INQToday: Duterte to skip Marcos’ Sona; Chinese ship may be culprit in hitting PH boat in WPS – PCG

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

Sara Duterte to skip Marcos’ Sona, names self as ‘designated survivor’

Vice President Sara Duterte will not attend the third State of the Nation Address (Sona) of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on July 22, and named herself the “designated survivor.”

Duterte’s decision to not show up at Marcos’ third Sona is a first since their tandem won the 2022 election.

VP Duterte told: Marcos’ security not a ‘joking matter’

Manila 3rd District Rep. Joel Chua on Thursday called out Vice President Sara Duterte for allegedly joking about appointing herself as a “designated survivor,” saying it makes light of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s security.

“I appreciate Vice President Sara Duterte’s humor when she said, ‘I am appointing myself as the designated survivor’ when she said she is not attending the joint session of Congress for the third SONA of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.,” Chua said.

Chinese ship may be culprit in hitting PH boat in West Philippine Sea – PCG

Either one of the two Chinese-flagged vessels present in the West Philippine Sea could be behind the allision that led to the sinking of a Filipino fishing boat there last week, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said on Thursday.

A maritime incident is described as an “allision” when a moving vessel hits a stationary boat.

Roque must attend Pogo hearing, take opportunity to air side – Escudero

Senate President Francis Escudero is hoping that former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque will attend the upper chamber’s inquiry into illegal Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos) if he is requested to appear.

Escudero said Roque should take the opportunity to air his point of view given the seriousness of the allegations being hurled against him.

Comelec chair Garcia bares ‘plot’ to impeach, discredit poll execs

Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Erwin Garcia said there is an alleged plot to impeach him and discredit other members of the poll body.

According to Garcia, the impeachment complaint would be about allegations that he accepted bribes from foreign banks, including banks based in South Korea. He said he had already “decoded” what would happen to him and his fellow commissioners.

Cadet dies after being punished for sending thumbs up emoji to group chat

A maritime academy student in Calamba City, Laguna died after being punished for sending a thumbs up emoji to a group chat, authorities said.

The 19-year-old male cadet was declared dead on arrival in a hospital on Monday after experiencing difficulty breathing, according to a report from the Calabarzon Police Regional Office.

11 dead in bus-pickup collision in Cagayan

Eleven people died, five were seriously injured, and 20 suffered minor injuries when an air-conditioned bus and a pickup collided early Thursday at the Ayaga junction in Abulug town, Cagayan, police reported.

The Florida-St. Joseph bus, traveling from Santa Marcela in Apayao to Manila, crashed against the speeding pickup at the junction at 4 a.m.