INQToday: 56 more Filipinos leave Gaza; Paul Soriano resigns as presidential adviser

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

Bongbong Marcos says 56 more Filipinos left Gaza

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday said that 56 more Filipinos were able to exit war-torn Gaza through the Rafah border and enter Egypt.

“Happy to hear the update that 56 more Filipinos have left Gaza amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, joining the 42 who had previously crossed. This brings the total to 98 out of the 137 originally in Gaza, now en route to Cairo,” Marcos said on X (formerly Twitter).

Senate recalls PSA 2024 budget approval due to birth certificate ‘issuance’ to foreigners

The Senate withdrew the plenary approval of the Philippine Statistics Authority’s (PSA) budget for 2024 for allegedly granting foreigners birth certificates, enabling them to obtain Philippine passports.

Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva moved to reconsider the approval of PSA’s budget late Thursday evening during the chamber’s deliberation on the proposed P5.768 trillion allocation for 2024.

Paul Soriano resigns as Presidential Adviser on Creative Communications — Palace

Film director Paul Soriano is no longer the Presidential Adviser on Creative Communications, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Cheloy Garafil announced on Thursday.

Garafil said that Soriano resigned so he can spend more time with family.