Here’s a quick roundup of today’s top stories:
DFA warns public vs China’s false narratives on ‘new model’ pact for Ayungin
Finally breaking its silence, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) warned the public against “falling for false narratives” after China’s alleged threat to release an audio recording supposedly proving that a high-ranking Filipino army official agreed on a “new model” in Ayungin Shoal.
In a statement on Thursday, DFA Spokesperson Teresita Daza said efforts such as this could show attempts to disrupt Filipinos.
Philippine economy grew 5.7% in Q1
The Philippine economy grew by 5.7 percent in the first quarter of the year, faster than the 5.5 percent growth in the previous quarter, amid stubbornly high inflation and elevated borrowing costs, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported Thursday.
The first quarter gross domestic product (GDP) growth, however, fell short of the government’s target for the period and slower than the 6.4 percent expansion in the same three months in 2023.
DOJ studying PH reentry to ICC, other legal options
After making adamant declarations that the Philippines would not cooperate with the International Criminal Court (ICC) in arresting former President Rodrigo Duterte, the Marcos administration is still preparing for “all legal options,” including returning to the Rome Statute, the 2002 treaty that established the court, a justice official said.
Assistant Justice Secretary Jose Dominic Clavano IV on Wednesday said the legal brief being prepared would be an “objective statement or an analysis of the pros and cons of each option” to guide President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on “how he will move.”
Supreme Court: Red-tagging threatens one’s right to life, security
The practice of red-baiting or red-tagging is connected to the use of threats and intimidation, putting the labeled individual at risk of enforced disappearance or extrajudicial killing, the Supreme Court said Wednesday.
In this situation, the Supreme Court said in a 39-page decision that a writ of amparo becomes necessary.