📰 News & Current Affairs

All about major events in the Philippines and all over the world.
Judge to sentence convicted felon Trump before inauguration
The New York judge presiding over President-elect Donald Trump’s hush money case on Friday set sentencing for 10 days before his January 20 inauguration. The judge said that instead of incarceration he was leaning towards an unconditional discharge –- a far more lenient sentence that would nevertheless have Trump entering the White House as a convicted felon. Source: Judge to sentence Trump before inauguration in hush money case
Impeached south korean president resists arrest
In scenes of high drama on Friday, Yoon Suk Yeol's presidential guards and military troops shielded the former star prosecutor from investigators, who called off their arrest attempt citing safety concerns. There was a standoff. While we estimated the personnel blocking us to be around 200, there could have been more," an official from the investigation team said Friday on condition of anonymity. Source: South Korea in political crisis after president resists arrest
Unchecked pork barrel in 2025 GAA -- Drilon
Drilon challenged the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to disclose the billions of pesos worth of Congress-introduced amendments in the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA). He said the P731.4 billion comprises P449 billion in pork barrel funds from the 2024 GAA and an additional P347 billion in the 2025 GAA. "You know, I’ve been a senator for 24 years. It’s only now that I’ve seen pork barrels that big. It’s monstrous,” Drilon said in a radio interview. “My challenge to DBM: publish all the insertions and pork barrel subjects for later release,” Drilon said. “I’m not saying it’s bad. All I’m saying is, tell the people what was added.” Drilon had previously criticized the President’s decision not to veto these amendments...
Bangag Jr. removes VP from National Security Council
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has removed Vice President Sara Duterte from the National Security Council (NSC), further diminishing, if not totally eclipsing, her role in his administration following a bitter rift between the two former allies. Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin explained the president’s directive was aimed at reorganizing and streamlining the NSC membership. “At the moment, the vice president is not considered relevant to the responsibilities of membership in the NSC." Source: Marcos drops VP Duterte, former presidents in NSC revamp
4th impeachment case vs VP Sara eyed next week
House Secretary-General Reginald S. Velasco did not identify who will file the complaint nor the congressman who will endorse the complaint, but said a lawmaker from the House majority caucus floated the possibility of filing ouster charges against the embattled vice-president. “They haven’t said how many will endorse it yet. They just said to wait for the fourth complaint,” he said in a phone interview with reporters in Filipino. “It was given to me in confidence. So, I cannot reveal their names until they actually file the fourth complaint.” Source: Fourth impeachment complaint vs VP Sara eyed next week - BusinessWorld Online
Auto-transfer of collateral property not allowed -- SC
The Supreme Court (SC) has reminded that while lenders can acquire the properties used as collaterals in case of non-payment of loans, ownership over the properties cannot be transferred automatically to them. To do so, the transfer would constitute pactum commissorium, a prohibited agreement under Article 2088 of the Civil Code. The prohibition states that a lender cannot automatically gain ownership of the collateral if the borrower fails to make payments. Source: Automatic transfer of ownership over property used as collateral for loans not allowed – SC
PhilHealth boosts benefit for heart diseases by 1600%
The reimbursement rate for percutaneous coronary intervention, a non-surgical procedure to clear blocked arteries and remove plaque buildup, has been raised to P523,853 — about 17 times higher than the previous coverage of P30,300. Patients may avail of this procedure at any of the 70 accredited cath labs in the country. The second enhanced package covers fibrinolysis, a treatment for dissolving blood clots. It now has a case rate of P133,500, or a 341% increase from the previous amount of P30,290. The state insurer also increased the benefit package for emergency medical services with coordinated referral and interfacility transfers to P21,900 and cardiac rehabilitation to P66,140. Source: PhilHealth boosts benefit packages for heart...
South Korean court issues arrest warrant for President Yoon
A court in South Korea has approved an arrest warrant for the country’s suspended president, Yoon Suk Yeol, who was impeached over his ill-fated decision to impose martial law early this month, investigators said. “The arrest warrant and search warrant for President Yoon Suk Yeol … were issued this morning,” the Joint Investigation Headquarters said in a statement. Source: South Korean court issues arrest warrant for President Yoon Suk Yeol
Russian air-defense system shot down yet another passenger plane on xmas 25th of december
Russian air defences downed an Azerbaijan Airlines plane that crashed in Kazakhstan, killing 38 people, four sources with knowledge of the preliminary findings of Azerbaijan's investigation into the disaster. Flight J2-8243 crashed on Wednesday in a ball of fire near the city of Aktau in Kazakhstan after diverting from an area of southern Russia where Moscow has repeatedly used air defence systems against Ukrainian drone strikes. It crashed on the opposite shore of the Caspian after what Russia's aviation watchdog said was an emergency that may have been caused by a bird strike. Officials did not explain why it had crossed the sea. The nearest Russian airport on the plane's flight path, Makhachkala, was closed on Wednesday morning. for...
Squid Game season 2 is now streaming on Netflix!
“Squid Game” is finally back for its second season! The new season of the hit Korean series started streaming on Netflix on December 26 with 7 episodes. On X, Netflix also shared a short teaser of the sequel, announcing its premiere on the streaming platform. “Let the games begin. #SquidGame2 is now playing,” it wrote. Source: ‘Squid Game’ season 2 is now streaming on Netflix!
Trump vows to stop transgender lunacy and keep men out of women's sports
Donald Trump has vowed to put an end to “transgender lunacy.” Addressing the crowd at AmericaFest 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona, on Sunday, the president-elect declared that he would make it the “official policy” to recognize just two genders- male and female, as soon as he assumes office. Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/us-news/trump-vows-to-stop-transgender-lunacy-and-keep-men-out-of-womens-sports-101734973593143.html
Japan to enable emergency animal shooting due to rise in bear attacks
The Japanese government plans to revise the law to allow municipalities to authorize "emergency shootings" by hunters when animals enter populated areas, a source close to the matter said, amid a rise in bear attacks. The planned revision to the law on wildlife protection and management is designed to enable quicker and more effective prevention compared with current measures, which allow police to only permit emergency shootings once people are in danger. Source: Japan to revise law for emergency animal shootings due to rise in bear attacks
BSP unveils new polymer banknote series
The P500 note features the Visayan spotted deer, symbolizing clarity and sharpness, while the P100 note showcases the Palawan peacock-pheasant, which reflects Filipinos’ grace even in challenging times. Meanwhile, the P50 note features the Visayan leopard cat, which symbolizes independence and agility. The new banknotes will be in circulation by December 23 in the Greater Manila area only and in limited quantities. It will be available across the country by January 2025. Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, Marcos called the banknotes series a “groundbreaking step that embodies the strength, ingenuity, and forward momentum of our nation.” “The introduction of the first Philippine polymer banknote series reflects the progress we are...
Third impeachment complaint vs. VP filed in House
A coalition of Catholic priests, civil society leaders, and lawyers filed a third impeachment complaint on Thursday against Vice President Sara Duterte concerning the alleged anomalous disbursements of confidential funds to her office and the Department of Education (DepEd) during her tenure as secretary. Source: Third impeachment complaint vs. VP Sara Duterte filed in House | Philippine News Agency
Comelec junks Quiboloy's disqualification case
In a 14-page decision promulgated on Dec. 18, the Comelec First Division ruled that the petitioner, labor leader Sonny Matula, failed to provide sufficient evidence to cancel the detained religious leader’s certificate of candidacy (COC). “Even if this Commission (First Division) were to apply the rules on liberality and decide based on the merits of this Petition, the grounds relied upon by the Petitioner for the disqualification of Respondent and the cancellation of his COC are incorrect and without factual and legal basis,” the decision stated, released Friday night. Source: Quiboloy senatorial bid alive as Comelec junks DQ case | Philippine News Agency
VP on Piattos: I can't discuss intelligence operations
“I will not give an explanation because it will entail that I explain intelligence operations which will compromise offices who do intelligence operations. It will really compromise how they work. So, no explanation will be given to the members of the House of Representatives,” Duterte said when asked about the authenticity of the 405 “non-existent” individuals listed as signatories on the acknowledgment receipts related to confidential expenses. Source: Sara Duterte on 'fabricated' receipts: I can't discuss intelligence operations
Supreme Court declares Pre-marital pregnnancy not immoral
In an 18-page decision dated July 23, penned by Associate Justice Ricardo Rosario, the Supreme Court ruled that sexual relations between two unmarried adults are not inherently immoral, as there is no law prohibiting such relationships. The case stemmed from a complaint filed by a grade school teacher against Bohol Christian School and its officials for îllégâl suspension. Source: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2024/12/16/2407771/supreme-court-*******cy-out-wedlock-not-grounds-suspension
LAM serves in DSWD's Walang Gutom Kitchen Program
Dito ay mismong si FL ang nagsilbi at nagbigay ng pagkain sa mga benepisyaryo ng naturang programa. Target ng walang gutom kitchen na tuparin ang pangako ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. na wakasan ang gutom sa bansa. Dito ay gagawing foodbank ang nasabing kusina at bibigyan ng pagkain ang kahit sinong nagugutom. Source: FL Liza Marcos, nagsilbi sa mga benepisyaryo ng Walang Gutom Kitchen Program ng DSWD - Radyo Pilipinas
Vivamax hit for alleged pornography, exploitation
"Fifteen thousand pesos kada araw at sa loob ng dalawang araw ay makakagawa na sila ng isang full-length movie para sa streaming platform. Kaya hindi nakakapagtaka na madali silang makapag-produce ng ganitong klaseng sa loob ng maiksing panahon," Estrada also said. Estrada maintained this is not a matter of censorship. Source: https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2024/12/16/jinggoy-hits-vmx-for-alleged-pornography-exploitation-of-performers-0033
There's no Mary Grace Piattos' in PSA records
The agency sent a certification of its finding to Manila 3rd District Representative Joel Chua, whose House good government committee is investigating Vice President Sara Duterte’s alleged misuse of public funds. Based on the letter dated November 25 but released only on Tuesday, December 3, Piattos has no record of birth, marriage, or death with the the PSA. Source: There's no 'Mary Grace Piattos' in PSA records
South Korea police investigating President Yoon for 'insurrection
Summary *South Korean police are investigating President Yoon Suk Yeol for alleged "insurrection" over his short-lived declaration of martial law *Military officials have been questioned by MPs - it's becoming clear how few knew about the plan, with the vice-defence minister saying he learnt about it on the news *Earlier President Yoon accepted the resignation of defence minister Kim Yong-hyun, who apologised for his role in Tuesday night's shock move *Yoon has not publicly spoken since an emergency vote in parliament early on Wednesday forced him to reverse his decision and is under pressure to resign *Opposition parties have tabled a motion to impeach him which is now expected to be put to the vote on Saturday *The opposition...
Eyelash viper among new species found in Mekong
A viper with scales that look like eyelashes and a leaf-nosed bat are among dozens of new species identified in Southeast Asia's Mekong region last year, WWF said Monday. The environmental group regularly publish a list of newly discovered flora and fauna in the region to highlight the area's biodiversity but also the risks it faces. In all, 234 new species of vertebrates and vascular plants -- a category that excludes mosses, algae and fungus -- were identified in the region in 2023. Source: 'Eyelash viper', leaf-nosed bat among new species found in Mekong
Imee urges bro to scrutinize budget bill before signing
Marcos then appealed that the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) not be scrapped off its P74 billion-worth subsidy for next year. She likewise criticized the whopping P1.1 trillion funding of the Department of Public Works and Highways and the glaring “absence” of a flood control plan. AKAP was kept in the 2025 budget bill after rigorous discussions of lawmakers from the Senate and House of Representatives. “What is being said is that there is an agreement, a settlement, that Congress and the Senate would benefit together— but that is wrong. Source: Imee urges President Marcos to scrutinize budget bill before signing

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