INQToday: Nat鈥檒 Maritime Council to China: Withdraw 鈥榤onster ship鈥� from PH EEZ
Here’s a quick roundup of today’s top stories:
The National Maritime Council (NMC) has asked the Chinese government to withdraw its according to National Task Force West Philippine Sea Spokesperson Jonathan Malaya.
The call was made after the NMC announced on Monday that the Philippine government filed a diplomatic protest against the continued illegal presence and operations of within the country’s EEZ.
Two of the largest Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ships were deployed to shadow China’s so-called “monster ship,” which was last spotted about 77 nautical miles west of Capones Island in Zambales province.
PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela said BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV-9701) — one of the two PCG ships — “is back in the game” after it was repaired in Bataan due to overheating.
Article continues after this advertisementMarcos still firmly against VP Sara’s impeachment – Palace
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. still believes that Vice President Sara Duterte should not be impeached, the Palace on Tuesday.
Article continues after this advertisementExecutive Secretary Lucas Bersamin made the pronouncement when asked if the Iglesia ni Cristo’s (INC) peace rally on Monday had any effect on the President’s stance on Duterte’s impeachment.
Some solons looking for endorsers to expedite VP Sara’s impeachment
Several lawmakers are actively looking for at least 103 colleagues who will endorse a fourth impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte for it to be fast-tracked, House of Representatives Secretary General Reginald Velasco said on Tuesday.
In an interview with reporters at the Batasang Pambansa complex, Velasco said that a group of 12 lawmakers from both the majority and the minority have informed him that the plan is to file a fourth complaint that will be endorsed by over one-third of all House members, so that it can be forwarded immediately to the Senate.
VP Duterte’s trust rating drops by 10 percent – Octa
Vice President Sara Duterte’s trust rating saw a 10-point drop while President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s saw a slight decrease, Octa Research said on Tuesday.
Octa’s 4th Quarter 2024 Tugon ng Masa nationwide survey said Duterte’s trust ratings dropped to 49 percent, which is a 10-percentage-point less from the 59 percent recorded in the previous quarter.
Marcos to DOH: Ensure unhampered delivery of PhilHealth services
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday directed the Department of Health (DOH) to ensure the “unhampered” delivery of Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) services despite its zero government subsidy in the 2025 budget.
According to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) in a statement, Marcos issued the order during a meeting at the Malacañan Palace.
