Four seasoned lawmakers have formed a bloc in the Senate backing Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III’s bid for the leadership and vowing to uphold the chamber’s rules and procedures.

Malacañang on Friday responded to claims made by former President Rodrigo Duterte’s lead counsel, saying it is still awaiting complete information from the Department of Justice (DOJ) on reports that drug war evidence had been destroyed - allegedly prompting the Philippines to allow the International Criminal Court (ICC) to proceed with its investigation.

The long-overdue rehabilitation of EDSA will likely begin next year, Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan said on Friday, July 4.