📰 News & Current Affairs

Source: https://www.philstar.com/nation/2025/05/14/2442935/mmda-hauls-144-tons-poll-trash

Source: 30 tonelada ng campaign posters nasamsam ng Quezon City LGU

Three individuals are now under police custody for the killing of Filipino-Chinese steel businessman Anson Que and driver Armanie Pabillo, the PNP announced on Saturday. READ MORE: inqnews.net/3incustody

Source: Probe immigration records of Que kidnap suspects, BI told

Source: PNP, DOJ probe Pogo link in Que kidnap-slay PNP, DOJ probe Pogo link in Que kidnap-slay By: Jacob Lazaro, Nestor Corrales - Philippine Daily Inquirer / 05:32 AM April 12, 2025 The Philippine National Police and the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Friday said they were looking into the possible involvement of Chinese nationals linked to the Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos) in the kidnap-slaying of Chinese-Filipino businessman Anson Que and his driver. According to Police Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo, the PNP spokesperson, these Chinese nationals had been used to extract money from those involved or associated with Pogo operations. One particular group the police was looking at was allegedly behind the abduction and...

Source: Ellen Adarna reminds 'real boss' of politicians, slams entitled 'public servants'

Source: Matteo Guidicelli takes on mission to tell stories of the ‘Philippine Defenders’

Source: Nag-e-ML na PNP commanders nasa ‘hot water’

ccto. Impossible na hindi alam ni BBM ang Elephant in the Room. Share if you want this opinion. My Pov. Seeking for the Truth calls for in depth speculative thinking based on logic. This is the case of Comelec Chairman Garcia and Miru Systems. Specifically, it raises concerns about "regulatory capture" or "election system vulnerability due to financial dependency." In this case, Miru Systems' lack of financial capacity to meet the Net Financial Contracting Capacity (NFCC) requirements led to its reliance on local partners for funding. This arrangement creates a situation where powerful local interests—such as political groups or influential figures—could potentially exert pressure on Miru Systems to compromise election integrity in...

“We are filing for a TRO (Temporary Restraining Order) against what the Comelec did. We believe that the Comelec committed grave abuse of discretion yesterday.” Cardema said in Filipino. “If they had told us last week, we could have done something about it. But it seems intentional—only three or four hours before the proclamation, that’s when they told us we won’t be proclaimed.” said Cardema. The Duterte Youth filed a petition for certiorari and prohibition with prayer for a TRO and/or Writ of Preliminary Injuction. Source: Duterte Youth party-list seeks TRO vs proclamation suspension

Source: VERA FILES FACT CHECK: Sen. Bam Aquino never claimed to be 'principal author' of free education bill

“Hindi ko sabing ma-on hold. It can be processed already. Now as to how it will be implemented, that is up for the Netherlands authorities on how they will treat it,” Dennis Arvin Chan, head of the DOJ Refugees and Stateless Persons Protection Unit, said. “Dito sa Philippines, if we are faced with that scenario, kailangan matapos muna ‘yung refugee application. So may— mangunguna ‘yun above all other proceedings,” Chan said in an ambush interview. Source: Enforcement of Harry Roque’s arrest warrant up to Netherlands — DOJ official

Source: Arrest warrant out for Harry Roque, Cassandra Ong

Source: Panelo: Roque appears to be a Pogo lawyer

Source: Philippine participates anew in PISA; better results seen

Source: FACT SHEET: Who should take credit for the free college tuition law?

"I don't want trouble. I want to get along with everyone. I have many enemies. I don't need enemies, what I need is a friend," Marcos said in Filipino in a podcast posted on his official Facebook page. "As much as possible, I'm chasing stability and peace so we can do our work. I'm always open to that," he said. "Come, let's work together. Even if we can't agree on policy, even if we don't get along, let's just get rid of the mess," he added. Source: Marcos willing to reconcile with Dutertes

MANILA — Vice President Sara Duterte said she would support a legislative measure banning political dynasties in the Philippines, despite hailing from a family of politicians. “Ako yung may pinakamalaki at solid ang kredibilidad to speak about political dynasty because I come from a political dynasty, so wala nang mas matindi pang expert sa political dynasty,” Duterte told reporters after casting her vote in the 2025 midterm elections. “Susuportahan ko ba ang batas na anti-political dynasty? Yes. Kung bibigyan nila ako ng pagkakataon, ako yung susulat. Ako yung pinakamagaling sa political dynasty,” she said. Throughout the campaign season, the Vice President has repeatedly urged people to scrutinize candidates based on their track...

Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/05/17/asia/philippines-duterte-mayor-icc-hurdles-intl-hnk-dst

Source: Duterte has won a mayoral election but he remains in prison. The law still matters - Monocle

The alleged assault occurred on Jan. 29, 2025, after the official and his assistants attended an event that lasted until early morning the following day, the complaint said. The two junior officers then proceeded to the official’s residence. There, the official allegedly subjected the two junior officers to a series of inappropriate and coercive acts, culminating in the sexual assault, the complaint read. On Jan. 30, 2025, the junior officer filed a complaint with the military. Under Republic Act 516, a general court-martial has the power to try any person subject to military law for any crime or offense considered a felony in a civilian court. Source: Military official faces rape complaints filed by 2 junior officers

Source: Comelec disqualifies Pasig bet Ian Sia over discriminatory remarks

Source: How a bill becomes a law and who takes credit? An explainer.

As government agencies aggressively push for numerous projects and programs, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) reported on Monday, May 19, that budget proposals for next year have ballooned to ₱11 trillion, surpassing this year’s ₱9.2 trillion worth of funding requests. “Based on the overall budget submissions, many agencies are requesting increases of 200 to 300 percent. The agency is looking at an approximate total of around ₱11 trillion,” DBM Undersecretary Goddes Hope Libiran told reporters on the sidelines of the Open Government Week’s opening ceremony. Source: DBM to scrutinize swollen ₱11-trillion budget proposals from gov't agencies for 2026

MANILA, Philippines — Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa is dedicating his feat in the May 2025 midterm elections to former President Rodrigo Duterte. Dela Rosa made this statement on Saturday as he was officially proclaimed as senator, ranking third in the senatorial race with 20,773,946 votes. Dela Rosa reiterated that the votes he obtained are “protest” for the International Criminal Court’s order to arrest the former president. “Wherever you are, I dedicate this victory to you,” Dela Rosa said in a mix of Filipino and English. Read more: Dela Rosa tells ex-Pres Duterte: ‘I dedicate this victory to you’

In March, Kabataan Tayo ang Pag-asa filed an urgent motion for Comelec to resolve the petition to cancel the party-list registration and/or declare the nullity of the Duterte Youth’s registration. Petitioners said the Duterte Youth made untruthful statements regarding the age of their nominees. One of Duterte Youth’s nominees at that time was former National Youth Commission chairman Ronald Cardema, whom the Comelec had disqualified. Source: Comelec suspends proclamation of 2 party-lists

The warrant was signed on May 8 by the Angeles City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 118 judge, according to the order that Rappler obtained. “After careful evaluation of the 11 separate informations, the resolution, and the supporting documents attached to each and every case record, this Court finds probable cause to hold all the aforenamed accused for trial for the offenses for which they are respectively charged,” said the order. Source: Court orders arrest of Harry Roque, Cassandra Ong for trafficking

Speaking to reporters after a thanksgiving Mass in Davao City on Saturday, Duterte said her legal team’s preparations were at “full throttle” even though they did not want the trial by the Senate to proceed. “But I told them that I truly want a trial because I want a bloodbath,” she said, without elaborating. Source: VP Duterte on impeach trial: ‘I want a bloodbath’

In a four-page order, ICC President Tomoko Akane gave Judges María del Socorro Flores Liera and Reine Adélaïde Sophie Alapini-Gansou until May 22 to submit their written observations on the defense plea. She noted that under the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the ICC, and the ICC’s Rules of Procedure and Evidence, “challenged judges shall be entitled to present written observations on the application.” Source: ICC judges asked to comment on Duterte’s disqualification bid

Khan has reportedly been accused of sexual misconduct towards a member of his office, but he has said there was "no truth to suggestions" of such behaviour. "It was with deep sadness that I understood reports of misconduct were to be aired publicly in relation to me," Khan said in a statement emailed to AFP at the time. Source: https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/world/2025/5/16/icc-prosecutor-under-investigation-steps-aside-temporarily-2324

The US president praised the “very good” discussions and deemed them “a total reset negotiated in a friendly, but constructive, manner”. Washington is seeking to reduce its $295bn goods trade deficit with Beijing and persuade China to renounce what the US says is a mercantilist economic model and contribute more to global consumption. Beijing has pushed back against what it sees as external interference and wants Washington to lower tariffs and clarify what it wants China to buy more of. Source: Trump claims ‘total reset’ in US-China trade relations after tariff talks in Geneva

Russian and Ukrainian negotiators met in Istanbul on Friday at their first direct peace talks in more than three years, under pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump to end Europe's deadliest conflict since World War Two. Fidan said it was critical to achieve a ceasefire as soon as possible. He said he was happy to see the will of both sides to open a new window of opportunity for peace, and it was important that the Istanbul talks form the basis for a meeting between leaders of the two countries. Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/russia-ukraine-hold-first-direct-peace-talks-over-3-years-2025-05-16/