INQToday: Closure order vs resort near Chocolate Hills issued Sept. 2023 — DENR

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

DENR: Closure order vs resort near Chocolate Hills issued Sept. 2023

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on Wednesday said it had already issued a temporary closure order and a notice of violation against a now-viral resort located within the Chocolate Hills protected area in Bohol.

According to the DENR, the closure order against Captain’s Peak Resort was issued on September 6, 2023.

PCSO: Multiple ‘wins’ in single month only for minor prizes not jackpot lotto

The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) on Wednesday clarified that the alleged multiple wins by a bettor in a single month were merely claims in its minor games and not in the jackpot lotto.

The PCSO made the pronouncement in response to Senator Raffy Tulfo, who, citing a list from the PCSO itself, claimed that there was a single bettor who won multiple times in a month.

Recto says Philippines to be 14th biggest economy by 2050

Finance chief Ralph Recto sees the Philippines’ potential to be the 14th biggest economy in the world by 2050.

In a press conference on Wednesday, Recto said the country is, in fact, on track to achieve this goal.

Dela Rosa tells China: Act on PH’s diplomatic protests first

Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa on Wednesday countered  China’s claim that its proposals to manage the West Philippine Sea  (WPS) row were “met with some kind of inaction”  by the  Philippine government.

But look who’s talking?

Padilla: Don’t force Quiboloy to testify once DOJ starts proceedings

Senator Robin Padilla has asked the Senate committee on women to “refrain from compelling any testimony” from Pastor Apollo Quiboloy once the Department of Justice (DOJ) starts legal proceedings against him.

The request was contained in a letter dated  March 11, 2024 addressed to Senator Risa Hontiveros, chairperson of the Senate committee on women.