📰 News & Current Affairs

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

(Reuters) - One of two U.S. aircraft carrier strike groups deployed to the Middle East in part to deter Iran from carrying out a threatened attack against Israel has departed the region, the Pentagon said on Thursday. The decision to end the dual-carrier presence came nearly three weeks after U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered the Theodore Roosevelt carrier strike group to remain in the Middle East, even after the arrival of the Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group to replace it. The Roosevelt has now departed the Middle East and is headed to the Asia-Pacific region, Major General Patrick Ryder, a Pentagon spokesperson, told a news briefing. Austin's order for the Roosevelt to stay in place came on Aug. 25, as...

(Reuters) - Russia's FSB security service said on Friday it had revoked the accreditation of six British diplomats in Moscow whose actions it said showed signs of spying and sabotage work. Britain's embassy in Moscow did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. The FSB, the main successor agency to the Soviet KGB, said it had documents showing that a British foreign office department in London responsible for Eastern Europe and Central Asia was coordinating what it called "the escalation of the political and military situation" and was tasked with ensuring Russia's strategic defeat in its war against Ukraine. "Thus, the facts revealed give grounds to consider the activities of British diplomats sent to Moscow by the...

The president and CEO of state-run Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), Michael De Jesus, is facing a graft complaint filed by a private citizen for allegedly receiving an îllégâl and unauthorized monthly salary. The complaint, lodged by Romeo Mendoza before the Office of the Ombudsman on Sept. 11, claimed that De Jesus' monthly salary of P1.1 million far exceeds the maximum amount allowed by law for government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs). According to Mendoza, De Jesus’ salary is nearly double the legally mandated monthly compensation cap for his position, which should be P588,458, as mandated Executive Order No. 150 Series of 2021, issued by then-President Duterte. The complaint is based on the Commission on...

"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

On Thursday, Putin said Ukraine’s army is unable to use long-range Western high-precision weapons for strikes deep inside Russia without NATO specialists. If they do so, this “will mean that NATO countries - the United States, and European countries - are at war with Russia,” Putin said in St Petersburg. “If this is the case, then, bearing in mind the very essence of this conflict will be changed,” he said, saying Russia would make “appropriate decisions” based on new threats. https://www.facebook.com/reel/1071585441000513/

Department of Justice (DOJ) prosecutors have approved the filing of charges against dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo and several others for qualified trafficking, the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) said Friday. DOJ to file human trafficking raps vs Alice Guo, says PAOCC

“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

PAGASA on Friday, Sept. 13 warned that the southwest monsoon (habagat), enhanced by Tropical Storm “Bebinca,” will bring rains over the next three to four days, but a potential cyclone could extend the precipitation by up to three days. READ: PAGASA: ‘Bebinca’-enhanced ‘habagat’ rains to last 3–4 days; potential cyclone could extend downpours by up to 3 days

For the third consecutive month, power distributor Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) will again increase its rates for its nearly 8 million accounts. The sole electricity distributor in Metro Manila and its suburbs said its September rates went up by P0.1543 per kilowatt hour (kWh), bringing the overall rate to P11.7882 per kWh from P11.6339 per kWh in August. This translates into a P31 rise in electricity bills for users consuming 200 kWh.

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

JUSTICE FOR RYLAI KAYE BARRUN Isang Sako ang nakita sa Block 20 Arenda Taytay Rizal nitong September 12, 2024 huwebes ng gabi. Kinumpira na ni Kristelle Ann Albotra nanay ng biktima na nakatira sa Lot 2 , Road 10 Abnai Sta.Ana Taytay Rizal na ang nasa loob ng sako ay si Rylai Kaye Barunn na kanyang anak na nawawala. Makuha nawa ng Pamilya ang hustiya at managot ang gumawa ng Krimen na ito.

As President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. celebrates his 67th birthday, it’s probably an opportune moment to take a lighthearted, reflective look at his journey.

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is investigating Lapu-Lapu Mayor Junard Chan and officials for alleged involvement in an îllégâl POGO hub raided in Barangay Agus. More details here: DILG task force in Cebu to probe Ahong, other execs

BREAKING: House budget committee recommends a P1.29-B cut in the 2025 budget of the Office of the Vice President, reducing it to P733-M from the original DBM recommendation of P2.03-B. | via Chino Gaston/GMA Integrated News

Several unidentified informants, whose tips led to the arrest of televangelist Pastor Apollo Quiboloy and four co-accused on the evening of September 8, 2024, will receive a P14 million reward from two Philippine government justice institutions.

Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co accused Vice President Sara Duterte of pocketing the confidential intelligence funds for her office, the reason why she was avoiding budget hearings. https://www.onenews.ph/articles/co-strikes-back-says-vp-sara-stole-confidential-funds?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3nGSE4DKq3ndiia9oZoVq9Qnv3vY7VjHE5m79MZe8JwHIX6xjI_HVJKqI_aem_TR3q22UVJe-en4TJGLtAPQ

TRAHEDYA SA ISLAND HOPPING Isang tao ang kumpirmadong patay matapos lumubog ang apat na bangka na sinasabing nag-i-island hopping sa karagatan ng Panglao, Bohol pasado alas-11 kaninang umaga, Huwebes, Setyembre 12, 2024. Iniulat na galing sa Isla ng Balicasag ang mga nasabing bangka, ngunit pagdating sa Gak-ang Island ay nakasagupa sila ng malalaking alon na naging sanhi ng trahedya. Abangan ang karagdagang detalye. | via DVG/Screenshot mula sa video ni Bohol Tour Guide & Bohol Tour Organizer Loraine Arbo leras

Tropical Storm Bebinca has intensified into a severe tropical storm and is expected to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Friday, September 13, 2024, Pagasa said Thursday. 📸Pagasa

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

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...