INQToday: Nicolas Torre III, who led Rodrigo Duterte arrest, is new PNP chief

Here’s a quick roundup of today’s top stories:

Nicolas Torre III, who led Rodrigo Duterte arrest, is new PNP chief

Police Major General Nicolas Torre III has been named as the new Philippine National Police (PNP) chief.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin made the pronouncement during a Palace press conference on Thursday.

Darlene Berberabe named new SolGen, replacing Menardo Guevarra

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has named Darlene Berberabe as the new solicitor general, replacing Menardo Guevarra.

Gueverra himself confirmed this development to reporters on Thursday.

Teves turned over to PH authorities, departs Timor Leste for Manila

Expelled Negros Oriental 3rd District Representative Arnolfo Teves Jr. is set to return to the Philippines as he boarded a plane which will send him back to the country from Timor-Leste on Thursday.

Based on a live telecast by Timorese news outlet SMNews, Teves boarded a Philippine Air Force plane shortly after 1 p.m.

Harry Roque holds only 1 valid PH passport – DFA

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has confirmed that former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque holds only one valid regular Philippine passport.

In a statement on Thursday, the DFA said a verification of its passport database showed that Roque’s most recent passport was issued in July 2024 and is valid until July 9, 2034.

Comelec to drop barangay certificate requirement for voter registration

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will remove the barangay certificate as a requirement for voter registration for the 2025 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) and future polls.

Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia announced it on Thursday, citing recent cases of mass issuance of barangay certificates that could enable irregular transfers of voter registration.