Day: April 8, 2025

Manila: The House of Representatives Tri-Committee on Tuesday cited social media personalities Sass Rogando Sasot, Lorraine Badoy, and Jeffrey Celiz in contempt over their repeated refusal, without legal excuse, to attend its hearings on digital disinformation despite being subpoenaed. Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel stated that only eight out of the 11 personalities subpoenaed at a previous hearing appeared for the Tri-Committee’s fourth hearing. According to Philippines News Agency, Abang Lingkod Party-list Rep. Joseph Stephen Paduano moved to cite Sasot, Badoy, and Celiz in contempt for violating Section 11, Paragraph A of the House rules, which penalizes refusal to

Baguio: More residents of this city are turning to the “911” hotline for help after response time became shorter resulting from the joining of more telecommunication companies in the program. According to Philippines News Agency, data from the city government revealed that in 2024, the Baguio Smart City Command Center received 17,006 legitimate calls, which were dispatched to the appropriate response offices, including the Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Emergency Medical Service (EMS), and various medical facilities. Aileen Refuerzo, chief information officer of the city government, noted an increase in the number of legitimate callers, indicating

Bicol: The Police Regional Office in Bicol (PRO-5) reported a 9.71-percent decrease in the crime rate in the region during the first three months of the year, compared to the same period last year. PRO-5 Director Brig. Gen. Andre Dizon announced that 5,020 crimes were recorded from January to March, 540 cases lower than the 5,560 incidents in the first quarter of 2024. According to Philippines News Agency, the decline in crime rate is attributed to enhanced police visibility, intensified law enforcement efforts, and proactive community engagement. Dizon stated that both index and non-index crimes saw a reduction this quarter.

Manila: The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Tuesday accused two Filipino vloggers of helping spread pro-China disinformation about the West Philippine Sea (WPS), calling the campaign ‘coordinated and malicious.’ According to Philippines News Agency, during the House Tri-Committee hearing on online fake news, PCG spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela identified Anna Malindog Uy and Ado Paglinawan as content creators who allegedly amplify false narratives that support Beijing’s stance and attack Philippine interests. Tarriela noted that Uy claimed the PCG was responsible for ramming a China Coast Guard vessel, while Paglinawan dismissed the WPS issue as ‘lunacy’ and criticized senators for their

Seoul: The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Tuesday announced its commitment to provide legal assistance to the 20 Filipino crew members of M/V Lunita, a vessel seized by South Korean authorities for allegedly carrying two tons of cocaine. According to Philippines News Agency, DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac revealed in a television interview that within the next two days, the department will integrate its own lawyers into the legal team supporting the crew. The Norwegian-flagged cargo vessel, manned by Filipino crew, was intercepted by the Korea Coast Guard and Korea Customs Service at the port of Okgye in Gangwon