INQToday: Davao de Oro landslide kills 7; over 40 missing

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

Mining village landslide kills 7; over 40 missing

Mayette Bagaan and her husband, Robernant, were used to doing overtime work as employees of Apex Mining Co. here.

On Tuesday, however, the couple called it a day earlier than planned, catching the company vehicle’s 3 p.m. trip taking them home from the mining site’s transport depot, instead of staying till the evening.

Escudero dares House solons to come clean over ‘fake’ people’s initiative

Following demands to disclose the Senate’s position on Charter change, Senator Francis Chiz Escudero dared their counterparts in the House of Representatives to admit having a hand in the controversial and “fake” people’s initiative (PI).

Escudero’s words were simple in airing his dare: Admit and be accountable.

Transport group sues gov’t execs over PUVMP

Transport group Manibela filed in the Office of the Ombudsman on Wednesday a criminal complaint against Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista, Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra, and four other transport officials over the imminent revocation, “without due process,” of its members’ franchises for failing to meet the consolidation deadline set by the government.

Bautista, Guevarra, and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chair Teofilo Guadiz III were accused of graft, grave coercion, grave threats, and violation of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

Dominic Roque defends Bea Alonzo against bashers after breakup

Dominic Roque is standing up for his ex-fiance Bea Alonzo amid the negative remarks thrown at her after their reported separation.

On Thursday, Feb. 8, Roque reposted a Facebook reel he made for Alonzo’s birthday last year that showed their sweet moments together. He wrote a new caption, saying, “Bea’s a beautiful person inside and out. No hate, bashing, or negative things, please.”