Here’s a quick roundup of today’s top stories:
Ex-Pres Duterte warns vs term extension in Cha-cha
Former President Rodrigo Duterte says he supports the Charter change, but warns on its possible use to extend the term limits of elective officials.
Bongbong Marcos signs expanded Centenarian Law
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed into law on Monday a bill granting P10,000 to Filipinos who reach the age of 80, 85, 90, and 95.
Marcos signed the measure amending the Centenarian Law (Republic Act No. 11983) in Malacañan Palace, with lawmakers from the House of Representatives and the Senate in attendance.
AFP: ‘We will practice maximum tolerance’ in West Philippine Sea
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) “will practice maximum tolerance” to address “any challenges [from] foreign forces” in the West Philippine Sea.
AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said they support the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and other Philippine maritime law enforcement agencies operating in the disputed waters,
The AFP’s statement followed the latest incident between PCG and China Coast Guard (CCG) in Scarborough Shoal, known as Panatag Shoal and Bajo de Masinloc.
Senate probe into alleged cyanide fishing in Bajo de Masinloc sought
Sen. Francis Tolentino has called for an investigation into the claims that foreign fishermen use cyanide in Scarborough Shoal, also known as Panatag Shoal and Bajo de Masinloc.
On Saturday, he filed Senate Resolution No. 938, emphasizing that the use of cyanide or other poisonous substances was a “clear case of illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing,” which would undermine the sustainability of not just the marine environment but also the marine ecosystem globally.
Quiboloy’s lawyer says Senate should ‘not continue to abuse their power’
The legal counsel of religious sect leader Apollo Quiboloy said Monday that the Senate should “not continue to abuse their power” on the matter of issuing subpoenas.
Atty. Ferdinand Topacio cited the Supreme Court’s ruling on the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s “abuse of discretion” in issuing contempt and arrest orders versus resource persons in the controversial Pharmally Pharmaceuticals Corp. (Pharmally) Senate inquiry.
Fuel price rollback: gasoline down 70¢ per liter, diesel by 95¢
Consumers will get a small reprieve from the hefty fuel price increases last week after local oil firms announced that they would slash the pump prices of petroleum products by up to P1.10 per liter on Tuesday, Feb. 27.
In separate advisories, the companies said the price per liter of gasoline would go down by P0.70 and diesel by P0.95. The price of kerosene will likewise decline by P1.10 per liter.