INQToday: Binay walks out after clash with Cayetano during Senate building inquiry
Here’s a quick roundup of today’s top stories:
The Philippines does not face an “imminent attack” from China, the National Security Council (NSC) said on Wednesday, after Senator Imee Marcos’ warning that 25 areas in the country could be possible targets of a Chinese hypersonic missile attack.
Marcos on Monday said Beijing might use its hypersonic missiles in areas including the Ilocos region, Subic, and Batanes due to Manila’s move to approve more Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites, where Washington is allowed to store equipment and station troops.
Heated debate, walkout mar Senate building inquiry
A heated debate and a walkout marred the first day of the Senate inquiry into the construction of the New Senate Building (NSB) in Taguig City.
“Nabuang ka na, ‘day (You’ve gone crazy, lady),” Senator Alan Peter Cayetano said after Senator Nancy Binay walked out from the hearing of the Senate committee on accounts on Wednesday.
Article continues after this advertisementThe National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is examining the fingerprints of a third “Alice Guo” who applied for clearance in Quezon in 2025, NBI Director Jaime Santiago said in a press conference on Wednesday
Article continues after this advertisement“There is still another ‘Alice Guo’ who obtained clearance in 2005. The result of the fingerprint examination will be released within the day,” Santiago told reporters, speaking partly in Filipino.
The Senate investigation will not waver even if more Alice Guos emerge in the country, Senator Risa Hontiveros said on Wednesday.
According to Hontiveros, the probe will remain focused on Bamban Mayor Alice Guo, who is being linked to illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (Pogos).
Wesley Leal Guo, embattled Bamban Mayor Alice Guo’s brother, is actually Chinese national Guo Xiang Dian.
Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian revealed this on Wednesday, citing fingerprint results provided by the National Bureau of Investigation.
Sen. Risa Hontiveros said the Philippines and China should have discussed ways to make certain that deported Chinese criminals deported can’t return to the Philippines ever again.
Hontiveros made the remark after Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian met in Malacañang on Monday to discuss mutual concerns, particularly transnational crimes.
