Here’s a quick roundup of today’s top stories:
China’s ’monster ship’ leaves El Nido, passes inside Scarborough
The biggest China Coast Guard vessel dubbed as the “monster ship” has left the general vicinity of El Nido, Palawan, and passed through the waters of Scarborough (Panatag) Shoal, according to a West Philippine Sea monitor.
As of 7:00 a.m., SeaLight director Ray Powell said a CCG ship with bow number 5901 traversed only about one to two kilometers away from the shoal.
Bamban Mayor Alice Guo skipping Senate panel’s Pogo probe
Suspended Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo is skipping the Senate panel on women’s Wednesday hearing on the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (Pogos).
An official guest list provided by the Senate panel showed that the embattled mayor would be absent from the probe.
Hontiveros on Mayor Guo: Is this a case of stolen identity?
“Is this a case of stolen identity? Has Guo Hua Ping assumed the identity of a Filipino woman?”
Senator Risa Hontiveros couldn’t help but raise these questions on Wednesday after finding out that a different individual with the name Alice Leal Guo already exists in the database of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). Her panel is investigating Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Leal Guo’s alleged involvement in the raided Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (Pogo) hub in Bamban.
Dela Rosa says he is skipping House probe into drug war
Former top cop and now Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa said he is skipping the House of Representatives probe into ex-President Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody drug war.
But dela Rosa maintained that his decision only came after Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero gave him advice.