Abbey M.

The Department of Transportation has started implementing temporary closures on sections of North EDSA to accommodate turnback girder launching activities as part of the Metro Rail Transit Line 7 construction.

Starting February 1 through May 8, 2026, two lanes on the northbound side toward Balintawak will be closed 24/7. Full road closures will also be implemented on select nights from 10 PM to 4 AM during this period.

On the southbound side toward Cubao, two lanes will be closed from February 15 to May 18, with the same nighttime full closure schedule from 10 PM to 4 AM.

According to engineers, the lane closures are necessary to install tower supports and steel box girders that will serve as the foundation for the rail line. 

Concrete barriers will also be placed to ensure safety during the construction phase.

Officials warned commuters to expect longer travel times and worsening traffic in the area. The public is advised to exercise patience or use alternative routes to avoid significant delays.

The MRT-7 project is expected to improve transportation efficiency once completed, providing faster transit options for commuters traveling along the North EDSA corridor.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced that his health is improving, according to a vlog he released on Sunday, February 1.

In the video update, the president revealed he lost weight after being placed on a liquid diet for several days. Malacañang previously disclosed that Marcos Jr. was diagnosed with diverticulitis, an inflammatory condition affecting the digestive system.

"I'm recovering well, and the doctors' assessment is good—nothing serious. I just need to regain my strength," President Marcos Jr. stated in his vlog.

["ako naman eto, nagre-recover na rin, maganda naman ang assessment ng mga doctor, nothing serious, kailangan magpalakas ulit.”]

The president's health update comes after concerns were raised about his condition. Diverticulitis occurs when small pouches in the digestive tract become inflamed or infected, often requiring dietary modifications and medical treatment.

Despite the temporary health setback, the president assured the public that his recovery is progressing smoothly and that medical professionals have given him a positive prognosis.

Malacañang has announced that there will be no more cabinet rigodon under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., even as some of his secretaries remain in acting capacity.

The Palace made this statement following questions raised by Senator Rodante Marcoleta about the increasing number of acting secretaries who have not yet gone through the Commission on Appointments.

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said they asked the President about the matter, and he confirmed there would be no more rigodon. She added that the names of appointees will be submitted to the Commission on Appointments as soon as possible.

Construction has begun on a covered walkway between TriNoma and SM North EDSA to make pedestrian and commuter travel safer and more comfortable.

This follows an inspection conducted by the Department of Transportation and DOTR-MRT3, which assessed the condition of the walkway and the temporary cement patches installed in areas prone to flooding.

According to DOTR, construction of the covered walkway will continue to protect passersby from sun and rain, especially during rush hours.

The agency expressed gratitude to MRT-7 under San Miguel Corporation for its assistance in installing the covered walkway.

The Supreme Court has clarified in its decision on Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment case that impeachment is not merely a political matter but a legal and constitutional proceeding that requires due process from the very beginning.

The high court denied the House of Representatives' motion to reverse its declaration that the articles of impeachment against Vice President Duterte were unconstitutional.

The tribunal emphasized that the fourth articles of impeachment submitted to the Senate on February 5, 2025 violated the one-year bar rule.

According to Supreme Court Spokesperson Atty. Camille Sue Mae Ting, the Supreme Court En Banc affirmed that the fourth impeachment complaint transmitted to the Senate on February 5, 2025 was already barred by Article XI, Section 3, subsection (5) of the Constitution.

In the decision written by Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen, the court stated that impeachment is a legal, political, and constitutional procedure, not a political proceeding alone.

The court also asserted that under the power granted to them by the Constitution, impeachment proceedings can be reviewed by the judiciary.

The high court stressed that due process must be observed throughout the entire impeachment process, as well as the speedy disposition of cases.

"The due process clause embodies the fundamental constitutional commitment to reasonableness, fairness, and non-arbitrariness. It envisions that we cannot have a true democratic and republican/representative state that is arbitrary and unfair," Ting said.

The House of Representatives can no longer appeal the decision, and the Supreme Court will not accept any other petitions related to the case. This means the ruling is final and cannot be challenged.

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