00:01An extortion complaint by former Speaker Martin Romualdez triggers the arrest of Peanut Gallery Media Network founder Franco Mabanta.
00:09The San Jose del Monte local government takes over the city's water district after continued poor service from prime water.
00:15Political science Leandro Leviste and Ryan Recto clash at the House of Representatives after Leviste alleges Recto's parents are corrupt.
00:23U.S. President Donald Trump will briefly pause the operation to help escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz.
00:28And nearly half of young people in Europe turn to AI chatbots for emotional support.
00:41An extortion complaint by former Speaker Martin Romualdez triggers the arrest of Peanut Gallery Media Network founder Franco Mabanta.
00:48The National Bureau of Investigation arrested Mabanta and four others in an entrapment operation Tuesday, May 5.
00:54Mabanta allegedly demanded that Romualdez hand over P300 million pesos in exchange for withholding content linking the lawmaker to corruption
01:02in the House of Representatives.
01:04This supposedly prompted Romualdez to file a complaint with the NBI.
01:08Mabanta was a social media strategist of the Marcoses in 2018.
01:12But Palace Press Officer Claire Castro clarifies Mabanta is no friend of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
01:18Castro instead presents photos of Mabanta with the Dutertes, questioning their relationship.
01:23Mabanta and the four other suspects are currently under the custody of the NBI.
01:29The San Jose del Monte local government takes over the city's water district after continued poor service from prime water.
01:36Mayor Florida Robes leads the takeover which gives the LGU authority over prime water's facilities and assets in accordance with
01:43the March 13 city ordinance.
01:44The ordinance also reports at least 62 barangays and 25% of total households in the city experienced varying degrees
01:52of serious water service interruptions.
01:54A Raptor report in April 2025 showed how the city's residents have been suffering from prime water's bad service for
02:01nearly a decade.
02:02The water service crisis also pushed the city government to declare a state of calamity in March 2026.
02:08The takeover allows the LGU to manage the city's water supply as well as appoint an interim water utility operator.
02:14The takeover will last one year in line with the limits of the LGU's emergency powers.
02:20No representatives from prime water attended the May 5 press conference but they were present at the city's water district
02:26building.
02:27City officials served the takeover notice to officers during a meeting right before the conference.
02:32The company responded, received with objections.
02:37Political science Leandro Leviste and Ryan Recto clash at the House of Representatives after Leviste alleges
02:43Recto's parents are corrupt.
02:45Leviste, the 1st District Representative of Batangas, claims CWS Representative and suspected political contractor Edwin Guardiola
02:52funded the campaign of Recto's mother and Batangas Governor Vilma Santos Recto in the 2025 elections.
02:58He insinuates this was for political favors.
03:01Kung baliyo man ako, at least hindi ako magnanakaw.
03:07Tila affected si Recto sa mga post ko tungkol sa kanya at si Congressman Edwin Guardiola.
03:14Kung lehitimo man ito, mabuti at maging transparent si Secretary Recto sa kanyang yaman.
03:19At kung ang ginagastos ni Cong Guardiola para sa kampanya nila ay may kaugnayan sa pagiging contractor ni Guardiola sa
03:29Batangas.
03:29Leviste also says he was invited to join a scheme where Recto's father, Executive Secretary Ralph Recto,
03:35would use his cabinet post to profit from public works projects.
03:39Ryan Recto, the Batangas 6th District Representative, refutes Leviste's allegations against his father.
03:44On the alleged ties between Congressman Edwin Guardiola and Executive Secretary Ralph Recto,
03:50their association is purely professional, as Congressman Guardiola is also a member of the House of Representatives and a fellow
04:00Batanggenyo.
04:02There are no personal interests involved, but only a shared commitment to fulfill their duties to their constituents.
04:09The House later approves a motion to strike Leviste's speech from the record.
04:13Meantime, Secretary Recto flips the script and claims it was Leviste who allegedly tried to bribe him
04:19with 400 million pesos and then 1 billion pesos for political favors in the 2025 elections.
04:25Secretary Recto also calls Leviste a bitter brat who is prone to tantrums.
04:32U.S. President Donald Trump will briefly pause the operation to help escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz,
04:38citing great progress toward a comprehensive agreement with Iran.
04:41He says we have mutually agreed that, while the blockade will remain in full force and effect,
04:46Project Freedom will be paused for a short period of time to see whether or not the agreement can be
04:50finalized and signed.
04:52There was no immediate response from Tehran.
04:55The White House did not comment on how long the pause would last.
04:58After Trump's post, U.S. crude oil futures fell $2.30 and broke below $100 per barrel.
05:04U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio earlier said Iran could not be allowed to control traffic through the Strait.
05:11Iran has effectively sealed off the Strait by threatening to deploy mines, drones, missiles, and fast-attack craft.
05:17The U.S. has countered by blockading Iranian ports and mounting escorted transits for commercial vessels.
05:25Nearly 1 in 2 young people in Europe turned to AI chatbots for emotional support.
05:30Of the 3,800 people surveyed by Ipsos BVA, 51% says it was easy to discuss personal issues with
05:37a chatbot.
05:38Around 90% of those surveyed had used AI tools before, citing their constant availability and quote, non-judgmental nature.
05:45More than 3 in 5 users describe AI as a life advisor or a confidant.
05:51Only 49% say they feel comfortable sharing issues with healthcare professionals and 37% with psychologists.
05:58Even then, a majority or 68% say it was easy to share issues with friends and 61% with
06:04parents.
06:05The survey was carried out among people aged 11 to 25 across France, Germany, Sweden, and Ireland in early 2026.
06:12The survey also finds about 28% of respondents meet the threshold for suspected generalized anxiety disorder.
06:26For more updates, download the Rappler app.
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