📰 News & Current Affairs

SPOT.ph) The merger between Bank of the Philippine Islands and Robinsons Bank Corporation officially took effect on January 1. Two massive corporate entities merging is a big thing in itself, but we're sure the only real question in people's minds is "How will this affect me?". We lay it down for you and your money below. BPI and Robinsons Bank Merger: What happens now? On a bigger scale, the merger means Robinsons Bank shareholders will end up owning approximately 6% of Ayala-led BPI, JG Summit told the stock exchange. The two linked paths in order to give "customers access to a fuller range of banking products and services as the combined organization will leverage on ecosystems of both the Gokongwei and Ayala Groups," said JG Summit...

MANILA, Philippines — State medical insurer PhilHealth will receive no government subsidy in the proposed 2025 national budget, the bicameral conference committee announced on Wednesday, December 11. Sen. Grace Poe, the national budget’s sponsor in the Senate, explained that PhilHealth must first exhaust its reserve funds. In an ambush interview at the Manila Hotel, Poe acknowledged that PhilHealth’s budget has been a recurring issue of contention. “For now, Philhealth will not be given a budget, because they must first use their reserve funds,” Poe said in Filipino. Poe argued that PhilHealth still has sufficient funds for its operational costs. The allocation, however, initially intended for the agency was redirected to other...

“First of all, I told [Brawner] that I will not accept replacements to my old security personnel and just leave whoever will be left with me,” she told reporters in a briefing at her Mandaluyong City office. “That is one option that we are preparing in case there is a pullout of the entire security detail from the Armed Forces of the Philippines.” The AFP announced last month that several members of the Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group (VPSPG), the composite unit guarding Duterte which is under AFP supervision, would be replaced with a new set of soldiers and policemen. Source: VP Duterte now mulls hiring ‘private security’

Romualdez previously vowed to push for the restoration of the program’s budget after the Senate defunded it, insisting that the project has already benefited 4 million Filipinos. Senator Imee Marcos, sponsor of the DSWD budget in the upper chamber, moved to delete the provision for AKAP entirely back in November, in hopes to realign the budget to another agency program, the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS). Source: Bicam restores funding for Romualdez's pet cash aid project AKAP after Senate removal

Foreign News muna tayo. Luigi Mangione has been charged with murder in last week's deadly shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. The 26-year-old, who was identified earlier as a person of interest, was arrested on firearms and other charges in Pennsylvania on Monday after being spotted at a McDonald's in Altoona amid a massive manhunt for the shooter. Source: What we know about Luigi Mangione, suspect charged in UnitedHealthcare CEO's killing

Effective on Dec. 8, all government workers must wear “Filipiniana-inspired” clothes on all working Mondays of the month to “boost employee morale, professionalism and productivity” in public workplaces. Under the revised dress code, government workers must wear “Asean-inspired” attire on the first Monday of the month, referring to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and Filipiniana-inspired clothing for remaining Mondays. Source: Filipiniana, Asean-inspired attire for gov’t workers on Mondays

In a stunning announcement today 04 December just over an hour ago, the powerful Iglesia Ni Cristo informed the public thru its media network Net 25 program Sa Ganang Mamayan the church is organizing a massive rally to call on the leadership of the House of Representatives to stop any and all efforts for the impeachment of VP Sara Duterte. It’s official: THE IGLESIA NI CRISTO MEMBERSHIP IS AGAINST THE IMPEACHMENT OF THE VICE PRESIDENT. https://www.facebook.com/share/v/15dctcTV5k/

“The Office of the President spent almost half of the total P10.4-billion confidential and intelligence fund allocation for 2023, with a combined total of P4.56 billion. That is a mind-blowing amount,” Renato Reyes, president of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan), said in a statement Tuesday. “In the name of transparency and accountability, COA should release all its audit findings on the OP’s confidential and intel funds. In the same way, the public scrutinized the Office of the Vice President’s (OVP) confidential funds, so too should we examine the OP’s confidential and intel funds which are several times way bigger than the OVP’s,” he added. Source: COA told: Release info on Office of the President’s secret funds

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) disclosed that President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s Executive Order 62, which lowered the tariff on imported rice from 35% to 15%, did not lead to a reduction in rice prices as anticipated. “This is a puzzle also for us... perhaps this deserves a more nuanced analysis," said NEDA Director Nieva Natural during a House Murang Pagkain Supercommittee hearing. Source: NEDA: Reduced rice tariffs failed to lower prices

“Civil Case No. 0033-A is hereby DISMISSED with prejudice as between plaintiff Republic and the defendants therein, due to the withdrawal of plaintiff Republic. However, Civil Case No. 0033-A shall REMAIN ACTIVE until the final disposition of Subic Air’s complaint-in-intervention. Civil Case No. 0033-F is hereby DISMISSED with prejudice due to the withdrawal of plaintiff Republic,” it adds. Source: Sandiganbayan dismisses civil suits vs alleged Marcos Sr. ‘cronies’

NUCLEAR MATERIALS SEIZED 100 Kilos of depleted uranium (nuclear materials) were seized by NBI. Filipino suspects are based in Cagayan and Cebu. These are U-235 and U238 isotopes used in nuclear power plants and nuclear bombs and dirty bombs used for terrorism. PHILIPPINES WE ARE IN BIG, BIG TROUBLE! Paano ba naka pasok ang mga nuclear radioactive materials sa Pilipinas? Handling and transport of this dangerous radioactive materials cannot be done using ordinary containers, ships and planes. It should be specialized or military grade container and transport for safe handling. Questions: Sino ba may capabilty at possession ng mga ganyang nuclear materials? Sino ba ang labas masok sa pinas na di dumadaan sa airport security at Customs...

The wife of a police lieutenant colonel who dismembered the body of a fellow policeman in front of her in Taguig City was left traumatized, which left her unable to speak. “The husband instructed his wife to get a häçksaw and she was present at the time of the killing at (and) during the mu̾tilation,” Fajardo said in a press briefing. Initially, police reports said that Pascua allegedly shot De Asis after supposedly discovering him in “intimate relations” with the lieutenant’s wife. Source: Wife of cop who dismembered colleague at NCRPO HQ left traumatized

Ranking: #1 - OP (4.56 billion) #2 - DOJ (683.8 million) #3 - PDEA (500 million) #4 - OVP (375 million) #5 - National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) [127.4 million] #6 - National Security Council (NSC) [90 million] #7 - Department of National Defense (DND) [78.9 million] #8 - DILG (75 million) #9 - Department of Finance (DOF) [61 million] #10 - Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (49.5 million) #11 - DFA (35 million) Source: COA: Office of the President is top confi, intel fund spender

“We have submitted proposals for two more corvettes, I believe, or two more frigates,” – Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad “That need was noticed by the Philippines years ago. That’s why our Re-Horizon 3 includes more corvettes, more ships, and other anti-submarine warfare capabilities,” he added. Trinidad announced the plan days after “Ufa”, a Russian Kilo-class diesel-electric submarine, surfaced in the South China Sea to the west of the Philippines late last month. Source: The Philippines plan to procure two new anti-submarine vessels - Naval News

“The IAEA’s recognition of our progress reflects the government’s steadfast commitment to developing a robust nuclear power program,” Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla said in a statement. He highlighted advances including a formalized national position on nuclear energy through a presidential directive, the drafting of a comprehensive nuclear law, and enhanced capacities in areas such as radiation protection and emergency preparedness. Source: Philippines nears nuclear readiness with IAEA approval

Marcos made the pronouncement after being asked to confirm a text message he supposedly sent to House leaders, which surfaced on Thursday. “Well, it was actually a private communication, but it got leaked. Yes. Because that’s really my opinion,” Marcos said in a mix of English and Filipino. Source: Marcos says he ordered impeachment moves vs VP Sara Duterte stopped

Section 9 Article VII of the Philippine Constitution says that the President has the power to nominate a legislator from the Senate or the House of Representatives to fill the vacancy left in the Office of the Vice President. Whoever is nominated by the President, however, would be subject to “confirmation by a majority vote of all the members of both Houses of the Congress, voting separately.” Source: Sara Duterte: 'If I get impeached, then that’s my end'

Leaders and members of the People’s Alliance for Democracy & Reform (PADER) voluntarily shave their heads on December 7, 2024, as a gesture of support and solidarity with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. amid the challenges faced by his administration at the People Power Monument in Quezon City. Source: https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2024/12/7/1-dead-5-injured-in-multi-vehicle-collision-in-para-aque-1417

Hidden content

During a phone interview with reporters, Velasco was asked why the two impeachment complaints have not yet reached Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez’s desk. “Not yet, but we have heard that others would also file impeachment complaints. So we will just do one transmittal to the Speaker,” he explained in Filipino. When asked if he has information on the groups that will file a complaint and when it may be filed, Velasco said he does not have any information but lawmakers told him they intend to file or sponsor another impeachment complaint against Duterte. Source: Impeachment complaints vs VP Duterte not yet sent to Romualdez – House

Kalat na sa world news ang pagmumura at pagbigay niya ng death threats sa PH President. hindi lang siya ang ipinahiya niya kundi buong Pilipinas!

They say it’s just a holiday dinner, but can they really leave politics out of it? President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. welcomed hundreds of lawmakers in Malacañang on Wednesday night, December 4, for a “Christmas fellowship.” The timing can be intriguing, as it comes the same week that two impeachment complaints were filed with the House of Representatives against his 2022 running mate and now political rival, Vice President Sara Duterte. Source: Marcos dines with congressmen for Christmas amid Sara impeachment drama

Former presidential spokesman Harry Roque has no plan to return to the Philippines unless ordered by the Supreme Court, maintaining his right to travel as there is no hold-departure order (HDO) against him. “I am waiting for the decision of the Supreme Court or I will wait for the current Congress to end,” Roque said in an interview yesterday over dzBB. Source: Roque won’t return to Philippines unless ordered by SC

After more than five decades of effort to eliminate the presence of NPAs in the countryside, at the cost of countless soldiers' lives, the manipulation of youth and students lured by a misguided ideology to their deaths, and the collateral deaths of innocent civilians—making the conflict even bloodier than the drug war—the government took a shocking step on November 23, 2023, by resurrecting the CPP-NPA-NDF. Is this an act of treachery? The CPP political officers in the House of Representatives must be happy of whats happening in the country right now. Lets have a united stand to remove them in Congress next May 2025 election.

Roque subscribed to his affidavit before the Philippine embassy in Abu Dhabi on November 29. In a video posted on his Facebook page, Roque claimed that he had already left the UAE. “Well, I had to have my sworn statement notarized. I came to [the] UAE just for the purpose of notarizing that,” Roque added, but refused to answer media queries on how he was able to leave the country. Source: Evading House arrest, Harry Roque went to UAE

President Yoon Suk Yeol, who appeared likely to be impeached over his actions, imposed martial law late Tuesday out of frustration with the opposition, vowing to eliminate “anti-state” forces as he struggles against opponents who control parliament and that he accuses of sympathizing with communist North Korea. Parliament acted swiftly after martial law was imposed, with National Assembly Speaker Woo Won Shik declaring that the law was “invalid” and that lawmakers would “protect democracy with the people.” Source: https://apnews.com/article/south-korea-yoon-martial-law-997c22ac93f6a9bece68454597e577c1

“The DA, in partnership with the Food Terminal Inc., will deploy Kadiwa ng Pangulo kiosks in major public markets, including MRT and LRT stations. These kiosks will offer Rice-for-All at an affordable price of P40 per kilo, available from Tuesdays to Saturdays, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.,” said DA Assistant Secretary Genevieve Guevarra, head of the Kadiwa program. Source: DA rolls out P40/kilo Kadiwa rice at major NCR public markets

“At around 6:30 am, CCG 3302 fired a water cannon at the BRP Datu Pagbuaya (MMOV 3003), aiming directly at the vessel’s navigational antennas while it was located 16 nautical miles south of Bajo de Masinloc,” Tarriela said in a statement. “Following this hostile action, CCG 3302 intentionally sideswiped the BRP Datu Pagbuaya on its starboard side. Shortly thereafter, at 6:55 am, CCG 3302 launched a second water cannon attack on the same vessel,” he added. Source: West PH Sea: Chinese ships fire water cannon, harass PH vessels anew – PCG

The court said it had strong evidence showing that the women intended on having the babies "to sell to a third person in exchange for money, which is an act of human trafficking". The women are not expected to serve any jail time until giving birth, and the court did not say what will happen to the babies when they are born. This case was unusual because surrogates are normally employed in their own countries, not transported elsewhere. Source: 13 surrogate mothers convicted of human trafficking in Cambodia

PANOORIN | Nag-courtesy call ngayong araw kay Speaker Martin Romualdez ang 17 AFP Flag Officers at Generals. Nagpasalamat ang mga lider ng AFP sa patuloy na pagtulong ng liderato ng Kamara sa mga programa para sa seguridad at kapayapaan ng bansa. Kabilang sa limang matataas na opisyal sa pulong sina: Lt. Gen. Augustine S. Malinit, Inspector General of the AFP; Rear Adm. Jose Ma. Ambrosio E. Ezpeleta, newly installed Philippine Navy chief; Rear Adm. Alan M. Javier, chief of naval staff; Maj. Gen. Adonis Ariel G. Orio, new 8th Infantry (Storm Troopers) Division Chief. | via Kathleen Forbes 🎥: Office of the Speaker #RP1News #RadyoPilipinas https://www.facebook.com/radyopilipinas1/videos/541161715560636/?mibextid=xusdzX56k9hUTu4z

Around 75 complainants from various sectors filed the second impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte on Wednesday, citing betrayal of public trust over the alleged misuse of PHP612.5 million in confidential funds. Lawmakers from the Makabayan bloc -- Reps. France Castro, Arlene Brosas, and Raoul Manuel endorsed the impeachment complaint. Source: 2nd impeachment complaint vs. VP Sara filed in House | Philippine News Agency

“The impeachment complaint filed in the House of Representatives by several private citizens is clearly the complainants’ independent initiative, and its endorsement [is] the prerogative of any Member of the House of Representatives,” Bersamin said in a statement Tuesday. “The Office of the President has nothing to do with it,” he added. Source: Bersamin: President’s office hands off Sara Duterte impeachment