Here’s a quick roundup of today’s top stories:
Ex-DepEd exec: VP Duterte’s staff asked me to resign over purchase issue
Former Education Undersecretary Gloria Jumamil Mercado has claimed that Vice President Sara Duterte’s chief-of-staff asked her to resign after she raised several concerns regarding the procurement for the Department of Education’s (DepEd) computerization program.
During the hearing of the House committee on good government and public accountability on Wednesday, Mercado said Undersecretary Zuleika Lopez asked her to resign after she opposed suggestions from former Education Assistant Secretary Reynold Munsayac that bidders should just “discuss among themselves” the fate of the bidding.
Duterte skips ‘unnecessary’ House probe into OVP funds
Vice President Sara Duterte said she would not attend the House hearing on the alleged misuse of her office’s funds, and urged the lower chamber to “terminate” its probe.
In a letter dated Sept. 23 and made public by the Office of the Vice President (OVP) on Wednesday, Duterte said the hearing was “unnecessary” and was based on “unsubstantiated allegations” made by Manila 2nd District Rep. Rolando Valeriano during his privilege speech.
Filing of charges vs Tony Yang takes priority over deportation – Remulla
Despite Tony Yang’s confirmation that he is a Chinese citizen with a Philippine birth certificate, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said on Wednesday that filing criminal charges will take precedence over his deportation.
Remulla made this statement when asked whether Yang’s admission could lead to his immediate deportation to China.
Brawner wants US missiles to stay in PH ‘forever’
For Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief General Romeo Brawner Jr., the United States’ Typhon midrange capability (MRC) missile should stay in the country permanently.
Brawner made the remark on Wednesday as the Army announced the extended stay of the ground-based missile system, which is capable of firing Tomahawk and SM-6 missiles, amid mounting tensions in the West Philippine Sea.
Ex-PNP chief Acorda on alleged Pogo ties: I love my country and the PNP
In response to his photos with several personalities linked to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), former Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Retired General Benjamin Acorda Jr. expressed his love for both the country and the police force.
“Masasabi ko lang, I love my country and the PNP organization. Kung anong dapat gawin ng isang Pilipino at bilang police officer ay ginawa ko,“ Acorda said in a short text message send to reporters on Wednesday.
Shiela Guo transferred to NBI after Senate lifts contempt order
The custody of Shiela Guo, who was earlier identified as the sister of former mayor Alice Guo, has been transferred from the Senate to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Immigration spokesperson Dana Sandoval said on Wednesday.
During the Senate committee on women’s hearing on Alice’s ties to Philippine offshore gaming operators on Tuesday, Sen. Risa Hontiveros moved to lift the contempt order against Shiela, also known as Chinese Zhang Mier.