Windows26: Comelec gets stricter: No more ‘placeholder’ ploys

May 16, 2024

Hello, reader! Today, we bring you stories on Comelec's stricter rules on 'placeholder' candidates for 2025, China Coast Guard's attempt to block 'Atin Ito' convoy, Beijing's denial of new reclamation in the WPS, and the slowest remittance growth in nine months.

Comelec gets stricter: No more 'placeholder' ploys

For the 2025 midterm elections, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has banned the substitution of poll aspirants who withdraw from the race at the last minute to open a spot for reserve candidates.

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2 China Coast Guard ships try to block 'Atin Ito' convoy

Two China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels on Wednesday shadowed and tried to block the Filipino civilian-led convoy sailing toward Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), a resource-rich area in the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ) that was seized by China in 2012.

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New 'reclamation' just rumors, says China; PCG sneers at denial

China has dismissed as "sheer rumor" the recent statements of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) that Beijing may again be building artificial islands in the country's exclusive economic zone.

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March remittance growth slowest in nine months

Money sent home by Filipinos abroad posted its slowest growth in nine months in March as expats also grappled with high inflation and potential economic slowdown in their host countries.

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House also wants to probe Bamban mayor

House lawmakers are eyeing a parallel probe of Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, who is being investigated by the Senate over allegations she may be a Chinese asset who has infiltrated the government by winning the local post in 2022.

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EDITORIAL: Worrisome presence

Better late than never. That best describes the decision of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to implement stricter rules on the issuance of tourist visas to Chinese nationals in the wake of reports that fraudulently-obtained passports and visas had resulted in their illicit entry and overstay.

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