INQToday: Alice Guo, family’s passports ordered canceled by Bersamin

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

Bersamin orders cancellation of Alice Guo, family’s passports

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin ordered the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Justice to cancel the passports of embattled Bamban Mayor Alice Guo and her family.

In a memorandum signed by Bersamin on Tuesday, the executive secretary cited reports of Guo fleeing the country using her Philippine passport to Malaysia and then meeting her family in Singapore, before traveling to Indonesia.

DOJ vows accountability for those who aided Alice Guo’s exit

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla has ordered a thorough investigation into the alleged departure of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo from the Philippines, Justice Undersecretary Margarita Gutierrez said on Tuesday.

She added that Remulla assured accountability for anyone found to have assisted Guo in leaving the country.

Alice Guo’s legal team insists she’s still in the Philippines

The legal team of former Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo believes that she is still in the country, based on the assurances given by their client, according to lawyer Stephen David.

In a text message sent to the media on Tuesday, David, who is part of Guo’s legal team, addressed Sen. Risa Hontiveros’ claim that the dismissed mayor left the country for Malaysia on July 18.

VP Sara bares solons openly discuss her impeachment

Vice President Sara Duterte claimed on Tuesday that her possible impeachment  is “openly discussed” in the House of Representatives.

“Pinag-uusapan nila. Kahit i-deny nila, pinag-uusapan ng members of the House of Representatives,” Duterte said in an interview in the Senate when asked about the  alleged brewing impeachment  against her.

Duterte, Hontiveros clash over ‘politicizing’ budget hearings

A heated exchange erupted between Senator Risa Hontiveros and Vice President Sara Duterte during the Senate committee on finance’s deliberation on the proposed 2025 budget of Duterte’s office, after the VP accused the lawmaker of “politicizing” government funds during the Tuesday hearing.

Duterte’s accusations followed Hontiveros’ queries regarding the Vice President’s proposed P2.037 billion funding for next year.

PH ‘seriously studying’ expanding Ayungin Shoal pact with China

The Philippines is “seriously studying” whether it should expand its recently formed agreement with China regarding the Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal to cover other areas of the West Philippine Sea.

National Maritime Council (NMC) spokesperson Alexander Lopez disclosed this plan Tuesday, following China’s latest aggression in the West Philippine Sea. On Monday, Aug. 19,

China Coast Guard ships rammed two Philippine Coast Guard vessels that were conducting a routine logistics mission within the vicinity of Escoda Shoal.

PH looking into filing case vs China after aggression in Escoda Shoal

The Philippines is “looking into” filing a case against China after the latter’s recent aggression within Escoda (Sabina) Shoal, said the National Maritime Council (NMC) Tuesday.

“We are looking at that. Especially for the part of the PCG (Philippine Coast Guard) because they know how to go about it. So maybe we will get back to you later on as long as we get more inputs from the PCG,” NMC spokesperson Alexander Lopez said in a chance interview.