Was the leadership of Senate President Vicente Sotto III truly in peril last Feb. 4, when rumors swirled that the 9-member minority had gathered more than the so-called “Magic 13” votes to unseat him? As the 3 p.m. session of the Senate began that Wednesday, Sotto presided over the calendar of business which included honoring the achievements...
Category: News
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‘Dysfunctional leadership’ reflected in impeachment complaints against Marcos and Duterte
The filing of impeachment complaints against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte reflects “dysfunctional” leadership at the highest level of government, according to Mamamayang Liberal Rep. Leila de Lima. The filings—two each for the two leaders—are also testing the Constitution, rattling investor confidence, and once again turning Congress into an arena for...
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Indigenous folk say no to gold mining firm’s expansion in Benguet town
ITOGON, Benguet—Indigenous residents are resisting plans by Itogon-Suyoc Resources Inc. (ISRI), a big gold mining company, to expand its operations to more than six times its concession area in their town, warning of possible harmful effects on the environment. On Tuesday, Jan. 27, more than a hundred protesters and their supporters gathered outside the Itogon...
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Victims of Duterte’s ‘war on drugs’ see his trial as their last chance to be heard
With former president Rodrigo Duterte now deemed fit to stand trial at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague and the confirmation of charges set next month, the families of those killed in his “war on drugs” are looking to the proceedings as their last real chance to be heard. “This ICC trial is...
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Alleged photo thief accuses actress, 2 beauty queens of acts of violence against him
That ubiquitous symbol of prosperity, the red envelope known as “ang pao” which is used for monetary gifts, has caused torment and misery to a driver, by his account. The driver, tagged as “alias Totoy,” has lodged a complaint of illegal detention and torture at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) against actress Rhian Ramos...
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2nd plunder complaint filed against VP Duterte, this time by Trillanes and civil society group
Former senator Antonio Trillanes IV and the civil society group The Silent Majority (TSM) have filed a plunder and malversation complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte that could feed a fresh impeachment case against her, alleging that she misused ₱650 million in confidential funds and received bribes from a suspected drug lord when she was...
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Bonoan’s ‘bad leadership’ and other highlights of the Senate blue ribbon committee hearing
The resumption on Monday of the Senate blue ribbon committee’s inquiry into the corruption scandal was marked by disclosures and denials, including Manuel Bonoan’s claim that he was unaware of and did not benefit from multibillion-peso “allocables” or kickbacks during his three-year watch as head of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). Senators...
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From pork barrel to flood control: Bong Revilla back in jail
Former senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. is back behind bars, having surrendered to authorities late Monday following the issuance of a warrant for his arrest on charges of graft and malversation in connection with a ghost flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan. He is now being held at the Quezon City male dormitory in Payatas...
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Impeach case filed vs Marcos over Duterte surrender to ICC, alleged drug addiction and corruption
An impeachment complaint has been filed against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for alleged graft and corruption, violation of the Constitution, and betrayal of public trust. The complaint was filed on Monday by lawyer Andre de Jesus and was endorsed by Pusong Pinoy Rep. Jernie Jett Nisay, a party-list lawmaker who owns JVN Construction and Trading...
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Bayan@40: ‘The real power rests with the people, not politicians’
The Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) founded during Ferdinand Marcos Sr.’s dictatorship marks its 40th anniversary this week and continues to perform its avowed role as a voice for the people. The nationwide alliance celebrated the occasion on Jan. 14 with a program titled “Bayan Kwarenta” at the University of the Philippines Diliman’s Ignacio B. Gimenez...