INQToday: Undas 2023: Manila North, South cemeteries bracing for a million visitors’ surge – MPD

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

Manila North, South cemeteries bracing for a million visitors’ surge – MPD

The total crowd estimate for both Manila North and South cemeteries has climbed to over one million just two hours before their closing hours at 5 p.m., police reported on Wednesday afternoon.

Based on the data from the Manila Police District (MPD), of the 1,130,000 visitors, 980,000 were recorded at the the Manila North Cemetery, while the remaining 150,000 were monitored at the Manila South Cemetery.

SWS survey: 48% of Filipino families rate themselves ‘poor’

Almost half of Filipino families consider themselves living in poverty, according to a new survey from the Social Weather Stations (SWS) released on Wednesday.

The SWS estimated that the number of self-rated poor families is at 13.2 million as of September, which is an increase of around 700,000 families.

Int’l lawmakers’ group hits Rodrigo Duterte over threat vs France Castro

An international organization of national parliaments said it is “appalled” over former President Rodrigo Duterte’s alleged threat against ACT Teachers Partylist Rep. France Castro.

The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) likewise criticized Duterte for his statement which “has a serious impact” on Philippine Congress “as it may deter members from speaking out.”

DILG chief backs charging teachers who skipped poll duties

Interior and Local Government chief Benjamin Abalos Jr. said he is in favor of filing charges against teachers who backed out of serving as poll watchers in the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE), but only if their reasons are not valid.

During a Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum on Wednesday, reporters asked Abalos if he supports the Commission on Elections (Comelec) plan to go after teachers who allegedly “delayed” the BSKE in some areas of the country by backing out of their poll duties at the last minute.

PAWS memorial wall relives good times with cherished pets

Memorializing departed loved ones is no longer exclusive to deceased humans because owners of animals who already crossed the rainbow bridge can now do it, too.

At the Pet Memorial Wall of the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), pet parents and guardians remember their cherished companions.