Today on Rappler – the latest news in the Philippines and around the world:
- Philippines to deport US soldier Pemberton after Duterte pardon. The Philippine government will deport US Marine Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton to the United States after being pardoned by President Rodrigo Duterte for brutally killing a Filipino transgender woman in 2014.
- DOH expects ‘irregularly high number of cases’ this week due to reporting delays. The Department of Health (DOH) said on Wednesday, September 9, that it anticipates an "irregularly high number" of COVID-19 cases in the country in the coming days due to reporting delays.
- Lorraine Badoy’s red-tagging causes suspension of PCOO 2021 budget hearing. Progressive lawmakers outraged by Presidential Communications Undersecretary Lorraine Badoy’s persistent red-tagging managed to suspend her entire agency’s 2021 budget hearing at the House of Representatives on Wednesday, September 9.
- Cimatu counters DOH: Dolomite in Manila Bay not harmful to health. Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu refuted claims by experts that dolomite dumped in Manila Bay will cause respiratory illnesses.
- FALSE: COVID-19 is a program for mass extermination, not a real disease. COVID-19 has been verified by the WHO as a naturally-occurring virus. No scientific evidence proves otherwise.
