INQToday: 4 PH crew hurt by China Coast Guard’s water cannon attack; Imelda Marcos hospitalized

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

4 PH Navy crew hurt by China Coast Guard’s water cannon attack

At least four Philippine Navy personnel were injured following China Coast Guard’s (CCG) firing of a water cannon at a Philippine ship involved in a resupply mission in the West Philippine Sea on Tuesday.

The National Security Council (NSC) said the Navy members were aboard Unaizah Mae 4 (UM4), which was attacked by the water cannon.

Former first lady Imelda Marcos hospitalized due to suspected pneumonia

Senator Imee Marcos confirmed on Tuesday that her mother — former First Lady Imelda R. Marcos has been hospitalized due to suspected pneumonia.

In a text message, Sen. Marcos said her mother has been having bouts of fever and cough.

Robin Padilla opposes contempt order vs Quiboloy

Senator Robin Padilla on Tuesday opposed a Senate committee’s motion to cite alleged sex offender and sect leader Apollo Quiboloy for contempt.

“Ipagpaumanhin po ninyo, akin pong tinututulan na ma-contempt si Apollo Quiboloy with all due respect,” said Padilla during Tuesday’s Senate panel hearing on Quiboloy’s alleged crimes.

PH, US to hold military drills in islands facing South China Sea, Taiwan

The Philippines and the United States will carry out annual military exercises next month in key locations including Philippine islands facing the South China Sea and Taiwan, as tensions with China in the region continue to simmer.

The exercises, called Balikatan or “shoulder-to-shoulder”, will move away from sprawling military camps in the countryside to locations in northern and western regions, Philippine army colonel Michael Logico told a briefing on Tuesday.

PhilHealth: Contribution hike needed to expand benefits

The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Philhealth) on Tuesday justified the increase in members’ contributions, saying that it is necessary for the implementation of its improved benefit packages.

According to PhilHealth chief Emmanuel Ledesma Jr., the state health insurance provider has already implemented many enhancements in its health benefits packages in 2023 and will continue to improve its coverage in 2024.

Philippine passport drops to 78th in Henley Passport Index

The Philippine passport dropped to 78th out of 109 in the latest 2024 Henley Passport Index (HPI).

The country’s current ranking, as of February 29, 2024, is five points below its January 2024 ranking at 63rd.

Singapore’s Taylor Swift deal not hostile act towards neighbors, PM says

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said on Tuesday an incentive provided to Taylor Swift to make Singapore the only stop in Southeast Asia on her world tour was not a hostile act towards its neighbors.

“(Our) agencies negotiated an arrangement with her to come to Singapore and perform and to make Singapore her only stop in Southeast Asia,” Lee told a press conference in Melbourne, where he is attending a regional summit.