WATCH: As of 9:40 AM, the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) northbound is experiencing heavy traffic due to an increased number of vehicles.
“MAY TOTOONG BENEPISYARYO, MAY TOTOONG RESIBO”
“MAY TOTOONG BENEPISYARYO, MAY TOTOONG RESIBO”
WATCH: Speaker Martin Romualdez seemingly takes a swipe at Vice President Sara Duterte as he defends the Marcos administration’s social amelioration programs or ayuda during his address to fellow lawmakers at the House of Representatives prior to the body’s adjournment for their Christmas break on December 18, 2024. RONALD SIONGCO/GDM
VIDEO: House of Representatives
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has introduced the First Philippine Polymer Banknote Series, showcasing new denominations of ₱500, ₱100, and ₱50, alongside the previously launched ₱1,000 polymer bill from April 2022.
These polymer banknotes feature iconic images of Philippine biodiversity, such as native animals and plants, alongside traditional weaving patterns, reflecting the country’s rich cultural and natural heritage.
The BSP highlights the series' advantages: smarter, cleaner, and stronger. With advanced anti-counterfeiting technology and a reduced carbon footprint, the notes are described as "smarter." Their polymer composition also makes them "cleaner," as viruses and bacteria do not thrive as long on the surface. Additionally, the banknotes are "stronger," lasting longer in circulation compared to traditional paper currency.
The new denominations are set to enter circulation in January 2025.
Video courtesy: BSP
A man was arrested in Taguig on Thursday after allegedly taking his partner and their children, including an 8-month-old baby, hostage. Authorities reported that the incident stemmed from a domestic dispute, where the man purportedly became violent after being denied money to buy alcohol.
The suspect is currently in police custody.
Video courtesy: SPD PIO
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. guaranteed that PhilHealth's services and insurance claim payouts will not decrease despite the zero government subsidy. Instead, he assured the public that PhilHealth's offerings would expand further by 2025.
Addressing concerns regarding the subsidy issue, he emphasized the administration's commitment to strengthening PhilHealth's capacity to deliver improved and more accessible healthcare services to Filipinos.
Video courtesy: PTV
DOJ TO ISSUE SUBPOENA VS DUTERTE?
DOJ TO ISSUE SUBPOENA VS DUTERTE?
WATCH: Department of Justice (DOJ) Undersecretary Jesse Andres says they will ‘look into the possibility” of issuing a subpoena versus former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.
Andres made this remarks in an ambush interview on Thursday, December 19, 2024 after the House quad-committee recommended the filing of charges for alleged crimes against humanity under Section 6 of Republic Act 9851 against Duterte, Senator Bong Go, Senator Ronald ‘Bato” dela Rosa, retired Philippine National Police Chiefs retired Philippine National Police chiefs (PNP) General Oscar Albayalde and General Debold Sinas, former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) general manager and former Police Colonel Royina Garma, former NAPOLCOM Commissioner and retired Police Colonel Edilberto Loenardo and former Palace official Irmina “Muking” Espino in connection with the ex-leader ‘war on drugs’ campaign during his term.
“We will look into that possibility but as of now, there are already admissions on record made by the former president and that is evidence that is admissible because these are all under oath and in a public proceeding,” Andres tells reporters when asked about the matter.
Pressed if Duterte still enjoys immunity being a former chief executive, the DOJ official replies, “well definitely, the past presidents, and I’m referring to anybody, all past presidents are no longer immune from suit. Only the sitting president is immune from any legal suit during his term.” RONALD SIONGCO/GDM
VIDEO: PNA
THIRD IMPEACHMENT COMPLAINT
VP Sara faces third impeachment complaint
WATCH: Priests and lawyers file the third impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte on Thursday, December 19, 2024.
The group’s legal counsel Amando Virgil Ligutan tells reporters in an ambush interview that the 12 complainants belong to priests from the Diocese of Novaliches, Order of Carmelites Congregation of the Mission and lawyers from the Union of Peoples Lawyers in Mindanao
He says it was endorsed by Camarines Sur 3rd District Representative Gabriel Bordado and AAMBIS-OWA party-list Representative Lex Anthony Colada.
Ligutan further adds that the grounds for impeachment are the alleged culpable violation of the Constitution, bribery, graft and corruption, plunder, technical malversation and “ultimately” betrayal of public trust. RONALD SIONGCO/GDM
VIDEO: Radyo Pilipinas
Motorists heading to Metro Manila face significant delays in Barangay Tara, Sipocot, Camarines Sur, as road repairs halt traffic flow.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has issued a warning about the heavy congestion in the area caused by the ongoing roadworks. Travelers are advised to anticipate extended travel times and consider alternative routes, if available.
Video courtesy: RP1
ASSESS
“KAILANGAN MA-ASSESS NG MABUTI KUNG ANO YUNG MAAARING MAGING KASO”
WATCH: President Bongbong Marcos says the Department of Justice (DOJ) has to thoroughly assess the findings of the House quad-committee after the panel recommended the filing of charges for alleged crimes against humanity under Section 6 of Republic Act 9851 against former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, Senator Bong Go, Senator Ronald ‘Bato” dela Rosa, retired Philippine National Police Chiefs retired Philippine National Police chiefs (PNP) General Oscar Albayalde and General Debold Sinas, former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) general manager and former Police Colonel Royina Garma, former NAPOLCOM Commissioner and retired Police Colonel Edilberto Loenardo and former Palace official Irmina “Muking” Espino in connection with the ex-leader ‘war on drugs’ campaign during his term.
“We will go now to DOJ. The DOJ will look at it and see if it is time to file cases, what cases to file, how to produce the evidence that we will need to actually build a case up,” Marcos tells reporters in an ambush interview on Thursday, December 19, 2024. RONALD SIONGCO/GDM
VIDEO: PNA
EXTRAORDINARY RESILIENCE
“YOU HAVE NOT WAVERED”
WATCH: Speaker Martin Romualdez addresses his fellow lawmakers prior to the House of Representatives' adjournment for their Christmas break on Wednesday, December 18, 2024.
In his well-applauded speech, Romualdez thanks his colleagues for holding their ground and for refusing “to be defeated by false accusations and malicious maneuvers driven by self-interest, selfishness and greed.’
He also lauds them for showing “extraordinary resilience” against the “pressures of legislation and complexities of the issues that we face.”
The House will resume its session on January 13, 2025. RONALD SIONGCO/GDM
VIDEO: House of Representatives
PAGBUBUKLOD
“LAHAT TAYO’Y PAREHONG-PAREHONG PILIPINO…SA PAG-AHON AT SA PAGBABA NG BUHAY, MAGKAKASAMA PO TAYO”
WATCH: House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs chairperson and Tingog party-list Representatives Jude Acidre delivers his Christmas message as he calls for “pagbubuklod” among Filipinos regardless of one’s political color during a press conference on Wednesday, December 18, 2024. RONALD SIONGCO/GDM
VIDEO: House of Representatives
AKAP
“HINDI I-VI-VETO NI PRESIDENT YAN”
WATCH: Here are the responses of House Assistant Majority Leader and Ako Bicol Partylist Representative Jil Bongalon, Committee on Women and Gender Equality chairperson and Bataan 1st District Representative Geraldine Roman and House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs chairperson and Tingog party-list Representatives Jude Acidre when asked in a press conference on Wednesday, December 18, 2024 if they are in favor of President Bongbong Marcos vetoing the P26 billion Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) in the proposed 2025 National Budget. RONALD SIONGCO/GDM
VIDEO: House of Representatives