INQToday: PH embassy verifying reported 3rd Filipino fatality in Israel; 3 missing

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

PH embassy verifying reported 3rd Filipino fatality in Israel; 3 missing

The Philippine Embassy in Israel on Wednesday said it is verifying the reported death of another Filipino, while three other Filipinos remain unaccounted for, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

In a Malacañang press conference, Philippine Embassy in Israel Vice Consul Patricia Narajos said a third Filipino death is still being confirmed by the embassy.

Marcos condemns killing of 2 Filipinos in Israel

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday lamented the deaths of two Filipino nationals in the Israel-Hamas conflict, condemning the “terror and violence” that resulted in the killings of civilians.

Marcos made the pronouncement after Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo earlier confirmed that two Filipinos were killed in the ongoing conflict in Israel.

COA: Office of the President highest spender of intel, secret funds in 2022

The Office of the President has the highest expenditures in Confidential and Intelligence Funds (CIF) in 2022, the Commission on Audit’s (COA) Annual Financial Report in National Government Agencies shows.

Based on the report, an amount of P2.25 billion of confidential funds was spent by the Office of the President in 2022. This is 61.28% of the total confidential expenses of different departments and offices.

LTFRB ‘whistleblower’ recants ‘lagayan’ allegation

Former Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Senior Executive Assistant Jeffrey Tumbado on Wednesday recanted his rampant corruption allegation happening within the board.

“After a careful reflection and deliberation, it is my honest desire to reiterate whatever allegations may have been said during the press conference on October 9, 2023 where the public declaration was made were all unintentional and misguided,” said Tumbado

DOTR Chief Bautista denies corruption allegations

Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista on Wednesday refutes allegations he may be involved with the alleged corruption purportedly committed by suspended Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) chairman Teofilo Guadiz.

Bautista disclosed in a radio interview that reports have reached his office linking him and some members of House of Representatives to the alleged anomalies in LTFRB.

Slapped Antipolo student died of brain swelling, bleeding — PNP

The causes of death of Francis Jay Gumikib, a 14-year-old Grade 5 Antipolo student who died days after his teacher slapped him, were brain swelling and bleeding.

Philippine National Police (PNP) Forensic Group (FG) made this revelation on Wednesday.

Meralco hikes October electricity rate by 42 centavos per kWh

Power rates of distributor Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) went up for the second consecutive month in October by P0.4201 per kilowatt-hour (kWh), bringing the overall rate of a typical household to P11.8198 per kWh, the company said on Wednesday.

This translates to an increase of P84 in the total electricity bill of a customer consuming 200 kWh.