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Metro Manila, Philippines – For the third time in less than three decades, Senator Jinggoy Estrada is facing charges of plunder — the criminal offense of amassing ill-gotten wealth through the misuse of government funds, resources, or authority. On Thursday, May 28, the Office of the Ombudsman filed plunder and graft charges against Estrada in connection with the flood control corruption scandal. The Ombudsman said its investigation showed that more than ₱573 million in illicit payouts was systematically delivered to the senator — under a scheme in which public funds were funneled into infrastructure projects in exchange for kickbacks. Estrada has repeatedly denied the allegations. Estrada, 63, was previously acquitted of plunder in connection with the “jueteng” illegal gambling scandal and the pork barrel scam. First acquittal Estrada, then mayor of San Juan City, was first charged with plunder before the Sandiganbayan in 2001 as a co-accused of his father,…

Metro Manila, Philippines –  Former Senate President Franklin Drilon said an 11-11 split in the Senate composition would cripple the chamber’s ability to function and render Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano ineffective. In an interview on The Newsmaker, Drilon said a deadlocked Senate may fail to pass measures or approve motions, resulting in a legislative standstill. “11-11, walang maipasa na batas. Walang motion na ma-approve,” he said. [Translation: With an 11-11 split, no law can be passed. No motion can be approved.] Drilon said while Cayetano would technically remain Senate president, his ability to lead would be crippled without majority support. “He will still be the Senate president because there are no 13 votes to dislodge him. But can he be an effective Senate president? No. Because he does not have the majority support,” he said. The former Senate chief explained that key decisions in the chamber depend on majority…

Metro Manila, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. secured about ₱56.3 billion in potential investments from Japanese firms during his state visit to Japan, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said Thursday, May 28. These span electronics, shipbuilding, semiconductors, and artificial intelligence-driven technologies, and are projected to generate around 10,300 direct and indirect jobs nationwide. During separate meetings, Marcos discussed expansion plans with executives of major Japanese companies, including Tsuneishi Group Corporation, which is looking to expand its shipbuilding operations in the Philippines. Once completed, the expansion is expected to position the country as the world’s fourth-largest shipbuilding nation, behind China, Japan, and South Korea. Marcos also met with officials of Furukawa Electric Co. Ltd., which plans to expand production of advanced heat sink modules and thermal management products used in electronics and digital infrastructure. The proposed expansion includes boosting operations at the Laguna Technopark to meet rising global…

Metro Manila, Philippines – Former Sen. Leila de Lima pushed back against comparisons to denied requests for her virtual participation in Senate sessions while she was detained, in light of a sudden push to allow remote participation amid pending cases against a number of lawmakers. “Those were never approved. Kahit nga may COVID-19 pandemic noon kung kailan na-amend na ang rules to allow teleconferencing, di pa rin ako pinayagan,” De Lima, who is now a representative for Mamamayang Liberal party-list, posted on X. “Malinaw yan kaya tigil-tigilan nila ang pagkukumpara,” she added. [Translation: Those were never approved. Even though there was a pandemic when rules were amended to allow teleconferencing, I was not allowed to participate…that is clear so stop comparing.] De Lima said there was no railroading or shortcuts to amend the Senate rules during pandemic, a time of national emergency.  The lawmaker was detained for over six years…

Metro Manila, Philippines – Former Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman and others are facing a plunder and technical malversation complaint over the outlawed transfer of ₱60 billion in state health insurance funds to the national treasury. Health advocate Tony Leachon filed the complaint with the Office of the Ombudsman on Thursday, May 28, officially implicating Pangandaman in the questionable transfer of excess Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) funds.  “The filling clarifies that DBM (Department of Budget and Management) officials  — past and present — authorized, approved, or failed to  prevent the budgetary releases  and fiscal measures that enabled the questioned transfers,” Leachon said in his statement.  He earlier filed the same complaints against Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, along with a number of Cabinet members, for remittance of the said billions from PhilHealth as finance chief. In 2025, the Supreme Court has ordered the return of the ₱60 billion to PhilHealth, saying…