📰 News & Current Affairs

The Supreme Court (SC) affirmed the dismissal of an official of the Office of the Ombudsman for fixing cases, it said on Wednesday. Source: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1970540/sc-affirms-dismissal-of-ombudsman-official-for-fixing-cases

China’s coast guard said it was monitoring Philippine patrol and fishing vessels that have gathered around the contested Sabina Shoal, citing China’s “indisputable sovereignty” over the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea. Source: China coast guard monitors Philippine patrol boats in Sabina Shoal

Harry Roque on July 29, 2024. MANILA, Philippines — An immigration lookout bulletin order (ILBO) has been issued against former presidential spokesman Harry Roque Jr. and 11 other persons of interest in the investigation on the raided Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) hub in Porac, Pampanga. In a three-page order, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said Roque and the 11 others “may attempt to place themselves beyond the reach of the legal processes of the DOJ by leaving the country.” This is considering the gravity of the possible charges and the wide media coverage and public attention the case has gained over the past months. “Hence, we deem the issuance of an ILBO against the subject persons in order to at least...

The Armed forces of the United States, Australia, Canada, and the Philippines are set to conduct a Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity in the West Philippines Sea (WPS) on Wednesday and Thursday. Sources: PH , US, Canada, Australia to hold WPS joint military exercise

“I disagree with them because they say it was rushed…The modernization has been postponed seven times. Those who have been objecting or asking for suspension are in the minority,” Marcos said in an ambush interview in Pampanga. Source: Marcos thumbs down halt of jeepney modernization implementation

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) remains open to the possibility of an improved and enhanced version of online gaming, even with the complete prohibition of Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos). https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/588624/pagcor-open-to-improved-version-of-online-gaming?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3Xdx9nn0ImUGe_PMEyFHMVN1pZ-PLCFQXR_R4RoTq-mICgXFZzvs9leyA_aem_wI4IxkapZX9wlveAReVU2Q#

President Rodrigo Duterte delivers his speech during the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan campaign rally in Victorias City Sports and Amusement Center, Negros Occidental on March 8, 2019. Presidential photo / King Rodriguez MANILA, Philippines — Support for the family of former president Rodrigo Duterte appears to have waned in the latest survey conducted by the OCTA Research group. Results of the June 29 to July 1 survey found fewer respondents identifying themselves as “pro-Duterte.” From 20 percent in the March survey, only 16 percent of the respondents in the latest poll said they support the Dutertes and their political alliance. Meanwhile, those who considered themselves as “pro-Marcos” increased by five points from...

This undated photo shows members lining up for PhilHealth benefits at an unnamed hospital. The STAR / File MANILA, Philippines — Amid the debate on the transfer of Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) funds for economic activities, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III yesterday said that there are many other government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) that can be sources of funds for economic development. Pimentel questioned the special interest of the executive branch to siphon the funds of PhilHealth whose mandate is to ensure the health of Filipinos. “Why did they choose PhilHealth, (when) there are so many other GOCCs? … They should not target the PhilHealth funds, they could execute legal basis in other...

Makati Mayor Abby Binay | PHOTO: Official Facebook page of Abby Binay MANILA, Philippines — The local government of Makati has earmarked more than P100 million for several incentives for its teaching and non-teaching personnel this year. Makati City Mayor Abigail Binay on Tuesday said P103.5 million was allotted for Department of Education (DepEd) employees in the city. “We deeply value our public school teachers in Makati and their role in shaping the future of our youth,” Binay said in a statement. “Teachers are the backbone of our education system, and their well-being is of paramount importance to us in Makati. We regard them as Makatizens who deserve our full support in every way possible,” she added. Of the total amount...

Court of Appeals of the Philippines | PHOTO: Official website of the Court of Appeals / ca.judiciary.gov.ph MABALACAT CITY, Pampanga – The 8th Division of the Court of Appeals (CA) has affirmed the Office of the Ombudsman’s decisions dismissing Mexico town Mayor Teddy Tumang and three former municipal officials for buying base course and other construction materials way back in 2008 without competitive bidding. In its 32-page decision dated July 18, 2024, a copy of which was obtained by the Inquirer recently, the CA affirmed the Ombudsman’s 2022 and 2023 decisions finding Tumang, former municipal engineer and bids and awards committee (BAC) vice chairman Jesus Punzalan, former administrative officer Luz Bondoc, and former municipal...

Deepfake technology allows users to replace one person's face with another in a video, or to put words into a speaker's mouth, with at times disconcerting realism File Photo MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines needs a comprehensive law to combat deepfakes and disinformation on social media, according to the Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT). “We need to have a more comprehensive law rather than bits and pieces of legislation that address small items or specific items,” DICT Secretary Ivan John Uy said yesterday. Uy warned that deepfakes will be utilized during the May 2025 midterm elections. He said there is a proliferation of deepfakes in the United States, which will hold its presidential elections in...

Parang Deja Vu to ah. Hopefully Soon. Hello!Hello!Maid In Malacañang.

The French pole vaulter who lost the competition after his own "rod" knocked down the crossbar at the 2024 Paris Olympics got a huge offer from an ãdül† entertainment company.

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s worst assertion in his recent State of the Nation Address was that the "West Philippines Sea is not fictional" (kathang-isip). He melodramatically, but in a jingoistic manner, claimed: "This is ours, and it will remain ours until our love for the Philippines is aflame." Marcos is so blatantly wrong. Source: 'West Philippine Sea' is fiction, and a dangerous one

Department of the Interior and Local Government Sec. Benjamin Abalos Jr. —INQUIRER.net/Ryan Leagogo MANILA, Philippines — Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. warned the public on Monday about fake news related to the oil spill from a tanker that sank in the waters off Bataan last July 25. Abalos likewise announced that the inter-agency task force formed to address the oil spill would conduct weekly inspections and briefings to inform the public about the actual areas affected to avoid further panic among affected residents. The task force consists of the Office of the Civil Defense, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Department of the Interior and Local Government...

TRAGEDY AFTER THE STORM The Terranova sinking on July 25 happened two days before another fuel tanker sank in the waters off Bataan. —Photo from the Philippine Coast Guard MANILA, Philippines — Individuals behind the capsizing of sea vessels that resulted in an oil spill off Bataan will be held liable, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said as it committed to investigating the recent incidents and coming after those involved in them. In a statement on Tuesday, DOJ also vowed to run after the owners and personnel of the sunken MT Terra Nova, the two other vessels, as well as the authorities who approved their seaworthiness. “Ang goal natin ay kung meron mang nagkamali, kung meron mang conspiracy sa pag bigay ng lisensya, kailangan natin...

Retired Maj. Gen. Carlos Garcia STAR / File MANILA, Philippines — Retired military comptroller Carlos Garcia is now legally compelled to pay a total of P407.8 million in fines for his conviction in 2022 of direct bribery and facilitating money laundering in connection with his îllégâl amassing of wealth amounting to P303 million when he was in the military from 1993 to 2004. In a 15-page resolution promulgated on July 30, the Second Division of the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan has granted the motion of the prosecution panel of the Office to the Ombudsman to issue writs of execution in order to compel Garcia to pay fines amounting to P406.3 million for his conviction of direct bribery under Article 210 of the Revised Penal Code and...

US Coast Guard and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration personnel arrive at Lamao Port in Limay, Bataan yesterday. The foreign experts will be providing technical assistance in recovery operations following an oil spill caused by three maritime incidents. STAR / File MANILA, Philippines — Eight marine environmental and weather experts from the United States have arrived in Bataan to provide technical assistance to the ongoing recovery operations for three recent maritime incidents. In a statement, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said that the seven experts from the US Coast Guard (USCG) and one from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reached the Incident Command Post in Lamao Port in Limay, Bataan...

A 45-year-old man in Indonesia allegedly killed his 60-year-old neighbor after he was hurt and became annoyed by the latter’s persistence in asking him why he was not married. https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/588621/indonesian-kills-neighbor-who-kept-asking-why-hes-unmarried?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR09dukFK9lyE7fnVTlj5EKmPK7Gu-XvR6nV-tX0AKcJ9L9WUedUj4fx248_aem_QU6nZuHuqDHl_EGhcZMXhA#ixzz8i86BQauL

A state of calamity has been declared over 21 areas in Luzon due to an oil spill in Bataan following the sinking of the motor tanker (MT) Terra Nova.

The president of Bangladesh has dissolved the country’s parliament after an ultimatum issued by the coordinators of student protests that forced the resignation on Monday of the prime minister, Sheikh Hasina. Source: Bangladesh parliament dissolved a day after resignation of prime minister

Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) chairman Alejandro Tengco on Tuesday said President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. gave a “positive” response to his idea of sparing special Business Process Outsourcing (BPOs) providing service to ga̾mbling firms from the order to shut down Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators. Source: https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/8/6/pagcor-says-marcos-jr-gave-positive-response-on-sparing-bpos-servicing-********-firms-1645

Three low pressure areas are pulling the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat), bringing rains over parts of the country, according to the state weather bureau PAGASA on Tuesday. Source: 3 low pressure areas enhance Habagat - PAGASA

Senators say the NIR law grants the new region a P1.2-billion annual budget for the next three years, but the funds are nowhere in the proposed national budget. Source: Newly created Negros Island Region not in proposed P6.3-billion national budget

At least 15 police officers have been relieved for failing to arrest Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) pastor Apollo Quiboloy, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil said yesterday. Source: 15 cops sacked over failure to arrest Quiboloy

A recent visit by US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin to the Philippines’ naval base in Subic Bay signals Washington’s interest in re-establishing the facility as their hub in Asia amid growing tensions in the South China Sea, analysts said. Source: Will the Philippines’ Subic Bay become a US naval hub once again?

Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino on Monday, August 5, resigned from Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP) after its party president, Senator Robin Padilla, advised him to do so. Source: Tolentino leaves PDP due to 'significant differences' on WPS views

The Vietnam Coast Guard ship that will take part in the first joint drill with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is scheduled to arrive in Manila today, August 5. Source: Viet coast guard ship arriving today

The BRP Jose Rizal (FF150) and the JS Sazanami (DD 113) sail together during the Philippine-Japan maritime cooperative activity on August 2 in the West Philippine Sea. Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, from Facebook / Armed Forces of the Philippines MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines and Japan held their first maritime exercise in the West Philippine Sea on Friday, marking a milestone in both countries' efforts to deter China's growing aggression in the region independent of their ties with the United States. The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force conducted the drills in parts of the South China Sea that fall under the Philippines' exclusive economic zone. It involved communication...

Russia has pledged humanitarian assistance to North Korea after devastating floods damaged thousands of homes and caused an unknown number of casualties, with reports from South Korea that the number of dead or missing could be as high as 1,500. Source: North Korea floods: Putin pledges aid after Kim Jong-un rebuffs Seoul’s offer of assistance

The latest survey results came out as the Office of the President proposed a lower budget of P1.054 billion for travels in 2025, down from P1.148 billion this year. https://tinyurl.com/y23v9nnf | via ONE News

PANOORIN: Pahayag ni Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) General Manager Mel Robles laban sa vlogger na si Claire Contreras, alyas "Maharlika" kaugnay ng isinampa niyang kaso sa Central District Court of California, sa Estados Unidos. Sa press conference sa Quezon City, sinabi ni GM Robles na nagdesisyon siya at ang maybahay niyang si Sherwil na kasuhan si Maharlika para depensahan ang karangalan at dignidad ng kanilang pamilya. | via Allan Francisco https://www.facebook.com/PTVph/videos/1000896728381708/