Here’s a quick roundup of today’s top stories:
Palace on ICC membership: It’s DOJ’s duty to ‘explore all legal avenues’
The position of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on the Philippines’ return to the International Criminal Court (ICC) is the same, but all options must still be explored, said Presidential Communications Office Secretary Cheloy Garafil on Thursday.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) recently said it was studying the possibility of returning to the ICC.
Quiboloy ‘chose to surrender’ 5 guns to PNP amid reservations – counsel
Despite reservations, fugitive and religious leader Apollo Quiboloy “chose to surrender” five firearms registered under his name to the Philippine National Police (PNP), according to his legal counsel Israel Torreon.
Torreon said Quiboloy’s representatives surrendered the guns upon receipt of the written order — canceling his license to own and possess firearms (LTOPF) — from PNP chief General Rommel Marbil.
14 guns of Quiboloy sold to 3 persons whose surnames are ‘Canada’ – PNP
Fourteen firearms registered under the name of fugitive televangelist Apollo Quiboloy were sold to three individuals with the surname “Canada” in December last year, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP).
On April 3, a Davao Regional Trial Court issued arrest orders against Quiboloy and his subordinates Cresente Canada, Paulene Canada, Ingrid Canada, Sylvia Camanes, and Jackiely Roy.
Debris from Chinese rocket may have fallen near Rozul Reef in WPS – PhilSA
Debris from a Chinese rocket launched early Thursday may have fallen near the Rozul Reef and Patag Island in the West Philippine Sea, the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) said.
The rocket, called Long March 3B/E, was launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan, China around 9:50 am, PhilSA said in a statement.
Tulfo urges revealing lotto winners publicly
To dispel doubts amid allegations that the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office’s (PCSO) games are easily manipulated, Senator Raffy Tulfo suggested on Thursday the need to unmask and “advertise” lotto winners.
“Kung pag-uusapan natin dito yung transparency, e dapat ipakita ang mukha ng mga nanalo. Para makita natin na totoo ang mga nanalo at hindi gawa gawa lamang,” said Tulfo in an interview over ANC.
PNP van driver who used Edsa busway sacked, to face admin raps
The authorized driver of the Philippine National Police (PNP) van that illegally passed through the Edsa busway was relieved from his post and will face an administrative case, according to the police force’s spokesperson.
In a press briefing on Thursday, Col. Jean Fajardo revealed that the van was traced back to a liaison officer from the Police Regional Office (PRO) 10 (Northern Mindanao). However, she said that they have yet to determine whether the authorized driver is the same person manning the vehicle passing through the Edsa bus lane.