INQToday: Rice to be sold at P20/kg in the Visayas, says agri chief

Here’s a quick roundup of today’s top stories:

Rice to be sold at P20/kg in the Visayas, says agri chief

The Department of Agriculture (DA) announced on Wednesday that rice will be sold at P20 per kilo in the Visayas region.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. announce this at a press briefing streamed live via Facebook. He said that President Marcos instructed his department to implement this program until 2028.

Defense chief Teodoro confirms 2nd batch of India-made BrahMos missiles

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. confirmed on Wednesday reports that India had already sent the second batch of BrahMos cruise missiles to the Philippines.

Teodoro was responding to reports by India’s English-language newspapers—The Economic Times and The New Indian Express—that the missile system was already on its way to the Philippines on a ship.

Defense chief Teodoro: China gov’t fueling ‘sinophobia’, not PH

The Chinese government is the leading cause of “sinophobia” and not the Philippines, according to Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.

Sinophobia is defined as the “fear or intense dislike or hatred of China and anything or anybody from China.”

Comelec targets completed delivery of ballots, ACMs by April 30 – May 1

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is expecting to complete the delivery of ballots and automated counting machines (ACMs) for the May 2025 midterm elections on April 30 and May 1, respectively.

During the Kapihan sa Manila Prince Hotel on Wednesday, Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia said this is for the conduct of the final testing and sealing.

SC charges retired CA justice over lawyer’s murder

The Supreme Court (SC) has formally charged retired Court of Appeals Associate Justice Isaias Dicdican with gross misconduct over his alleged involvement in the murder of a lawyer in 2020.

SC spokesperson Camille Ting made the pronouncement during a press conference in Baguio City.