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Metro Manila, Philippines – Vice President Sara Duterte faced another impeachment battle early 2026 after surviving a previous attempt to remove her from office.  NewsWatch Plus breaks down the timeline of the fresh impeachment efforts that may not just unseat her – but disqualify her from holding any public office. Feb. 2 – Two impeachment suits were filed against the vice president amid conflicting interpretations on the one-year bar rule – the provision in the Constitution that prohibits more than one impeachment proceeding against one official in one year.  The first complaint was filed by the Makabayan coalition, citing betrayal of public trust for the alleged misuse of ₱612.5 million of confidential funds in the Office of the Vice President and Department of Education (DepEd).  The other was from civil society groups led by Tindig Pilipinas convenor Kiko Aquino Dee, grandson of democracy icons former President Corazon Aquino and former…

Metro Manila, Philippines –  Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said the government has no credible information yet regarding a possible International Criminal Court arrest warrant or Interpol red notice against Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa. “There is no credible information of an impending warrant of arrest from the ICC or the Interpol,” Remulla said during a press briefing on Sunday.  The statement comes amid growing speculation that dela Rosa, the former Philippine National Police chief and chief implementor of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs, could face arrest linked to the ICC investigation into alleged crimes against humanity. Remulla clarified that authorities are not conducting a manhunt against the senator. “What we do have is now a subpoena for him, but not a manhunt,” he said. The Interior secretary earlier disclosed that the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group would issue a subpoena ordering dela Rosa to appear before investigators in…

Metro Manila, Philippines – Former President Rodrigo Duterte’s longtime partner Honeylet Avanceña and daughter Veronica “Kitty” Duterte selected the new lawyer who will take over the former president’s defense before the International Criminal Court, outgoing counsel Nicholas Kaufman said. In a statement sent to NewsWatch Plus, Kaufman said he raised no objection when the ICC Registry sought his approval for the incoming lawyer’s acquaintance visit with Duterte. “On Friday last, the Registry of the Court requested my approval for the acquaintance visit of replacement counsel yesterday and in accordance with my professional and ethical obligations, I raised no objection,” Kaufman said. Kaufman said Kitty later informed him that she and her mother had already chosen Duterte’s new lawyer and requested that he step down. “Veronica informed me that she and her mother Honeylet had selected new counsel for PRRD and advised me to step down based on their assurance that…

Metro Manila, Philippines –  The Department of the Interior and Local Government said the Philippine National Police will subpoena Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa as part of a renewed investigation into alleged extrajudicial killings linked to the Duterte administration’s war on drugs. Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla announced Sunday that the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group will issue a subpoena to dela Rosa ordering him to personally appear before investigators. “Finally, in conclusion, the CIDG will issue a subpoena tomorrow to General dela Rosa to appear personally before the CIDG office here in aid of investigation of the previous crimes,” Remulla said during a press briefing. “I repeat, this is not an arrest warrant but a subpoena for the Senator and former Chief of Police,” he added. Remulla said the investigation would be based partly on the findings of the House Quad Committee hearings and complaints related to alleged extrajudicial killings…

Metro Manila, Philippines – “Caloy” has weakened into a tropical depression while moving over the sea east of northeastern Mindanao, the weather bureau reported on Sunday, May 10. In its 8 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA said “Caloy” (international name: Hagupit) has maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) and gusts of up to 70 kph. Caloy was estimated at 770 kilometers east of Surigao City, Surigao del Norte, moving northwestward at 10 kph. PAGASA said Caloy is unlikely to directly affect the country throughout the forecast period as it continues to move west northwestward over the Philippine Sea, far from the country’s landmass. Caloy is forecast to further weaken by Monday, May 11. By Sunday evening, Caloy may be located 630 kilometers east of Guiuan, Eastern Samar, before moving 500 kilometers east of Guiuan by Monday morning and 375 kilometers east northeast of the town by Monday evening. PAGASA…