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...
Tag: Constitution
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A time for sacrifice, a time for statesmanship
The strength of a democracy is measured not only by the quality of its leaders but also by the resilience of its institutions. Among these institutions, the Senate occupies a unique place. Designed by the Constitution to be a deliberative body and a check against the excesses of power, it is expected to rise above...
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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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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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Student leaders stand against Cha-cha
In January-March 1970, youth and student organizations and their allies among workers, farmers and religious groups held numerous rallies and other forms of protest across the country in what became known as the First Quarter Storm of 1970 against the decades-old sociopolitical ills plaguing the nation. One of their major demands was a nonpartisan constitutional...
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‘Economic Cha-cha’ is sweeping the political dance floor
The plot thickens with the Senate announcing full participation in the planned activity of the moment: the amendment of the Constitution. Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri’s surprise filing on Jan. 15 of Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No. 6 proposing the amendment of certain economic provisions represents a stronger than usual push for Charter change....