Sara Duterte accused of gifting cash to ex-DepEd undersecretary | The wRap

Here are today’s headlines – the latest news in the Philippines and around the world:

• Ex-DepEd official: Sara Duterte gifted cash, possibly to influence my decision

Former Department of Education undersecretary Gloria Mercado claims former DepEd secretary Sara Duterte gave cash on a regular basis when she became head of the procuring entity of the department.

• House leader: Funds potentially misused by VP Sara ‘surpass threshold for plunder’

House good government committee chairperson Joel Chua defends the congressional inquiry into Sara Duterte’s budget utilization saying the amounts surpass the threshold for plunder.

• Philippines says its aircraft was shadowed by Chinese navy helicopter during patrol

A Chinese navy helicopter shadowed and approached a Philippine fisheries bureau aircraft while on patrol near the disputed Scarborough Shoal.

• Akbayan back in the House after Comelec formalizes 2022 election win

The Commission on Elections declares Akbayan a winner in the 2022 elections. The poll body makes official Akbayan’s victory, allowing its first nominee LGBTQ+ rights advocate Perci Cendaña to have a seat in the House of Representatives.

• Bianca Bustamante keeps head up after promising Singapore GP qualifying races

Filipina F1 Academy driver Bianca Bustamante looks at the silver linings, after the lackluster rankings in the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix. – Rappler.com