INQToday: Marcos to revive Uniteam for midterm polls; US, PH strike China-made mock target ship

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

Marcos oversees PFP, Lakas-CMD alliance

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday oversaw the signing of an alliance between his political party, Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP), and the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD).

Lakas-CMD is the largest faction in the House of Representatives, with 100 members out of the 300-strong lower chamber. On the other hand, PFP boasts a sizable number of local government leaders.

Marcos to revive Uniteam for 2025 midterm polls: Let’s keep united

For the upcoming 2025 midterm elections, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is hoping to draw on the magic of the Uniteam — his election alliance that helped cinch him the presidency in 2022.

During the alliance signing of Lakas-CMD and Marcos’ Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP), the President reiterated his goal of ending hunger in the Philippines. Marcos said that the key to achieving such aspirations is to remain united.

Chinese warship, 2 other vessels spotted off Batanes during ‘Balikatan’

A Chinese warship and two other vessels from Beijing were spotted off Batanes during the conduct of bilateral war games between Manila and Washington.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said that around 10:45 a.m. on May 1, the BRP Melchora Aquino spotted a People’s Liberation Army-Navy vessel of China and two other Chinese-flagged vessels in the vicinity of Itbayat, Batanes, where the Balikatan Exercise was being held.

US, PH strike ‘Made in China’ mock target ship near Taiwan

Philippine navy missiles began striking the “Made in China” ship which served as a mock target during the highlight event of Manila and Washington’s bilateral drills within the vicinity waters of this province near Taiwan.

The mock target, former BRP Lake Caliraya, was located about 15 kilometers off the coastal city of Laoag, which is only over 400 kilometers away from the southernmost point of the self-ruled island China sees as a renegade province subject to reunification.

Marcos’ son on mom snubbing VP: She’s ‘being protective of her husband’

First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos was just being protective of her husband, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., when she aired her sentiments in an interview, the couple’s first-born son, Ilocos Norte 1st District Rep. Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos, said.

In an ambush interview on the sidelines of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) and Lakas-CMD coalition signing on Tuesday, the younger Marcos said that unlike him and his father, the First Lady is not as accustomed to mudslinging in politics — hence, her reaction.

Dela Rosa defends ‘soft’ treatment of Maricel Soriano in Senate probe

Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa defended on Wednesday his handling of actress Maricel Soriano’s participation in a Senate probe on her alleged link to illegal drug activities.

Dela Rosa admitted he was a bit “soft” on the actress after seeing her nervous and scared when she entered the hearing room on Tuesday.

Imee Marcos on ‘ouster plot’ vs brother: ‘Wag masyadong praning

The alleged destabilization efforts against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. do not bother Senator Imee Marcos much, branding them as “old rumors.”

Instead of dwelling on unverified reports, the president’s older sister advised the public not to be “praning,” which translates to being paranoid or overthinking.