Former Speaker Romualdez, 18 ‘ex-Marines’ invited to June 4 Senate flood control probe
Metro Manila, Philippines – Former House Speaker Martin Romualdez and the 18 ex-Marines who allegedly delivered suitcases of cash have been invited to attend the ninth flood control hearing led by the Senate blue ribbon committee on Thursday, June 4. This follows earlier reports that the committee chaired by Senator Pia Cayetano withdrew its invite for the 18 ex-Marines, according to their legal counsel Levi Baligod. READ: Blue Ribbon committee withdraws invite for 18 ex-marines in flood control hearing – lawyer In their affidavit, the 18 soldiers said that they were bagmen who delivered ₱805 billion in cash as kickbacks to government officials under the orders of fugitive and expelled lawmaker Zaldy Co. Romualdez was alleged to be one of the lawmakers who received kickbacks. He early refuted the accusations and described them as “political and the product of coaching.” Meanwhile, the Senate panel invited officials from the Department of…
Pampanga construction collapse death toll climbs to 23
Metro Manila, Philippines – Responders have recovered another body from the collapsed under-construction building in Barangay Balibago, Angeles City, bringing the confirmed death toll to 23 as of Wednesday, June 3. According to authorities, the latest victim was extricated from the collapse site at 9:12 a.m. on Wednesday. Another body was earlier recovered at 7:21 a.m. This follows Tuesday’s operations, where responders recovered the 21st victim—an infant—from the rubble. Search and retrieval operations remain ongoing as teams continue to scour the debris for more victims.
Graft arraignment of Estrada, Bonoan deferred due to motions
Metro Manila, Philippines – The Sandiganbayan has deferred the arraignment on the graft charges against Sen. Jinggoy Estrada and former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan to Thursday, June 4, due to the lawmaker’s pending motions and the ex-Cabinet member’s health condition. Estrada and Bonoan faced the court’s second division on Tuesday, June 2, a day after the arrest warrant for their non-bailable plunder was released. The lawmaker was at the court past 1 p.m. in handcuffs and in detainee uniform. Estrada initially wanted to be arraigned for his graft case, but later on withdrew his statement after consulting with lawyers. His legal counsel cited pending appeals, including an omnibus motion to dismiss the case or suspend the proceedings and remand the case to the ombudsman for reinvestigation. The prosecution says it cannot comment yet on the motion, as the senator’s camp has yet to provide them a copy of the…
House expels Barzaga for disorderly behavior
Metro Manila, Philippines – The House of Representatives expelled Cavite 4th District Rep. Kiko Barzaga as a member during the plenary session on Tuesday, June 2 over disorderly behavior, among others. A total of 265 lawmakers were in favor of the report of the House committee on ethics and privileges, which recommended removing Barzaga from office. Fourteen were against, while eight lawmakers abstained. The ethics panel said Barzaga was guilty of disorderly behavior and found to have demonstrated conduct unbecoming of a member, and violated House rules. It listed the offenses as: interrupting actual plenary sessions mockery of leadership, in particular former House Speaker and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez unauthorized and slanderous live broadcasts “The formal investigation revealed substantial evidence that Rep. Barzaga engaged in a pattern of highly disruptive, discourteous, and disorderly behavior that directly obstructed plenary sessions and desecrated parliamentary solemnity,” committee chairperson and report sponsor Rep. JC…
Castro rebuts Cayetano: ‘Senate independence from what?’
Metro Manila, Philippines – Malacañang questioned Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano on his call to defend Senate independence, challenging its basis after the arrest of an ally facing plunder and graft charges. “Senate independence, independence from what? Ano ba ang pinapalagan ni Senator Alan Cayetano? Saan ba nakialam ang pangulo?” Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said during a Palace press briefing on Tuesday, June 2. [Translation: Senate independence, independence from what? What is Senator Alan Cayetano opposing? At what point did the president interfere?] Cayetano called on senators to “stand for the Senate’s independence” and to let the chamber “go quiet” after the arrest of Senator Jinggoy Estrada inside Senate premises. He said the institution’s independence and the legal standing of its members should not be treated as “currencies” to be traded. In response, Castro said the service of a valid warrant of arrest should not be interpreted as interference by…
