China sanctions Philippine defence chief over ‘erroneous remarks’
Beijing, China – China’s foreign ministry announced sanctions on Thursday against Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro and his close relatives, saying he had “repeatedly made erroneous remarks concerning China” which had undermined China’s “legitimate interests” and bilateral ties. The sanctions mean Teodoro and his wife and child are prohibited from entering mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau, the ministry said in a statement, and that entities in China “are prohibited from engaging in any transactions, cooperation, or other activities with Teodoro and his spouse and child.” The measures were imposed to “safeguard China’s national sovereignty, security, and development interests,” the ministry added, without specifying what remarks by Teodoro it particularly objected to. Teodoro’s office did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. REPEATED STANDOFFS Last week Beijing accused the Philippine defence chief of having no gratitude for China’s supply of important commodities and of using issues about people’s wellbeing for political showmanship, after Teodoro’s remarks about China…
Kapunan, nine others to serve as private prosecutors in Duterte impeachment trial
Metro Manila, Philippines – Seasoned litigation lawyer Lorna Kapunan and nine others from top law firms will serve as private prosecutors in the looming impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, the head of the House prosecution panel announced on Thursday, June 11. Batangas 2nd District Rep. Jinky Luistro introduced the 10 private prosecutors, whom she said comprised the first batch of lawyers assisting the lawmaker-prosecutors in the case. The private prosecutors come from three different law groups. They are: Kapunan and Castillo Law Lorna Kapunan Lino Kapunan Sonya Castillo Deanna Lorenzo-Singian Bettina Zamora PECABAR Law, formerly Ponce-Enrile-Reyes and Manalastas Marforth Fua James Bryan Ibrahim Alih Erwin Matib Justine Lamarca SaLiGal Law Amando Ligutan Luistro said the lawyers accepted the case pro bono, which means free services. She noted that their addition to the team was a boost, given that the majority of the House prosecutors paused legal practice when…
Senate website down for a day after defacement
Metro Manila, Philippines — The Senate website was unavailable for the entire workday on Thursday, June 11, following the defacement claimed by a hacktivist group. The group, Nullsec Philippines, claimed responsibility for the defacement of the Senate website at around midnight. On its social media page, the group posted a screenshot of a black screen stating that the Senate website had been “hacked” and included a message addressed to the chamber. “We are watching. The Filipino people entrusted you with power, responsibility, and the duty to serve the nation – not personal interests, political dynasties, or corrupt networks,” the message read. “Transparency is not optional. Accountability is not negotiable. Public office is not a shield from scrutiny,” it added. The Senate Electronic Data Processing and Management Information System Bureau confirmed the defacement at around 10 a.m. on Thursday, but assured the public that no confidential or sensitive information had been…
Coach Tab Baldwin, team manager Epok Quimpo on leave pending probe on cager deaths
Metro Manila, Philippines – Ateneo de Manila University men’s basketball team head coach Tab Baldwin and team manager Epok Quimpo have gone on leave pending inquiries on the deaths of cagers Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili, the university announced on Thursday, June 11. The school management said it is cooperating fully with all government bodies and their respective investigations into the incident. The school has launched an internal probe. “The inquiry will exhaustively examine the circumstances surrounding the incident, reconstruct a transparent timeline, review all athletic protocols, and interview every individual present,” Ateneo said in a statement. The school also shared a brief recollection of what happened before the deaths of Baterbonia and Adili. “Based on what we have gathered from those present, on Monday, 8 June 2026, the team was engaged in a conditioning exercise in knee-deep water near the shoreline when they were suddenly engulfed by massive waves…
Malacañang seeks thorough probe on Ateneo players’ deaths
Metro Manila, Philippines – The death of two Ateneo de Manila University basketball players during a team-building activity requires a thorough and impartial investigation, Malacañang said Thursday, June 11. Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. wants authorities to ensure a full probe. Rene Clert Baterbonia, 19, and Divine Adili, 21, members of the Ateneo Blue Eagles men’s basketball team, drowned in a team building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora on June 8. Baterbonia, an incoming rookie from Agusan del Sur, was the Most Valuable Player of the 2025 Palarong Pambansa boys’ basketball tournament, while Adili, a Nigerian student-athlete, played for Ateneo in UAAP Season 88. The two participated in a water activity when they were reportedly swept away by strong current. “Unang-una po, of course, ay nakikiramay tayo sa pangyayaring ito,” Castro said in a press briefing.[Translation: First of all, we extend our condolences over this incident.] Castro…
