INQToday: E-bike ban on major Metro Manila roads to take effect April 15

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

E-bike ban on major Metro Manila roads to take effect April 15

The ban on  e-bikes on major roads in Metro Manila will take effect starting on April 15, 2024, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Romando Artes said on Monday.

“We will implement this by April 15, but we will still consider other suggestions,” Artes said in a press briefing, Violators will be fined P2,500, while their units will also be impounded if e-bike users are not able to present a driver’s license upon apprehension, Artes previously said.

Comelec, Miru ink P17.99 B pact for automated 2025 polls

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the South Korean firm Miru Systems Co. Ltd. (Miru Systems) inked an almost P18-billion contract on Monday for the lease of an automated election system to be used in the 2025 midterm elections.

Miru Systems was the sole bidder for the lease of a Full Automation System with Transparency Audit/Count (Fastrac) to Comelec.

Marcos departs for Germany, Czech Republic

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. left Villamor Airbase in Pasay City on Monday afternoon to begin his Central European trip scheduled from March 11 to March 15.

The President is visiting Germany for a state visit and afterward, to the Czech Republic for an official visit. He will speak to business and political leaders from both nations.

Duterte as Quiboloy assets chief bares ‘intertwined’ stakes – Hontiveros

Former President Rodrigo Duterte’s recent appointment as new administrator of Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC) properties only revealed the “intertwined” interests of the ex-chief executive and alleged sex offender Apollo Quiboloy.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros, during a press conference, noted that Quiboloy’s trust in Duterte must be great to delegate his properties to the former country leader.

Makati-Taguig land row: This time, public swimming pools shut down

Makati said Taguig has closed down community swimming pools in a village now under the latter’s jurisdiction in another property dispute between the two cities.

The Makati Aqua Sports Arena (Masa) is adjacent to the contested Makati Park and Garden, which shutdown also led to a standoff between the two cities’ personnel last week.

Megan Young says sorry amid criticism for fixing Miss Botswana’s hair

Megan Young has apologized for “failing to oversee the bigger picture” after she was slammed by netizens for fixing the hair of Miss World Botswana Lesego Chombo during the global tilt’s question-and-answer (Q&A) portion.

Young drew the ire of African pageant fans after fixing a tendril of Chombo’s hair from her face before she was asked to give her pitch to the “sharks of Shark Tank India” during the coronation night of the 71st Miss World on March 9.