Abbey M.

Vice President Sara Duterte is considering attending Tuesday's impeachment trial proceedings to show support for her chief of staff, Zuleika Lopez, who is expected to take the stand as the House prosecution panel's third witness.

Defense spokesperson Michael Poa confirmed the possibility, noting that the vice president had not yet finalized her plans for Day 5 of the trial.

“She isn't sure yet if she can make it today because of scheduled meetings; she'll still see if she can catch up or not," Poa said.

Poa added that Duterte intends to be at the Senate mainly to stand behind her staff as the trial continues.

Lopez is set to appear before the Senate impeachment court as the prosecution's third witness on the case.

The defense previously secured court approval to play excerpts from Duterte's November 2024 online briefing, the same broadcast at the center of allegations that she made grave threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Those clips reportedly captured a visibly distressed Lopez, who said her life had been threatened during the Nov. 23, 2024 livestreamed press conference. 

At the time, Lopez was already in a difficult position — a House panel probing Duterte's alleged misuse of confidential funds had cited her for contempt and ordered her detention. She was later hospitalized after falling ill, before being transferred to the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong City.

Tuesday's session continues to focus on the fourth article of impeachment, which accuses Duterte of plotting an assassination attempt against President Marcos and his family, making grave threats, and inciting sedition, charges she and her legal team continue to deny.

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Commuters can now simply use their mobile phones to generate a QR code from partner e-wallets and online bank accounts to scan at Light Rail Transit Line 2 (LRT-2) terminals.

Passengers may also use automated teller machine (ATM) cards from partner banks by tapping them on the LRT gate scanners to gain access to the train platform.

According to the Department of Transportation (DOTr), utilizing e-wallets and ATM cards will ensure a more comfortable commuter experience in LRT-2 as it helps prevent long queues, especially during rush hours.

DOTr Undersecretary for Railways Timothy John Batan noted that following its successful rollout in Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3), the same technology is now being implemented on LRT-2.

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) assured the public of tight security measures protecting financial accounts used on the transit line.

“Now if you need to, you have any issues you can always raise it up to the BSP Action Center or sa DICT po,” DICT Sec. Henry Aguda said

The BSP stated that it has issued a cybersecurity standard for all banks to ensure they are aligned with global security and cybersecurity standards, keeping all digital transactions secure.

They also added that complaints regarding passenger overcharging can be submitted for a dispute process, which typically takes five days.

If a more extensive review is required, it may take up to 30 days before adjustments or refunds are applied.

For students, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities (PWD) discounts, the BSP stated that fare deductions will be automatically applied based on the registered profile of the account holder.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is set to leave tomorrow for Singapore for a three-day working visit.

In Singapore, he will meet with Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.

He will also meet with several business leaders in Singapore.

Malacañang released details on President Marcos's upcoming working visit to Singapore, including a courtesy call with Singapore's Prime Minister.

"Sa maiksing working visit, nakatakdang magkaroon ng courtesy call ang Pangulo kay Prime Minister His Excellency Lawrence Wong kung saan inaasahang isulong ang pagpapalawak ng kooperasyon sa trade and investment, environment and health, at regional and global development habang patuloy na isusulong ang commitment ng dalawang bansa hinggil sa ASEAN Centrality at Regional Stability."

(During the brief working visit, the President is set to have a courtesy call with Prime Minister His Excellency Lawrence Wong, where they are expected to push for expanded cooperation in trade and investment, environment and health, and regional and global development, while continuing to advance the two countries' commitment to ASEAN Centrality and Regional Stability.)

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The Strait of Hormuz remains open and safe for all vessels passing through in accordance with the law.

According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), American forces are positioned and ready to ensure freedom of navigation despite unjustified pressure, threats, and declarations from Iran.

American forces are positioned and ready to ensure freedom of navigation, despite unjustified pressure, threats, and declarations from Iran.

The US also firmly emphasized that Iran does not control the said waterway.

At present, traffic flow remains continuous and unhampered for ships sailing through despite the renewed exchange of attacks between America and Iran.

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The public can now access all documents related to and presented in the impeachment trial.

According to Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian, a new impeachment tab has been added to the Senate website, with separate sections for the prosecution, the defense, court orders issued, and the official journal.

The Senate Secretariat, acting as the impeachment clerk of court, will upload the pleadings, records, manifestations, and documentary evidence submitted during the proceedings.

Gatchalian said the move aims to ensure transparency in a trial that has drawn intense public attention.

In relation to this, Gatchalian urged Filipinos to review the records themselves.

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