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Metro Manila, Philippines –  President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa – a fugitive – should not be allowed to vote in Senate proceedings unless physically present. Speaking to reporters in Japan, Marcos said Dela Rosa, who is facing an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court, should not be entitled to vote online. “Now, for someone who is actually a fugitive from justice, na hinahanap ng pulis, na hinahanap ng Interpol at may arrest warrant galing sa ICC, palagay ko hindi siya dapat bumoto,” Marcos said. [Translation: Now, for someone who is actually a fugitive from justice, being sought by the police and Interpol and has an arrest warrant from the ICC, I think he should not be allowed to vote.] The president, a former senator, pointed out the practice. “So, it has been the long-standing tradition of the Senate that if you are not physically…

Metro Manila, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he was “horrified” at the state of the Senate, describing the chamber as having “descended” in grappling with tensions and controversies. Speaking to reporters in Japan, Marcos expressed alarm over recent incidents, including a reported gun-related episode and a walkout by minority lawmakers. “I watched with horror that the Senate has become this,” Marcos said on Friday, May 28. The president, a former senator, said the institution has strayed from its tradition, with political disagreements turning into personal bickering. “It’s about work. It’s not about personalities. Nagbago eh. Naging personal,” he said. [Translation: It has changed. It has become personal.] Marcos contrasted the situation with his time in the Senate, where heated debates did not affect personal relationships. “After pag-upo namin, magkakape naman kami… Hindi personal,” he said. [Translation: After sessions, we would have coffee together. It was not personal.] He…

Metro Manila, Philippines –  A sibling tit for tat. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. dismissed claims by his sister, Senator Imee Marcos, that there were plans to suspend elections and extend terms of elected officials, calling it a “perfect example” of fake news. Speaking to reporters during his state visit to Japan, Marcos said there were no discussions within the administration on a so-called “no election” in 2028. “I don’t know. She should fire her staffer who gave her that information,” Marcos said. “The truth of the matter is we have never at any point even spoken about this anywhere with anyone at any time,” he added. Marcos called it misinformation. “That’s a perfect example,” he said, adding that false information can harm the public and those spreading it. “Fake news hurts everyone. Not only those that fake news is attacking, but also those who are purveying that fake news,” Marcos…

Metro Manila, Philippines  – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said new appointments to the Cabinet and other posts may be expected after the lapse of the one-year ban on appointing losing election candidates. Speaking to reporters in Japan on Friday, May 29, Marcos said the lifting of the restriction opens the door for more appointments. “Possibly, possibly. Kasi nga nag-lapse na ‘yung one-year ban for candidates that did not make it in the last election,” Marcos said. [Translation: Possibly, since the one-year ban for candidates who did not win in the last election has already lapsed.] He said the government is looking to tap qualified people who could still contribute to public service. “Marami namang magagaling diyan… So don’t be surprised if we start — we get more appointments from those candidates who ran in the last election who didn’t make it,” he added. [Translation: There are many capable people there……

Metro Manila, Philippines – The National Bureau of Investigation said it is contemplating filing a summons for Nancy Dela Rosa as it processes leads on her husband and fugitive Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa.  “We are about to send subpoenas to the personalities na may mga naging contact kay [who has been in contact with] Sen. Bato,” NBI Director Melvin Matibag said in a briefing on Friday, May 29. Asked if this includes Dela Rosa’s wife, he said: “We are contemplating issuing a subpoena sakanya [to her].” Dela Rosa is in hiding again presumably to evade a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court tied to his stint as police chief during the Duterte administration’s controversial anti-drug war.  Nancy previously pleaded with the government against arresting her husband, citing flaws in jurisdiction of the ICC in the country.  Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano earlier read a message from Nancy, saying,…