Here are today's headlines – the latest news in the Philippines and around the world:
- Tolentino says China sanction an ‘honor’: I’ll continue defending PH rights - Tito Sotto open to leading minority bloc if not elected Senate president - ‘Drop in the bucket’: Labor groups say P50 hike in NCR minimum wage not enough - Manila to declare state of health emergency due to garbage problem - Beyonce’s flying car malfunctions mid-air during ‘Cowboy Carter’ tour
00:08Former Senator Francis Tolentino is sanctioned by China. He says he is honored.
00:19Senator Tito Soto says he is ready to take minority leadership if he is not elected Senate President.
00:24The minimum wage in Metro Manila is increased by 50 pesos.
00:28Manila Mayor Esco Moreno is set to declare a state of health emergency due to the city's garbage problem.
00:34And Beyoncé's flying car malfunctions during her Cowboy Carter tour.
00:40Former Senator Francis Tolentino says it is an honor to be sanctioned by China over what it calls his egregious conduct on China-related issues.
00:48This after China's foreign ministry announced sanctions against the former senator who failed to secure a new term.
00:54Tolentino was the chairman of the Senate Special Committee on Philippine Maritime and Admiralty Zones.
00:59He shepherded the passage of the Philippine Maritime Zones and Archipelagic Sea Lanes Acts.
01:04These are laws that codify the 2016 Arbitral Award, which upheld the Philippine sovereign rights in parts of the South China Sea, which is locally called the West Philippine Sea.
01:13In a statement, Tolentino says the sanction is, quote, proof of a steadfast resolve to protect our national interest and the dignity of our people.
01:21In April, Tolentino accused the Chinese embassy in the Philippines of tapping a marketing firm to propagate a pro-Beijing message.
01:27Senator Tito Soto says he is ready to take the minority leadership, if not elected, Senate President.
01:35He says, quote,
01:36That role is also a good one. I am very prepared for it because I had served as minority leader before, back when Neni Pimentel was Senate President.
01:44Soto is vying for Senate presidency against current President Chisa Escudero.
01:48The senator ran under President Marcus' slate in the midterms.
01:51When asked if being part of the minority means opposing the president, Soto says he is willing to cooperate with the administration while remaining critical when needed.
02:00In May, Soto said three to four senators approached him about taking Escudero's place.
02:05In a separate briefing, Senator Joel Villanueva says he believes Escudero currently has enough support.
02:11Meantime, opposition Senator Risa Ontiveros expresses her desire to become the minority leader, but admits she does not have enough support.
02:19Metro Manila's Regional Wage Board increases the minimum wage by 50 pesos.
02:25This after proposals for across-the-board wage hikes languished in the 19th Congress.
02:30From 645 pesos, the daily minimum wage in Metro Manila is now 695 pesos for the non-agriculture sector.
02:38From 608, the agriculture sector, service and retail sectors with 15 workers or less, and manufacturing establishments employing less than 10 workers, should earn a daily wage of 658 pesos.
02:51The increase will take effect on July 18 and is seen to benefit around 1.2 million minimum wage earners in the Metro.
02:58Meantime, labor groups express dismay over the increase, with Partido Manggagawa, or PM, calling it a drop in the bucket.
03:05PM and the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines, or TUCP, are calling for a legislated wage increase of 200 pesos.
03:15On his first day in office, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno says he will declare a state of health emergency over the growing garbage problem.
03:21He made the announcement in a Facebook live stream on Monday, June 30, after finding out that garbage collectors stopped working because they were not being paid by the city's previous administration.
03:32Moreno adds uncollected trash could harm people's health and safety, especially the elderly and children.
03:38In a letter to the mayor, Phil Echo and Metro Waste Solid Management said they were terminating their contracts with the city starting June 30.
03:45Moreno says the city owes about 400 million pesos to Phil Echo and Metro Waste.
03:49As a temporary solution, the mayor ordered the City Engineering Office, the Department of Public Services, and the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office to mobilize all personnel and equipment to help with the cleanup.
04:01He also asked Barangay officials to clean the streets and creeks in Manila.
04:07Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter tour had a brief scare on Saturday when a mid-air stage car prop malfunctioned.
04:12The mishap happened near the end of the show when Beyoncé was performing 16 carriages while riding a red Cadillac hanging above the crowd.
04:20The car suddenly stopped and tilted, causing fans to gasp and worry as she said stop a few times.
04:25The crowd was relieved when the singer was safely lowered to the stage, smiling and waving to the fans.
04:31Despite the scare, Beyoncé resumed her performance.
04:33And that's today's wrap.
04:37I'm Cara Oliver.
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