Abbey M.

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A majority of Filipinos are aware that the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte is already with the Senate Impeachment Court.

This is based on the latest results of the Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey, conducted a week before the impeachment trial began, showing that 74 % of Filipinos believe the Vice President's impeachment case is already with the Senate.

Meanwhile, 26 % of respondents said they only learned about the impeachment case and its trial during the interview.

The 2026 second quarter survey was conducted from June 20 to 29, 2026, among 1,200 Filipino respondents nationwide.

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Manila, Philippines – Fighting corruption remains the top issue Filipinos want addressed in the upcoming State of the Nation Address of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday.

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This is based on the survey conducted by Pulse Asia among 2,400 respondents, released today.

Aside from anti-corruption efforts, majority of Filipinos also want to hear in the SONA the government's plans and steps on problems related to jobs, poverty, illegal drugs, low wages, and rising prices of petroleum products.

Also among the issues Filipinos want addressed are those related to agriculture, criminality, juvenile justice, and education.

The impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte and the Senate leadership are also among their top concerns.

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Issues remain unresolved regarding the agreement between the Philippines and China over the disputed territory in the West Philippine Sea, following the meeting between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Jing Qian.

In a meeting lasting more than an hour between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Chinese Ambassador Jing Qian at Malacañang on Tuesday, July 21, the President emphasized that he does not want a repeat of the violent incidents between Philippine and Chinese personnel at Ayungin Shoal.

The President summoned the Chinese envoy following the violent incident on July 20, where Filipino soldiers were injured after being struck by Chinese Coast Guard personnel while conducting a mission at Ayungin Shoal.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro confirmed details of the meeting between the two officials.

"Actually, tumagal ang meeting ng isang oras at bente minutos. Yes, at nag-usap sila at ang nais na mangyari dito ng Pangulo ay hindi na maulit ang mga pangyayari at ma-reset sana ang relasyon ng China at ng Pilipinas sa mas magandang pakikipag-ugnayan."

[Actually, the meeting lasted one hour and twenty minutes. Yes, and they talked, and what the President wants to happen is for the incidents not to be repeated, and for the relationship between China and the Philippines to be reset toward better engagement.]

The Chinese Ambassador reportedly accepted the President's request well, saying both sides remained calm and that no blame was assigned during their conversation.

Despite this, the Department of Foreign Affairs could not avoid responding to the Chinese Embassy's claim that the Philippines violated the "provisional understanding" due to alleged construction on the BRP Sierra Madre.

"No. There is no mention of that undertaking in the provisional understanding." DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa "Tess" Lazaro said. 

According to the DFA, the provisional understanding was created only to avoid misunderstanding and accidents during rotation and resupply missions to Ayungin Shoal.

The department also maintained that the area remains part of Philippine territory based on UNCLOS and the 2016 Arbitral Award, and that the Philippines therefore has full right to maintain and repair facilities there without needing to seek permission from China.

This point was also asserted and emphasized by Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr.

"Eh talaga! Hindi dapat nila pakialam 'yon! No? Pangalawa, wala silang karapatan talaga na nandodoon sila. Walang hiya talaga.. I mean, hindi na ako dapat magpigil, eh. Kasi kailangan na meron nang... you know, galit na ang taumbayan. Hindi na natin pwedeng... walisin sa ilalim ng silong, no? Lantara'y na 'to, eh. Inu-ungoy na tayo, eh." 

[That's right! That shouldn't be their concern! Right? Second, they really have no right to be there. It's really shameless.. I mean, I shouldn't hold back anymore. Because there needs to be... you know, the public is already angry. We can't... sweep this under the rug anymore, right? This is already out in the open. We're already being provoked.]

Teodoro also criticized the Chinese Ambassador for allegedly violating the agreement not to publicize the content of his conversation with President Marcos.

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The Department of Justice will issue a department order aimed at strengthening the fight against bullying, of which the youth are the usual victims.

According to DOJ Undersecretary Ian Norman Dato, victims and parents will be given access to bring forward their bullying-related problems.

He said the order covers all cases of bullying against the youth or minors, whether done physically or through other mediums such as social media.

“All forms of bullying against minors whether digital or cyber ang involve sakop po ito ng department order. Ang kailangan lang hindi nila maramdaman na wala silang matakbuhan, malapitan." DOJ Usec. Ian Norman Dato said. 

[All forms of bullying against minors, whether digital or cyber, are covered by this department order. What's needed is for them not to feel that they have nowhere to run to, no one to turn to.]

Prosecutors will study the complaints, and it may also be reported which school the bullying occurred in so it can be investigated.

The DOJ may also refer or forward complaints to the Philippine National Police (PNP) Women and Children Protection Desk.

"Access yong biktima at saka yong parents maliban sa paaralan meron silang ahensya na malalapitan at madudulugan." Dato added. 

[Victims and parents will have access — aside from the school, they will have an agency they can approach and turn to.]

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Pag-IBIG Fund has released ₱5.82 billion under its Special Assistance for Financial Emergencies (SAFE) Loan as of July 22, providing aid to 803,769 members in less than six weeks since the program started on June 10.

The SAFE Loan forms part of Pag-IBIG Fund's continuing efforts to heed the call of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to deliver responsive government services by providing Filipino workers with ready and affordable assistance amid financial challenges caused by the continuing tensions in the Middle East.

"President Marcos has called on government agencies to make services more responsive to the needs of Filipino workers. In line with this call, Pag-IBIG Fund is providing ready and affordable financial assistance through the SAFE Loan, especially as the continuing tensions in the Middle East create financial challenges that are being felt by our members and their families. We want our members to know that they can turn to Pag-IBIG Fund for support as they meet their needs and care for their families during this time," said Secretary Jose Ramon P. Aliling, who heads the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development and chairs the Pag-IBIG Fund Board of Trustees.

Under the Pag-IBIG SAFE Loan, active Pag-IBIG Fund members with at least 12 monthly savings may borrow up to ₱10,000 or up to 90 percent of their total Pag-IBIG Regular Savings, whichever is lower. To qualify, members must also not be in default on any existing Pag-IBIG loan. The loan carries a low interest rate of 5.95 percent per annum, is payable in 12, 24 or 36 months, and comes with a three-month grace period before the start of monthly payments to provide members with added financial relief as they address their immediate needs.

Members may apply online through Virtual Pag-IBIG by accomplishing the SAFE Loan application and uploading a photo of one valid ID, as well as a selfie photo while holding the same ID. They may also apply at any Pag-IBIG Fund branch nationwide. Loan proceeds are credited directly to the member's Pag-IBIG Loyalty Card Plus or Land Bank Cash Card.

Meanwhile, Pag-IBIG Fund Chief Executive Officer Marilene C. Acosta said the strong availment of the SAFE Loan reflects Pag-IBIG Fund's continuing commitment to help members meet their immediate financial needs.

She said the SAFE Loan comes at a time when Pag-IBIG Fund is also helping members with their dream of homeownership through affordable housing loans offered at rates below market, making its programs more responsive to both the immediate and long-term needs of Filipino workers.

"Pag-IBIG Fund is here to help our members in every way we can. In support of President Marcos' call to provide aid to Filipino workers in need, we are providing ready and affordable financial assistance through the SAFE Loan. At the same time, we continue to help members achieve homeownership through housing loans offered at rates below market," Acosta said.

She added that members who may need further financial assistance may also apply for Pag-IBIG Fund's Multi-Purpose Loan, provided they still have remaining loanable amount based on their Pag-IBIG Regular Savings.

"For members who still have remaining loanable amount based on their savings, our Pag-IBIG Multi-Purpose Loan remains ready to provide further assistance should they need it. This is part of our commitment to be here for our members, not only for their immediate financial needs, but also as their partner in achieving homeownership and building better lives for their families," Acosta said.

Members who need ready and affordable financial assistance may apply for the Pag-IBIG SAFE Loan until Sept. 8, 2026.

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