Abbey M.

Northern Bloom in Atok, Benguet has become one of the must-visit destinations this February, drawing tourists eager to experience its natural beauty and cool mountain climate.

Located in the vegetable bowl of the Philippines, Atok offers visitors a refreshing escape with its sprawling flower gardens and picturesque highland landscapes. The town sits at an elevation that provides cooler temperatures, making it an ideal retreat from the heat of lowland areas.

February marks the peak blooming season in the region, with vibrant flowers covering the hillsides and creating stunning photo opportunities. The area's agricultural terraces and vegetable farms add to the scenic views that have made Northern Bloom a popular attraction.

Visitors can enjoy leisurely walks through the gardens, breathe in the fresh mountain air, and take in panoramic views of the Cordillera mountain range. The site has become increasingly popular on social media, with tourists sharing photos of the colorful blooms against the backdrop of Atok's rolling hills.

The destination offers a peaceful getaway for families, couples, and nature enthusiasts looking to experience the beauty of the Philippine highlands. Local businesses in the area provide accommodations and dining options featuring fresh vegetables and native dishes from the region.

With its combination of natural beauty, pleasant weather, and accessibility from major cities in Northern Luzon, Northern Bloom in Atok continues to attract visitors seeking a memorable mountain experience this February.

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Days after completing a two-month suspension, Cavite 4th District Representative Francisco "Kiko" Barzaga received another 60-day suspension from the House of Representatives.

The penalty stems from alleged repeated and escalating misconduct during his previous suspension from December 1, 2025 to January 30, 2026.

The House voted 238-10 with 9 abstentions to adopt Committee Report No. 102. Deputy Speaker Kristine Singson-Meehan announced the suspension would take effect immediately.

House Ethics Committee Chairperson JC Abalos said Barzaga's actions damaged the chamber's reputation. He noted the congressman appeared not to recognize the gravity of the disciplinary measures despite knowing their severity.

Abalos stated that Barzaga escalated his misconduct to include vilification of a deceased colleague and defamatory statements against colleagues and private citizens through his official social media. 

The behavior demonstrated that the initial suspension failed as discipline and showed unfitness for legislative duties, according to the complaint.

Barzaga defended his actions, saying Congress was deflecting from priority issues like flood control and corruption. He argued lawmakers should focus on creating beneficial laws rather than producing reports that don't serve the public.

"No matter how you change the way the budget is being allocated, if a percentage is still being stolen, you cannot expect our economy to prosper. It's a waste of taxpayers' money. These committee reports serve no purpose," Barzaga said.

The congressman stood by his actions, saying he would not have done them if he was going to regret them later.

With reports from Jed Nerecina

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is pleased with the outcome of the impeachment complaints filed against him, which were declared insufficient in substance, according to Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro.

Castro said the President was confident from the start that he had not violated any laws and that the complaints filed against him had no merit.

"He didn't watch it. We just informed him of the results because the President was at two events. He was pleased. He said the process was followed, and that's what the President wants—for the process to be followed and for the truth to be seen," Castro said.

[“hindi po niya napanood nasabihan lang po namin kung ano ang resulta dahil ang pangulo ay nasa dalawang events <<jump>> natuwa po siya ang sabi nga po niya ay nasunod ang proseso at yun din naman po ang gusto ng pangulo masunod ang proseso at makita ang katotohanan.”]

The Palace also left a message for those who filed the complaints against the President.

"It's good that they have been enlightened, but the President says let's move forward, because what he wants now is to focus on the economy and how to improve the lives of Filipinos," Castro added.

[Maganda po na naliwanagan na sila pero ang sabi ng pangulo lets move forward, dahil ang gusto niya ngayon ay tutukan ang eknomiya at pano maiangat ang buhay ng mga Pilipino.”]

House Justice Committee declares impeachment complaints against President Marcos insufficient in substance

The House Justice Committee has declared both impeachment complaints against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. insufficient in substance, though the decision could be overturned if at least one-third of House members object during the plenary.

After three days of deliberation, the House Justice Panel voted to dismiss the complaints, ruling that the allegations do not constitute impeachable offenses under the Constitution.

The first impeachment complaint, filed by Atty. Andre de Jesus and endorsed by House Deputy Minority Leader and Pusong Pinoy Partylist Rep. Jett Nisay, was rejected in a 42-1-3 vote.

The second complaint, filed by Liza Maza and others and endorsed by Makabayan lawmakers, was dismissed in a 7-39-0 vote.

"With vote in favor of the motion, seven. And those against the motion, 39. With zero abstention. The Chair declares the Maza et al impeachment complaint insufficient in substance," announced Rep. Gerville Luistro, Chairperson of the House Committee on Justice from Batangas, 2nd District.

Minority Bloc Defends Second Complaint

Several members of the House Minority Bloc voiced strong support for the second impeachment complaint, arguing that the allegations are factual and sufficient in substance.

Rep. Edgar Erice, House Senior Deputy Minority Leader from Caloocan, 2nd District, said the complaint clearly establishes culpability. 

"The complaint clearly answers the basic questions: Who did it? The President. What was done? He allowed and signed off on budget manipulation and anomalous releases. When? In the 2023, 2024, and 2025 GAA. How? By approving releases and failing to prevent the diversion of funds."

Erice emphasized the gravity of the allegations. 

"Most importantly, these actions are directly connected to the impeachable offense of betrayal of public trust. The allegations are grave. They affect public interest, destroy constitutional order, and shatter the people's trust in government. If proven true, the President committed an impeachable offense."

Rep. Chel Diokno, House Assistant Minority Leader from AKBAYAN Partylist, argued that the complaint meets the threshold for proceeding. 

"Given the standard that these allegations are assumed to be true, the complaint insofar as the 3rd ground is concerned does satisfy the threshold standard of sufficiency in substance."

Diokno called for key witnesses to testify. 

"I believe that Zaldy Co should appear before us so that committee members can cross examine him and he can be judged not only by lawmakers but by the Filipino people, whether what he's saying is true or has substance."

Rep. Leila De Lima, House Deputy Minority Leader from Mamamayang Liberal Partylist, described the third ground as the strongest. 

"I think this 3rd ground is the strongest, because if you take a look at the allegations of the complaint, especially those regarding the claims made through a video by former Rep. and chair of the appropriations committee, it would seem if hypothetically admitted, there is an impeachable offense."

Majority Bloc cites a lack of evidence

Members of the House Majority Bloc who voted to dismiss the complaints insisted there is no evidence linking President Marcos directly to the alleged offenses.

Rep. Bel Zamora, Vice Chairperson of the House Committee on Justice from San Juan City, said the President committed no overt act. 

"It is clear from the complaint that the President did not do any overt act that will show that he directed these three schemes. In the first place, it was not the President who created the BBM parametric formula of the DPWH. Having an imperfect policy direction is not an impeachable offense."

Zamora also questioned the reliability of evidence. 

"That the President allegedly has a direct personal involvement is not clear from the allegations or borne out from the records. We should not tolerate the use of hearsay allegations, videos that are not attested to, or fake news."

Rep. Lordan Suan, House Assistant Majority Leader from Cagayan de Oro, 1st District, argued that responsibility lies elsewhere. 

"Regarding alleged irregularities in the execution of projects, this cannot be directly attributed to the president but can be attributed to guilty erring implementing agencies and even contractors. So for me, as to the alleged 2nd act of betrayal of public trust, the complaint falls short or it appears that there's insufficiency in substance."

Rep. Wowo Fortes, House Deputy Majority Leader from Sorsogon, 2nd District, challenged the authenticity of key evidence. 

"Zaldy Co's confession was made and published in a social media platform, ostensibly made outside of the Philippines, not based on authentic records. Second, Robert Bernardo's testimony hypothetically admits that it was delivered to the office of the executive secretary, not to the office of the president. Thirdly, Cabral files, until now, authenticity is being questioned."

Allegations center on corruption scheme

The second impeachment complaint focuses on alleged betrayal of public trust through systematic corruption involving the Baselined Balanced Managed or BBM parametric formula of the Department of Public Works and Highways.

The complaint alleges this formula served as the basis for misappropriation of funds allocated for flood control and other government infrastructure projects. It also cites alleged abuse of presidential power over unprogrammed appropriations in the national budget and alleged direct involvement in budgetary insertions and kickback schemes.

Rep. Antonio Tinio, House Deputy Minority Leader from ACT Teachers Partylist and endorser of the second complaint, emphasized the severity of the allegations. 

"The recitation of facts is clear, all of these constitute betrayal of public trust, betrayal of the people's trust. And this betrayal is no joke. It's not a small matter because the entire flood control corruption scandal happened with the full knowledge, consent, and direct participation of President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos himself."

The first impeachment complaint was discussed on Tuesday, February 3. Several House Justice members declared it insufficient in substance, citing the lack of recital of facts, absence of evidence, and reliance solely on media reports.

The House Justice Panel will convene again on February 9 to prepare and approve the committee report.

With reports from Rosalie Coz

President Marcos pleased with impeachment complaint results, Palace says

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is pleased with the outcome of the impeachment complaints filed against him, which were declared insufficient in substance, according to Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro.

Castro said the President was confident from the start that he had not violated any laws and that the complaints filed against him had no merit.

"He didn't watch it. We just informed him of the results because the President was at two events. He was pleased. He said the process was followed, and that's what the President wants—for the process to be followed and for the truth to be seen," Castro said.

[“hindi po niya napanood nasabihan lang po namin kung ano ang resulta dahil ang pangulo ay nasa dalawang events <<jump>> natuwa po siya ang sabi nga po niya ay nasunod ang proseso at yun din naman po ang gusto ng pangulo masunod ang proseso at makita ang katotohanan.”]

The Palace also left a message for those who filed the complaints against the President.

"It's good that they have been enlightened, but the President says let's move forward, because what he wants now is to focus on the economy and how to improve the lives of Filipinos," Castro added.

[Maganda po na naliwanagan na sila pero ang sabi ng pangulo lets move forward, dahil ang gusto niya ngayon ay tutukan ang eknomiya at pano maiangat ang buhay ng mga Pilipino.”]

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered the immediate payment of contractors who have properly executed government infrastructure projects.

The administration had previously exercised caution in releasing funds to certain contractors while investigating several projects amid issues surrounding the flood control projects anomaly.

According to the Palace, contractors who completed their projects without problems should now be paid promptly.

"This is one of the President's orders—to pay the contractors who have done well and have not been problematic for the country. This directive is necessary to revitalize the infrastructure industry," said Undersecretary Claire Castro, Palace Press Officer.

The move aims to balance accountability with supporting legitimate contractors and maintaining momentum in the government's infrastructure development program. 

While scrutiny continues on questionable projects, the administration is ensuring that compliant contractors are not unfairly affected by delays in payment.

The directive comes as the government seeks to strengthen its infrastructure sector while maintaining strict oversight to prevent corruption and ensure quality in public works projects.