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Metro Manila, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has yet to receive or act on a shortlist of candidates to replace Armed Forces chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., who is set to retire in two weeks, Malacañang said Monday, July 6.  Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said she has not received any information that a list of possible successors had been submitted to the president. “Sa ngayon, wala pa pong naipapaabot sa atin,” Castro said. [Translation: As of now, no information has been relayed to us.]  Asked what qualities Marcos is looking for in the next military chief, Castro said the president wants someone who is trustworthy, patriotic and dedicated to public service. “Unang-una po, of course, mapagkakatiwalaan, makabayan, maka-Diyos at masipag, at ang iniisip ay kapakanan ng bayan,” she said. [Translation: First and foremost, of course, someone who is trustworthy, patriotic, God-fearing and hardworking, and whose priority is the welfare…

Metro Manila, Philippines – Vice President Sara Duterte appeared at the Senate on Tuesday, July 7, on the second day of her impeachment trial The embattled official just stayed over an hour ahead of the trial at 2 p.m. She gave a guarded, carefully worded one-liner. “My statement is in this bloodbath and bludgeoning, I will be bloodied but unbound,” Duterte told the media. The vice president met with the defense panel but will not attend the impeachment trial, her counsel Michael Poa said. Duterte skipped the first day for an Office of the Vice President planning session in preparation for super typhoon Bavi.

Metro Manila, Philippines – On the first day of the historic impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte on Monday, July 6, the Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, elected a new presiding officer and resolved key procedural matters, including ordering the return of the sealed box containing the respondent’s tax records. NewsWatch Plus breaks down the court’s key rulings at the start of the proceedings, ahead of the presentation of witnesses and evidence. Presiding officer Shortly after the court convened at 2 p.m., Senate President Win Gatchalian initiated the election of a presiding officer. Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero, who had long been floated for the role, was elected presiding officer in a 12-8 vote after Senator Ping Lacson nominated him. Voting in favor were the majority, namely, Gatchalian, Bam Aquino, JV Ejercito, Risa Hontiveros, Lacson, Lito Lapid, Kiko Pangilinan, Tito Sotto, Erwin Tulfo, Raffy Tulfo, Joel Villanueva, and Migz…

Metro Manila, Philippines – Impeachment Court presiding officer Chiz Escudero on Monday, July 6, ordered the return of the so-called “BIR box” containing the tax records of Vice President Sara Duterte and her husband, Mans Carpio, to the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).  Escudero said the court was not in custody of the box because there was no order for these documents to be turned over to the Senate.   “The chair therefore orders that the BIR box closed, sealed and as it is received be sent back to the BIR without prejudice to any action that the court may take,” Escudero said on the first day of the impeachment trial.   “If a motion will be filed by either party for the issuance of a subpoena, and we shall await action, if any, by the BIR commissioner should the time come,” Escudero said.  The prosecution panel earlier sought to open the…

Metro Manila, Philippines – Vice President Sara Duterte will not attend the first day of her impeachment trial, defense panel spokesperson Michael Poa told reporters in a press conference on Monday, July 6.  Poa said he spoke to Duterte just minutes before disclosing that she would not personally attend the first day of the trial. He said she was at a planning session with members of the Office of the Vice President in preparation for super typhoon “Bavi,” which will be given the name “Inday” upon entry into the Philippine Area of Responsibility.  Shortly before the opening of the Impeachment Court at 2 p.m. on Monday, Duterte issued her own statement and explained that appearing through counsel did not diminish accountability.  “The respondent has the right to be represented by counsel, and the decision to personally testify is a matter of legal strategy and constitutional rights,” Duterte said.  “Choosing to…