Abbey M.

The Senate is in full preparation for the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, which is expected to begin next week.

Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian said the chamber is looking at a timeline of seven to eight months for the trial to run, which means it is expected to conclude in February of next year if proceedings begin in July.

Following a five-day pre-trial conference last week, the pre-trial order is expected to be released today.

Gatchalian acknowledged that the schedule for the trial is tight, but said the Senate will work to complete all preliminary requirements before the July 6 start date. 

He added that the chamber will conduct dry runs to assess the setup needed for the proceedings, including security arrangements, to identify what else needs to be resolved and prepared.

Because the trial is expected to overlap with the Senate's legislative work, including budget season, Gatchalian said they are studying ways to potentially expedite the impeachment proceedings. 

The Senate plans to consult with the House prosecution panel and the defense team on the matter, especially given that around 10,000 pieces of evidence are expected to be presented during the trial.

On the matter of security, heightened security measures that took effect on June 4 remain in force. Gatchalian gave the following assurance:

"Una, patuloy ang ating pakikipagtulungan sa ating security agencies upang mapanatiling ligtas ang ating institusyon. Pangalawa, papayagan na ng Senado ang pagpasok ng mga bisita, alinsunod sa Visitor Management System na ipinatutupad ng OSAA."

(First, we will continue to coordinate with our security agencies to keep our institution safe. Second, the Senate will now allow visitors to enter, in accordance with the Visitor Management System being implemented by the OSAA.)

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President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is calling for a united effort to protect young students from various threats, following a series of violent incidents involving minors on school grounds.

In his latest vlog, the President expressed deep concern over the recurring violence affecting students, citing the shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City as the most alarming, which left three students dead and several others wounded.

Speaking not only as the country's chief executive but also as a father and a fellow Filipino, Marcos stressed the importance of ensuring the safety of the youth, especially within school premises.

"Ngayong araw, hindi lamang bilang Pangulo ang aking pananalita, kundi bilang isang ama, bilang kapwa Pilipino, at bilang isang taong lubos na nag-aalala sa kaligtasan ng ating mga anak."

(Today, I speak not only as the President, but as a father, as a fellow Filipino, and as someone who is deeply concerned about the safety of our children.)

In response, the President directed the relevant government agencies to intensify security measures in schools across the country.

"Kaya naman inaatasan ko ang ating mga ahensya sa edukasyon, kapulisan, kalusugan, at lokal na pamahalaan na higit pang palakasin ang mga hakbang para sa kaligtasan ng mga mag-aaral sa buong bansa."

(That is why I am directing our agencies in education, police, health, and local government to further strengthen the measures for the safety of students throughout the country.)

Marcos emphasized that schools must remain places where children learn, pursue their dreams, and develop their abilities — not places where parents fear for their children's safety.

The President also urged parents to keep a close watch on their children and not to underestimate the value of simple conversations at home.

"Huwag maliitin ang halaga ng isang simpleng pag-uusap kasama ang inyong anak. Minsan, ang pinakamahalagang proteksyong maibibigay natin sa ating mga anak ay ang ating oras, atensyon, at pag-unawa."

(Do not underestimate the value of a simple conversation with your child. Sometimes, the most important protection we can give our children is our time, attention, and understanding.)

Marcos also left a message directly for the youth.

"Sa bawat estudyanteng nanonood ngayon: Mahalaga ang iyong buhay. Mahalaga ang iyong mga pinagdaraanan at ang paghingi ng tulong ay hindi kailanman tanda ng kahinaan."

(To every student watching right now: Your life matters. What you are going through matters, and asking for help is never a sign of weakness.)

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President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is set to depart for Canada from July 1 to July 4, 2026 for an official visit.

During the visit, President Marcos Jr. will hold a meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Joseph Carney to discuss various areas of cooperation, including defense and security, and trade and investments.

President Marcos will also promote various opportunities in the Philippines during his engagement with Canadian business leaders and investors.

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Senator Jinggoy Estrada's salary and other Senate benefits have been temporarily suspended in connection with his 90-day preventive suspension imposed by the Sandiganbayan.

Senate Secretary Atty. Renato Bantug Jr. confirmed that the suspension of the senator's compensation runs concurrent with his preventive suspension, though the operations of Estrada's office will continue during this period.

The resolution issued by the Sandiganbayan Second Division has already taken effect.

"The Senate President officially notified the office of Senator Estrada that the suspension order issued by the Sandiganbayan will be implemented, or was implemented, beginning Monday, June 22. The salaries and benefits will have to be suspended because you are not allowed to perform your functions in office," Bantug said.

(Opisyal na ipinaalam ng Senate President sa tanggapan ni Senator Estrada na ang kautusan ng suspension na inilabas ng Sandiganbayan ay ipapatupad, o ipinatupad na, simula Lunes, Hunyo 22. Ang mga sahod at benepisyo ay kailangang suspindihin dahil hindi ka pinahihintulutang gampanan ang iyong mga tungkulin sa opisina.)

Estrada was placed under suspension by the Sandiganbayan in connection with a graft case stemming from a flood control scandal. The court ordered his suspension from his current position as a legislator and from any other public position he may hold.

Bantug Jr. clarified, however, that the operations of the senator's office will not be halted during the suspension period.

"The suspension is automatically lifted after 90 days, so the office is still there. The staff can still continue to function because at a certain point the suspension will be lifted. I'll be submitting my recommendation to the Senate President regarding those matters," Bantug added.

(Awtomatikong maaangat ang suspension pagkatapos ng 90 araw, kaya naman nandoon pa rin ang opisina. Maaari pa ring magpatuloy ang mga kawani dahil sa isang punto ay maaangat na ang suspension. Isusumite ko ang aking rekomendasyon sa Senate President tungkol sa mga bagay na iyon.)

It is worth noting that even before his arrest and suspension, Estrada had already put his salary as a legislator on hold while he was reportedly clearing his name in the case, citing this as proof that he had no intention of benefiting from public funds.

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Calls for tighter oversight of social media platforms have renewed following a violent incident at a school in Tacloban City, Leyte.

House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability Chairperson and Manila 3rd District Representative Joel Chua urged the government to regulate social media platforms to protect the moral values of the youth.

Chua said the root of growing youth violence is not merely a matter of law or the age of accountability, but the gradual erosion of moral values and moral compass in society.

He noted that social media has a significant influence on young people, where exposure to profanity, threats, and inappropriate behavior has become normalized.

"Sa akin pong paniniwala, hindi problema ang batas. Ang problema ay yung ating nawawalang moral values. Dapat yung pag-aralan natin, i-regulate na rin yan. Ito actually concerted effort ito ng gobyerno, at saka ng private sector lalong-lalo na yung mga Kabataan, yung mga magulang, ang eskwelahan, Malaki ang magiging papel ng bawat isa."

(In my belief, the problem is not the law. The problem is our eroding moral values. We should study how to regulate that as well. This is actually a concerted effort of the government, the private sector, especially the youth, the parents, the schools. Each one will play a big role.)

Chua clarified that he does not seek to suppress access to the internet, but rather to push for oversight of content that is harmful to the character and behavior of Filipinos.

Among his proposals is requiring a franchise for social media platforms operating in the country.

"Hindi naman natin isu-suppress yung social media. Ang isusupress natin yung laman. Panahon na. Dahil kung wala, nakikita natin. Dahil ito hindi lang usapin dito, hindi lamang yung sa gobyerno, ang usapin na rin dito yung moralidad na naidudulot na ito sa mga kabataan, yung mga values na dapat."

(We will not suppress social media. What we will suppress is the content. The time has come. Because if there is none, we can see what happens. Because this is not just a government issue — it is also about the morality being imparted to the youth, the values that they should have.)

Chua reiterated his call for a concerted effort from the government, private sector, schools, and most especially parents to correct the harmful behavior children are learning online.

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