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Metro Manila, Philippines –  Pump prices of diesel and gasoline will increase by more than ₱2 per liter beginning Tuesday, May 5, the Department of Energy said, breaking successive price cuts since the ceasefire between the US and Iran. Based on the latest price adjustments, gasoline will cost ₱2.21 more per liter, and diesel by as much as ₱2.66 per liter. The DOE said the adjustments reflect movements in international oil prices, including higher Mean of Platts Singapore (MOPS) benchmarks, as well as increases in freight and insurance costs. Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said that the depreciation of the peso against the US dollar contributed to the upward adjustment as well. The agency said price increases have slowed compared to previous weeks when adjustments reached double digits, indicating a possible stabilization in global oil markets. “Parang kumakalma na siya ng konti compared to last week  but there’s no assurance kung…

Metro Manila, Philippines – The International Criminal Court Trial Chamber III has directed parties to submit observations on the continued detention of former President Rodrigo Duterte by May 8, following the confirmation of charges against him. In an order dated May 1, the chamber identified the parties as the Office of the Prosecutor, Duterte’s defense counsel, the legal representatives of the victims, and the Office of the Public Counsel for Victims. “The chamber observes that, pursuant to the statutory framework, the Accused’s pre-trial detention shall be reviewed at least every 120 days,” the court said. “In light of the developments following the annual hearing, the Chamber considers it necessary to give the parties and participants the opportunity to submit any observations they may have regarding the Accused’s continued detention or release, with or without conditions, including the existence of any changed circumstances,” it added. The Trial Chamber III is set…

Metro Manila, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.ordered agencies to provide assistance and conduct clearing operations for people in Albay  hit by heavy ashfall from Mayon Volcano. “We are all ready kung anong pangangailangan nila,” Marcos said, referring to affected communities after ashfall blanketed several towns since Saturday. [Translation: We are ready for whatever they need.] The president said he had directed personnel to assess conditions, deliver immediate medical assistance and clear roads blanketed in ash. “I have just received – last (Sunday) night, I was receiving report nung mga pinapunta namin at (Public Works and Highways) Secretary Vince (Dizon) was also there, DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development). We are all ready kung anong pangangailangan nila,” he said during an ambush interview at the opening of CALAX Subsection 3 in General Trias, Cavite on Monday, May 4. [Translation: I just received reports last Sunday night from those we…

Metro Manila, Philippines – The House justice committee will send the Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte to the plenary after approving the same on Monday, May 4. All 55 members present voted in favor of the committee report with the resolution and Articles of Impeachment.  The committee outlined four articles against the vice president.  In a chance interview, Mamamayang Liberal Rep. Leila de Lima, complaint endorser, said the consolidated grounds are Duterte’s alleged misuse of public funds, unexplained wealth, bribery, and threats to the presidential family.  “Kahit isa lang pong article ang ma-uphold nila [even though the Senate upholds one article]…that should be enough to really convict her and then to remove her from office and to permanently disqualify her to hold further public office,” she said.  The copy of the amended resolution setting forth the articles of impeachment has yet to be released. Duterte is facing…

Metro Manila, Philippines – Four ethics complaints against senators, including ethics committee chairperson JV Ejercito, have been dismissed as “frivolous,” while the complaint against Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa has been deferred pending his comment. Ejercito announced the developments to the media on Monday, May 4, following a closed-door meeting of the committee. “Four complaints were dismissed, considered frivolous. Ito na, nireview na ho ito ng committee for several weeks and dismissed today. And three complaints were deferred action for further study,” Ejercito said.  He also confirmed that the complaint against him was among those junked during proceedings presided over by Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan. “I inhibited for a while and stepped out of the room. It was Senator Pangilinan who chaired and since there are already actions being taken by the committee, so it was voted by committee members to dismiss,” Ejercito said.  The complaint against Ejercito was for…