News

Metro Manila, Philippines – House leaders on Wednesday, June 17, expressed optimism that the election of Sherwin Gatchalian as Senate president would strengthen cooperation between the two chambers and help advance key reforms and legislative priorities.  House Speaker Bojie Dy III said Gatchalian’s election comes at a crucial time as both houses carry out constitutional responsibilities and address issues that directly affect Filipinos. “The House remains committed to working with the Senate in advancing priority legislation, strengthening the economy, and delivering meaningful reforms that benefit our people,” said Dy in a statement. He noted the importance of cooperation between the two houses as reforms for the public can be delivered faster. House Majority Leader Sandro Marcos likewise cited Gatchalian’s leadership and temperament. “I have worked with him during my time as a congressman and I know how level-headed he can be. So, I think that’s exactly what this current political…

Metro Manila, Philippines –  President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. arrived in Kazan on Wednesday, June 17, to attend the ASEAN-Russia Commemorative Summit and hold bilateral talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, marking his first visit to Russia since assuming office. The presidential plane landed at around 7:35 a.m. local time in the capital of Russia’s Republic of Tatarstan, where leaders from Southeast Asia and Russia are gathering to commemorate 35 years of ASEAN-Russia relations. Marcos is expected to join fellow ASEAN leaders in discussions with Putin on regional and global issues, including peace and security, trade and investment, food and energy security, science and technology, digital transformation, education, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges. Before leaving Manila late Tuesday, the president described the trip as both diplomatically and personally significant. “It will be my first time on Russian soil — a journey I undertake nearly 50 years after my father, President Ferdinand E.…

Metro Manila, Philippines – Senator Win Gatchalian has been elected as the new Senate President during Wednesday’s special session, replacing Senator Alan Peter Cayetano. Gatchalian previously assumed the role of acting Senate President on June 3, sparking a weeks-long leadership standoff with Cayetano, who challenged the legitimacy of that session before the Supreme Court. Shortly before the special session convened, Cayetano conceded the race, stating that he had come to terms with the election of a new chamber leader and would not stand in the way of the vote. Meanwhile, veteran lawmaker Tito Sotto was elected as the new Senate President Pro Tempore, filling the post vacated by Gatchalian. Thirteen senators were present during Wednesday’s special session to form a quorum, consisting primarily of Gatchalian’s allies.  Senator Joel Villanueva—previously allied with the Cayetano bloc—was also present, providing the decisive crossover vote to finalize the leadership transition.

Metro Manila, Philippines – Senator Alan Peter Cayetano said on Wednesday, June 17, that he will accept the election of a new Senate President, speaking just before the upper chamber is set to convene its special session. “After speaking with Sen. Joel Villanueva, it appears our colleagues on the other side will soon have the numbers to elect a new Senate President. I will not stand in the way of that vote,” Cayetano said. The statement comes amid intense speculation that Villanueva may join the bloc of acting Senate President Win Gatchalian. Cayetano and his allies previously petitioned the Supreme Court to void the contentious June 3 session that saw Gatchalian’s election.  Notably, Villanueva and Senator Mark Villar were not included as petitioners in that filing. “No leadership in a democracy is ever permanent; every office we hold is a loan, never a possession. To whoever this chamber lawfully elects,…

Metro Manila, Philippines — More than a week after surviving the Aurora training camp tragedy that claimed the lives of teammates Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili, Ateneo men’s basketball players Kieffer Alas and Sam Reyes said they continue to grapple with grief, survivor’s guilt, and intense public scrutiny. “We lost two of our brothers,” Alas said during an appearance on the Let’s Talk with Pia Hontiveros podcast. “Para sobrang sakit po kasi nabuhay nga kami pero parang pinapatay kami,” he added. [Translation: “It’s so painful because while we survived, it feels like we are being killed.”] The two survivors broke their silence on the June 8 incident, recounting how they nearly lost their own lives and how the team desperately searched for their missing teammates after reaching the shore. According to Reyes, it was the Ateneo players themselves who pulled Baterbonia from the water during the frantic search that followed.…