Dev Flores

Lead Public Prosecutor and Batangas 2nd district Gerville Luistro reveals that the number of witnesses in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte has exceeded 30.

“The witnesses is not only 25, it's not only 30, it's even more,” she said

According to Luistro, they have already included reserved witnesses in their list. She explained that it was necessary to declare these witnesses before the actual trial.

“Sa ilalim po ng ating rules, kapag ang testigo, hindi mo naisama ang pangalan doon sa pre-trial. Generally speaking, hindi po siya papayagang tumestigo during the trial,” she said

“And that is why, as a matter of rule, lahat ng testigong isasalang mo dapat yung pangalan isumite mo during the pre-trial conference, and their names must be included in the pre-trial brief,” according to Luistro

House prosecution panel member and San Juan City Representative Bel Zamora clarified that the team is allowed to list reserved witnesses.

“We are also allowed to make a reservation of witnesses, as long as we are able to give a description of the witness and the purpose for which they will be presented,” she said

Meanwhile, the Senate is scheduled to attend a special session called by President Bongbong Marcos Jr. on June 17, 2026.

In line with this, House prosecutors expressed hope that the upper chamber would use the opportunity to resolve their conflicts.

“But we anticipate that they should take that opportunity to finally settle the issue on leadership,” Rep. Adiong said

“Sana ma-address na 'yun para wala ng apprehension ng house about another possible constitutional issue to be raised in the Supreme Court,” according to Luistro

With reports from Rosalie Coz

Kamanggagawa Party-list Representative Eli San Fernando visited the Department of Labor and Employment office to submit several labor-related proposals.

Among the submitted proposals are a wage hike, the abolition of the provincial wage rate system, strengthening the security of tenure, and other measures aimed at expanding employee protection.

San Fernando welcomed the commitment of Labor Chief Francis Tolentino to establish Labor Attorney’s Office.

“Ang isa sa kinomit ni Secretary Tolentino ay yung pagbubuo ng Labor Attorney’s Office, parang counterpart siya ng PAO. We are excited dito at yung pakikipag-partner ni Secretary Tolentino sa other stakeholders para mapalakas yung assistance sa mga manggagawa. Kasi alam naman natin na sa sobrang daming kaso na kinakaharap ng mga manggagawa, walang kapasidad ang mga manggagawa na mag-hire o mag-avail ng mga lawyers,” he said

According to DOLE, they can utilize the existing partnerships with the Public Attorney’s Office and Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) in addressing labor-related concerns.

“The DOLE chief also highlighted the Department’s existing partnerships, including its collaboration with the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) to establish the Labor Attorney’s Office and its recent partnership with the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) to engage students in labor inspection initiatives,” according to the agency

San Fernando added that they understand DOLE needs to carefully review the submitted documents before any formal approvals.

“Naintindihan namin yung prosesong kailangang pagdaanan na kailangang aralin ng Department of Labor and Employment. That is why we are giving that space for the secretary to study the papers that we have submitted and later on ay makapag-feedback sa amin sa concrete na stance ng Department of Labor and Employment under his administration,” he said

In response, Secretary Tolentino assured that the agency would maintain transparency not only with workers but also with the employers.

“Gagawin natin ‘to na ano mas transparent, mas maganda yung ugnayan. Hindi lang sa manggagawa kung hindi sa employers sector, sa management.” he said

With reports from Mia Alonzo

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) expects water levels in dams across the country to recover amidst the impact of El Niño.

“Marami po sa atin sa mga monitor dams ay nasa mababa pa pong kalagayan but they are showing na pataas po yung kanilang trend with this coming flood season” according to PAGASA Hydro-Meteorology Division Chief Rosalie Pagulayan

According to PAGASA, one of the impacts of El Niño is to intensify the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat), which can bring heavy rains to the western sections of the country.

PAGASA also explains that if the western section experiences heavy rainfall, the primary beneficiaries will be Ambuklao and San Roque Reservoir.

The water level in Angat Dam is also anticipated to bounce back, as PAGASA stated that the habagat plays an important role in replenishing the dam even in the absence of tropical cyclones.

“Historically talaga ay mas napupuno siya, mas nakikita namin yung kanyang pagpuno during the Northeast Monsoon,” Pagulayan said

With reports from Evan Alvarez

Lead Public Prosecutor and Batangas 2nd District Representative Gerville Luistro clarified that she recognized the leadership of acting Senate President Sherwin “Win” Gatchalian, as the House of Representatives already recognized the new Senate leadership under him.

However, she also believes that it would be better to have a duly elected Senate President amidst the impending impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

“I hope magkaroon na ng duly elected Senate President,” she said

Luistro also stated that they will welcome whoever is seated as an official presiding officer.

“If it is acting SP Win Gatchalian, well, we will welcome that. If it will be someone else, we will welcome that because that is the judgment and prerogative of the members of the Senate,”

Eventually, the Senate must be in session to elect an official Senate President, but both Senate and the House of Representatives are currently adjourned. While there are reports regarding the possibility of a special session, no formal request has been made yet.

Meanwhile, Luistro also reported that their witnesses to present in the trial increased from 25 to 30, and that included reserved witnesses. 

With reports from Rosalie Coz

Ateneo Blue Eagles Basketball Coach Thomas Anthony “Tab” Baldwin didn’t appear at the appointment scheduled by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Francis Tolentino, scheduled on June 15, 2026, to show his Alien Employment Permit.

Tolentino previously stated that Baldwin must present his permit authorizing him to work as the head coach of the university. 

“Kailangan pumunta po sa harap ko si Coach Baldwin sa Lunes, alas 10 ng umaga personally, to show his valid and current Alien Employment Permit issued by this department, authorizing him to serve as head coach of the Ateneo de Manila University men's basketball team,” he said

[“Coach Baldwin must personally appear before me on Monday, 10:00 AM personally, to show his valid and current Alien Employment Permit issued by this department, authorizing him to serve as head coach of the Ateneo de Manila University men's basketball team.”]

Although Baldwin didn’t show up, his legal counsel, Atty. Janella Flordeliza arrived. According to Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino, the lawyer only presented an Alien Certificate of Registration of his client.

Hence, DOLE is summoning Baldwing once again to personally appear at a hearing on June 25, 2026.

Meanwhile, Baldwin also didn’t appear in the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP CIDG) office on June 15, 2026, after the issuance of a subpoena.

According to Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla, only Athletics Department Head Mr. Em Fernandez and Ateneo’s lawyer faced the CIDG to explain and clarify the team building incident in Aurora, where Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili died.

Remulla also clarified that they conducted a fact-finding mission, not a fault-finding.

“Today is a fact-finding exercise. We are not here to arrest. We are not here to charge but merely to gather the facts. Kukunin lang namin talaga kung anong nangyari. Kung sinong nag-authorize, kung paano sila pumunta, kung sino nag-order, lahat yun kukunin namin ngayon.

[“Today is a fact-finding exercise. We are not here to arrest. We are not here to charge but merely to gather the facts. We just really want to find out what happened, who authorized it, how they got there, who gave the order, we will gather all of that.”]

Remulla added that they will release the results once the investigation is completed.

"So we will give a results later on in due time once we investigate everyone,”

With reports from Benedict Samson and Lea Ylagan