📰 News & Current Affairs

Former Bayan Muna representative Neri Colmenares, one of the petitioners against the transfer of billions of pesos from the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) to the National Treasury, corrected reports that the Supreme Court’s order to stop the transfer applied to only P29.9 billion of the state insurer’s so-called excess funds. He said the court’s Oct. 29 temporary restraining order (TRO) specifically pertained to the P59.9 billion that was left of the original amount of P89.9 billion, which the Department of Finance (DOF) had ordered to be transferred to the National Treasury to be used for unprogrammed appropriations this year. “If the Php 30 B has been transferred to the National Treasury, we demand that DOF should...

Israeli intelligence suggests Iran is preparing to attack Israel from Iraqi territory in the coming days, possibly before the U.S. presidential election on Nov. 5, Axios reported on Thursday, citing two unidentified Israeli sources. Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/iran-preparing-strike-israel-iraqi-territory-within-days-axios-reports-2024-10-31/

Russian President Vladimir Putin is “testing the reaction of the west, of Nato states and the reaction of South Korea,” the Ukrainian leader said in an interview with the South Korean television channel KBS. “And if there is nothing – and I think that the reaction to this is nothing, it has been zero – then the number of North Korean troops on our border will be increased,” he added. Source: Ukraine war briefing: western allies’ response to North Korean deployment is ‘zero’, Zelenskyy says

Meanwhile, the EDSA People Power Revolution Anniversary on February 25, Tuesday, was declared a special working day. Last year, the commemoration of the event that ended the decades-long rule of Marcos' father, the late President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., was not included in the list because it fell on a Sunday. Source: LIST: 2025 Philippine holidays released; EDSA People Power, a special working day

“HINDI MAKAKALUSOT YAN…POINT OF ORDER AGAD YAN” House Committee on Human Rights chairperson and Manila 6th District Representative Bienvenido “Benny” Abante, Jr says the House quad-committee won’t allow former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to dominate their own inquiry following the latter’s appearance at the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s first hearing on the ‘war on îllégâl drugs.’ Abante adds if Duterte would attend their probe, the ex-leader should know that he is there to answer questions from their panel and not interject anytime similar to what he did during the Upper Chamber’s proceedings. “But of course, we are going to accord him full respect and cordiality being the former president,” he says in an online interview...

Karapatan claimed that the decision only showed the failure of the judiciary system to protect the rights of human rights defenders, adding it’s “hypocrisy” for the government to claim that a “robust justice system” is present in the Philippines.“Many of our human rights workers who were denied the opportunity to testify on the threats they received from Duterte’s state forces have either been killed, arrested and detained, or disappeared, after numerous threats, harassment and red-tagging,” said Karapatan secretary general Cristine Palabay in a statement. Source: https://news.tv5.com.ph/breaking/read/supreme-court-slammed-for-junking-petition-against-dutertes-threats-to-human-rights-workers

The survey, conducted from Sept. 4 to 7, showed that 69 percent of the respondents E×ρréššed their trust in the President, a slight two-point drop from the 71 percent recorded in the second quarter. Vice President Sara Duterte, meanwhile, fell six points from the second quarter's 65 percent, down to 59 percent in the third quarter. Source: PBBM holds majority approval, trust in Q3: OCTA | Philippine News Agency

"The (production) knowledge is indigenous, so there is no disruption in the manufacturing process of missiles," Nasirzadeh said, also implying that a defence system may have been damaged in the attack as he said it was "replaced the day after". Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/iran-says-missile-production-not-disrupted-by-israeli-strikes-2024-10-30/

Ukraine prepared to fight North Korean troops in the Russian region of Kursk on Wednesday, as the entry of a second nuclear power in Russia’s war against Ukraine threatened to escalate and broaden the conflict. Source: Ukraine prepares to fight North Korean troops in Kursk as war escalates

Former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV said on Wednesday that he had sent copies of the transcripts of the Senate and House hearings on President Rodrigo Duterte’s drug war to the International Criminal Court (ICC) as additional evidence in the charges of crimes against humanity against the ex-president. Source: Trillanes: ICC given Duterte ‘death squad’ transcript

The Philippines is safer and the people are more secure than ever under President Marcos, Malacañang asserted yesterday, contrary to claims by former president Rodrigo Duterte at a Senate hearing that crime has become rampant in the country. “With due respect to former president Rodrigo Duterte – there is no truth to his statement that crime remains rampant in the country,” Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said in a statement. Source: Palace: Philippines safer under Marcos

MALACAÑANG on Monday stood firm on its stance that the Philippines will not cooperate in any investigation being conducted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) concerning the previous administration's war on drugs. The country will also not return as a member of the ICC. PH won't cooperate with ICC, Palace says

Citing its latest data, the PNP said index crimes from July 1, 2022 to July 28, 2024 dropped to 83,059 from 217,830 during the same period in the first two years of Duterte’s term from 2016 to 2018, or a decrease of 61.87 percent. The PNP said cases of murder, homicide, physical injuries and rape decreased by 55.69 percent. Similarly, cases of robbery, theft, car theft and other crimes against property registered a 66.81 percent decline, from 124,799 to 41,420 during the same comparative periods. Crime clearance efficiency increased by 27.13 percent while the crime solution efficiency rate rose by 10.28 percent. Source: PNP: More crimes during Duterte administration

“I would like to underscore that the Russian interaction with DPRK in the military and other areas is in line with international law and is not a violation of it. It’s not aimed against third countries,” Vasily Nebenzya said at a UN Security Council meeting on Wednesday, using the acronym of the country’s official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. Source: Military interaction with N Korea doesn’t breach int’l law: Russia UN envoy

Makabayan bloc lawmakers on Tuesday urged the Senate to submit to the International Criminal Court (ICC) its records on former President Rodrigo Duterte’s admission of urging policemen to “encourage” suspects to fight back as a pretext to kill them during the previous administration’s brutal war on drugs. Source: Senate urged to send Duterte ‘confession’ to ICC

Gawin nating SURPRISE direk. Film director says typhoons entering PAR ‘shouldn’t be announced as news’

Rep. Benny Abante denies the allegation that the House quad comm pressured PCol. Hector Grijaldo to confirm the drug war "rewards system." When asked about the meeting before Grijaldo faced the panel, Abante says sometimes resource persons request to talk privately before testifying. #ANCHeadstart https://www.facebook.com/abscbnNEWS/videos/1753140168849170/?mibextid=LtpnVJRhQoU8sPCp

Ayon kay Duterte, maaasahan ang mga naturang pulis sa anumang ‘ipapatrabaho’ at sa pera o pondong ibibigay sa kanila. Ayon sa dating Pangulo, may nakalaang pondo sa isinagawang kampaniya kontra droga ngunit ito ay tanging operational expenses at hindi bilang reward o pabuya sa mga pulis na makakapatay ng mga drug personalities. Source: https://www.bomboradyo.com/fprrd-kinumpirmang-inatasan-niya-si-garma-na-maghanap-ng-mga-pulis-na-miyembro-ng-inc-para-sa-kampaniya-vs-îllégâl-drugs

“Yes that is optional, but looks like a good idea to me because it will give us the opportunity to ask cross examination questions to test the credibility of the witnesses,” said Pimentel. Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go, a close ally of former President Rodrigo Duterte, earlier said that he is mulling the filing of a resolution to kickstart a Senate probe into the bloody war on drugs. Source: MSN

Senate President Francis Escudero on Tuesday urged families of alleged extrajudicial killings (EJK) to finally sue former President Rodrigo Duterte following his declaration at the Senate Blue Ribbon sub-committee that he alone was responsible for the brutal drug war. However, Escudero said only drug war victims or their families can file cases. Source: https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/10/29/duterte-statements-at-senate-probe-can-be-used-to-file-cases-escudero-diokno-1442

Asked if this means he has no plans to show up at the DOJ despite the charge, Roque responded: “Puwede pong manumpa sa kahit kaninong piskal o kahit kanino na pwede magbigay ng panunumpa (You can swear before any prosecutor or to anyone you can take an oath).” “It is clear that these charges are fabricated, and what I pray for is that our prosecutors will do their duty,” he said. Source: Roque set to file counter affidavit vs human trafficking case

The Supreme Court has issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) on the further transfer of excess funds of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to the National Treasury. Source: Supreme Court issues TRO vs further transfer of PhilHealth funds

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“During the Maritime Dialogue, the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement announced Php450 million ($8 million) in new funding for the modernization of the PCG,” the US embassy said in a statement. “This funding will support the PCG’s infrastructure enhancements, training program development, and resource acquisition and management planning,” it added Source: US announces P450M funding for PCG modernization

“Yesterday the Upper Chamber was ‘invaded’ by the former president of the republic,” the former senator wrote on X (formerly Twitter) Tuesday, October 29. “Only one consistently and steadfastly stood up to preserve the dignity of the Philippine Senate. She happens to be a woman who answers ‘present’ during a roll call. Her name: Risa Hontiveros,” he added. Source: Lacson thinks ex-President Duterte ‘invaded’ Senate in drug war probe

TWO GUNMEN WEARING BONNETS KILL BOY, 13, IN MABOLO, CEBU CITY LOOK: Two unidentified armed assailants, who were wearing bonnets, shot dead a 13-year-old boy, who was then resting at the corridor of the second floor of their house in Sitio Lahing-Lahing 2, Barangay Mabolo, Cebu City at past 10 p.m. on Monday, October 28. The two assailants went up the stairs and shot the boy, who managed to jump from the second floor of the house to the ground below. Unfortunately, the boy died due to the gunshot wounds he sustained during the attack. His body was found by police lying on a corner of the house on the ground floor. Police were still investigating the killing of the boy. | Paul Lauro #CDNDigital

PAGASA warned of a potential upgrade to super typhoon status as Leon nears Batanes, where a landfall remains possible. Tropical cyclone wind signal no. 1 is raised over areas including Batanes, Cagayan, Babuyan Islands, Isabela, and portions of Luzon and Visayas. These areas can expect strong winds and possibly gusty conditions. A gale warning is in effect for Northern Luzon and Central and Southern Luzon’s eastern seaboards, making sea travel hazardous. Leon is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Thursday or Friday.

I was insulted and it is very offensive. I feel I've been corrupted to make that statement—PCol. Grijaldo

Vice President Sara Duterte must first be impeached before any graft or plunder charges can be filed, a House leader said on Monday, October 28. Sounding confident that Duterte will be impeached, Chua said at a press conference, “So after the impeachment, once proven or impeached, that’s the time for cases to be filed against the vice president.” Source: Impeachment of VP Sara Duterte needed before plunder raps — House leader

“HINDI KA NAGDALA NG SIYUDAD, EH” WATCH: Former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros clash over the ex-leader’s ‘war on drugs’ campaign when he was still mayor of Davao City up to his ascendancy as president of the country during the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee's first hearing on the matter on Monday, October 28, 2024. Duterte’s remarks against Hontiveros elicited applause and cheers from the audience in the gallery which prompted panel chair Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel to issue a warning. RONALD SIONGCO/GDM https://www.facebook.com/share/v/wMeFyLoL4F4rb9pH/

The Philippines is confident in the continuity of U.S. policies in the Asia-Pacific region after the U.S. presidential election and the two countries' ties will remain strong regardless of the outcome, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said. Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/philippines-confident-us-security-policy-continuity-regardless-election-2024-10-28/

Liam Payne, a former member of boyband One Direction, has died after falling from the window of a hotel in Buenos Aires, according to police there. He was 31. Payne’s death occurred Wednesday at a hotel on Costa Rica Street in the Palermo neighborhood, according to a statement from police provided to CNN. Buenos Aires police said that personnel from the 14B Police Station went to the hotel on Wednesday afternoon after receiving a 911 call about an aggressive man who was possibly under the influence of drugs or *******. The police’s statement did not identify that person as Payne. Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2024/10/16/entertainment/liam-payne-death-one-direction/index.html