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Metro Manila, Philippines – The House of Representatives may muster at least 200 votes to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte next week, two lawmakers said ahead of the scheduled plenary vote on May 11. Bicol Saro Rep. Terry Ridon, member of the justice committee, told reporters on Thursday, May 7, 215 lawmakers already backing the ouster bid based on consultations. The number is more than two-thirds of the chamber, which has 318 members. Ridon’s projection is the same number that impeached Duterte in 2025. Meanwhile, Tingog Rep. Jude Acidre, secretary-general for the party-list coalition, said he is optimistic the House would obtain at least 200 votes to impeach the vice president. “We’re hoping for at least 200 or 215. That’s really the goal. Especially with the last two clarificatory hearings, when evidence actually was really presented and examined as to the veracity and the determination of probable cause,” he said,…

Metro Manila, Philippines – A House leader pushed back against pronouncements suggesting that the Senate minority could block the convening of the impeachment court once the articles of impeachment are transmitted to the chamber. Earlier this week, Senator Robin Padilla hinted that the minority could oppose the convening, while Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said such a motion would be put to a vote. “Dapat hindi na pinagbobotohan pa ng Senado kung i-ko-convene o hindi [It should no longer be put to a vote in the Senate whether to convene or not],” House senior deputy majority leader Lorenz Defensor said in an interview with NewsWatch Plus on Thursday, May 7.  “Sa ilalim ng ating Konstitusyon, ang isang impeachment trial, dapat immediately. Iyan ang intensyon ng ating Konstitusyon para malaman natin agad kung dapat bang tanggalin itong mataas na opisyal kasi nakakasama siya para sa bansa o dapat siyang…

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. met with newly appointed Vietnamese Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit, where they discussed stronger economic cooperation, securing rice supply, and boosting joint efforts against transnational crime. Marcos first congratulated Hưng on his appointment and welcomed him to his first ASEAN Summit, highlighting the importance of the milestone year marking 50 years of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Vietnam. Both leaders underscored the significance of the anniversary, expressing confidence that it would pave the way for deeper cooperation, particularly in trade and economic engagement. Agriculture and food security were among the key topics during the talks.  Manila and Hanoi agreed to establish a long-term rice trade mechanism aimed at ensuring stable supply and reinforcing food security cooperation between the two countries.  The move comes as Southeast Asian nations face growing concerns over food supply and rising…

MANILA, Philippines — Economic leaders attending the 48th ASEAN Summit convened on Thursday, May 7, to coordinate a regional response to rising fuel and food prices and a worsening energy outlook as Middle East tensions continue to ripple across global markets and supply chains. Foreign Affairs Secretary Tess Lazaro and Trade Secretary Cristina Roque opened the ASEAN Foreign and Economic Minister’s meeting in Cebu. “The impacts of this prolonged conflict have now blurred the lines within the political and economic to gradually affect and is gradually affecting the lives of millions of people across ASEAN,” Lazaro said.  “Our energy security, food security and safety of ASEAN nationals have been brought out as the most urgent priorities for our region to address,” she added.  Lazaro said uncertainty remains high two months after military strikes involving the United States, Israel and Iran escalated conflict in the region, severely restricting activity in the…

Metro Manila, Philippines – Vice President Sara Duterte said she is fine on losing her post ahead of the scheduled May 11 plenary vote at the House of Representatives that will decide the fate of the impeachment complaints against her.  “Kung manatili akong vice president, well and good. Mas marami pa akong matutulungan through the Office of the Vice President. Kung hindi man din ako maging vice president, okay lang din sa akin,” Duterte said in an interview on May 6 at The Hague, Netherlands where her father is detained. [Translation: If I remain vice president, well and good. I’ll be able to help even more people through the Office of the Vice President. And if I don’t become vice president, that’s okay with me too.] Duterte said she never wanted to be president, citing her political plans in 2022. On the other hand, she announced in February her intention…