📰 News & Current Affairs

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Friday that government officials’ photos with dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo were part of the selfie culture. Source: https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/9/6/marcos-says-alice-guo-selfies-with-officials-part-of-the-new-culture-1256

The president recalled one of his visits to the US, where he claimed to have met with the director of the CIA. Marcos Jr. said he then asked the director if he could see his father’s files with the Office of Strategic Service (OSS), the precursor to the CIA. While the meeting could have taken place in any of these venues, it is difficult to independently verify Marcos Jr's account of his meeting with Burns, and the existence of classified records. The CIA’s website, however, has reposted a New York Times article from Jan. 23, 1986 titled “Marcos’s Wartime Role Discredited in US Files” by Jeff Gerth and Joel Brinkley. Source: Marcos Jr. cites 'CIA' records on dad's heroism, but accounts say otherwise

“Should we give her P2 billion that she claims the OVP will use to help the poor? We should give this instead to the right agency. We will not allow even a single peso to again be squandered,” the Bicolano lawmaker said. Source: House panel chair wants OVP budget transferred; Solons warn VP may be criminally liable for graft - Manila Standard

"Kaya nais ko ring humingi ng kapatawaran sa lahat ng miyembro, deboto at bumubuo ng Kingdom of Jesus Christ, sa paghikayat at pakiusap ko sa inyong iboto si Bongbong Marcos Jr. noong 2022," she said. Source: VP Sara regrets endorsing Marcos

The exact weight of Swift’s endorsement in the national race is hard to immediately measure, but it was an emphatic statement from an influential superstar with an army of energized fans. And it seems that at least one major Trump supporter, the always-thirsty Elon Musk, thought he could weave viral magic by responding to her with an offer of insemination. Source: Elon Musk Threatens Taylor Swift After Harris Endorsement: 'I Will Give You a Child'

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has launched an investigation into the alleged robbery and sexual assault against a Vietnamese national and is eyeing sanctions against transport network vehicle service (TNVS) company Grab Philippines. Source: https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1233133

In her 27-page petition, Ong claimed that chairpersons and members of the House’s quad com, during its Aug. 28 hearing, ordered her to be detained at the Correctional Institute of Women in Mandaluyong City instead of the Congress detention facility, where she was initially held. She also claimed that the committee ordered security staff to physically separate her from her lawyer during the hearing and threatened the lawyer with ejection from the hearings for supposedly coaching her. Ong also claimed that due to fear induced by the quad com, she was forced to sign a waiver to allow the panel to look into her bank accounts since she was “afraid of being detained in a facility for convicted criminals.” In a separate hearing on Sept. 4, Ong...

China's vice foreign minister and his Philippine counterpart have had a "frank and in-depth" exchange on sea-related issues, in particular the issue of the Sabina Shoal, the Chinese foreign ministry said on Wednesday. During their meeting, China reiterated its demand for the immediate withdrawal of a Philippine vessel and vowed to "firmly uphold its sovereignty", the ministry statement showed. Source: Philippines, China hold 'frank' talks on Sabina Shoal

In a social media post accompanied by a collage of pictures of him and his father, Marcos Jr. noted how Marcos Sr.'s wisdom remains a guiding force and a steady voice of reason as he leads the country. Source: https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/9/11/marcos-jr-pens-tribute-to-father-on-his-birthday-1155

anong masasabi nyo mga sir/mam sa statement na ito? MANILA, Philippines — Lawmakers have refuted Vice President Sara Duterte’s allegation that they are using the issue about her office’s secret funds to discredit her, saying that attacking a sitting vice president was the game plan of the previous administration. In a press briefing on Wednesday, 1-Rider party-list Rep. Ramon Rodrigo Gutierrez and La Union 1st District Rep. Paolo Ortega V were asked about Duterte’s claims that lawmakers are attacking her because vice presidents are always perceived to be aiming for the presidency. Gutierrez disputed her allegation. “Maybe that’s the playbook of the previous administration, but as far as we’re concerned, I don’t care who the...

He added the Chinese foreign direct investment (FDI) commitments secured by the PEZA are for expansion projects of existing registered business enterprises for filing within the year. Source: 6 Chinese firms eye P4.6 billion investments in Philippines

NBI agents met Mabilog as soon as he stepped out of a Cathay Pacific plane that arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 at 11 a.m. yesterday. The warrants of arrest were issued by the Sandiganbayan 3rd Division and Lapu-Lapu City Regional Trial Court Branch 73 in Cebu. Source: Mabilog, ex-mayor of most ‘shabulized’ city, back in Philippines

The DBM said the amount was distributed to 257 departments and agencies as of Tuesday afternoon, while 58 more are being processed. The department also explained that the release of funds is based on an agency’s submitted request for salary increase computation. Source: DBM releases P31.93 B for pay hike differential of gov’t workers

In a press briefing, Remulla said that an immigration case against Guo, also identified by authorities as Chinese national Guo Hua Ping, took “precedence over everything” as this is non-bailable. Source: Alice Guo should be under BI custody —Remulla

In a post on Instagram, Swift told her over 280 million followers that she will vote for the U.S. vice president in the Nov. 5 election, in the biggest celebrity endorsement yet for Harris. Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/taylor-swift-says-she-will-vote-kamala-harris-2024-09-11/

In a 7 p.m. advisory, Phivolcs said that “[v]olcanic sulfur dioxide (S02) gas emission from the summit crater of Kanlaon based on campaign Flyspec measurement today, 10 September 2024, averaged 9,985 tonnes/day. This is the highest emission from the volcano recorded since instrumental gas monitoring began.” Source: Kanlaon Volcano alert level may rise due to high sulfur dioxide emission

The narrow significance of the Sabina incident is that it could yet spark a military encounter at sea. China might make more aggressive attempts to bully the Philippines out of the shoal. The broader implications go far beyond a few rocks and ships, since such an encounter would test America’s appetite to come to the aid of the Philippines: risking American lives and treasure over an uninhabited shoal would be unpopular in Washington. Yet if the Philippines retreats it is unlikely to get the shoal back. That would trigger memories of its loss of Scarborough Shoal in 2012, and prompt questions in Manila about the reliability of its bigger treaty ally. Source: The scary new map of the South China Sea

“What is interesting is why haven't her lawyers raised this and why hasn't she posted bail. It's as if Alice wanted, or is at least in agreement, for this case to be filed against her,” Escudero said in a statement. Source: Timing of court-issued arrest warrant for Alice Guo questioned

The informants whose tips led to the arrest of Pastor Apollo Quiboloy and four other suspects will receive a reward of PHP 14 million, Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said on Tuesday. Source: Tipsters on arrest of Quiboloy, 4 others to bag P14-M bounty – PNP

Citing parliamentary courtesy, the House of Representatives for the third consecutive year did not scrutinize the proposed P10.5-billion budget of the Office of the President (OP) for 2025 despite the objections of some members. Source: Despite members’ objections, House panel ends hearing on OP’s budget

Despite voting against it, Sulu was still included in the BARMM which prompted it to file a petition before the high court assailing the constitutionality of the organic law. This interpretation, according to the Supreme Court violated Article X, Section 18 of the Constitution, which mandates that only regions voting favorably in the plebiscite should be included in the autonomous region. Source: Supreme Court: Sulu not part of BARMM

“We defer entirely to the discretion and judgment of the committee regarding our budget proposal for the upcoming year,” Duterte said in a letter submitted to the House on Tuesday, September 10. Source: Sara Duterte, entire OVP snub 2nd round of House budget deliberations

The Supreme Court en banc on Monday ordered oral arguments in January 2025 for two petitions questioning the return of unused reserve funds of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to the national treasury. Source: https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1232944

The court said the five should be transferred "immediately" upon the receipt of the order. The wardens of the two Quezon City jail facilities, meanwhile, were ordered to produce Quiboloy and the others before the court on Friday morning for their arraignment and pre-trial "via videoconference hearing." Source: Court orders transfer of Quiboloy, 4 others to Quezon City Jail

Chinese scientists have claimed to have made a groundbreaking discovery using what is currently regarded as the world’s most powerful radar system. This system allows them to simultaneously detect equatorial plasma bubbles (EPB) over the Egyptian pyramids and the Midway Islands in the Pacific Ocean. Source: With 10,000 KM Range -- China Boasts World's Most Powerful Radar That Can Detect 'Rare' Plasma Bubbles, s†éálth Aircraft

Former President Rodrigo Duterte has filed a malicious mischief complaint against Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr., Philippine National Police (PNP) chief General Rommel Marbil, and other police officials over the operation in the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC) compound in Davao City. Source: Ex-President Duterte files complaints vs Abalos, Marbil over KJC raid

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has relieved Norman Tansingco of his post as Immigration chief, the Palace said on Monday. Source: Marcos axes Tansingco as BI chief over Alice Guo’s escape

The Department of Justice (DOJ) said Saturday, September 7, that dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo could be considered a state witness if investigations into the îllégâl Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) activities in her town lead to identifying a higher figure behind the scheme. Source: Alice Guo could become state witness if POGO leader is exposed — DOJ

Mistulang inokray ni Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa ang Philippine National Police dahil hindi pa rin nakikita si Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Apollo Quiboloy kahit pa dalawang linggo na nilang binabantayan ang KOJC compound sa Davao City. Binanggit din ni Dela Rosa ang nagawa ng Indonesian National Police na agad nakita ang mga taong pinaghahanap ng gobyerno ng Pilipinas. Source: Bato inokray ang PNP: ‘Di pa rin nakikita si Quiboloy

Dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo will be wearing a bulletproof vest and will be on handcuffs during her transport on Monday, Sept. 9, from Camp Crame in Quezon City to the Senate where she would be a resource in the continuation of the investigation into the îllégâl operation of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs). Source: Alice Guo to be in handcuffs, bulletproof vest during transport for Monday's Senate probe—PNP

NBI Special Task Force's Atty. Joselito Valle first asked Guo if she knew a lawyer. Guo answered, "Marami." Valle then asked her if she knew "Atty. Galicia." Guo said while smiling, "'Yung nagnotaryo? Oo, kilala ko." Asked when was the last time she met Galicia, Guo then stopped smiling and said she will not answer the question. Source: WATCH: NBI questions Alice Guo on notarization, lookalike, clearance

In the case of Binay v. Sandiganbayan (G.R. Nos. 120681-83 & 128136, October 1, 1999), as affirmed in Caballero v. Sandiganbayan (G.R. Nos. 137355-58, 25 September 2007), the Supreme Court ruled that the Sandiganbayan has “exclusive and original jurisdiction” over alleged violations of the Anti Graft and Corrupt Practices Act committed by high-ranking officials — specifically including municipal mayors such as Guo. No other court should have jurisdiction over graft charges against Guo but the Sandiganbayan. Source: [OPINION] Alice in wonderland