Abbey M.

The Philippines' total debt has hit a record-high of 19.07 trillion pesos, based on the latest report of the Bureau of Treasury.

The said amount was recorded as of June 30, 2026, higher by more than 518 million pesos compared to the amount recorded in May.

Based on the report of the Bureau of the Treasury, the country's domestic debt has now reached 12.84 trillion pesos, while external borrowings stand at 6.23 trillion pesos.

The availment of domestic and external debts is mainly used to fund government programs for national development.

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Vice President Sara Duterte stands by her statement regarding gun violence in the Philippines and insists that this is the reality in the country today.

This came after Malacañang's challenge for the Vice President to release data to prove her statements about the alleged widespread violence in the country.

"Reality and not just a clickbait."

This was stressed by Vice President Sara Duterte to support her statements on gun violence in the Philippines.

In a statement released by the Vice President, she stood by her claim that gun violence is truly widespread in the country and said this should not be treated as clickbait or just a headline.

According to the Vice President, reports of shootings, killings, kidnappings, sexual violence, and other violent crimes have become too common in the country.

She stressed that many Filipinos no longer feel safe because of the continuing incidents of violence.

Duterte further emphasized that the safety of citizens should be treated as a national priority, since this is not just about her but about the future of the succeeding generations.

At a rally in The Hague, Netherlands, VP Sara defended the implementation of the war on drugs of former President Rodrigo Duterte, and questioned whether all the deaths listed in the ICC case could be considered victims of the campaign against illegal drugs, given that violence is widespread in the Philippines.

According to VP Duterte, some killings may have other causes, such as crimes related to personal disputes, crimes related to relationships, or robbery, and these cannot immediately be linked to the war on drugs.

She further explained that gun violence in the Philippines has become so severe that it has reached the point where there are now gunmen-for-hire available at low cost.

"And they cannot even say right now if the victims are truly victims of the drug war because gun violence is so common in the Philippines." VP Sara said. 

VP Duterte also stressed that the issue is not just about her but about the safety of the Filipino people.

Meanwhile, Malacañang responded to the Vice President's statements about the violence occurring in the country.

According to Palace Press Officer Usec. Claire Castro, if VP Sara has information about the widespread gun violence, she should help the government suppress such crimes.

Castro also challenged the Vice President to release data regarding the Philippines.
"Kung siya naman po pala ay mayroon ng kinalaman patungkol dito hindi po ba dapat siya ay tumulong para ito ay mabawasan or at least maibigay niya ang datos patungkol dito."

[If she indeed has information related to this, shouldn't she help so that this can be reduced, or at least provide the data related to it?]

The Palace added that VP Duterte has long served as a government official, as did her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, so if her statements are true, this type of crime should have already been addressed.

Malacañang also criticized her use of the example about hiring an assassin.

The Palace assured that the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. remains committed to fighting all forms of criminality in the country.

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Senator Allan Peter Cayetano has denied that he asked for a ceasefire from Senator Ping Lacson.

In an X post yesterday, Senator Lacson revealed his rejection of an alleged ceasefire offer, which is suspected to be linked to his ongoing investigation into the issue of flood control projects in Taguig City.

Although Senator Lacson did not name who he was referring to regarding the said ceasefire, the senator posted the statement a few days after he submitted documents and testimonies to the Office of the Ombudsman regarding alleged irregularities in infrastructure projects in Taguig City.

But in a recent Facebook Live, Senator Allan Peter Cayetano denied that he asked for a ceasefire from Senator Lacson.

"Nung ako'y nagsasalita ang daldal ko daw dakdak daw ako ng dakdak kung anu-ano na sinasabi, anu-ano na daw nangyayari sakin, nung tumahimik naman ako araw araw may bago, may guilty may di maipaliwanag tapos ngayon sasabihin humihingi ako sa kaniya na itigil nya hindi ko po, sabi ko haharapin ko, yung salitang ceasefire sa ibang senador nanggaling iyon at sabi ko nga gaiz di nyo ako kailangang kausapin tahimik lang ako hinihintay ko lang yung alegasyon."

Meanwhile, Senator Allan Peter assured that he is prepared for whatever may happen to him amid what he is currently facing.

He said that anyone on the side of the administration is truly bold right now because they have support, such as in the filing of cases.

He cited as examples Senators Rodante Marcoleta and Jinggoy Estrada, both his fellow members of the minority bloc, who are now detained due to the cases they are facing.

“Mahirap po. Marami akong kailangan sabihan na huwag niyo ako alalahanin. Kung ako'y kasuhan nila o ikulong, sana naman po walang patayan, sana po walang assassination plot. And I don't think naman na meron. 

Pero yung kaso at kulong, tinanggap na po namin yan, di ba? Madali pong sabihin matapang pag nasa administrasyon. Senator Lacson ay never doubted na matapang. Pero katulad ngayon, kaya madaling magturo sa lahat, eh lahat na sa kanya, lahat sa administrasyon, lahat kakampi niya. So, ibig sabihin, magpalitan man kami ng akusasyon, hawak niya lahat. Eh sa akin, sinong tutulong?"

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Distribution utilities will not incur losses from the removal of the non-technical system loss charge.

This was stressed by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) and the Department of Energy (DOE) during a Senate hearing on the proposal to stop passing on to consumers the costs arising from illegal connections, jumpers, and other forms of pilferage.

According to the ERC, while distribution utilities' income may be reduced, this will not cause them to suffer losses or go bankrupt, since non-technical system loss makes up only a small portion of the total system loss.

ERC Chairperson Atty. Francis Saturnino Juan said non-technical system loss represents about 1 to 1.5% of a distribution utility's total system loss, and while removing it would represent a reduction in their income, this is small compared to their total system loss.

The Commission further stressed that power losses due to jumpers and illegal connections should be addressed directly by the distribution utilities themselves, and should no longer be passed on to consumers who pay properly.

The DOE also agreed with this, saying it would serve as a self-regulating mechanism that would encourage distribution utilities and electric cooperatives to improve their operations and intensify the apprehension of electricity thieves using their own funds.

However, Meralco opposed the proposal.

The company stressed that if non-technical system loss were reduced to zero, they would need bigger expenses for inspection and monitoring against illegal connections, which could also result in higher operating costs.

Atty. Jose Ronald Valles of Manila Electric Company (Meralco) said they have already taken all steps to lower non-technical loss, including raising meters in some depressed areas to make them harder to reach, yet non-technical losses still occur. 

He said that if the goal is to fully eradicate non-technical loss, they would need to add more personnel to inspect these homes 24/7 and to patrol and guard every one-kilometer stretch of posts, which would be very costly.

Meanwhile, Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian stressed that the cost of system loss should not be passed on to consumers, which is why he is now having the DOE and ERC prepare the necessary information to push forward proposals that would remove the non-technical system loss charge.

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The tax records of Vice President Sara Duterte have been submitted to the Senate Impeachment Court following the consent given by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to the Bureau of Internal Revenue.

But according to the prosecution, this does not mean the President is involved in the impeachment trial.

"Ministerial," or an obligation to perform, was the answer of House Prosecution Panel member and Bicol Saro Partylist Rep. Terry Ridon when asked whether President Marcos Jr.'s authorization for the submission of VP Duterte's tax records to the Senate Impeachment Court means the President is involved in the trial.

The tax records were submitted by the BIR on Thursday, July 30.

Ridon said that regardless of who the impeachable official is, the President would still give his consent to the opening of BIR documents, especially since it would further the cause of accountability and justice. 

He said there is no reason to say the President had a hand in the matter.

Malacañang gave a similar statement. 

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the President follows what the law and the process require. 

She said the President is simply following what the law requires by giving his approval to the BIR for the opening of the tax records of VP Duterte and Atty. Mans Carpio, adding that since this serves the cause of truth, he will not withhold it from the public.

In the coming days, the prosecution may be able to obtain copies of the subpoenaed financial records of VP Duterte. 

These may be used as evidence in the article of impeachment concerning the Vice President's alleged unexplained wealth.

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