Here’s a quick roundup of today’s top stories:
Mary Jane Veloso transferred to Jakarta ahead of return to PH
Mary Jane Veloso, a Filipina inmate on death row in Indonesia, was moved to the capital Jakarta before she is expected to fly home later this week, after the government signed an agreement with Manila this month to repatriate her.
Mother of two Veloso, 39, was arrested and sentenced to death in 2010 after the suitcase she was carrying was found to be lined with 2.6 kilograms (5.7 pounds) of heroin, in a case that sparked uproar in the Philippines.
PhilHealth has extra P150 billion despite zero subsidy in 2025 – DOH
The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) still has a P150-billion surplus from its 2024 budget even if it was given zero subsidy in 2025.
The Department of Health (DOH) revealed this information on Monday, assuring PhilHealth members that funds are available to improve existing benefits.
Maroons back as UAAP hoops kings
There has never been a lack of motivation on the part of University of the Philippines (UP) to reclaim the UAAP men’s basketball championship—starting from Finals losses the last two seasons and that Game 2 meltdown just four nights ago.
“From the start of this season, after we lost last year, every day they worked for it,” UP coach Goldwin Monteverde said, minutes after the final buzzer of a 66-62 Game 3 victory over La Salle sounded on Sunday night that had the Fighting Maroons returning to glory in front of a collegiate basketball game record of 25,248 screaming souls at Smart Araneta Coliseum.