PTV Rewind brings you the highlights of the latest and relevant news from April 5–11, 2025:
- Zdorovetskiy to face charges in PH after filming brash content — DILG chief
April 7, 2025
Russian-American vlogger Vitaly Zdorovetskiy will have to face his charges before a Philippine court before being deported to his home country, according to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Sec. Jonvic Remulla.
In a press conference on April 7, Remulla stressed that Zdorovetskiy—who is under restrictive custody of the Bureau of Immigration—will face multiple raps for his video contents showing his inappropriate and disruptive behavior against several Filipinos, most notably his reported harassment of a security guard in Taguig City while filming a vlog.
“Tapos na po ang mga dayuhan na akala nila [ay] kaya nilang lapastangin ang mga Pilipino. Ito’y ehemplo na seryoso tayo na sa sariling bayan natin: hindi tayo magpapabastos sa kanila,” the DILG chief said.
“People have to take responsibility for the content they create. It is not a license to shame or to hurt or to scorn anyone,” Remulla added.
READ MORE: https://ptvnews.ph/brash-russian-vlogger-to-face-raps-in-ph1/
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- Harry Roque behind so-called ‘polvoron video’ — Cunanan
April 8, 2025
Social media influencer Vicente “Pebbles” Cunanan accused former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque of orchestrating the circulation of the “polvoron video,” which allegedly showed President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. using illegal drugs.
During the April 8 hearing of the House of Representatives Tri-Committee on the role of social media in the coordinated spread of fake news and through a sworn affidavit submitted to members of the House panel, Cunanan claimed that the deepfake video was part of a deliberate campaign to damage Marcos’ credibility and destabilize the administration.
“Ako ay naniniwalang si Atty. Roque ang orihinal na pinagmulan ng polvoron video at na siya ang nagpakalat nito sa publiko upang sirain ang kredibilidad ng Pangulo,” Cunanan’s affidavit read.
READ MORE: https://ptvnews.ph/harry-roque-behind-alleged-polvoron-video-vlogger/
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- Palace to PBBM accusers: Prove why Marcos should do hair follicle test
April 10, 2025
Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro slammed the people calling on President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to take a hair follicle drug test, demanding the accusers to provide supposed proof of their allegations before asking him to take such tests.
In a press briefing at Malacañang on April 10, Castro stressed that the burden of proof lies on the accusers and not on the President.
“Kayo pong nagbibintang, kayong humihingi, na nagdi-demand sa Pangulo, kayo muna ang magpatunay na mayroon siyang ginagawang mali. Kapag wala po kayong napatunayan, wala po kayong karapatang humingi sa Pangulo ng anumang demand patungkol sa hair follicle test,” the Palace official said.
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- Palace assures gov’t support to victims of Kanlaon Volcano unrest
April 8, 2025
Malacañang assured that national government is actively coordinating with local authorities to provide assistance to the communities affected by latest eruption of Kanlaon Volcano in Negros Island on April 8.
Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Administrator, Usec. Ariel Nepomuceno announced that the office of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has also ordered the release of P63 million additional financial aid to affected local government units.
Kanlaon remains under Alert Level 3, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).
READ MORE: https://ptvnews.ph/kanlaon-hit-lgus-to-get-additional-p63-m-cash-assistance-from-op/
RELATED NEWS: https://ptvnews.ph/classes-suspended-as-kanlaon-erupts-anew/
WATCH:
- PBBM leads condemnation of P3.2-B worth of smuggled vape products
April 7, 2025
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., along with other government officials, led the destruction of P3.26 billion worth of electronic vapes, vape parts, and accessories seized by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) in 2024.
In a speech, the President reiterated his administration’s commitment to combating smuggling through the efforts of BOC in intensifying its seizure operations.
“Patuloy nating gagawin ito, and I just wanted to highlight the efforts that we are doing and the dangers that accompany these smuggled vapes far and beyond the loss and revenue to the government. More important to us are the health issues that these smuggled vapes have raised,” Marcos said.
READ MORE: https://ptvnews.ph/pbbm-leads-condemnation-of-p3-2-b-worth-of-seized-and-forfeited-vape-products/
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- PBBM OKs issuance of safe conduct passes to amnesty seekers
April 11, 2025
A testament to the administration’s commitment to unity and peace in the country, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed a Memorandum Order authorizing the National Amnesty Commission (NAC) to issue safe conduct passes to former combatants seeking amnesty from the government.
During a ceremony at Camp Brigadier General Gonzalo H. Siongco in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao, the President assured former rebels that the government is ready to welcome those who wish to come back to the folds of law and give up armed struggle.
“Ang mga safe conduct passes na ito ay hindi lamang magbibigay ng proteksyon sa mga aplikante ng amnestiya laban sa pagkaaresto, pagkakulong, at pag-uusig. Higit sa lahat, ito ay isang paanyaya sa lahat ng mga rebelde na ihinto ang armadong pakikibaka. Ito ay isang bagong pahina upang makapagsimula muli,” Marcos said.
READ MORE: https://ptvnews.ph/pbbm-oks-issuance-of-safe-conduct-passes-for-amnesty-applicants/
WATCH:
- PH economic czar Go bound for U.S. as Trump’s global tariffs take effect
April 10, 2025
Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs Frederick Go has communicated with the United States Trade Representative (USTR) for a possible negotiation on the 17% tariff imposed by US President Donald Trump on certain Philippine goods entering the American market.
In a press briefing at Malacañang on April 10, Go said he also plans to work out a possible free trade agreement between the Philippines and the US.
“Free trade agreement means zero tariffs on their side, zero tariffs on our side—that’s probably the best possible outcome of that meeting but again it’s open communication, dialogue, cooperation, and let’s see what we can negotiate,” Go explained.
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