Abbey M.

Cabinet Secretary Benjamin "Benhur" Abalos denied that former Health Secretary Ted Herbosa was forced to resign from his post.

According to Secretary Abalos, Herbosa's resignation from his position was voluntary, noting that Herbosa submitted his courtesy resignation.

The courtesy resignation stated that Herbosa stepped down as DOH Secretary in order to recover after undergoing bilateral knee replacement surgery.

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. (PBBM) accepted Herbosa's resignation to allow him to focus on his health.

In a message, Herbosa expressed his deep gratitude for the opportunity given to him by the President to serve as the 30th Secretary of the Department of Health.

Herbosa was replaced by veteran orthopedic surgeon Dr. Jose Brittano "Brix" Pujalte Jr. as the next Secretary of the Department of Health.

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National Bureau of Investigation-BARMM Regional Director Atty. Jeremy Lotoc firmly denied that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the investigation into the threats made by Vice President Sara Duterte against him, First Lady Liza Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez in November 2024.

During cross-examination by one of the defense counsels, Atty. Mark Vinluan, Lotoc detailed the process of the NBI's investigation, up to the filing of complaints with the Department of Justice.

Atty. Mark Vinluan
Defense Counsel, VP Sara Duterte
"Did BBM at any point intervene in this investigation?

Atty. Jeremy Lotoc
Regional Director, NBI-BARMM
Of course not, sir. Of course not. 

Lotoc explained that although the DOJ is part of the President's cabinet, and the NBI is an attached agency of the DOJ, the President had no involvement in their motu proprio investigation. He did not deny, however, that they received instructions from the DOJ, especially since the matter is a public interest issue.

Atty. Mark Vinluan
Defense Counsel, VP Sara Duterte
"So BBM has control over both the NBI and the DOJ, correct?

Atty. Jeremy Lotoc
Regional Director, NBI-BARMM
What do you mean by control, sir? What's your interpretation of control? You seem to be a smart man. The Department of Justice and the Office of the President, so far as the function of the NBI is concerned, hindi sila nakikialam doon. Kung ano yung findings ng NBI, kung ano yung recommendation, sinasubmit po namin ito sa Department of Justice."

(they do not interfere with that. Whatever the findings of the NBI are, whatever the recommendation is, we submit it to the Department of Justice.)

He said the purpose of their complaint submitted to the DOJ was to go through the evaluation process and case build-up until it reaches the stage of preliminary investigation.

Meanwhile, Senator-Judge Bam Aquino asked whether the NBI continued its search for the alleged hitman supposedly hired by VP Duterte. Lotoc responded that they had asked around among those present at VP Sara's press conference, but despite this—

Atty. Jeremy Lotoc
Regional Director, NBI-BARMM
"Unfortunately wala kaming ma-establish na validated information na naconfirm. Hanggang ngayon naghihintay kami."

(Unfortunately, we were not able to establish any validated information that was confirmed. Until now, we are still waiting.)

Although the NBI found no hitman, they are not dismissing the threats made by VP Sara.

Atty. Jeremy Lotoc
Regional Director, NBI-BARMM
"If the second highest official of the land sinabi yan. Hindi biro yan. Mabigat ho yan, may kasamang galit at pagmumura. We do it very seriously. Your Honor."

(...said that. That is not a joke. That is serious, it came with anger and cursing.)

Meanwhile, in an update given yesterday by DOJ Secretary Frederrick Vida, he said the grave threats and inciting to sedition complaints against the Vice President remain pending before their panel of prosecutors.

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President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. begins his three-day working visit to Singapore starting Tuesday, July 14.

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said Marcos is set to pay a courtesy call on Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, with talks expected to cover trade and investment, the environment and health, and regional and global development, while both nations reaffirm their commitment to ASEAN centrality and regional stability. 

"Ang working visit na ito ng Pangulo ay bahagi ng pagsusulong ng pamahalaan sa mas matatag na bilateral relations ng Pilipinas at Singapore na siyang magsisilbi bilang susunod na chair ng Association of Southeast Asian Nations sa susunod na taon" 

(This working visit of the President is part of the government's push for stronger bilateral relations between the Philippines and Singapore, which will serve as the next chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations next year).

The President's schedule includes a courtesy call on Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.

Among the topics expected to be discussed is the expansion of ties in trade and investment.

Also on the agenda are the environment and health sectors, as well as regional and global developments.

The President is also set to meet with business leaders and investors.

Meanwhile, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos is scheduled to deliver a speech at the Global Economic Cooperation East Summit.

The President's working visit to Singapore will run until July 16.

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The net satisfaction ratings of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. improved, based on the latest survey results of the Social Weather Stations (SWS).

From the previous survey conducted on March 15, 2026, President Marcos' net satisfaction rating was recorded at negative 15.

In the results of the latest SWS survey, although it remained negative, it rose to negative 7 for June this year.

Results showed that 38% of adult Filipinos are satisfied with the performance of the President.

Meanwhile, 45% are not satisfied and 17 percent are undecided, bringing the President's net satisfaction rating to negative 7.

According to SWS, this is classified as "neutral."

The President's highest net satisfaction rating was recorded in Balance Luzon at moderate positive 11.

This was followed by Visayas at neutral negative 3, bad negative 35 in Mindanao, and poor negative 24 in Metro Manila.

The SWS 2026 2nd Quarter Survey was conducted from June 20 to June 29 among 1,200 adult respondents.

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Senator Risa Hontiveros has filed a resolution seeking an investigation into the alleged questionable surge in electricity bills being charged to consumers.

The Department of Energy (DOE), for its part, assured that it supports the move should the Senate proceed with an investigation into the matter.

This comes after a series of complaints from consumers over what they claim is an unexplainable spike in their electricity bills.

Hontiveros filed Proposed Senate Resolution No. 509 to investigate the policies of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) in connection with complaints of alleged erroneous computation in electric bills.

It was earlier reported that the ERC allegedly advised consumers to pay their bills first in order to avoid the possible disconnection of their electric service.

Senator Risa Hontiveros said the ERC has a mandate to protect consumers, but some of its current policies may be placing the burden on the very people it is supposed to protect, adding that these policies need to be reviewed and updated if necessary.

According to the senator, the Magna Carta for Residential Electricity Consumers should be clarified and amended so that consumers who receive erroneous or unjust charges will not be forced to pay just to avoid the inconvenience or disconnection of their electricity.

For its part, the ERC clarified that consumers are mistaken in understanding that they need to pay their bill in full first before they can file a complaint or seek a remedy for their disputed bill.

According to the agency, the statement of Atty. Maria Corazon Gines, "Pay bills to avoid disconnection," was taken out of context, as it only refers to a specific type of billing dispute and not to all cases.

The ERC also said it is not its policy to force all consumers to pay their questioned bill in full before they can ask for help or a remedy.

The agency added that the Magna Carta for Residential Electricity Consumers provides varying protections depending on the type and cause of the billing complaint.

The ERC also said there is a mechanism in place to prevent arbitrary disconnection while a consumer's complaint is being resolved or reviewed.

Meanwhile, the Department of Energy, as the agency that oversees the country's energy sector, said it is ready to cooperate should the requested Senate investigation push through, to help review the issues on billing and consumer protection.

Secretary Sharon Garin of the Department of Energy said, 

"We're very supportive of the probe, para makita rin at maintindihan rin ng mga tao kung tama ba o mali ba, and kung may mali din kaming policy or regulation that will also help us do better service to our constituents" 

(so that people can also see and understand whether it is right or wrong, and if we also have any wrong policy or regulation).

According to Energy Secretary Garin, the investigation would help determine whether distribution utilities, electric cooperatives, and other energy sector entities are complying with the ERC's policies and regulations.

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