Here鈥檚 a quick roundup of today鈥檚 top stories:
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Friday confirmed the death of another Filipino in the armed conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas.
DFA Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega said in a briefing in Malaca帽ang that the victim was a 49-year old Filipino woman from Negros Occidental who worked as a caregiver.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Friday said that the number of Filipinos seeking repatriation from the Gaza Strip increased to 92 amid a raging skirmish between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas.
鈥淥ut of the 131 [Filipinos in Gaza] up to 92 now are asking for repatriation, and that鈥檚 as of several hours ago,鈥� DFA Undersecretary Eduardo De Vega said in a Palace briefing.
February 25, Edsa People Power Anniversary, not a holiday in 2024
The Edsa People Power Anniversary, which the nation celebrates on February 25, is no longer a holiday in 2024, based on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.鈥檚 Proclamation No. 368 released Friday.
Proclamation No. 368 signed by Marcos on October 11 enumerated next year鈥檚 official national holidays, non-working days, and special non-working days.
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. scoffed at China鈥檚 recent 鈥減ropaganda鈥� to insist on its ownership of the West Philippine Sea.
The Department of National Defense (DND) chief rejected China鈥檚 claim that the Philippines is doing provocative actions, firmly asserting that it is Beijing that is intruding into Manila鈥檚 water.
鈥楧uterte didn鈥檛 mean murder: Meron ba siyang pinatay na tao?鈥� 鈥� Dela Rosa
Former President Rodrigo Duterte 鈥渄id not mean murder鈥� when he unleashed his聽scathing remarks聽against a Makabayan bloc lawmaker, Senator Ronald 鈥淏ato鈥� dela Rosa said on Friday.
It was just another 鈥渇igure of speech,鈥� Dela Rosa said in a phone interview with Senate reporters.
The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) assured Gilas Pilipinas will retain its聽聽despite the failed doping test of Justin Brownlee.
鈥淭he gold remains with us,鈥� said POC president Rep. Abraham 鈥淏ambol鈥� Tolentino in a statement on Friday.