📰 News & Current Affairs

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. seemed to have no problem with his sister Senator Imee Marcos’ decision to refuse to be part of his senatorial slate for the 2025 elections, saying it was “her choice.” “That’s fine. That happens. I’ve run as an independent myself, many times. And so that is her choice,” the President said in a chance interview in Tarlac. Source: Marcos on sister’s decision to run independently: ‘That’s her choice’

Video: Source: ABS-CBN

Thousands of the green-yellow-red birds have invaded, driven by deforestation in the surrounding hills, according to biologists. They bite on the town’s electric cables, causing outages, and are driving residents around the bend with their incessant screeching and deposits everywhere of parrot poo. Source: Argentine town battles a parrot invasion

Source: Pulse Asia: VP Sara approval down 9 points; Marcos' dips by 3

A SpaceX rocket soared into the sky Saturday with two passengers on board, leaving two seats empty to return American astronauts who have been stranded for months on the International Space Station, NASA said. On board were NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Alexander Gorbunov. Source: SpaceX launches mission to return stranded astronauts - Manila Standard

In a separate incident on Saturday, a Chinese helicopter flew close to the BRP Datu Romapenet during its resupply mission near Palawan, with the chopper approaching as near as 20 meters. BFAR officials condemned the actions, calling them "îllégâl" and are set to report the incidents to the Department of Foreign Affairs.

She disclosed to the authorities that she was first raped by her own son when she was around 40 years old, that was when her son was in his early twenties. The incident happened again in the early morning of September 27, 2024 and she said she was again threatened she would be killed if she tell anyone of the incident. She added that the suspect was drunk after attending a funeral vigil. The suspect reportedly lied beside her in bed, hugged her, and raped her. The mother said her daughter, a differently abled person, saw the incident. Source: Man nabbed for alleged rape of own mom in Candijay, Bohol

Typhoon Julian, with maximum sustained winds of 175 kph and gusts of up to 240 kph, could also impact Zambales, Metro Manila, and other nearby regions. Flights at Basco and Itbayat airports have been suspended due to heavy rains.

Sa isang eksklusibong panayam sa 101 East, sinabi ni She Zhijiang, na nakakulong sa Thailand, na si Alice Guo ay dapat magsabi ng totoo tungkol sa kanilang mga operasyon. Hindi direktang inakusahan, ngunit ipinahiwatig ni She ang papel ni Guo sa mga kaganapan, nagdadagdag ng bagong anggulo sa istorya ng pandaraya at human trafficking sa hangganan ng Thailand at Myanmar. Ref:https://phc.onl/#forbidden#/Ls8Y-2HmvHI?si=1bZnDjr5zPJrZqLb

The government said in November 2023 it wanted to increase nuclear power production equivalent to two nuclear reactors by 2035, with a “massive expansion” to follow by 2045. State-owned utility Vattenfall is in the process of conducting a feasibility study on the construction of at least two small modular reactors (SMRs) at the Ringhals nuclear power station in the southwest of the country. Source: Sweden to start building new nuclear reactor by 2026: PM

“Some very practical consequences now will pertain to the employment status of employees in the different field offices of the ministries in Sulu, projects in Sulu, as well as the operation of major services in Sulu now being provided by the BARMM,” said Sinarimbo. Both Sinarimbo and Adiong feared that this could lead to other provinces opting out of the BARMM. Source: Dangerous 'political tremors' feared after SC excludes Sulu from BARMM

She Zhijiang, a Chinese ga̾mbling tycoon detained in Thailand, claimed that dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo is a spy working for China’s Ministry of State Security. She, a naturalized Cambodian citizen with ca̾sinos operating in Cambodia, Myanmar, and the Philippines, made the allegation in a documentary by Al Jazeera. He spoke with the foreign news network from his cell in Bangkok. Source: https://politiko.com.ph/2024/09/27/alice-guo-a-chinese-spy-jailed-********-tycoon-claims/daily-feed/

Beijing has not acknowledged the sinking and a US defence official said it was "not surprising" that China's navy would conceal it. Satellite imagery showed that China's newest nuclear-powered attack submarine has sunk alongside a pier while under construction, a senior US defence official has said. Source: China’s top-of-the-line nuclear submarine sunk in shipyard

Lanao del Sur 1st district Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong says he feels "personally insulted" by Vice President Sara Duterte's pronouncement that she plans to attend the Senate’s deliberations on the 2025 General Appropriations Bill (GAB). "If you would ask me personally, I would say she's really selective, and that does not speak highly of an official especially the one occupying the second highest position in the land," said the House assistant majority leader. Source: Adiong 'insulted' by VP Duterte's preference for Senate after unprecedented House budget snub

The event is organized by Maisug-Cebu led by Pamela Baricuatro. “We are inviting all Cebuanos to join us in solidarity and let us unite to show our indignation with what’s going on in our country under the present administration,” said Baricuatro, lead convenor of Hakbang nang Maisug-Cebu. Baricuatro said they are expecting at least 2,000 participants in the rally. Source: ‘Marcos resign’ rally set for Saturday

The Philippine Supreme Court has ordered a car company to pay back the wages and commissions owed to a former employee who was forced to resign due to the company’s “unbearable” working conditions. The High Court ruled in favour of the worker who said he had no intention of quitting but was forced to leave the company because of the behaviour of his superiors. Source: https://www.peoplemattersglobal.com/news/business/supreme-court-forcing-workers-to-quit-constitutes-îllégâl-dismissal-42876

Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) is in the process of drafting an impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte, former lawmaker Teddy Casiño, who chairs the progressive group, said on Thursday. In a press briefing for Bayan Muna’s national convention in Quezon City, Casiño confirmed that the group would file the impeachment complaint — if finalized — before the House of Representatives on the resumption of its session in November. Source: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1987276/bayan-drafting-impeachment-complaint-vs-vp-sara-duterte-******

First Lady Louise “Liza” Araneta-Marcos on Thursday took her oath as a member of the Philippine Constitution Association (Philconsa). The First Lady took her oath before Philconsa Chairperson, former Chief Justice Reynato Puno at the Ceremonial Hall in Malacañan Palace as the association celebrated its 63rd founding anniversary. Source: First Lady Liza Marcos takes oath as Philconsa member

The House of Representatives removed SAGIP Party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta from membership in five committees. Earlier, Marcoleta was also removed as vice chairperson of the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability. Source: House strips Marcoleta of five committee memberships

An 18-year-old woman was found dead inside a lodging house in Toledo City, Cebu. The victim was found with her hands tied and her mouth stuffed when she was found by the room boy for her supposed check out. The police said the victim told her family last Thursday that she will just go to her classmate’s house to participate in a dance practice. But she never returned home. Investigation showed that the victim had a meeting with a man whom she met online. The police said that the two checked-in at the lodging house. Through a CCTV footage from a nearby establishment, the authorities were able to identify the 43-year-old suspect. “We showed the room boy the enhanced CCTV footage that we have and he was able to positively identify...

An 18-year-old woman from Ifugao who worked as a customer care assistant at a bar in Baguio City was found dead and ***** inside her rented home in San Carlos Heights. Her body was found ***** and with stab wounds in the neck. Based on initial police investigation, the victim's friend became worried after the victim failed to respond to text messages and calls. The friend then went to the victim’s boarding house and was greeted with the tragic scene. "Meron na tayong na-identify na person of interest at ini-establish po natin 'yung link para masabi natin na 'yun 'yung suspek," PMaj. Harriet Bulcio, spokesperson of the Baguio City Police Office, said. The victim's cellphone and other belongings were missing from the crime scene...

In a statement on Wednesday, La Union Rep. 1st District Paolo Ortega and Zambales 1st District Rep. Jay Khonghun, the House Assistant Majority leaders, said that the proper course of action, when caught lying red-handed, is to apologize. Source: Solons want apology from VP Duterte over Calaguas beach trip lie

After enduring more than two years of war in Ukraine and a global sanctions regime, Russia, once considered one of the world’s most powerful nations, has fallen to sixth place in the Asia Power Index. The Australia-based think tank Lowy Institute recently published its latest version of the ‘Asian Power Index,’ which ranks the relative power of 27 nations and territories in the Indo-Pacific region by comparing their strengths against 131 indicators over eight thematic criteria. Source: Russia ‘Slides Down’ To 6th Place As Most Powerful Country; Surprisingly, Australia Ranked Ahead In Asia Index

Thailand's King has endorsed a marriage equality bill passed by parliament earlier this year, officially making the kingdom the first country in Southeast Asia and third place in Asia to recognise marriages of same-se̾x couples. The royal endorsement was published in the official royal gazette late on Tuesday, meaning the bill will come into force in 120 days, which would be Jan 22, 2025. Source: https://www.france24.com/en/video/20240925-thailand-s-same-***-marriage-bill-gets-royal-endorsement

READ: Vice President Sara Duterte did not defend her office's 2025 proposed budget at the plenary, saying she leaves the deliberation "entirely to the pleasure of the House of Representatives." The OVP was initially scheduled to defend its funding today, Monday, at 10:00 a.m.| via Edjen Oliquino

Russian Foreign Ministry: Russia Will Take Action If US Missiles Stay in the Philippines September 23 Moscow (Sputnik) - Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov stated that if the United States' intermediate and short-range missiles are not relocated from the Philippines back to the US, Russia will take all necessary military measures to for a counterbalance. Regarding reports on the change in the US's intention to return the missile systems deployed during exercises in the Philippines, Ryabkov commented, "Based on the assessment of the situation and expert analysis, we will make all necessary decisions. We have certainly taken note of these alarming reports." In conclusion, he stated, "We will take all necessary practical...

After selling 24.9 tons of gold, PH current administration plans to sell other government assets.. for the planned sale of the Star City property, the DOF said it expects about P15 billion in revenues. Take note, there's more in the list for sale.. Aguy, isa isa binebenta ang mga government assets.. Baka isang araw, magising na lang tayo, ang Pilipinas naibenta na.. Link: PH gov't to sell Semirara shares, Mile Long, other assets

Police Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III was designated as the new head of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in a latest reshuffle in the Philippine National Police (PNP) which also affected four other senior officers. READ: Quiboloy captor Torre takes over CIDG—the police unit tasked to locate Harry Roque

The Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) issue has become a significant topic of debate in the country due to its social, economic, and political implications. Key Concerns: 1. Economic Impact: POGOs have contributed to the Philippine economy by generating billions in revenue, particularly through taxes and job creation for Filipinos in support roles such as IT, customer service, and real estate. However, there have been questions about whether the overall economic benefits justify the accompanying issues. The government has faced challenges in collecting taxes from some operators, with instances of tax evasion. 2. Crime and Security: The presence of POGOs has been linked to an increase in criminal activity...

While other countries are beefing up their gold reserves, the Philippines unloaded nearly 25 tons of gold so far in the first six months of the year, according to official reports.. Today I Learned: The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Sold the Most Gold Worldwide in the First Half of 2024

“Hindi ako sasagot sa ‘Young Guns’ dahil kailangan ko sumagot sa 32 million na bumoto sa akin. Hindi sa isa o dalawang tao. Hindi ako aalis dito dahil nilagay ako ng mga tao dito believing I will work for the country,” Duterte said. Source: Sara Duterte rejects resignation calls: ‘32 million Filipinos put me here’