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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…

Metro Manila, Philippines — The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte began on Monday, July 6, with 21 senator-judges in session.  Defense panel spokesperson Michael Poa said Duterte would not personally appear on the first day. Senators Bato dela Rosa, Jinggoy Estrada, and Rodante Marcoleta were absent. Dela Rosa is in hiding amid an International Criminal Court warrant, while Estrada and Marcoleta are detained in connection with their plunder cases.  The Senate Impeachment Court trial proceedings will take place at 2 p.m. every Monday to Wednesday, from July 6 to 27. After President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivers his State of the Nation Address on July 28, the proceedings will shift to 3 p.m. from Tuesday to Thursday. Voting 12-8, the Senate Impeachment Court elected Sen. Chiz Escudero as the impeachment trial presiding officer. Sen. Alan Cayetano strongly objected to electing a presiding officer, citing alleged constitutional violations.  Due to…

Vancouver, Canada – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. criticized China’s decision to sanction Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., saying the move raises tensions and does little to advance efforts to manage territorial disputes in the West Philippine Sea. Marcos described Beijing’s action as “very unhelpful.” “It really achieves very little,” he told reporters. Marcos said the sanctions do not move discussions between Manila and Beijing forward. “It does not make it easier,” he said. “It does not lessen the risk of a mistake or some kind of skirmish that could grow into something more.” Marcos said the Philippines remains committed to keeping communication channels with China open despite differences over the West Philippine Sea. “We continue to have open lines of communication with Beijing,” he said. The president said the government is pursuing dialogue at the diplomatic, commercial and personal levels. “Everything that we can is being explored,” he said. Marcos…

Metro Manila, Philippines – Senator Rodante Marcoleta is under arrest in connection with the ₱75-million plunder case filed by the Office of the Ombudsman. On Monday, July 6, the Sandiganbayan Third Division issued warrants of arrest and a precautionary hold departure order (PHDO) against Marcoleta, former Rep. Mike Defensor, and businessmen Joseph Espiritu and Aristotle Viray. Plunder is a non-bailable offense. The case stems from allegations that Marcoleta failed to declare ₱75 million in campaign donations from Defensor, Espiritu, and Viray for the 2025 midterm senatorial elections.  Marcoleta was arrested shortly after the graft court issued the warrant. He was brought to Camp Crame in Quezon City to undergo booking. His final destination is at the Quezon City Jail in Payatas, said Associate Justice Karl Miranda. Sen. Jinggoy Estrada is also detained there pending his plunder trial in relation to the flood control scandal.  Speaking to reporters at the Sandiganbayan,…