Dev Flores

GENERAL SANTOS CITY — The General Santos International Airport has resumed its commercial flight operations following the facility repairs, particularly on the passenger terminal building, caused by the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Sarangani.

According to Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Giovanni Lopez, the agency and the  Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) have completed a safety assessment.

Lopez confirmed the resumption of commercial operations on June 15, 2026, to prevent travel delays for passengers.

The CAAP held a coordination meeting with the airline operators, airport stakeholders, and concerned government agencies to guarantee safe and orderly airport operations. They also advises passengers to coordinate directly with their respective airline companies regarding their flight schedules and travel arrangements.

With reports from Asher Cadapan Jr.

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Ateneo Blue Eagles Men’s Basketball Team head coach Tab Baldwin expressed his apology on June 12, 2026. 

“And in this, I feel I failed. And I'm sorry. To the depth of my being, I'm sorry,” he said

Baldwin expressed his grief over the tragic loss of the two players, Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili, lamenting that he would no longer be able to guide them and develop their potential on the basketball court.

“Yes, as a coach, I lost my boys too. Never again would I be able to help them develop into the basketball player they wanted to be, to help them grow into the young man that they promised that they could be,” he said

However, the families of the two deceased student-athletes reject the apology statement issued by the basketball coach.

For Rovelyn Bartebonia, the mother of Rene, Baldwin’s apology is unacceptable.

“Hindi pwedeng idaan nalang sa apologies ang kamatayan ng aking anak,” she said

She is also expecting that Baldwin will tell the whole detailed story about the death of his son.

“Ang gusto kong sabihin ninyo kung ano talaga ang nangyari sa aking anak. Sabihin nating aksidente lang, pero hindi niyo kami sinabihan kung ano ang nangyari, nagpost na kayo sa social media na wala na ang aking anak pero hindi kayo nagbigay ng picture na patunay na wala na talaga ang anak ko,” she added

[“What I want from you is the truth about what really happened to my son. You can say it was just an accident, but you never told us what happened. You already posted on social media that my son was gone without even giving us a photo to prove that he was really dead.”]

Meanwhile, Elias Adili, the father of Divine, expressed hope that they would achieve justice for his son.

With reports from Benedict Samson

Good news for motorists, fuel price rollbacks are expected this week, particularly for diesel and kerosene. However, a mixed adjustment is seen for gasoline, with a potential rollback and a slight price hike. 

Diesel prices are set to drop by ₱3.71 to ₱5.71 per liter, while Kerosene will decrease to ₱0.50 to ₱2.50.

For gasoline, a rollback of ₱0.32 is possible, but a slight increase not exceeding ₱1.68 per liter may also take effect.

According to the Department of Energy (DOE), the oil price adjustment will be effective from June 16 to 22, 20026.

House Prosecution Panel member and Manila 3rd District Representative Joel Chua believes that it would be unfair to allow senator-judges who skip the impeachment trial proceedings of Vice President Sara Duterte to cast their votes on the verdict.

“Pa’no naman magiging fair ’yon on the part of defense at tsaka sa amin kung buong trial, hindi naman niya nasaksihan, hindi siya nakapag-participate, wala siya doon tapos hihingin ang boto niya,” he said

[“How would that be fair to the defense or to us if they didn’t witness the entire trial, failed to participate, were absent, and yet their vote is still required?’]

Chua emphasized that it would be fair to allow only the active senator-judges who participated in the impeachment trial to vote, as they are the ones who fully observe the proceedings. 

“Paano nagkaroon ng fair justice doon sa ganong sitwasyon? Hindi po ba fair lamang kung sino yung nandoon, sila ang mag-desisyon, dahil sila ang nakakapag-observe ng mga demeanor ng mga iu-upong testigo both sa parte namin at sa parte rin ng defense,” he added

[“How can fair justice be served in that situation? Isn’t it only right that those who are present make the decision, since they are the ones who can observe the demeanor of the witnesses called by both our side and the defense?”]

Rep. Chua objected to the statement of Senator Jinggoy Estrada.

“Until a final and binding ruling is rendered, any assertion that I have been stripped of my authority to discharge my constitutional duties as a senator-judge is premature, baseless, and undermines the integrity of the impeachment process itself,” according to the Senator

House Trial Spokesperson and Kabataan Party-list Representative Renee Co agrees with Chua

“Kailangan nandoon ang isang senator-judge para may quality participation siya sa impeachment trial,” she said

[“As a senator-judge needs to be physically present to ensure quality participation in the impeachment trial.”]

Meanwhile, House Trial Spokesperson and Lanao del Sur 1st District Representative Zia Alonto Adiong trusts that the Senate impeachment court will do its part and believes that the proceedings must move forward.

“We trust that the impeachment court will do its part as well. Let the proceedings move forward. Let the evidence be heard. Let the truth come out,” he said

Both parties — the House Prosecution Panel and the defense team of Vice President Sara Duterte are set to submit their pre-trial briefs to the Senate Impeachment Court on June 15, 2026, ahead of the pre-trial conference scheduled on June 18, 2026.

With reports from Rosalie Coz

Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Francis Tolentino has summoned Ateneo Blue Eagles Men’s Basketball Team head coach Thomas Anthony “Tab” Baldwin, and personally appear before him on June 15, 2026. 

According to Tolentino, Baldwin must personally appear to present his valid and current Alien Employment Permit, which authorizes him to work as the university coach.

“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.”]

“Number two, proof that the AEP covers the full scope of coaching and supervisory activities, including off-campus training activities such as the team building exercise in Aurora,” he added

Tolentino emphasized that Baldwin is employed in the Philippines and also covered by the labor laws.

“Coach Baldwin is employed in the Philippines, subject to Philippine labor laws. DOLE is simply or will simply do its job verifying that he holds a valid and current alien employment permit as required under Article 40 of the Labor Code. 

“If he is compliant, there is nothing to fear; if he is not, then the department will act accordingly. This is not about persecution. This is about the rule of law,” he added

The department warned that, just in case there are proven negligence or violations involved that resulted in the death of Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili, his permit to work in the Philippines may be cancelled, and he may face deportation.

With reports from Benedict Samson