Abbey M.

Manila, Philippines – Senator Panfilo Lacson will not support the opening of a box containing Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) records of Vice President Sara Duterte and Atty. Manases Carpio.

The senator believes that permission from the president is needed first, in line with the National Internal Revenue Code.

The prosecution's request to subpoena records from the BIR, the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), and banks in connection with the impeachment trial is set to be argued in oral arguments on Wednesday, July 15.

Meanwhile, Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian announced that all documents and evidence from the trial will be published on the official website of the Senate to ensure transparency and prevent the spread of disinformation.

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The Department of Education (DepEd) released an official statement regarding the death of a grade 4 learner in Trece Martires City, Cavite, reportedly after undergoing deworming.

Along with this, DepEd assured that it will implement the necessary steps and coordinate with concerned agencies for the investigation.

Septic shock was reportedly the cause of death of the grade 4 student of Hugo Perez Elementary School–Annex in Trece Martires City, Cavite.

This was what came out in the preliminary medical findings conducted on the child.

Because of the incident, according to the Department of Education, they will again review the health and safety protocols in schools so that the incident will not happen again.

According to DepEd, they will provide the necessary emotional, psychosocial, and logistical support to the family of the student.

Based on the agency's preliminary information, on July 2, 2026, the school conducted a routine deworming activity in coordination with the City Health Office.

After the activity, several students felt unwell.

By July 3, the grade 4 learner, who later died, was rushed to the hospital after experiencing vomiting.

According to DepEd, based on preliminary medical findings, the cause of death is being linked to an infection that led to septic shock.

The agency is currently coordinating with health authorities as the investigation is conducted to determine the full circumstances of the incident.

Along with this, DepEd announced that it will also revise the health and safety protocols being implemented in relation to the incident.

The agency also called on the public to rely on verified information from health experts while the investigation into the incident continues.

Meanwhile, DepEd Cavite also released a statement and assured that should there be any subsequent legal processes or investigations, its officials, employees, and personnel in the province are prepared, saying, "hindi iiwas sa kanilang pananagutan at tungkulin" (will not evade their accountability and duty).

They also vowed to fully cooperate with authorities, in line with the principle that "public office is a public trust."

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The Supreme Court has dismissed the petition of a private school teacher concerning the decision of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) on a complaint against Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero.

The complaint stemmed from the campaign donation received by the senator during the 2025 elections.

The petitioner wanted the Supreme Court to review the decision of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) related to the issue.

However, the Court dismissed the petition because the petitioner used the wrong legal remedy.

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The government recorded a 2.5-billion-peso loss due to the suspension of the excise tax imposed on liquified petroleum gas (LPG) and kerosene over the past three months.

This is according to the report of the Department of Finance, days after the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) announced that the agency had withdrawn the tax break implemented on the said petroleum products.

Finance Secretary Frederick Go said that they may recommend the reduction or suspension of the said tax again once the average price of Dubai crude exceeds eighty dollars per barrel.

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The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has warned so-called scholars from China to stop spreading false narratives about the country's territory.

This came after Chinese scholars questioned the Philippines' ownership of the province of Batanes.

According to the Department of Foreign Affairs, the statement of a Chinese scholar claiming that Batanes is supposedly part of China no longer deserves attention.

In a statement, DFA spokesperson Analyn Ratonel called the claims "flights of fancy," saying these are nothing more than fabricated stories and illusions.

The DFA stressed that the matter is settled and that the country's sovereignty over the said island is not up for debate.

Foreign Affairs spokesperson Ratonel added that the Philippines will no longer pay attention to revisionist claims, or attempts to alter history or the current state of the law in favor of another country.

The Foreign Affairs department also called on the so-called scholars to focus their efforts on truthful and well-intentioned research on the region.

The official also said that Batanes province in the Philippines is included in the approved consular district of the Chinese Consulate General in Laoag.

This alone proves, the statement emphasized, that even the Chinese government, through its Consulate General in Laoag, officially recognizes that Batanes falls under the jurisdiction and laws of the Philippines.

In connection with this, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. earlier called "kalokohan" (nonsense) and "katawa-tawa" (laughable) the statement of a Chinese scholar claiming that Batanes is supposedly part of China.

According to the secretary, the said statement has no basis and is nothing more than nonsense and laughable propaganda.

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