INQToday: PCG deploys assets to ensure safety of Scarborough civilian convoy

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

PCG deploys assets to ensure safety of Scarborough civilian convoy

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has deployed one of its vessels and an aircraft to Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal to ensure the safety of the civilian convoy going to the area amid the presence of the Chinese coast guard and their militia vessels.

In a joint press conference with the Philippine Information Agency and other government agencies, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela said they dispatched the two assets to monitor the voyage organized by “Atin Ito” (This is Ours) Coalition.

Tolentino wants Chinese embassy execs in PH to attend Senate probe

Senator Francis Tolentino wants officials of the Chinese embassy in Manila to attend the chamber’s investigation into the alleged wiretapping incident surrounding the supposed “new model” for handling Ayungin Shoal missions.

In a press conference, Tolentino said the Senate panel on national defense has committed to probe the issue on Tuesday, May 21. But what would happen if the Chinese embassy opted to skip the investigation?

PH embassy in Beijing welcomes new visa requirements for Chinese

Philippine Embassy in Beijing’s Consul General Arnel Talisayon welcomed the Philippines’ move to require Chinese nationals to present their social insurance certificate when applying for visas, saying it ensures that only “legitimate travelers” are allowed into the country.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) earlier announced that it will be implementing stricter visa issuance policies for Chinese visitors.

No more candidate substitution due to withdrawal after COC deadline’

The substitution of candidates after the last day of filing of certificates of candidacies (COC) will no longer be allowed if the substitution is due to the candidate’s withdrawal, Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Erwin Garcia said on Wednesday.

Garcia said the Commission En Banc approved his proposal to ban substitution after the last day of filing COCs on grounds of withdrawal from candidacy.

Comelec verifying possible poll violations of Bamban, Tarlac Mayor

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said on Wednesday that it is still verifying if any law was broken regarding the candidacy of Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo.

Guo’s citizenship came into question after she failed to provide details about her birth and schooling when she was grilled during a Senate hearing by Senator Risa Hontiveros.