Here鈥檚 a quick roundup of today鈥檚 top stories:
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 鈥淎tin Ito鈥� (This is Ours) Coalition.
Senator Francis Tolentino wants officials of the Chinese embassy in Manila to attend the chamber鈥檚 investigation into the alleged wiretapping incident surrounding the supposed 鈥渘ew model鈥� 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?
Philippine Embassy in Beijing鈥檚 Consul General Arnel Talisayon welcomed the Philippines鈥� move to require Chinese nationals to present their social insurance certificate when applying for visas, saying it ensures that only 鈥渓egitimate travelers鈥� 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.
罢丑别听substitution of candidates聽after the last day of filing of certificates of candidacies (COC) will no longer be allowed if the substitution is due to the candidate鈥檚 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聽Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo.
Guo鈥檚 citizenship came into question after she聽failed to provide details about her birth and schooling聽when she was grilled during a Senate hearing by聽Senator Risa Hontiveros.聽