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Metro Manila, Philippines –  Malacañang slammed Vice President Sara Duterte’s remarks on the 2028 elections, with press officer Claire Castro suggesting the vice president may be “sowing intrigue” just like her father. Castro made the remark after Duterte said in The Hague, Netherlands that Filipinos could only “pray” that the 2028 presidential elections would push through and remain credible. “Kitang-kita ninyo naman na habang sumasagot ang bise presidente ay nangingiti siya. Siguro kahit siya ay natatawa sa kaniyang sariling sagot,” Castro said.[Translation: You can clearly see that while the vice president was answering, she was smiling. Perhaps even she found her answer amusing.] Castro said Duterte’s statement shows her eagerness to discuss the 2028 elections amid urgent national concerns. “Unang-una po nakikita rin natin ang kasabikan ng bise presidente na pag-usapan ang halalan sa 2028, samantalang ang pangulo ay abala sa pag-aayos ng epekto ng krisis sa Middle East,” she…

Metro Manila, Philippines –  President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is urging Japan to sustain its trilateral cooperation with the Philippines and the United States, even as Washington’s priorities appear to be shifting. During a courtesy visit by Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi in Malacañang on Tuesday, May 5, Marcos said Manila and Tokyo can continue to strengthen the three-way partnership despite evolving geopolitical dynamics. “We are trying to continue to build on the trilateral agreement that we signed between Japan, the United States and the Philippines,” Marcos said. He acknowledged that the US is dealing with other concerns but noted that this should not hinder progress between the Philippines and Japan. “I think between Japan and the Philippines, we can continue to strengthen that relationship,” he added. Marcos also clarified that the trilateral arrangement goes beyond defense and security, noting that cooperation in other areas remains a priority. “There are many…

Metro Manila, Philippines – The National Unity Party (NUP), the second biggest political party at the House of Representatives, said it will adopt a conscience vote on the impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte, while reaffirming support for the Marcos administration. In a statement on Tuesday, May 5, NUP chairman and Deputy Speaker Ronaldo Puno said “on a matter as serious as impeachment, every member must be guided by their own judgment, their conscience, and the interests of the people they represent.” On May 4, the House justice committee unanimously agreed to endorse the committee report and resolution setting forth the articles of impeachment against Duterte to plenary. The Constitution requires one third votes – in this case, 106 lawmakers – to impeach the vice president and transmit the case to the Senate for trial.  Puno said the party believes impeachment is a constitutional process and not a partisan…

Metro Manila, Philippines – A commissioned survey showed Vice President Sara Duterte is tied with Sen. Raffy Tulfo and only holds an eight-point lead over Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo in one-on-one matchup scenarios for the 2028 presidential race. The poll, conducted by Pulse Asia Research Inc. from Feb. 27 to Mar. 2, found that voter preferences are split in half if the presidential face-off was only between Duterte and Tulfo. The survey showed both securing 46 percent of support each among respondents. In a separate survey that set up the same head-to-head comparison, Duterte was only eight points ahead of Robredo who had a 43 percent preference. In a scenario with all three running for presidency, Duterte still tops the votes at 43 percent while Robredo and Tulfo were at 27 percent and 19 percent, respectively. With still more than two years to go before the national elections, figures…

Metro Manila, Philippines – A new junior division world record has been set by three-time world champion Filipino weightlifter Albert Ian Delos Santos. The 19-year-old athlete lifted 187 kg in the clean and jerk event in the 71kg category at the 2026 IWF World Junior Championships in Ismailia, Egypt, on Monday, May 4. He also recorded a snatch of 139 kg, bringing his total to 326 kg and securing the gold medal in the category. In an interview with the IWF, Delos Santos said he dedicated his win to his late father, who died of liver cancer two months ago. “I did it for him! I did it for him!” he said. He also shared that he had been suffering from a back injury two weeks prior to the competition. “I deviated from my coach’s percentages in training and wanted to do every lift for my dad. It was my…