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Metro Manila, Philippines – The formal hearing of the House of Representatives on the impeachment suits against Vice President Sara Duterte, dubbed by the justice panel chairperson as a “mini trial,” will begin on March 25, after the committee declared the complaints sufficient in grounds. On Wednesday, March 18, panel members declared that there was sufficient grounds for the third and fourth complaints after reviewing the reply of Duterte submitted on March 16.  Batangas 2nd district Rep. Jinky Luistro, committee chairperson, set the hearings for March 25, April 14, April 22, and April 29.  The House earlier adopted a resolution, authorizing the panel to conduct hearings during the congressional recess from March 21 to May 3.  Luistro said expected to be discussed on the first day of hearing was the request of securing Ramil Madriaga, Duterte’s alleged bagman, who is detained at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig city. Akbayan Rep.…

President Bongbong Marcos said he will assess when to cut or suspend the fuel excise tax as Congress is poised to approve the bill on Wednesday, March 18.

Metro Manila, Philippines – The House of Representatives has authorized the justice committee to conduct impeachment proceedings during the congressional break from March 21 to May 3, in light of the complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte.  The chamber approved House Resolution 892 introduced by House Speaker Bojie Dy, Majority Leader Sandro Marcos, and Minority Leader Marcelito Libanan on Tuesday, March 17. “Consistent with parliamentary practice and the continuing nature of committee mandate and functions, committees of the House of Representatives may continue the conduct of authorized hearings and the performance of their functions during periods when the House is in recess, subject to the authority of the House,” the resolution read.  The committee was authorized to resolve motions for issuance of subpoenas – including those requiring individuals to testify in person and those compelling the production of documentary evidence.  The House also allowed the justice panel to provide protection…

Metro Manila, Philippines – The highly anticipated bill granting the president authority to suspend or reduce fuel excise taxes has been approved by both chambers of Congress, leaving only the reconciliation of differing provisions before it can be sent to Malacañang for enactment. The Senate passed the measure on second and third reading during its plenary session on Tuesday, March 17 — a move made possible after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. certified it as urgent. All 17 senators present voted in favor of the bill. Similar to the House version, the Senate measure authorizes the president to impose tax cuts if the average price of Dubai crude oil exceeds $80 per barrel for one month. However, the House version adds another condition: the president must declare a state of national emergency or calamity, which has led to extraordinary increases in pump prices, as certified by the Department of Energy. Both…

Manila, Philippines – The fallout from the Middle East conflict would likely spill over to other sectors of the economy, including local farms and fisheries, creating food supply bottlenecks, the Department of Agriculture said on Tuesday, March 17. Agriculture officials told the House committee on agriculture and food that fertilizer costs have already risen by up to 30 percent, adding to farmers’ input costs that are already being burdened by runaway global oil prices. The country, the agency said, sources about a fifth of its fertilizer needs from the Middle East: 15 percent from Qatar and 4 percent from Saudi – two Arab nations heavily pounded by Iran’s air strikes. “For the Philippines which is an import-dependent country for several key commodities, this geopolitical shock poses a serious risk not only to food affordability, but even food availability,” Agriculture Undersecretary Roger Navarro told lawmakers convening to tackle the impact of…