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Metro Manila, Philippines – The Senate blue ribbon committee meeting on Monday, June 8, ended without the testimonies of the 18 self-confessed bagmen despite requests for their attendance. They were in the Senate building only to hold a press conference in the office of Sen. Robin Padilla. Their counsel, Levi Baligod, had said his clients would attend the hearing after the media briefing.  Sen. Erwin Tulfo, committee chairperson, called them to attend the meeting but to no avail.  Committee vice chairman Kiko Pangilingan said that when the blue ribbon is fully constituted, it can compel the witnesses to attend future hearings, subpoena them, hold them in contempt, or even arrest them. He clarified that the Monday session was a “consultative meeting” and not a hearing. He explained that other members of the Senate had not yet been included in the committee, meaning it had not been constituted.  “The chairperson [Tulfo],…

Metro Manila, Philippines – Malacañang rebuked Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano’s claim that the Palace is using Acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian in the leadership dispute, accusing the former Senate leader of portraying himself as a victim despite being at the center of the crisis that has paralyzed the upper chamber. Cayetano, in a Facebook livestream over the weekend, advised Gatchalian not to allow himself to be influenced by Malacañang or fellow senators whom he said may be pursuing their own interests in the leadership battle. “Kaya nga sabi ko, mag-ingat si Senator Win. Kasi maganda naman future niya. Huwag ka magpagamit sa Malacañang at dun sa mga kasamahan mo,” Cayetano said.  [Translation: That’s why I told Senator Win to be careful. He has a bright future ahead of him. Don’t allow yourself to be used by Malacañang and by your colleagues.] Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro rejected the suggestion that Malacañang…

Metro Manila, Philippines – Education Secretary Sonny Angara on Monday ordered the deployment of Department of Education (DepEd) engineers to earthquake-hit areas in Mindanao to assess the structural integrity of schools before classes resume. The move came after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. directed government agencies to undertake immediate response measures following the powerful earthquake that struck parts of Mindanao and prompted concerns over the safety of public infrastructure, including school buildings. “Following the President’s directive, we immediately mobilized our engineers in the affected regions, particularly in DepEd Regional Office XII, to inspect school facilities impacted by the earthquake,” Angara said. He said structural engineers from the DepEd Central Office are also being sent to support regional personnel conducting damage assessments on the ground. Angara, who was in Cotabato City for the opening of classes and a series of education-related activities in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), said…

Metro Manila, Philippines – Malacañang rejected a proposal from Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano for a temporary arrangement with Acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian aimed at keeping Senate operations running in the middle of a leadership dispute. Cayetano reached out to officials aligned with Gatchalian to explore possible measures that would prevent disruptions in Senate transactions and the impeachment proceedings while rival factions contest control of the chamber. Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said the Executive branch recognizes only Gatchalian as the Senate leader. “Muli ang kinikilala ng ehekutibo ay si Senator Sherwin Gatchalian,” Castro said.  [Translation: Once again, the Executive recognizes Senator Sherwin Gatchalian.] “Walang maidudulot sa ngayon ng ganitong klaseng arrangement,” she added.  [Translation: This kind of arrangement will not bring any benefit at this time.] Castro said the proposal could lead to a repeat of the House leadership controversy in 2020 involving a term-sharing agreement between Cayetano and then-Marinduque…

Metro Manila, Philippines – President Bongbong Marcos has directed agencies to immediately coordinate disaster response efforts in light of the destructive magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck off the coast of Sarangani on Monday, June 8, triggering a tsunami warning in a number of coastal provinces in Mindanao. Marcos said the Office of Civil Defense and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council are coordinating response operations and monitoring the situation in affected areas. He said the Department of Social Welfare and Development has been directed to pre-position relief goods and ensure evacuation centers are ready and operational for affected residents. In addition, the Department of Public Works and Highways is on standby to assess damage to roads, bridges, and other critical infrastructure, as well as clear routes needed for rescue and relief operations. Marcos said he ordered the suspension of classes at all levels in affected areas of Mindanao…