Abbey M.

Search and rescue operations are ongoing at the collapsed structure in Balibago, Angeles City, Pampanga, as responders work against the clock to recover victims trapped beneath the debris.

Rescuers are intensifying their use of thermal scanning and proper sectoring across the entire operation to organize the deployment of responders and quickly identify critical areas. 

Other rescue management units remain on standby to provide immediate first aid, while ambulances have been deployed to rush recovered victims to nearby hospitals.

Based on initial investigation, most of the victims trapped under the rubble were construction workers who had been sleeping in barracks located beneath the building under construction. Their wives and children were also with them at the time of the collapse.

The tragedy occurred at around 2 AM on Sunday, May 24. Last night, several bodies were recovered from the collapsed building, and rescuers attempted to revive them. A Malaysian national was also among those recovered yesterday.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Search and Rescue Team (MMDA SAR) joined the search for victims trapped under the nine-story hotel under construction in Pampanga. 

MMDA General Manager Undersecretary Nicolas Torre III was among those who went to the site, using a Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD) to call the attention of possible survivors beneath the rubble.

The rescue team also used advanced equipment such as a vibraphone and life locator to determine the exact location of victims under the debris. K-9 units were also dispatched to speed up rescue operations and help ensure the safety of those trapped.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will assign a technical team to assist in the investigation of the collapse. 

DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon was among those who immediately went to the site yesterday to personally assess the situation and order the deployment of agency equipment. The DPWH sent boom trucks and a Tadano crane to support search and rescue operations at the site.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office Region 3 (DSWD FO3) also attended to the families affected by the collapse on May 24. 

Some families are temporarily staying at a shelter while their other needs are being addressed, and have been given family food packs and other relief items. 

The DSWD has also begun distributing an initial cash assistance of P10,000 to help affected families cover expenses related to the incident.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) presented the results of its investigation into the May 13 Senate shooting incident, showing the media new CCTV footage and a detailed timeline of events. The agency concluded that no attack on the Senate took place.

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla said the evidence points to a different scenario than initially reported.

"Unang-una po, for the record, all evidence points that there was no attack on the Senate," Remulla said.

(First and foremost, for the record, all evidence points that there was no attack on the Senate.)

According to the PNP, 29 NBI agents arrived at the GSIS Main Building with GSIS security at 6:17 PM on May 13, responding to a request from GSIS General Manager Wick Veloso to secure the area.

At 6:51 PM, the NBI agents began inspecting portions of the GSIS office, including the canteen near the site of the shooting. They also surveyed the Level 2 medical hallway.

NBI personnel reached the canteen veranda at 6:52 PM, and by 7:02 PM, two NBI agents were posted at the door leading to the Senate premises, where the gunfire later occurred.

A drilling sound was heard at 7:39 PM PNP Chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the noise came from the reinforcement of a steel door at the GSIS ground floor.

"because at GSIS premises particularly at the ground floor may pinto po doon na steel door na pinortify [fortify] ng ating maintenance o security ng GSIS," Nartatez said.

(Because at the GSIS premises, particularly at the ground floor, there is a steel door that was fortified by our maintenance or security of the GSIS.)

Remulla added that Senate maintenance had been informed about the drilling work in advance.

"They had duly informed the maintenance of the Senate that there was going to be drill work going on in all the doors of the GSIS connecting to the Senate," Remulla said.

At 7:44 PM, Marines security and the Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms (OSAA), led by Acting Sergeant-at-Arms Mao Aplasca, assembled. One minute later, Aplasca's group moved into the outdoor canteen of the GSIS office, where the two NBI agents were stationed.

The confrontation between the OSAA-led group and the NBI agents took place between 7:46 PM and 7:49 PM, resulting in the gunfire.

"According to testimony of General Aplasca himself, he opened the door and he asked 'sino ka'. The agent identified himself as NBI. Shortly thereafter, he fired three shots toward—shot three shots into the–not exactly the direction, but three shots towards the vicinity of the NBI agent. And you can see the muzzle fire there, the blast, ipakita mo, General, rewind please about 10 seconds. One, two, three firearms, then the agent withdrew behind the air conditioning dock units. And because he was being fired upon, he discharged a cover fire. Take note that the cover fire was because he was under the impression that he was under attack," Remulla said.

(According to the testimony of General Aplasca himself, he opened the door and he asked "who are you." The agent identified himself as NBI. Shortly thereafter, he fired three shots toward—shot three shots into the—not exactly the direction, but three shots towards the vicinity of the NBI agent. And you can see the muzzle fire there, the blast, show it, General, rewind please about 10 seconds. One, two, three firearms, then the agent withdrew behind the air conditioning dock units. And because he was being fired upon, he discharged a cover fire. Take note that the cover fire was because he was under the impression that he was under attack.)

CCTV footage showed Aplasca and OSAA personnel leaving the area of the incident at 7:50 p.m.

The investigation also showed that Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa was seen leaving the Senate at 2:30 AM on May 14.

"It shows the white Fortuner and personalities going out from the Senate particularly makita natin doon ang Senator Bato and Senator Padilla and going to the vehicle na Fortuner," Nartatez said.

(It shows the white Fortuner and personalities going out from the Senate, and we can see there Senator Bato and Senator Padilla going to the Fortuner vehicle.)

Remulla also explained why the NBI, instead of the PNP, was tasked to secure the GSIS Main Office.

"PNP was already guarding the front of the building. We had approximately one thousand plus. In this case, he thought it more prudent that the NBI secure the area according to their capacity," Remulla said.

Nartatez said coordination on GSIS security had begun on the morning of May 12 between GSIS security officials and the OSAA.

"umaga pa lang ng May 12 may nag-coordinate na po na… nagku-coordinate na ang GSIS security officials and the OSAA security officials with regards to the security on GSIS. That will show that there was really a meeting," Nartatez said.

(As early as the morning of May 12, there was already coordination… GSIS security officials and OSAA security officials were coordinating with regards to the security on GSIS. That will show that there was really a meeting.)

The PNP turned over the results of its investigation to Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Frederick Vida the day before. Vida said the DOJ will not accept the findings outright and will conduct further evaluation.

"in similar route, it will go to the panel and it will all be evaluated. Nakita ninyo naman mga kababayan ko 'no, compelling iyong facts that have been unearthed but we still need to verify and validate 'no. The DOJ will not take this as-is 'no, we will check on the timelines, we will check on the source of the videos and everything. Kasi sa dulo nito, kailangan iyong katotohanan lang," Vida said.

(In similar route, it will go to the panel and it will all be evaluated. You have seen, my fellow Filipinos, the facts that have been unearthed are compelling but we still need to verify and validate. The DOJ will not take this as-is, we will check on the timelines, we will check on the source of the videos and everything. Because in the end, what is needed is the truth.)

MANILA — The Philippine Senate formally convened as an impeachment court on Monday, May 18, 2026, to try Vice President Sara Duterte over charges of culpable violation of the Constitution, graft and corruption, betrayal of public trust, bribery, and other high crimes.

23 senators attended the plenary session wearing maroon robes as they took their oath as senator-judges days after receiving the Articles of Impeachment from the House of Representatives. Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa was absent from the proceedings. 

Senator Camille Villar, the youngest member of the chamber, administered the oath to Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano as presiding officer of the impeachment court. Cayetano subsequently swore in the 22 other senators present as judges.

Unlike the previous year's transmittal of the impeachment articles, the convening proceeded without lengthy debates, as senators exchanged their legislative attire for judicial robes after acting Majority Leader Joel Villanueva moved to refer the complaint to the impeachment court. 

The impeachment court ordered the Vice President to file her response to the Articles of Impeachment within 10 calendar days from receipt of the summons.

The House of Representatives impeached Duterte on May 11 through a 257-25 vote, with the Articles of Impeachment transmitted to the Senate on May 13. The charges stem from allegations of unexplained wealth, misuse of confidential funds, and a public statement perceived as a threat against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The Vice President has denied the accusations.

This marks the second time in two years that the Senate has convened as an impeachment court against the Vice President. The first impeachment proceedings in 2025, then under Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero, did not reach trial before the 19th Congress adjourned.

If convicted by a two-thirds vote of the Senate, Duterte will be removed from office and barred from holding public office for life. She announced her candidacy for the 2028 presidential election in February 2026.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is scheduled to leave for Japan next week for a state visit, with security and energy as the main topics he intends to discuss with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.

One of the key matters Marcos plans to take up during their meeting in Tokyo is the security cooperation between the Philippines and Japan, which is also tied to the recently signed Reciprocal Access Agreement between the two countries.

"I expect that we will be talking about many things in Japan, but of course, security cooperation will be a very important part of that discussion," the President said. 

(Inaasahan kong marami tayong pag-uusapan sa Japan, ngunit siyempre, ang kooperasyon sa seguridad ay magiging napakahalagang bahagi ng talakayang iyon.)

The Chief Executive also cited Japan's significant contribution to the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

As current Chairman of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Marcos likewise intends to discuss the situation in the South China Sea, where both the Philippines and Japan are facing similar security concerns.

"I will also bring up to see what it means in terms of further cooperation and assistance, not only to the Philippines but to ASEAN as well. As Japan and the Philippines have experienced the same difficulties in terms of coercive acts, in terms of different gray zone, so to say, tactics that are being exercised in the South China Sea and in all of China," Marcos stated. 

(Babanggitin ko rin upang makita kung ano ang ibig sabihin nito pagdating sa karagdagang kooperasyon at tulong, hindi lamang sa Pilipinas kundi pati na rin sa ASEAN. Dahil ang Japan at Pilipinas ay parehong nakaranas ng mga kahirapan pagdating sa mga mapilit na hakbang, sa iba't ibang gray zone tactics na ipinatutupad sa South China Sea at sa buong China.)

Aside from this, the President noted that the Philippines will also seek Japan's support in terms of energy supply amid the ongoing crisis in the Middle East.

"And so we will again try to engage Japan and to see how it will work together – together with Japan, as Japan has now taken a more active role when it comes to the – when it comes to the subject of energy and energy supply," he added. 

(Kaya muli naming susubukang makipag-ugnayan sa Japan at tingnan kung paano ito gagana – kasama ang Japan, dahil mas aktibong papel na ang ginagampanan ng Japan pagdating sa usapin ng enerhiya at suplay ng enerhiya.)

According to Marcos, Asian countries should begin looking for alternative sources of oil.

"I don't think that we will go back to the old system where the majority of the petroleum products that are coming out of the Strait of Hormuz are going to Asia. I think Asia is going to start looking for alternative measures in case this happens again," he pointed out. 

(Sa palagay ko, hindi na tayo babalik sa lumang sistema kung saan karamihan ng mga produktong petrolyo na nagmumula sa Strait of Hormuz ay napupunta sa Asya. Sa tingin ko, magsisimula nang maghanap ang Asya ng mga alternatibong hakbang kung sakaling muling mangyari ito.)

The Chief Executive stressed that affected countries must act before tensions in the Middle East escalate again and further endanger the supply of petroleum products. He cited the planned ASEAN Grid and oil reserve for ASEAN member countries as examples.

The entire Visayas grid was once again placed under yellow alert today as several major power plants in the region remain non-operational. This comes despite the Department of Energy's policy against plant shutdowns during the summer season.

"To be transparent, the plants that are not available for Visayas is the large plant in Cebu that we call it TVI. May problema sila sa planta na kino-correct nila. Dalawang 169 megawatts sa Cebu. And then sa Panay, may tinawag tayong planta na PEDC, 150 megawatts. Ang out gyud natu sa Visayas is 845 megawatts, daku na kaayu na," said Engr. Neil Martin Modina, Assistant Vice President and Head of Visayas System Operations of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP). 

(To be transparent, the plants that are not available for Visayas include the large plant in Cebu that we call TVI. They have a problem with the plant which they are correcting. That's two units of 169 megawatts in Cebu. And then in Panay, there's a plant we call PEDC, 150 megawatts. Our outage in Visayas is 845 megawatts, which is already very significant.)

In an advisory released by the NGCP this morning, the Visayas grid was placed under yellow alert from 3PM to 9PM. 

According to the NGCP, aside from the high electricity consumption due to the hot weather, the forced outage of several major plants in the region is also having a significant impact.

An estimated 845 megawatts have been deducted from the Visayas grid's power supply due to the non-operation of plants in Cebu and Panay.

Modina noted that the affected facilities include major coal plants in Cebu and one plant in Panay currently undergoing repair.

Although the plants had already conducted maintenance before the onset of summer, defects were reportedly discovered after inspection, prompting the implementation of a force outage.

The NGCP added that the Department of Energy (DOE) has a policy to avoid maintenance shutdowns of plants during the summer season, but unforeseen problems must still be considered for the safety of operations.

"Ang policy sa DOE, gihatag ni nga policy nga wa gyuy mag-shut down og planta og summer. Pero gi-cut off gud na sya nga 1st quarter ra gyud ang shut down sa mga planta. Tanang planta i-require gyud na nga way maintenance karung summer. Karun ang nahitabo paghuman og maintenance sa planta, naa silay nakita, ingun sa plant manager I-RCA pa nila, root cause analysis. Mao na sya nigamay ang atung output sa mga planta kay dili man sila available," the NGCP official explained. 

(The DOE policy states that no plant should shut down during summer. It was set such that the shutdown of plants is limited to the 1st quarter only. All plants are required to have no maintenance during summer. What happened now is that after the maintenance of the plant, they saw something — the plant manager said they still need to conduct a root cause analysis or RCA. That's why our output from the plants has decreased because they are not available.)

Because of this, the NGCP is not ruling out the possibility of rotational brownouts should the power supply shortage in Visayas continue.

Nevertheless, the power supply coming from Mindanao is reportedly providing a big help in filling the gap in the Visayas grid.

"Si Mindanao na naay surplus of power, nag-supply na natu og 450 megawatts daily. Kung atung tan-awn, walay supply ni Mindanao, musamot ta'g ka-deficient. Mao na'y atung nindut nga nabuhat sa NGCP, gi-connect natu ang Mindanao which is surplus of power," he added. 

(Mindanao currently has a surplus of power, supplying us 450 megawatts daily. If we look at it, without Mindanao's supply, we would be even more deficient. That's the good thing NGCP was able to do — we connected Mindanao, which has a surplus of power.)

The affected major plants are expected to return to operation by July and August, which will help augment the power supply in the region.