Dev Flores

The number of countries withdrawing from the International Criminal Court (ICC) continues to grow.

Recently, Chad in Central Africa announced their withdrawal and noted the uneven and limited policies of the court.

Venezuela, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have previously initiated their withdrawal process, while the Philippines and Burundi left the International Tribunal years ago.

The Chadian government denied that its exit was a result of appeals from the USA to leave. However, it admitted that Washington had encouraged them to review their membership in the ICC.

According to the ICC, they remain focused on prosecuting the most serious crimes in the world.

Nevertheless, the court faces challenges following the gradual withdrawal of its member states and the refusal of big countries to recognize its jurisdiction.

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House Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte Rep. Sandro Marcos mentioned that House deliberations on the proposed 2027 national budget may begin in August.

According to House Assistant Majority Leader and Bukidnon 2nd district Rep. Keith Flores,  the House of Representatives may tackle the Electricity Reform Bill alongside budget hearings. Rep. Flores is also a member of the House Committee on Energy.

The statement was made after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., in his 5th State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 27, 2026, directed Congress to remove the system loss charges passed on to consumers in their electric bills.

The lawmaker also appealed for approval of amendments to the Electric Power Industry Reform Act, or EPIRA Law, before the end of 2026. Through these amendments, the system loss charge and value-added tax imposed on consumer electric bills would be removed.

Navotas City Rep. Toby Tiangco will refile his bill that removes the system loss charges. In 2016, the Congressman filed that legislative measure.

The bill aims to prohibit private distribution utilities from passing system losses to consumers and to limit the recoverable system losses of rural electric cooperatives to 5% for technical losses.

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The Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has clarified that the viral photos of an L-shaped flood barrier are fake or digitally manipulated. 

The agency confirms that the photos, which depicted flooding and scattered garbage along the barrier, were AI-generated and intended to mislead the public.

The MMDA explained that the L-shaped flood barrier was installed in front of Gate 4 of Camp Aguinaldo to block water from the higher sections of the military camp and prevent flooding along EDSA during heavy rains.

The flood barrier can be utilized to implement preventive and mitigation measure against flooding in Metro Manila.

The MMDA advised the public to verify information from official and reliable sources before sharing it on social media.

The Manila Office of the City Prosecutor has formally filed a cyberlibel case against former Cavite 4th District Representative Kiko Barzaga under Republic Act 10175 or the Cyber Crime Prevention Act of 2012. 

The filing of a case against Barzaga came from a social media post where it is stated that some congressmen from NUP allegedly received money from the businessman Enrique Razon.

Since Barzaga has over one million followers on his social media page, the post easily went viral among netizens, which allegedly damaged the integrity of Manila 2nd District Representative Rolando Valeriano.

According to the Manila Prosecutors Office, it found prima facie evidence with reasonable certainty of conviction to formally charge the former lawmaker.

The prosecution has recommended a bail of Php 10,000 for the former congressman.

With reports from Benedict Samson

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f03yREkbWOY

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The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has arrested a foreign couple in Siargao for allegedly operating a resort business while holding only tourist visas.

The BI identified the two foreign nationals as Teryn Jane Spencer, a New Zealand national, and Dario Salvatore Di Capua, a Swiss national.

The two were arrested during an enforcement operation at a resort in San Isidro, Siargao, after authorities discovered they were operating various services, including homestay, café, and yoga sessions.

“The operation was launched following intelligence information that the couple had been personally managing the homestay and café while also offering yoga sessions to guests without the required work visas or permits,” according to BI.

Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado stated that “a tourist visa is not a license to work or run a business in the Philippines.”

He also stated that foreigners who abuse their privilege to stay by engaging in unauthorized activities must face corresponding consequences.

“We welcome foreign visitors who respect our laws, but those who abuse the privilege of their stay by engaging in unauthorized employment or business activities will be arrested, deported, and barred from returning. No one is exempt from our immigration laws.”

The couple will undergo deportation proceedings, according to BI.

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