/-bakit-balot-na-balot-quiboloy-asked-that-his-face-be-covered-1002

In a Radyo 630 interview on Wednesday, September 11, former senator Panfilo Lacson cited information from a Filipino-Chinese friend – with contacts to the First Family – who was allegedly approached by Guo for help. Source: Guo allegedly offered P1-billion bribe to settle legal issues — ex-senator

His lawyer, Ferdinand Topacio, said in a statement: “Based on reliable information, our client, Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy, voluntarily surrendered to the Armed Forces of the Philippines, specifically the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces, or ISAFP.” Topacio took aim at Abalos, saying, “He was not arrested, especially not by the Philippine National Police under the DILG [Department of the Interior and Local Government]. Therefore, it is epal (attention-seeking) to the highest level for Sec. Abalos to be seemingly taking credit for the non-existent arrest.” Source: KOJC’s Apollo Quiboloy ‘voluntarily surrenders’ to AFP intelligence service