INQToday: PCG belies China’s claim it drove off BFAR vessel in Scarborough Shoal

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

House to hold 3 hearings on Cha-cha per week

The House leadership on Wednesday announced plans to hold hearings “three times a week” on a resolution seeking to amend certain economic provisions of the Constitution and wrap up deliberations as swiftly as possible.

The majority leader, Zamboanga Rep. Manuel Dalipe, said the chamber would be convening as a committee of the whole from Monday to Wednesday starting Feb. 26 to discuss Resolution of Both Houses No. 7 (RBH 7) and “show our seriousness and… desire to push for those economic provisions.”

PCG belies China’s claim it drove off BFAR vessel in Scarborough Shoal

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Thursday disproved China’s claim that it chased away a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessel in the Scarborough Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.

Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, said BRP Datu Sanday continues to patrol the waters of the low-tide elevation, also known as Bajo de Masinloc and Panatag Shoal.

DOJ backs case buildup vs alleged cyanide users

The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Wednesday said it would support the gathering of evidence and building of a strong legal case against Chinese fishermen allegedly using cyanide in Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal).Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said in a statement that they have launched a study on the legal remedies the government could take to protect the West Philippine Sea.

“Under the leadership of President Marcos, the Philippines will not tolerate any actions that harm our environment or deprive Filipino people of their right to its use and beauty,” Remulla stressed.

Kuwait appellate court affirms conviction of OFW Ranara’s killer

The State of Kuwait’s Appeal Court has affirmed the guilty verdict and conviction of the killer of overseas Filipino worker (OFW) Jullebee Ranara in Kuwait, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) announced Wednesday evening.

In a statement, DMW said the State of Kuwait’s Appeal Court fully adopted the guilty verdict and sentence against 17-year-old Turki Ayed Al-Azmi of 1 year imprisonment for driving without a license and 15 years imprisonment for murder