INQToday: China cries foul as PCG bolsters presence off Sabina Shoal

02/07/2024

Here’s a quick roundup of today’s top stories:

Marcos OKs P6.352 trillion National Expenditure Program for 2025

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. approved the proposed P6.352 trillion National Expenditure Program (NEP) for Fiscal Year 2025, said the Palace on Tuesday.

According to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) in a statement, Marcos approved the 2025 NEP during a Cabinet meeting at the Malacañan Palace where Budget Sec. Amenah Pangandaman presented the proposed national budget for 2025.

DepEd welcomes Angara’s appointment as education secretary

The Department of Education (DepEd) said it is looking forward to working with newly appointed Education Secretary Senator Sonny Angara.

Angara will replace Vice President Sara Duterte as the new Education chief, as announced by the Palace on Tuesday.

China cries foul as PCG bolsters presence off Sabina Shoal

Escoda (Sabina) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea saw the presence of three more Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ships, a move which was met with suspicion from Beijing, which repeatedly accused Manila of establishing a facility there.

Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, said three 44-meter multi-role response vessels (MRRVs) joined BRP Teresa Magbanua on Monday. The BRP Teresa Magbanua has been deployed in Escoda Shoal since April following suspected reclamation activities in the area.

Guo can be star witness, expose Pogos ‘to reduce her culpability’ – Gatchalian

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has urged suspended Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo to divulge details about the masterminds of Philippine offshore gaming operations (Pogos).

He believes this act may “reduce her culpability.”

Marcos should break his silence on Pogos – lawmakers

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his administration must state their stand on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (Pogos) amid calls to ban these in the country due to the social costs, two lawmakers said on Tuesday.

Senator Risa Hontiveros and Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, on separate occasions, said the administration must break its silence about Pogos as investigations show that many Pogos are linked to human trafficking rings, kidnapping, prostitution, and even torture.

Is Duterte liable for ‘hiding’ info on Quiboloy’s location? PNP mulls

The Philippine National Police (PNP) will study if former President Rodrigo Duterte may or may not be held liable for obstruction of justice after claiming he knows – but won’t tell – the whereabouts of fugitive televangelist Apollo Quiboloy.

PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said they are withholding their comment on the matter for now, pending their assessment of the context of Duterte’s remarks.