INQToday: MMDA downplays transport strike; Bill to declare Edsa Revolution a regular holiday filed

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

MMDA downplays effects of transport strike in Metro Manila

The nationwide transport strike on Monday had a minimal impact on public transportation operations in Metro Manila, according to Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Don Artes.

Artes, in a press conference, pointed out that there was no significant disruption of public transportation in Metro Manila on the first day of the nationwide transport strike.

Bongbong Marcos to urge investment in Maharlika fund during Saudi trip

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will make a sales talk of the Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF) during his trip to Saudi Arabia this week, an official of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Monday.

DFA Assistant Secretary Daniel Espiritu said the President is set to join the Association of Southeast Asian Nations-Gulf Cooperation Council Summit (Asean-GCC) on October 19 in Saudi Arabia and hold meetings with the host country and Saudi businessmen there.

Senate urged to probe ‘troubling’ hacking pattern

Another senator has sought an investigation into the “troubling series of hacking and data breach incidents” that targeted several government offices.

Opposition Senator Risa  Hontiveros filed Senate Resolution No. 829, which also aims to examine the government’s existing cybersecurity measures and preparedness against cyberattacks.

Bill to declare Edsa People Power Anniversary a regular holiday filed

Albay 1st District Rep. Edcel Lagman has filed a bill that aims to declare February 25 of every year as a regular non-working holiday in remembrance of the Edsa People Power Revolution anniversary.

Lagman’s House Bill No. 9405 states that February 25 must be declared a holiday to “commemorate, institutionalize, and memorialize the popular ouster of President Ferdinand E. Marcos, Sr. as dictator of his martial law regime.”

NBI told to investigate child deaths in ‘Socorro cult’ village

Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa said he had advised the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to investigate the circumstances behind the reported deaths of children in Sitio Kapihan, the village in Socorro, Surigao del Norte occupied by the suspected religious cult Socorro Bayanihan Services Inc. (SBSI).

“I have given advice to the NBI na imbestigahan nila itong mga nangyari at bakit puro bata [o] halos puro bata ang nandoon sa libingan,” dela Rosa told reporters in a press briefing on Monday.