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Metro Manila, Philippines – Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero on Wednesday, June 3, described the Senate impasse as “untenable and unacceptable,” calling on lawmakers to set aside political divisions and prioritize the institution’s mandate to serve the public. In a statement issued on June 3, Escudero stressed that the political standoff has begun to affect the Senate’s ability to perform its constitutional duties. He attended the plenary on the last session day, allowing the chamber to have a quorum to do business. “The current impasse in the Senate is untenable and unacceptable,” said Escudero, emphasizing that when divisions become too severe and obstruct the chamber’s work, senators must have the courage to reflect and place the institution above personal or political interests. He said his position was not aligned with any political faction. “This is not a political contest. I am not taking sides. I am taking a stand for the…

Metro Manila, Philippines –  The House of Representatives on Wednesday, June 3, approved on final reading the controversial version of the anti-political dynasty bill – the first of its kind to clear plenary under the 1987 constitutional provision. A total of 267 lawmakers voted for the bill, 20 were against, while seven abstained. Speaker Bojie Dy and Majority Leader Sandro Marcos – both from well-known political clans – are authors of the measure, while 159 others co-authored the bill. “This measure recognizes a reality in Philippine politics while also responding to a constitutional mandate that has remained pending for decades. The objective is to promote broader political participation and strengthen public trust in our democratic institutions,” Marcos said. The bill aims to prohibit spouses or relatives within the second degree of consanguinity or affinity to hold positions simultaneously. In a statement, House committee on suffrage electoral reforms chairperson Zia Adiong…

Metro Manila, Philippines – Sen. Erwin Tulfo is the new blue ribbon committee chairman, replacing Sen. Pia Cayetano in leading the probe on the flood control corruption scandal.  Tulfo was appointed on Wednesday, June 3, with other committee chairpersons just after Sherwin “Win” Gatchalian was elected Senate president pro tempore and concurrent acting president. Gatchalian had a solid 11-minority bloc vote plus Sen. Chiz Escudero, from the group of Cayetano, allowing a quorum to conduct business. Other senators snubbed the session for the third consecutive day.  Sen. Tito Sotto then moved to declare all seats vacant – except for the Senate presidency. Here are the other committees and their new chairpersons: JV Ejercito – finance Tito Sotto – national defense Ping Lacson – public order and accounts Erwin Tulfo – accountability of public officers and investigations (blue ribbon), social welfare and development Raffy Tulfo – public services Bam Aquino -…

Metro Manila, Philippines – Senator Alan Peter Cayetano and Senator Robin Padilla are facing complaints with the ombudsman for obstruction of justice for supposedly aiding fugitive senator Bato dela Rosa escape from the Senate premises while facing an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC). Civil society groups led by Tindig Pilipinas filed the complaint on Wednesday, June 3. Also named as respondent was suspended Senate Sergeant At Arms Mao Aplasca, who fired the first shot in a standoff with National Bureau of Investigation agents inside the Senate building, amid reports of Dela Rosa possibly getting arrested. Complainants said Cayetano should be held liable for giving protective custody to Dela Rosa and as supervising authority of Aplasca.  “These were not passive acts. They were deliberate measures that shielded Dela Rosa from law enforcement officers who were serving the warrant and amounts to harboring, concealing, or facilitating escape,” the complaint…

Metro Manila, Philippines – Twelve senators elected Sherwin “Win” Gatchalian as president pro tempore replacing Alan Peter Cayetano, and concurrent acting Senate president on Wednesday, June 3.  Gatchalian has a solid 11-minority bloc vote plus Sen. Chiz Escudero from the group of Cayetano, who appeared at the session hall. The rest snubbed the session for the third consecutive day. All positions were declared vacant and new committee chairpersons were named.  Gatchalian explained the reason for the leadership change, and then adjourned the session to resume on the last Monday of July for the State of the Nation Address.  “For clarity, Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano is no longer Senate President after the Senate, with 12 senators present and a quorum declared based on the recognized base number of 22 under Avelino v. Cuenco, voted to declare all positions vacant, including the presidency of the institution,” the new majority said in a…