Here’s a quick roundup of today’s top stories:
Teodoro calls out China for ‘roguish behavior’ in WPS
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. called out China on Monday for its “roguish behavior” — specifically, using water cannons twice in a row on Philippine vessels in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
On Dec. 9, Saturday, the China Coast Guard (CCG) fired water cannons again at civilian ships on a humanitarian mission for Filipino fishers off Scarborough Shoal.
SC gets 3rd petition to declare OVP’s 2022 secret funds unconstitutional
A third petition has been filed with the Supreme Court (SC) asking to declare as unconstitutional and void the release of the P125-million confidential funds to the Office of the Vice President (OVP) in 2022.
The petitioners filed by Makabayan representatives led by ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro, together with former Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares, also asked the SC to nullify the request, receipt, and use of the confidential funds by the OVP led by Vice President Sara Duterte.
Death toll in Antique bus crash climbs to 19
The number of people who died following the accidents involving a Ceres bus that fell into a ravine along Hamtic town in Antique rose to 19, according to the Antique Provincial Government.
Antique Governor Rhodora Cadiao said on Monday that the latest addition brings the total from 18 to 19, but no other details were provided on the latest casualty.