📰 News & Current Events

Source: Leaked paper lays out poll attack plan

Human rights lawyer Kristina Conti and other lawyers representing the drug war victims said that much of the evidence they found during the preliminary examination and investigation stage was public statements of the former leader. “Videos of Duterte making statements will be there because that is evidence of intention,” she told the Inquirer in a phone interview. Source: Damaging Duterte videos may be used in ICC trial

Source: Chinese Embassy tapped Makati PR firm to push pro-Beijing narratives in PH — Tolentino

“In mid-April this year, the China Coast Guard exercised sovereign jurisdiction by exercising maritime control at Sandy Cay in the South China Sea,” it reported, without specifying the date of the landing. The officers carried out inspections on the reef “to collect video evidence of relevant îllégâl activities by the Philippines”, and cleared rubbish like plastic bottles, wood sticks and other debris, the report said. “The China Coast Guard will continue to carry out rights protection and law enforcement activities in the waters under China’s jurisdiction in accordance with the law and resolutely safeguard the country’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.” it quoted its spokesperson Liu Dejun as saying. Source...

In a surprise move, former vice president Leni Robredo endorsed two senatorial candidates backed by her political rival President Ferdinand Marcos Jr: Manny Pacquiao and Benhur Abalos. Robredo, who is now running for Naga City mayor, has expressed support for two of Marcos’ endorsed candidates. Source: Leni Robredo endorses Marcos’ bets Pacquiao, Abalos

Vice President Sara Duterte said she would be paying former president Rodrigo Duterte a visit on her birthday on May 31 with her mother, Elizabeth Zimmerman. Read: Sara returns to The Hague next month

Source: Go leads senatorial survey by Arkipelago Analytics

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his wife, First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos, will attend the funeral of Pope Francis in Vatican City on Saturday, April 26, 2025. This was confirmed by Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro to reporters on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. Source: First couple to attend Pope Francis’ funeral

Based on a police report, the suspect entered and stabbed the victims who were sleeping inside the bakery in Barangay Cupang. The victims were workers in the bakery, according to the police. Their bodies were discovered around 6 a.m. on Tuesday and the incident was reported to the police at around 8 a.m. According to the suspect, the victims allegedly plotted to kill him. Source: 7 stabbed to death in Antipolo bakery

An initial report reaching Camp Crame said the incident happened at about 9:30 p.m. at the barangay hall of Illuru Sur, where Ruma and his team were campaigning. A civilian identified as Merson Abiguebel was injured. Ruma and Abiguebel were brought to the nearest hospital, but the mayor was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician. Source: Cagayan town mayor shot dead in campaign sortie | Philippine News Agency

“Initially, the program of the DA was supposed to last until December, and it can be extended until February, but the President has given the directive to the DA to formulate this to be sustainable, and it will continue until 2028,” said DA Sec. Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. in a press conference held in Cebu City. Source: DA to roll out ‘P20 rice program’ in Visayas - Philippine Information Agency

China on Monday warned countries against striking a broader economic deal with the United States at its expense, ratcheting up its rhetoric in a spiralling trade war between the world's two biggest economies. Beijing will firmly oppose any party striking a deal at China's expense and "will take countermeasures in a resolute and reciprocal manner," its Commerce Ministry said. Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/china-opposes-any-deals-between-us-other-nations-its-expense-2025-04-21/

Dami kumulo dugo sa Russian vlogger na ito. Di nya ata alam kung anong jail system at conditions meron tayo dito sa Pinas.

As the United States and the Philippines kick off their yearly Balikatan (shoulder-to-shoulder) combat drills, China’s foreign ministry has once again accused the Philippines of jeopardizing of regional peace and economic ties as tensions over the West Philippine Sea continue to heat up. MSN

The Commission on Elections evaluates a video, given as an anonymous tip, which showed Villar present at an apparent raffle and cash giveaway in February. “Mayroong isang kandidato, and at the same time, mayroong nabibigay, nag-aabot ng pera, parang raffle. Nanalo sa isang raffle, tapos nag-aabot ng pera. Pero ‘yung isang kandidato na nandoon, na subject natin for the show cause order, nandoon lang sa stage mismo,” Elnas said, referring to Villar as the “candidate.” Source: Comelec orders Camille Villar to explain alleged vote buying in Cavite activity

“Following the death of Pope Francis, we inform you that the Eucharistic Celebration and Rite of Canonization of Blessed Carlo Acutis… has been postponed,” the Vatican said in a brief statement. Dubbed “God’s Influencer” or the “Cyber Apostle”, Acutis spent much of his short life spreading the Catholic faith online. Source: Vatican postpones sainthood for ‘God’s influencer’ after pope’s death

Jay Tarriela, Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson, welcomed news of the West Philippine Sea label on Google Maps. "For anyone wondering if you can search for the West Philippine Sea on Google," Tarriela wrote on his social media accounts. The South China Sea, meanwhile, is the larger body of water bordered by China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Taiwan. It encompasses several disputed island groups, including the Spratly Islands and Paracel Islands, and is subject to competing territorial claims from multiple countries in the region, including the Philippines. Source: 'West Philippine Sea' label seen on Google Maps, Google Earth

Source: Heat index likely to peak in May – PAGASA

Source: Nora Aunor redefined beauty standards — Ricky Lee

Source: https://tribune.net.ph/2025/04/22/afp-rebuffs-chinas-claim-of-îllégâl-patrol-at-scarborough-shoal

“Lacanilao should have been detained immediately since the rules do not even mention a need for a show-cause order. However, instead of immediate detention, Lacanilao was given 11 days before he was eventually ordered to be detained. In contrast, it took the administration only several hours to arrest and whisk FPRRD out of the country," Marcos said in a statement. “Furthermore, to add insult to injury, Lacanilao is to be detained for only two days. While ordinary people are locked up until they purge themselves of the contempt, as sanctioned by Section 18, Resolution No. 5, Series of 2010, as amended, Lacanilao is given an ever so gentle slap on the wrist," added Marcos. "Apparently, the rules only apply to ordinary people and not to...

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

Malacañang on Monday said the decline in the trust and performance rating of President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. could be influenced by the proliferation of fake news. Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro also said during a press briefing that the respondents in the survey do not reflect the entirety of Filipinos. Source: Marcos' decline in trust, performance ratings due to fake news —Palace

Source: House leaders slam ‘weaponization of disinformation’

Source: Philippines officials can now visit Taiwan

In a statement on Wednesday, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said the approval came after the Philippines requested to buy from the US TH-73A training helicopters. The DSCA and Manila have not disclosed how many helicopters the Armed Forces of the Philippines wanted to acquire. Source: US approves sale of training choppers to PH

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...

The International Criminal Court (ICC) Pre-Trial Chamber 1 directed the prosecution to disclose its evidence not later than July 1 in relation to the crimes against humanity case against Dutae. “This includes all the evidence it intends to rely upon at the confirmation of charges hearing, including the totality of the witness statements and their translations, the exculpatory material that it has identified thus far, and the material falling under rule 77 of the Rules,” the ICC order said. OPINION: Justice is soon to be served. Source: GMA News Online

One of the suspects in the killing of Filipino-Chinese businessman Anson Que was linked to a crime committed against an alleged finance officer of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo in 2024, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Monday. On August 31, 2024, Fajardo said Guo’s supposed finance officer entered her villa when Liao allegedly covered her mouth, handcuffed her hands and feet, as well as wrapped her head with duct tape. The suspects took money, pieces of jewelry and mobile phones before taking the victim to an unknown location. According to the PNP official, Guo’s alleged finance officer was reportedly forced to sign blank deeds of sale and a promissory note for P10 million along with 15 blank checks. The victim was...

Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian told reporters that there is room to boost trade with the Philippines amid higher US tariffs. “Regarding the trade [between] China and the Philippines, to be frank, it’s big for you, it’s small for us,” he said. Thus, he urged the Philippines to increase its exports to China, saying that they are willing to buy more products from the Philippines that may be affected by higher tariffs slapped by the US. Source: China opens door for more Philippine exports

“The NMESIS I will confirm that it's already in the country. I will not say where but it is going to participate, it is going to be a part of the exercises,” Balikatan spokesperson Brigadier General Michael Logico said at a press conference. Asked if they are planning to keep the anti-ship missile system in the Philippines, US 1st Marine Expeditionary Force’s Colonel Doug Krugman said they would “certainly look to participate” if the equipment is appropriate for more exercises in the country. “If there's another exercise going in the Philippines shortly after Balikatan and that equipment is appropriate and requested for it by the AFP, we would certainly look to participate in that exercise as well,” Krugman. “But it is here for exercise...

In its decision dated April 10, the Court of Appeal’s Second Division affirmed a 2022 ruling by the Caloocan City Regional Trial Court finding Police Officer 1 Jefrey Perez guilty of multiple charges, including torture and planting of evidence. It upheld penalties of reclusión perpetua and two life sentences without parole but reduced the damages awarded to each victim’s family from the original P2 million meted out by the Caloocan court. Source: CA affirms ‘drug war’ cop’s conviction in teens’ killing