Abbey M.

The water level at La Mesa Dam in Quezon City neared its spilling level on Monday, August 10, after nonstop rains brought by the southwest monsoon, or habagat, continued to pour over Metro Manila.

As of 10 a.m. Monday, the dam's water level stood at 80.11 meters, already past its critical level of 79.50 meters and just 0.04 meters away from its spilling level of 80.15 meters.

The excess water is expected to affect low-lying areas along the Tullahan River.

Areas that could be affected include Fairview, Forest Hills Subdivision, Quirino Highway, Sta. Quiteria, and San Bartolome in Quezon City; the North Expressway and La Huerta Subdivision in Valenzuela; and parts of Malabon.

Residents, especially those living near riverbanks, are advised to stay alert for the possible continued rise of water levels along the Tullahan River.

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Some Filipinos find themselves drowning in debt due to loan sharks and unregulated online lending apps that lure them in with fast, no-hassle approval, only to trap them in a cycle of repeat borrowing through steep interest rates and fees.

To help address this, the Land Bank of the Philippines is offering small business owners a state-backed loan program as a safer alternative to these unregulated lenders.

A member of Landbank's board of directors Virginia Orogo discussed the program on the "Get It Straight" segment of Good Morning Kuya, hosted by Kuya Daniel Razon on August 10.

Kuya Daniel said online lending apps, or OLAs, typically draw in borrowers with the promise of easy credit, then charge interest rates and fees steep enough to trap them in a cycle of repeat borrowing. He said informal loan sharks operating outside any regulation carry the same risk, often leaving borrowers with debt they have no realistic way of repaying.

Orogo used the segment to introduce the LIFTING MSMEs Lending Program, which she described as a Landbank initiative offering micro, small, and medium enterprises access to capital at fair, workable terms.

She said the program is part of Landbank's mandate as a state financial institution to expand financial inclusion, and gives small business owners a lending option without the risks attached to unregulated apps and lenders.

Kuya Daniel closed the segment urging viewers to think twice before turning to an unregulated lender, and to look into accredited programs such as Landbank's instead.

Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KM3cmy_BxTU

The leadership of the Philippine National Police (PNP) believes Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa remains in the Philippines, as authorities continue monitoring his possible whereabouts.

PNP Chief, General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., said the police are looking into the locations of the senator's friends, relatives, and known companions in an effort to track him down.

“We are looking at the different places of the whereabouts of friends, relatives, as well as kung sino yung lagi niyang kasama [other possible companions]. And most probably is nandito siya sa Pilipinas”

The PNP chief said authorities continue to receive information regarding the senator's possible location, though he stressed that these reports still need to undergo verification and intelligence processing before any action is taken.

The renewed search comes after the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and Malacañang earlier denied rumors that Dela Rosa had already been arrested over a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC). 

The warrant stems from his alleged complicity with former President Rodrigo Duterte in the case of crimes against humanity.

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Vice President Sara Duterte expressed her deep gratitude to the people who continue to support and trust her and the Office of the Vice President despite the challenges the office has faced.

This was the Vice President's response when asked by the media for her reaction to consistently leading several surveys on preferred presidential candidates for the 2028 elections.

When asked for her reaction to consistently topping several presidential preference surveys ahead of the 2028 elections, Vice President Duterte said she remains grateful to the Filipino people regardless of where she lands in the rankings.

"Sa lahat ng surveys mula noong 2022 lagi ay ang aking pagpapasalamat sa taumbayan dahil patuloy yung kanilang pagtitiwala at pagsuporta sa akin sa aking mga kasamahan at sa tanggapan ng pangalawang pangulo kahit na medyo hirap yung aming organisasyon dahil sa politika, sa paninira at sa pagpapahirap sa amin para gawin namin ang trabaho namin, kaya it's a message of gratitude when surveys comeout number1 man ako or hindi." 

[For all the surveys since 2022, my response has always been one of gratitude to the people, because of their continued trust and support for me, my colleagues, and the Office of the Vice President, even though our organization has faced difficulties due to politics, character attacks, and efforts to hamper us from doing our job. So it's a message of gratitude whether I come out on top in surveys or not.]

In previous survey results conducted by Pulse Asia, the Social Weather Stations (SWS), and OCTA Research's Tugon ng Masa, VP Duterte's name has consistently led among those considered likely to run for president in the next elections.

The Vice President announced her plan to run for president in the 2028 national elections this past February.

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Vice President Sara Duterte believes the current administration is preoccupied with politics and is allegedly harassing individuals who oppose them, while also taking a swipe at Palace Press Officer Claire Castro, saying she should be more professional as the President's spokesperson.

Asked to react to what appears to be the current administration singling out personalities not allied with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Vice President Duterte said the pattern is clear. She said everyone who does not fall in line with the Palace is experiencing various forms of harassment.

"Well, it shows kung ano yung pinagkakaabalahan ng administrasyon ngayon, ng gobyerno ngayon pinagkakaabalahan nila ay pulitika dahil nakikita natin na may pattern na hindi lang si dating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte, hindi lang ako, kundi lahat ng hindi sumunod sa palasyo kay President Marcos ay hinahabol, tinitira, kinakasuhan, hinaharas, tini-threaten," she said. 

[Well, it shows what the administration, the government, is preoccupied with right now — it's politics, because we can see a pattern where it's not just former President Rodrigo Duterte, not just me, but everyone who does not fall in line with the Palace under President Marcos is being pursued, targeted, charged, harassed, and threatened.]

The Vice President also addressed rumors that spread the previous day claiming Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa had been arrested, saying this was meant only to disrupt her ongoing impeachment trial. She said there was no need to further complicate the proceedings, as it was already messy from the start due to what she described as the "bending of the law."

"I dont think kailangan guluhin ang Impeachment. Napakaklaro naman yung bending the law diyan sa impeachment na yan simula pa sa House of Representatives, hanggang sa pagkakaroon ng dalawang tao na nakaupo doon sa ano bang tawag diyan? Stage or rostrum or elevated platform. Hindi na kailangan guluhin ang impeachment dahil magulo na siya sa bending the law," she said. 

[I don't think there's a need to complicate the impeachment. The bending of the law in this impeachment is very clear, starting from the House of Representatives, up to having two people seated on that — what do you call it? Stage or rostrum or elevated platform. There's no need to complicate the impeachment further because it's already messy due to the bending of the law.]

Despite the challenges surrounding the case, Duterte praised her defense team for their performance in the trial. "Of course, yes. Nagpapasalamat lang talaga ako dahil mayroong mga abogado na tinanggap ang aking kaso at they are diligent and passionate enough to defend me," she said. 

[Of course, yes. I am truly grateful that there are lawyers who accepted my case, and they are diligent and passionate enough to defend me.]

The Vice President also once again responded to statements made against her by Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro, saying Usec. Castro should exhibit professionalism, especially since she serves as the President's spokesperson.

Vice President Duterte continues to face the impeachment complaint before the Impeachment Court, which is currently deliberating on the alleged misuse of confidential funds.

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