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Metro Manila, Philippines – The Sandiganbayan has deferred the arraignment on the graft charges against Sen. Jinggoy Estrada and former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan to Thursday, June 4, due to the lawmaker’s pending motions and the ex-Cabinet member’s health condition. Estrada and Bonoan faced the court’s second division on Tuesday, June 2, a day after the arrest warrant for their non-bailable plunder was released.  The lawmaker was at the court past 1 p.m. in handcuffs and in detainee uniform. Estrada initially wanted to be arraigned for his graft case, but later on withdrew his statement after consulting with lawyers. His legal counsel cited pending appeals, including an omnibus motion to dismiss the case or suspend the proceedings and remand the case to the ombudsman for reinvestigation. The prosecution says it cannot comment yet on the motion, as the senator’s camp has yet to provide them a copy of the…

Metro Manila, Philippines – The House of Representatives expelled Cavite 4th District Rep. Kiko Barzaga as a member during the plenary session on Tuesday, June 2 over disorderly behavior, among others. A total of 265 lawmakers were in favor of the report of the House committee on ethics and privileges, which recommended removing Barzaga from office. Fourteen were against, while eight lawmakers abstained. The ethics panel said Barzaga was guilty of disorderly behavior and found to have demonstrated conduct unbecoming of a member, and violated House rules. It listed the offenses as: interrupting actual plenary sessions mockery of leadership, in particular former House Speaker and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez unauthorized and slanderous live broadcasts “The formal investigation revealed substantial evidence that Rep. Barzaga engaged in a pattern of highly disruptive, discourteous, and disorderly behavior that directly obstructed plenary sessions and desecrated parliamentary solemnity,” committee chairperson and report sponsor Rep. JC…

Metro Manila, Philippines –  Malacañang questioned Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano on his call to defend Senate independence, challenging its basis after the arrest of an ally facing plunder and graft charges. “Senate independence, independence from what? Ano ba ang pinapalagan ni Senator Alan Cayetano? Saan ba nakialam ang pangulo?” Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said during a Palace press briefing on Tuesday, June 2. [Translation: Senate independence, independence from what? What is Senator Alan Cayetano opposing? At what point did the president interfere?] Cayetano called on senators to “stand for the Senate’s independence” and to let the chamber “go quiet” after the arrest of Senator Jinggoy Estrada inside Senate premises.  He said the institution’s independence and the legal standing of its members should not be treated as “currencies” to be traded. In response, Castro said the service of a valid warrant of arrest should not be interpreted as interference by…

Metro Manila, Philippines – Vice President Sara Duterte warned of what she described as growing threats to democracy, accusing the government of using state institutions to silence critics and consolidate power. “Ang mga natutunghayan natin ngayon ay dapat ikabahala ng bawat Pilipinong naniniwala sa demokrasya,” Duterte said in a video statement on Tuesday, June 2. [Translation: What we are witnessing now should concern every Filipino who believes in democracy.] The vice president said government resources and institutions are turning against political opponents instead of addressing pressing national issues. “Nakikita natin kung paano ginagamit ang mga institusyon ng gobyerno at ang pera ng taumbayan laban sa anumang oposisyon,” she said. [Translation: We see how government institutions and public funds are being used against any opposition.] Duterte said democracy cannot function if dissent is treated as a threat. “A democracy cannot survive when those in power see every critic as an enemy…

Metro Manila, Philippines – The Senate minority bloc called for the resignation of Alan Peter Cayetano as Senate president on Day 2 of the majority senators’ no-show at the plenary session on Tuesday, June 2.  “Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano should resign as he has shown that he cannot function as the leader of the Senate anymore,” Sen. Erwin Tulfo told the media, standing with his fellow 11-member minority bloc senators. “It’s a clear abandonment of responsibility, dereliction of duty, and a blatant disregard of the rules that govern this institution. The Senate cannot be made to stop working simply because its presiding officer refuses to lead,” he added.  Tulfo cited Senate Rule 14, Section 41 which states that a Senate president may postpone the holding of the session only after a consultation with the majority leader and the minority leader. “That rule was violated,” he said. “This is not…