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Metro Manila, Philippines — Spokespersons of the House prosecution panel criticized the submissions made by Vice President Sara Duterte’s defense team during the Impeachment Court’s pre-trial conference, saying they lacked substance and failed to address the allegations against her. “It’s purely general denial and basically ang nakasaad doon sa kanilang [what was stated in the] pre-trial brief ay pagko-question mismo nung proseso [is questioning the process] which basically it’s (the) narrative of the defense from the very start,” Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong said in a press conference on Thursday, June 18.  “Wala silang naipresenta na [They did not present] substantive controverting evidence,” he added.  Adiong said the defense failed to present evidence to rebut allegations of misuse of confidential funds, accumulation of ill-gotten wealth, and bribery. “Maganda sana kung meron silang maiprepresenta na mga witnesses namagpapatunay kumbaga na sila si Kokoy Villamin, sila si Mary Grace Piattos,”…

Metro Manila, Philippines – There is no deadlock between the Senate and the House of Representatives on the bill to institutionalize the social welfare program Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) that failed to clear the special session, the head of a House panel said. Davao Oriental 2nd district Rep. Cheeno Almario, chairperson of the House committee on social services, said this in response to a statement of Sen. Erwin Tulfo before the Senate adjourned on Wednesday. “It’s part of the reconciliation in the formative process of legislation. I don’t think it makes sense to call it a deadlock,” Almario said in an interview on Thursday, June 18. AICS is an ongoing program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), which aims to provide cash aid and other forms of assistance to Filipinos in crisis. The bill institutionalizing the program wasn’t ratified at the special session of…

Metro Manila, Philippines –  The Philippines is the world’s top retirement destination for 2026, according to the latest Retirement Abroad Index released by United Kingdom-based insurer Expatriate Group. The country topped 20 nations evaluated in the index, which measures retirement destinations based on healthcare quality, visa accessibility, insurance requirements, cost of living, and expat integration. The recognition follows the Philippines’ earlier win as Best Retirement Destination in Asia at the 2025 TripZilla Excellence Awards, reinforcing its appeal among foreign retirees. At the center of the country’s retirement program is the Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV), a flagship initiative of the Philippine Retirement Authority that allows qualified foreign nationals to reside in the country long-term. Tourism Secretary Dita Angara-Mathay said the recognition reflects ongoing efforts to improve tourism services and position the Philippines as a global destination for all age groups. “Beyond our natural attractions, the Philippines offers warm hospitality, affordable…

Metro Manila, Philippines – Malacañang rejected claims by Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte that the administration is weaponizing the International Criminal Court (ICC) against political opponents, stressing that the cases before the tribunal were initiated by Filipinos seeking accountability for alleged extrajudicial killings. Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said the complaints before the ICC did not originate from the Marcos administration and predate the current government. “Unang-una, alam naman natin, korte ito. At meron namang kaso, may kaso na kapwa nating Pilipino ang nagsampa laban sa mga diumanong pang-aabuso patungkol sa EJK. So huwag nating kalimutan iyan. Pilipino rin po ang nagsampa ng kaso,” Castro said. [Translation: First of all, we know that this is a court. There are cases before it that were filed by fellow Filipinos over alleged abuses related to extrajudicial killings. Let us not forget that it was Filipinos who filed these cases.] Castro added any arrest…

Metro Manila, Philippines – Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow and Manila have an opportunity to evaluate and expand bilateral cooperation, particularly in agriculture and energy, as he welcomed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the ASEAN-Russia Commemorative Summit. Meeting Marcos for the first time in Russia, Putin noted that the Philippines and Russia are marking 50 years of diplomatic relations this year and recalled the historic 1976 visit of Marcos’ father, former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., to Moscow. “Today we have a good opportunity, Mr. President, to evaluate the current state of Russia-Philippine cooperation,” Putin said on Wednesday, June 17.   The Russian leader said bilateral trade exceeded half a billion dollars last year and described the figure as “far from the limit.” “Of course, there is good potential to enhance supplies of agriculture and energy resources,” Putin said. Putin also highlighted the significance…