Here’s a quick roundup of today’s top stories:
VP Duterte: My father, brothers ‘eyeing’ Senate run in 2025 polls
Former President Rodrigo Duterte, Davao 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte, and Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte will run for senator in the 2025 elections, Vice President Sara Duterte confirmed on Tuesday.
“They are all gearing up to run. PRD for senator, my brother Paolo Duterte, currently a congressman, for senator, and Sebastian Duterte,” the Vice President said in Filipino in an ambush interview in Cagayan de Oro City.
VP Duterte: My priority now is DepEd transition, not politics
Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday said becoming a part of the political opposition is not yet in the picture, as her “priority” is the turnover of leadership in the Department of Education (DepEd).
Duterte has resigned as DepEd chief and vice chair of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict. It will take effect on July 19.
China ‘monster ship’ now near El Nido, Palawan
China Coast Guard’s (CCG) biggest vessel dubbed as the “monster ship” is now near El Nido, Palawan, according to a West Philippine Sea monitor.
As of 12:19 p.m. on Tuesday, the 12,000-ton CCG ship with bow number 5901 is spotted only 40 nautical miles away from El Nido town, according to SeaLight director Ray Powell.
DFA hopes for bilateral talks with China on West Philippine Sea aggression
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said it hopes that a bilateral consultation mechanism between Filipino officials and their Chinese counterparts be held in July to discuss China’s recent aggression in the West Philippine Sea, particularly in Ayungin Shoal.
Speaking at the Senate’s hearing on the Ayungin Shoal incident on June 17, DFA Secretary Enrique Manalo said the Philippine government will continue to pursue a “peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international laws.”
House cmte invites Duterte, dela Rosa to probe into drug war-related deaths
Former President Rodrigo Duterte and Sen. Ronald dela Rosa have been invited to attend the hearing of the House Committee on Human Rights.
Lawmakers are asking them to answer issues involving alleged extrajudicial killings (EJKs) during the Duterte administration’s drug war.
Alice Guo’s bid to reconsider preventive suspension junked
The Office of the Ombudsman has denied Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo’s motion to reconsider the preventive suspension imposed against her.
The Office of the Ombudsman said its order dated May 31, 2024 stands as the evidence against Guo, Municipal Business Permits and Licensing Office officer Edwin Ocampo, and Municipal Legal Officer Adenn Sigua was strong.