SC declares law extending barangay, SK official terms constitutional
Metro Manila, Philippines – The Supreme Court affirmed the constitutionality of a term-fixing law for barangay officials and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) members, rather than a law that seeks to postpone elections. The decision dismissed the petition of poll lawyer Romulo Macalintal that challenged Republic Act (RA) 12326, citing a violation of the high court’s 2023 decision on the postponement of elections for compelling reasons, as well as the people’s right to vote. RA 12326 not only extended the terms of incumbent barangay officials and SK members until 2028, but also scheduled the next barangay and SK elections (BSKE) for Nov. 13, 2028. The SC noted that the law’s main purpose was to raise the term of barangay officials from four years, as set by RA 12232 in 2025, to five years, while also reducing the maximum number of consecutive terms they may serve from three to two. It added that…
‘No special treatment’: DILG orders BJMP to submit report on Romualdez jail assistant
Metro Manila, Philippines – The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) has until Sunday, Nov. 8, to submit a comprehensive report on the authorization of a personal aide inside the detention cell of Leyte 1st District Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said in a statement on Friday. Remulla said the issue needs immediate scrutiny and full accounting from the BJMP, saying that “the law must be applied equally across all jail facilities.” The information was disclosed during a Sandiganbayan hearing on the supposed privilege of the former House speaker to go in and out of the facility, an unverified claim retracted by former columnist Mon Tulfo. The DILG chief, who has supervision over the BJMP, said incomplete findings, unsupported explanations, and failure to comply with this directive will not be accepted. Remulla said he also expects the jail management leadership to preserve relevant records and make…
Ombudsman to conduct surprise check on alleged Romualdez ‘PA’ in jail
Metro Manila, Philippines – Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla announced on Friday, Nov. 6, surprise inspections at the Quezon City Jail in Payatas after learning of reports that Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez had been allowed to have a personal assistant (PA) inside the facility. Remulla said he would personally visit the jail without prior notice, at any hour, to check whether officials were following jail rules and ensure that no detainee was receiving special treatment. “Actually yung PA, ngayon ko lang narinig ‘yon eh. Kaya lalo ko nagalit; nagagalit ako pag ganun eh. Hindi pwede yun,” Remulla said, referring to the reported arrangement. [Translation: Actually the PA, it was the first time I heard about it. That made me more mad; I am mad if that is the case. That is not allowed.] READ: Romualdez has personal staff in jail – BJMP He said he has yet to validate the information,…
Impeachment court admits most prosecution evidence ahead of Duterte defense presentation
Metro Manila, Philippines — The Senate Impeachment Court has admitted most of the prosecution’s evidence against Vice President Sara Duterte, while excluding some records, ahead of the defense presentation of witnesses and evidence when the trial resumes on Monday, Nov. 9. The ruling settled the prosecution’s formal offer of evidence and the defense’s objections to it, clearing the way for Duterte’s camp to begin presenting its case on the remaining charge of unexplained wealth, false Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs), and failure to divest business interests. The hearing will begin at 10 a.m. and focus on Article II, with the prosecution withdrawing Articles I (misuse of confidential funds), III (bribery) and IV (grave threats) on Oct. 13. In a Nov. 5 order, the court admitted documents including SALNs, bank and financial records, tax documents, property records and reports from the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC). The court excluded…
Marcos appoints 10 new ad interim cabinet officials
Metro Manila, Philippines – Ten officials took oath for their appointments on Friday, Nov. 6, at Malacañan Palace. Sworn in by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Malacañang said the designation aimed to highlight the commitment to strengthening accountability, transparency, and improved public service. “This is the best team ever assembled here since my father’s cabinet,” Marcos said before administering the oath. Among those appointed was Ralph Recto as executive secretary, who said his first directive from the president was to ease prices of goods and services. Meanwhile, Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon and Public Works Secretary Giovanni Lopez traded agency roles. Lopez said both agencies aim to expedite road repairs and expand the number of public transit modes, especially with the upcoming Christmas holidays. “Tandem kami, lagi kami magtatrabaho together para mas mabilis,” Dizon said. [Translation: We are a tandem, always working together to ramp things up.] Another appointee is Gay Jane…
