News

Metro Manila, Philippines – A China coast guard (CCG) ship veered dangerously close to a Filipino fishing support vessel and blasted a water cannon for over two minutes during a fuel subsidy mission in Bajo de Masinloc, a coral atoll, on Thursday morning, July 23, an official said. Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson Jay Tarriela said that no one was injured and that the two Filipino vessels successfully completed their fuel and food distribution to fishermen.  Two Filipino vessels, the BRP Datu Dumangsil and the BRP Datu Paiburong, conducted a fuel subsidy delivery mission.  The incident began at 5:54 a.m., when CCG 3302 – a 99-meter long patrol cutter ship – approached just 50 meters off the bow of the Datu Dumangsil. The CCG 21579 also tried to cut off the Datu Paiburong by crossing half a kilometer in front of it. At 6:29 a.m., CCG 3302 unleashed its water…

Metro Manila, Philippines – The Senate cannot afford to shoulder the meals of parties in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, Senate President Win Gatchalian said as the chamber rejected the request to foot the bill for the defense team’s food, beverages, and catering needs. In a July 7 letter addressed to Gatchalian, a copy of which was recently obtained by the media, Duterte also requested that the meals be prepared by the Office of the Vice President’s accredited caterer, citing security concerns. ”As these arrangements are required solely in connection with these proceedings, the OVP respectfully requests that the Senate shoulder the reasonable costs of food and beverage and catering services for the defense team, support staff, and witnesses,” the letter read. Asked about the request on Thursday, July 23, Gatchalian said he has yet to formally respond to Duterte’s letter but added offhand that the Senate…

Metro Manila, Philippines – In two separate statements, Senator Robin Padilla reiterated his concerns about the one-sidedness of the prosecution panel in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.  During the session on Wednesday, July 22, Padilla said the prosecution – whose job is to prove the guilt of Vice President Sara Duterte – should not be one-sided. This has gone viral.  READ: Alleged perjury, unfair treatment, and interruptions on Day 9 of impeachment trial In one statement addressed to House lead prosecutor Gerville Luistro early Thursday morning, July 23, he said: “Ang hustisya po ay neutral.” “Ang tungkulin ng prosecution ay hindi para manalo, kundi para sa katotohanan at proteksyon ng inosente. Ang tungkulin naman ng defense (tagapagtanggol) ay ang pagtiyak sa karapatang pantao at balanse sa kapangyarihan,” said the senator-judge.  [Translation: Justice is neutral. The duty of the prosecution is not to win, but for truth and…

Metro Manila, Philippines –  U.S. President Donald Trump holds President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. “in high esteem,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio said as the two allies reaffirmed their growing partnership amid heightened tensions in the Indo-Pacific. Rubio conveyed Trump’s message during a courtesy call on Marcos at Malacañang on Wednesday while in Manila for the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meetings. “You know how much the President holds you in high esteem,” Rubio told Marcos. “We had a very positive meeting last year in Washington.” Rubio said the United States considers the Philippines a longstanding partner whose strategic importance continues to grow. “This is a country that has had deep ties to the United States for many, many years, and it’s a partnership that is only growing,” he said. “In light of recent events, I think [it is] more important than ever.” He said that aside from participating in the ASEAN meetings,…

Metro Manila, Philippines – Some senator-judges called out alleged lying witnesses and supposed unfair treatment on the ninth day of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial on July 22, which was the shortest session so far.  The Impeachment Court resumed the cross-examination of National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag.  Defense lawyer Mark Vinluan continued to grill Matibag, at one point questioning the probe on Duterte’s supposed hiring of an assassin for the presidential family: “Are you saying that once you reach your findings, because we’re all waiting for that, is it correct to say that you will file another impeachment case against VP Sara?” “The betrayal of public trust as the issue in the Impeachment Court, we don’t need to investigate even if we pinpointed the person contracted because the point being is the betrayal of public trust has already been consummated when she publicly admitted, there is…