Here’s a quick roundup of today’s top stories:
China is intruding in Philippine waters, declares DFA
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has stated China is intruding in Philippine waters.
The remark comes on Thursday to counter the accusation of China of Philippines’ alleged intrusion.
SLEX, MCX toll to increase starting Nov. 3
The toll rates for the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) and the Muntinlupa-Cavite Expressway (MCX) will increase starting November 3.
In a recent statement, the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) said that starting Friday, motorists traveling from Alabang to Calamba will pay an additional P10 for Class 1, P20 for Class 2, and P30 for Class 3 vehicles.
On the other hand, vehicles traveling from Calamba to Sto. Tomas, Batangas will pay an additional P4 for Class 1, P6 for Class 2, and P8 for Class 3 vehicles.
Comelec suspends proclamation of 92 BSKE winners
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Thursday said it has suspended the proclamation of 92 winning candidates in the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE).
The number belongs to the 253 candidates for whom the Comelec has ordered the suspension of the proclamation as they face petitions against their candidacies in the BSKE.
Teachers overtime pay for election duty not in the budget — Comelec chief
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) cannot give overtime pay for teachers who served as poll watchers, according to agency Chairman George Garcia on Thursday.
The Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) had appealed to the Comelec to grant teachers overtime pay for working non-stop for more than 24 hours.
Magnitude 5.6 earthquake hits coast of eastern Samar
A magnitude-5.6 earthquake struck off the coast of Eastern Samar on Thursday afternoon, the state seismology bureau said.
According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), the epicenter of the tectonic quake was located east of Hernani, Eastern Samar. It has a depth of focus of seven kilometers.
Fire hits cargo vessel off Sorsogon
A cargo vessel caught fire off Castilla town in Sorsogon on Thursday, according to the Philippine Coast Guard.
M/V Ken was anchored when the fire started in its mess hall around 11:00 a.m.