INQToday: Marcos eyeing to sign 2025 budget before year-end

Marcos eyeing to sign 2025 budget before year-end

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Thursday said the 2025 national budget may be signed before the end of the year.

Marcos was scheduled to sign the 2025 budget bill on Friday, December 20. It was, however, deferred to make way for further review.

Marcos: No reduction of PhilHealth benefits

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday assured the public that the benefits provided by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) would not be reduced even by half a cent as more services will be included in the PhilHealth package starting 2025.

This was his reaction to the House of Representatives’ proposed one-year suspension of contributions if it is deemed that the state-run insurer’s finances are healthy.

DOJ starts studying filing raps vs Rodrigo Duterte, allies

The Department of Justice (DOJ) will thoroughly study the House quad committee’s recommendation to file crimes against humanity complaints against former President Rodrigo Duterte and his allies, assuring that the complaints would be filed should sufficient evidence warrant it.

Justice Undersecretary Jesse Andres made the pronouncement on Thursday after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier said that the DOJ would first have to review the House quad committee’s recommendation.

Drug war deaths: Go, Dela Rosa to let court decide if cases will be filed

Senators Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa and Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go are leaving it up to the Philippine courts to decide if ever cases are filed against them over drug war deaths.

The two senators aired their stance a few hours after the House of Representatives’ quad committee recommended the filing of charges against them, former president Rodrigo Duterte and others over drug war deaths during the previous administration.

PCG monitors 12 Chinese vessels near Bajo de Masinloc

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) monitored 12 Chinese vessels in and outside Bajo de Masinloc in the West Philippine Sea during its routine maritime patrol on Thursday morning.

During the operation, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela said Philippine vessels BRP Teresa Magbanua and BRP Cabra distributed food packs and groceries to approximately 40 Filipino fishermen in the area.