Listen to Cebu Daily Newscast and get the latest stories in and around Cebu.
Here’s what you need to know on Wednesday, October 18.
‘I never blessed Sto. Niño Hubad’- Archbishop Palma
Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma/ CDN Photo
Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma reminded the public to be cautious of viral posts online, specifically about the statues of a naked Sto. Niño, or the ‘Sto. Niño Hubad.’
Palma issued a statement on Monday, October 16, through the Facebook page of The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cebu, to debunk rumors that he blessed the Sto. Niño Hubad.
He said he would never bless the naked statue because the owner of the post claimed that the statue is good luck for business and “gayuma” or charm which is contrary to the teachimgs of the church.
The archbishop told the public to be careful with posts like this on social media.
Japanese, Korean drown in Mandaue, Camotes
A Japanese and Korean national drowned in different areas in Cebu on Tuesday.
On Tuesday morning, rescuers recovered the body of a 30-year-old Japanese national off the seawaters of Pajara Park which is under the Marcelo Fernan Bridge in Mandaue City.
Authorities said the victim is an English language student in Cebu City. They are also verifying reports that the victim was allegedly suffering from depression.
Also on Tuesday morning, the body of a Korean national was found floating along the beach in San Francisco town, Camotes island. Rescuers tried to resuscitate the victim, but to no avail. They then rushed him to the Camotes District Hospital but the attending physician there declared him dead on arrival.
Confidential funds: House stands firm on decision to realign funds despite Duterte threats
In national news, confidential funds amounting to P1.23 billion will still go to government agencies defending the West Philippine Sea the House of Representatives said despite the “threats and intimidation” from former President Rodrigo Duterte.
Quezon City Rep. Franz Pumaren gave the assurance after leaders of political parties in the House called out Duterte over his statements that they said maligned and threatened Congress.
Pumaren said the former chief executive should go through the proper channels and file charges if his allegations have basis and not insinuate bodily harm or even the murder of a member of the House of Representatives.
Last week, Duterte slammed Congress as the “most rotten institution” in the country and called for an audit of its expenses. He also threatened to kill ACT Representative France Castro, who was among the vocal critics of confidential and intelligence funds in the national budget.
Sharon Cuneta ‘nakatikim’ kay Cristy Fermin: ‘Hindi na naman niya nakontrol ang kanyang sarili’
In showbiz, ayon sa veteran columnist at TV-radio host na si Cristy Fermin hindi na dapat pumapatol si Megastar Sharon Cuneta sa mga bashers at trolls.
Ito’y matapos ngang banatan ng Megastar ang isang netizen na nambasag sa kanyang Instagram post patungkol sa panganay niyang anak na si KC Concepcion.
Para kay Nanay Cristy at sa mga co-host niyang sina Romel Chika at Wendell Alvarez, hindi na dapat pinatulan ni Mega ang basher.
Sey pa ni Nanay Cristy, isang public figure si Sharon at sikat na personalidad sa mundo ng showbiz kaya natural lang na makatanggap siya ng mga pang-ookray at panlalait.