INQToday: House hearing reveals Chinese nationals recruited to PCG auxiliary

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

House hearing reveals Chinese nationals recruited to PCG auxiliary

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) previously recruited Chinese nationals as auxiliary members of the agency but they have since been delisted.

This was revealed by PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan before the House Committee on Transportation’s hearing on Wednesday after Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers asked him about the recruitment issue, which was raised by Senator Francis Tolentino last year.

Marcos says Philippines has no interest on attacking anyone

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. admitted that the Philippines lives in an uneasy peace amid the South China Sea tension but maintains that “it’s peace nonetheless.”

During an interview with Bloomberg released on Wednesday, Marcos was asked if he maintained his stance that Philippine military bases will not be used for offensives against China. The President was adamant that they will not.

Meeting with Blinken ‘absolutely necessary’ for PH-US ties – Marcos

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. deemed his meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken as “absolutely necessary” in boosting bilateral ties between the Philippines and the US.

Marcos made the pronouncement after meeting with Blinken on Tuesday during the latter’s courtesy call in Malacañang.

Sevilla denies child abuse claim

Embattled military official Colonel Ranulfo Sevilla admitted having a relationship while denying child abuse allegations, which caused the bypassing of his promotion as brigadier general.

Sevilla, however, quickly clarified that he had had an affair, but only after he filed for annulment of marriage to Tessa Luz Reyes-Sevilla.

Dela Rosa offers to protect Quiboloy at Senate probe: ‘I’ll be his security’

If Pastor  Apollo Quiboloy decides to face the Senate, he can rely on Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa for protection.

Dela Rosa, who once headed the national police force, offered to secure Quiboloy on Wednesday, a day after the latter was ordered arrested and detained in the Senate.

Padilla: I did everything I can to protect Quiboloy’s rights

Senator Robin Padilla, a friend and staunch supporter of Apollo Quiboloy, said he did everything he could to protect the controversial sect leader’s rights.

Padilla made the remark after the chamber’s issuance of an arrest order against the alleged rapist.

PH can soar to become $2-trillion economy, says WEF

The Philippines can become a $2-trillion economy in the next decade—comparable with the size of Canada, Italy and Brazil today—if it could continue key reforms and sustain strong economic growth, the World Economic Forum (WEF) said.

“We are very bullish on the Philippines, provided the reforms do continue. I think that this can be, in the coming decade, a $2-trillion economy if there are further investments in education, infrastructure and also able to draw on the great competence of the people of the Philippines,” WEF President Børge Brende told a press conference after the roundtable held at Malacañang.

Grace Poe on brutal killing of dog Killua: ‘Heartbroken and enraged’

Sen. Grace Poe is all “heartbroken” and “enraged” over the brutal killing of a beloved Golden Retriever named Killua.

Citing the Animal Welfare Act of 1998, Poe emphasized that it is unlawful for any person to torture and maltreat an animal.