Here’s a quick roundup of today’s top stories:
Alice Guo now in Jakarta, Indonesia – BI
Alice Guo is still in Indonesia, but this time in Jakarta.
This information was revealed by Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Norman Tansingco during the Senate subcommittee on justice and human rights’ Tuesday hearing on Guo’s escape from Philippine jurisdiction.
Shiela Guo says she doesn’t know where Alice is
Where did dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo go?
Even her sister, Shiela Guo, said she doesn’t know where Alice is after they parted ways in Indonesia.
Marcos has ‘very good idea’ on who to fire at BI for Alice Guo’s escape
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. now has a “very good idea” about people to fire in the Bureau of Immigration (BI) for the escape of Alice Guo and her party.
On the sidelines of an oath-taking ceremony for new officers of various media groups on Tuesday, Marcos was asked about whose heads should roll concerning the secret departure of Guo and others, to which he replied:
“Very very good idea, I have a very good idea.”
Marcos: No human rights violations in KJC compound raid
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday maintained that there were no human rights violations during the police raid on the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC) compound in Davao City, adding that such claims are “political” and “untrue.”
“I think what they’re talking about, political na ‘yan (that’s political). Hindi na totoo ‘yan (those are untrue). [You can] go to human rights advocates, nothing that we did [was a violation],” he said.
Sara Duterte blames politics for likely end of some OVP projects
Vice President Sara Duterte is faulting the “political climate surrounding the [Office of the Vice President]” for the possible discontinuation or non-fulfillment of some projects of the institution.
During the continuation of the House committee on appropriations hearing on the proposed P2.037-billion 2025 budget of the OVP on Tuesday, Duterte mentioned in her opening speech that:
“Historically, the medical and burial assistance programs have always been continuing projects of the institution. The legacy projects that we envisioned, however, [include] a permanent office, for future vice presidents, a Vice President Museum, and for the OVP to have its own charter.”
Duterte refuses to answer OVP budget questions, sparks House tension
Tensions at the House of Representatives committee on appropriations hearing on the Office of the Vice President (OVP) proposed 2025 budget flared after Vice President Sara Duterte refused to answer several questions, especially regarding confidential funds (CF).
After Duterte finished her opening speech during the panel’s hearing on Tuesday, appropriations senior vice chair and Marikina 2nd District Rep. Stella Quimbo opened the floor for interpellations, starting with ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro.
China’s bid to break Asean unity bound to fail – Teodoro
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Tuesday said China is “trying to break apart” the unity of Southeast Asian nations as the region continues to grapple with overlapping claims of several countries in the South China Sea.
Teodoro, however, expressed confidence that China will not succeed.
Revised toll expressway guidelines implementation suspended to Oct 1
The implementation of the revised toll expressway guidelines, including penalties for motorists without valid radio frequency identification (RFID), has been suspended.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) said the revised toll expressway guidelines will no longer be enforced starting August 31 as its implementation was moved to October 1.