Duterte defends Duque amid COA findings

Today on Rappler – the latest news in the Philippines and around the world:

Duterte insists no corruption in DOH, refuses to fire Duque

President Rodrigo Duterte defends the health department from allegations of corruption stemming from the recent Commission on Audit report.

Emotional Duque hits COA: Winarak ‘nyo kami

An emotional Health Secretary Francisco Duque III faces a House committee Tuesday, August 17, following a controversial audit report of his department’s COVID-19 funds amounting to P67.3 billion.

Backlash against PUV driver party-list representative’s Balesin wedding

Claudine Bautista, representative for public utility vehicle driver party-list, is under fire for getting married in luxury destination Balesin Island Resort.

Evacuation flights resume at Kabul airport as Biden defends US withdrawal

Military flights evacuating diplomats and civilians from Afghanistan restart early on Tuesday, August 17, a day after chaos reigned at the airport, when US police fired gunshots to disperse crowds as people clung to a US military transport plane.

‘Drag Race Philippines’ opens season 1 casting

RuPaul announces early Tuesday, August 17, that casting for Drag Race Philippines is open. Meantime, one of Drag Race’s most popular queens, Filipino-American Manila Luzon, is set to host another drag queen reality competition, Drag Den Philippines. – Rappler.com