Windows26: NSC: Island-building China, not PH, wrecking reefs

July 10, 2024

Happy lunch, reader! This Wednesday, we're covering Philippine officials blaming China for reef destruction, the Comelec chief denying a P120-M bribe, and Alice Guo's Senate no-show.

NSC: Island-building China, not PH, wrecking reefs

It is China — the aggressive, large-scale builder of militarized artificial islands in the South China Sea (SCS) — and not the Philippines that has wreaked havoc on the marine environment in the resource-rich waterway, Philippine officials said.

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Navy asserts PH vessel to stay at shoal, cites 'past experiences'

For a week now, the largest coast guard vessels of the Philippines and China have been in close proximity to each other at Escoda (Sabina) Shoal. As neither of them had budged, the Philippine Navy reiterated that the Filipinos wouldn't be the first to do so, citing "our past experiences and current capabilities."

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Comelec chief denies receiving P120-M bribe from South Korean firm

Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chair George Erwin Garcia branded as "malicious" and part of a "demolition job" a lawmaker's allegation about bribe money being deposited in his offshore bank accounts during the bidding for the new automated elections systems (AES) service provider.

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Guo cites health, death threats in 'excuse letter' to Senate

Suspended Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo cannot invoke her right against self-incrimination as an excuse for not attending the Senate inquiry into her alleged involvement in the illegal activities of Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos), senators said.

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Vital documents vs Pogo execs seized in Clark

Authorities found on Monday night some important documents that they said would strengthen the government's cases against suspected "big bosses" of an illegal Philippine offshore gaming operator (Pogo) hub in Bamban town, Tarlac.

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EDITORIAL: A record-high national budget

The proposed 2025 budget of P6.352 trillion, 10.1 percent higher than this year's P5.768 trillion expenditure program, is another record-high national budget. According to Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, the proposed budget "seeks to continue fostering economic and social transformation for a prosperous, inclusive, and resilient future under the President's vision of a Bagong Pilipinas."

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