INQToday: Senate approves P100 daily wage hike bill

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

Senate approves P100 daily wage hike bill

The landmark bill proposing a P100 increase in the daily minimum wage of workers in the private sector got a step closer to becoming a law as the Senate approved it on its third and final reading.

Senate Bill No. 2534 under Committee Report No. 190 received 20 affirmative votes during the chamber’s plenary session on Monday. The proposed law did not obtain any negative votes or abstentions as Sens. Imee Marcos, Lito Lapid, Cynthia Villar, and Mark Villar were not in the session hall during voting and were not able to cast their vote.

NSC to probe foreign fishermen’s alleged use of cyanide in Scarborough

The National Security Council (NSC) will investigate foreign fishermen’s alleged use of cyanide in Scarborough Shoal, which is also known as Bajo de Masinloc.

NSC Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya disclosed this information on Monday, noting that the agency is concerned about the report of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) that Chinese and Vietnamese fisherfolk use cyanide to catch fish in the area.

National Security Council exec: PH to increase WPS patrols

The government will increase its presence in the Bajo de Masinloc in the West Philippine Sea, according to National Security Council (NSC) Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya on Monday.

During the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon public briefing, Malaya also reiterated that the recent rotation and resupply missions to the disputed shoals were successful.

Six soldiers, three Maute fighters killed in Lanao del Norte clash

Six Scout Rangers and three alleged fighters of the Daulah Islamiyah-Maute Group were killed in an encounter in Barangay Ramain in Munai town, Lanao del Sur, Munai on Sunday, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief, Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., said in a statement issued on Monday.

Brawner said that four other soldiers were injured during its continuous pursuit operations against members of the DI-Maute Group, which perpetrated the bombing at Mindanao State University in December 2023, leaving four people dead and 50 others wounded.

Dutertes left with bag of guns after visit to Quiboloy – witness

A former Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC) member linked former President Rodrigo Duterte and Vice President Sara Duterte to sect leader Apollo Quiboloy, who is being investigated for his alleged crimes.

During a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality on Monday, “Rene” – a former KJC landscaper at Quiboloy’s Glory Mountain and alleged witness-survivor to the pastor’s supposed crimes – claimed that he saw the Dutertes visit the property and carry a bag of firearms as they left.

DOJ: Lookout bulletin for Quiboloy, no hold departure order

The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Monday said it can now issue an Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order (ILBO) against alleged sex offender Apollo Quiboloy, but stressed that it cannot prevent him form leaving the country.

DOJ Senior State Counsel Mary Grace Quintana disclosed the matter during the Senate’s hearing on Quiboloy’s alleged sexual abuse and forced labor among Kingdom of Jesus Christ members.

House leaders file RBH 7, mirrors Senate version of economic amendments

House of Representatives leaders have filed Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No. 7 — which mimics the Senate’s RBH No. 6 — to minimize discussions between the two chambers regarding possible amendments to the 1987 Constitution’s economic provisions.

Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr., Deputy Speaker David Suarez, and Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe on Monday filed RBH No. 7, entitled “A Resolution of Both Houses of Congress Proposing Amendments to Certain Economic Provisions of the 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines, Particularly on Articles XII, XIV, XVI”.