Fishing communities across the Philippines’ western seaboard—from the far north in Cagayan to the Ilocos provinces to Zambales and the Mindoro provinces—have been protesting the dredging of their rivers and coastlines. An inquiry by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) found that in all these provinces, sand mining operations by Chinese firms have given...
Category: News
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Gatchalian elected Senate president during special session of Congress
The new majority in the Senate solidified its grip on Wednesday after forming a 13-member bloc that elected Sherwin Gatchalian as Senate president. The vote was unanimous for Gatchalian, who on June 3 was elected Senate president pro tempore by the then 12-member bloc. This time he was voted president of the chamber during the...
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Historic protest campout unites climate justice and agrarian movements
For the first time in over a decade, the Philippines’ major agrarian movements, joined by climate justice advocates, came together in a historic protest campout outside the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Central Office in Quezon City. On June 8–11, tents, hammocks, and protest banners lined the Elliptical Road, as more than 500 peasants, farmworkers,...
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Groups push for Risa’s presidential run in 2028
ILOILO CITY — Supporters of Sen. Risa Hontiveros gathered at La Paz Plaza Covered Gym here on Saturday, June 13, for the “Risa na! Kabakod sang Ilonggo Ipakita! (Ilonggos Show of Strength)” rally, drawing participants from across Panay Island and Guimaras. Delegations from the provinces of Antique, Aklan, Capiz, Guimaras, and Iloilo City attended the...
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Joint testimony of 18 ex-bodyguards of Co mostly hearsay, says NBI
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has found that the joint testimony of 18 former bodyguards of fugitive and former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, alleging they delivered billions of pesos in flood control funds to lawmakers, has “no probative value,” as it was mostly hearsay and a “coordinated narrative.” “The evidence is weak....
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New majority elects Sherwin Gatchalian as acting Senate president
A new Senate majority unexpectedly emerged on Wednesday, with 12 senators electing Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian as Senate president pro tempore and acting Senate president, ending the chaotic three-week leadership of Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano. The change occurred after the Cayetano bloc’s Sen. Francis Escudero showed up and joined the 11-member minority on the last session day...
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7 reasons why the party-list system serves dynasties, not democracy
The House of Representatives has approved on second reading an antidynasty bill that critics say will end up legalizing—rather than penalizing—political dynasties. It was silent on the party-list issue, meaning that political-clan members can continue to be elected to party-list seats, taking their place alongside their relatives serving in Congress and local government posts. PCIJ...
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Sotto: Any Senate leadership change should occur before Congress adjourns next week
Any change in the two-week-old, controversy-plagued Senate presidency of Alan Peter Cayetano should happen in the last three session days next week, before Congress goes into sine die adjournment on June 6. And with Congress out, the Senate leadership becomes even more crucial as the chamber is set to embark on one of its important roles:...
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‘We call for sobriety and unity on the current situation in the BARMM’
This statement was issued by groups and individuals expressing concern over recent developments in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. — Ed. We, leaders and representatives from civil society, academe, labor, and business—sectors that have long supported and contributed to sustaining peace in Mindanao, express deep concern and sadness over the growing tensions and...
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Senate impeachment court convened, VP Duterte summoned to respond
Amid loud rumors of another shakeup in its leadership, the Senate convened on Monday as an impeachment court to try Vice President Sara Duterte. The court immediately ordered that a writ of summons be issued to Duterte to respond to the articles of impeachment against her. She had skipped the entire impeachment proceedings of the House...