Leila de Lima cleared of final drug charge | The wRap 

Today’s headlines: Leila de Lima, Martin Romualdez & Sara Duterte, West Philippine Sea

Here are today’s headlines – the latest news in the Philippines and around the world:

• Leila de Lima cleared of all drug charges

Former senator Leila de Lima is cleared of the third and final drug charge filed by the Duterte administration on Monday, June 24.

• New opposition? Romualdez wants to hear Sara declare it herself

House Speaker Martin Romualdez says he respects Vice President Sara Duterte’s decision to step down from her Cabinet post but he has yet to recognize assertions that she is the new face of the opposition.

• NPC removes Mayor Alice Guo from party

Nationalist People’s Coalition chairman and former senator Tito Sotto orders the expulsion of suspended Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo.

• ‘Not a misunderstanding’: PH changes tune on China’s Ayungin harassment

The Philippines changes its stance on China’s recent harassment of Filipino troops in Ayungin Shoal, and now describes it as an ‘aggressive and illegal use of force.’

• Taiwan president says autocracy is ‘evil’ after China threatens death for separatism

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te says democracy is not a crime and autocracy is the real ‘evil’ after China threatens to impose the death penalty in extreme cases for ‘diehard’ Taiwan independence separatists.

• Prosecutors indict tanod who ‘killed’ golden retriever Killua

Camarines Sur prosecutors approve the filing of a criminal case against the barangay tanod who allegedly killed golden retriever Killua in March. – Rappler.com