Here’s a quick roundup of today’s top stories:
SC to VP Sara: Answer petition on constitutionality of OVP’s P125M CF
The Supreme Court (SC) has ordered Vice President Sara Duterte to respond to the petition challenging the constitutionality of the Office of the Vice President’s P125-million confidential fund (CF) in 2022.
In a two-page notice made public Monday, the High Tribunal also directed Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman to comment on the matter.
VP Sara tells Marcos peace talk with NDFP is ‘an agreement with the devil’
In a rare move, Vice President Sara Duterte publicly disagreed with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., calling moves to make peace with National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) “an agreement with the devil.”
She also criticized Marcos’ efforts to grant pardons to captured rebel groups through several proclamations.
Police eye 2 ‘persons of interest’ in Mindanao State University bombing
Police were looking into two “persons of interest” in the bloody bombing that killed four people and wounded scores in Marawi City.
Police Regional Office Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR) assistant chief Lieutenant Eirene Mazon did not reveal the names of the individuals but said they reside in areas within Lanao del Sur.
US condemns ‘horrific terrorist attack’; Israel in solidarity with PH
The United States (US) condemned the “horrific terrorist attack” at a Catholic Mass inside Dimaporo Gym at the Mindanao State University in Marawi City.
In a statement issued Monday (Philippine time), US Department of State Spokesperson Matthew Miller said his government joins the Philippines in mourning the loss of lives in the deadly bombing.
Chinese vessels seen in Julian Felipe Reef are unmanned, says NSC spox
The Chinese vessels in Julian Felipe Reef appear to be unmanned, being left as a territorial demarcation, according to National Security Council (NSC) spokesperson Jonathan Malaya on Monday.
This came after a total of 135 Chinese vessels were monitored in the Julian Felipe Reef in the West Philippine Sea over the weekend.
Marcos extends Acorda’s term as PNP chief until March 31, 2024
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. extended the term of General Benjamin Acorda Jr. as the Chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) until March 31, 2024, according to the Palace on Monday.
Acorda turned 56 on December 3, reaching the PNP’s mandatory retirement age.
Prices of gasoline, kerosene to increase; diesel going down
Pump prices of petroleum products will have a mixed movement on Tuesday, Dec. 5, as major oil exporters are expected to implement supply cuts.
In separate advisories, local oil companies said they the price of gasoline would climb by P0.30 per liter, while diesel would roll back by P0.30 per liter. The price of kerosene will also increase by P0.20 per liter.