INQToday: Trillanes files libel, cyberlibel raps against Duterte supporters

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

China now ‘desperate,’ intervening in PH politics, says solon

China has become desperate in its goal of influencing the country and has resorted to interfering in local politics by spreading misinformation, 1-Rider party-list Rep. Ramon Rodrigo Gutierrez said on Tuesday.

During a press briefing at the Batasang Pambansa complex, Gutierrez and other lawmakers were asked about the recent Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) statements vowing to probe foreign diplomats linked to illegal acts, like the alleged wiretapping of a military official during a call on the supposed agreement on managing the disputed Ayungin Shoal.

Trillanes files libel, cyberlibel raps against Duterte supporters

Former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV filed libel and cyberlibel cases on Tuesday against “pro-Duterte” personalities and social media account holders due to “persistent online attacks and the dissemination of false accusations.”

The separate complaints for libel and cyber libel were filed before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office against former Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) hosts and executives, and vlogger Byron Cristobal, also known as Banat By.

Hontiveros on China’s huge force deployment: As if they own the sea

Opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros found China’s reported plan to send a huge force to block a civilian mission at Panatag Shoal “outrageous.”

This supposed deployment by China to block the second voyage of the “Atin Ito” Coalition from May 15 to 17 was exposed by maritime expert Ray Powell in a post on X on Monday.

LTO told to address motorcycle license plate backlog by June 2025

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday ordered the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to finish distributing motorcycle plates by June 2025.

According to the Palace, there is still a backlog of 11.4 million motorcycle license plates from the previous administration that still needs to be addressed.

Meralco hikes electricity rate by 46.2¢ per kWh

Manila Electric Co. on Tuesday announced a P0.4621 per kilowatt-hour increase in electricity rates for the May billing period.

This brings the overall rate to P11.4139 per kWh for May from P10.9518 per kWh in April, Meralco said in a statement on Tuesday.