INQToday: Navy says PH won’t fire first bullet against China Coast Guard

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

West Philippine Sea: Navy says PH won’t fire first bullet against CCG

Despite acting like a “band of barbarians” in the West Philippine Sea, the country’s navy said it will not fire the first bullet against China Coast Guard (CCG).

Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad, Philippine Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, made the pronouncement on Thursday after the June 17 confrontation with the CCG, during which Chinese personnel boarded Filipino boats, looted firearms, and caused serious injuries to one of the sailors.

Escudero: Philippines must seek more ways to deal with China

Senate President Francis  Escudero said Philippine authorities must find other means to deal with China amid continuously rising tension in the West Philippine Sea.

The Senate’s top leader said they will ask for a full briefing from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) following the “alarming”  escalation of confrontation in the disputed waters.

No DepEd OIC yet; VP Duterte’s resignation effective July 19 – Palace

No officer-in-charge has so far been appointed for the Department of Education (DepEd), Malacañang said on Thursday.

The Palace also reiterated that Vice President Sara Duterte’s resignation as education secretary will only be effective on July 19.

Gatchalian: UniTeam hasn’t met since 2022 polls

The Uniteam, the presidential campaign team of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte, has not met since the 2022 national elections, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said on Thursday.

Gatchalian made this admission when asked in an interview with ABS-CBN News Channel’s Headstart about how Duterte’s resignation from her Education secretary portfolio affects the Uniteam.

Leni Robredo may run for Naga City mayor in the 2025 polls, says Lagman

Former Vice President Leni Robredo appears to be aiming for the Naga City mayoral post in the 2025 midterm polls, Liberal Party (LP) president and Albay 1st District Rep. Edcel Lagman said on Thursday.

During an interview with reporters at the Batasang Pambansa complex, Lagman was asked about the possibility that Robredo would get nominated for the vacant Department of Education (DepEd) post.

Senate probe on fake birth certificates pushed

A parallel  investigation into the proliferation of fake  birth certificates and  abuse of the late birth registration system in the country  has been sought  in the Senate.

The  probe is proposed by Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian through  Senate  Resolution  No 1053  he filed early this week.