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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
The Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP CIDG) has issued subpoenas to over 20 individuals to provide crucial statements regarding the death of two Ateneo student-athletes, Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili, in Aurora.
“We have issued subpoenas to several individuals, including yung mga players na kasama doon,” ayon kay CIDG Director PMGen. Robert Alexander Morico II
[“We have issued subpoenas to several individuals, including the players who were present there.”]
The PNP has sent subpoenas to the head coach of Ateneo de Manila University, Tab Baldwin, other coaches and players, the driver of the bus used by the delegation, the local government unit, and the resort owner where the drowning incident occurred.
According to Morico, the CIDG also plans to invite former Ateneo players to serve as resource persons on what they call ‘team building’.
“We will see kung if it's a team-building activity really, because there are also allegations coming from past athletes na kinakatakutan nila ang pagpunta sa Aurora,” he said
[“We will see if it's a team-building activity really, because there are also allegations coming from past athletes that they’re dreading going to Aurora.”]
The CIDG also asked the Department of Justice (DOJ) to place several individuals under Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order.
“Ateneo is Ateneo. May mga pera po yung mga ano diyan. They have the capability to travel abroad,” Morico said
[“Ateneo is Ateneo. People there have financial means. They have the capability to travel abroad.”]
The subpoenaed individuals have been given until Monday, June 15, to personally present themselves at the CIDG.
With reports from Lea Ylagan
The House prosecution panel names ten (10) private prosecutors who will reinforce its legal team.
Lead Public Prosecutor and Batangas 2nd District Representative Gerville Luistro emphasized that the involvement of private prosecutors is crucial since they have expertise in litigation.
“Kailangan po namin ang tulong ng mga private prosecutors because they are the people specialized in litigation,” she said
[“We need the assistance of private prosecutors because they are the people specialized in litigation.”]
The ten private prosecutors come from three separate law firms — PECABAR Law, Kapunan and Castillo Law, and the SALiGAL (Sapayan Lim Alvarez & Ligutan) Law.
The roster of private lawyers includes:
PECABAR Law
Kapunan and Castillo Law
SALiGAL (Sapayan Lim Alvarez & Ligutan) Law
Atty. Marforth Fua, from PECABAR Law, is the former assistant presidential legal counsel under the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. He clarified that the President is not involved in his decision to join the prosecution team.
“It is the House who enlisted our support, not the President or not anyone in the first family,” he said
He further emphasized that their participation is just a professional matter.
“This is just any other regular case handled by the firm. It's nothing special. So it is just a purely professional engagement,” he added
House prosecutors confirmed that all private lawyers are rendering their services pro bono or free of charge.
Meanwhile, Luistro expressed faith and confidence in whoever stands as a Presiding officer in the Senate impeachment court.
“This is not a question of who is the presiding officer? Who are the senator-judges? Who are the public and the private prosecutors? No. By impeachment trial, we're trying to exact accountability to the public officials whether it is acting SP Win Gatchalian or Senator Chiz Escudero who will be presiding the impeachment trial. In behalf of the prosecutors we are expressing our faith and confidence to this accountability mechanism.” she said
With reports from Rosalie Coz
TABUK CITY, KALINGA — The Anti-firing Ordinance has approved on third reading, which will ban gunfiring during burials in Tabuk City. Although this was considered custom during burials, the local government expressed concerns over community safety.
Tabuk City Councilor Jayferson Bon-as, author of the Anti-firing Ordinance, expressed concern about this matter because even the children learn to handle and fire gunshots at the event.
“So nakasanayan kasi dito sa amin sa Tabuk City na kapag may namatay bata man o matanda, nagpapaputok sila. So nakakabahala na since pano kapag may nadisgrasya, may matamaan,” he said
[“It has become a custom here in Tabuk City that when someone passes away, whether young or old, they fire guns. It is alarming because what will happen if an accident occurs or someone gets hit?”]
“Mabuti pa nga ang Uniformed Personnel, 21 guns salute lang pero itong mga kababayan natin, hindi mo bilang kung ilang putok,” he added
[“The Uniformed Personnel are limited to 21 gun salutes, but our fellow citizens, you cannot even count how many shots are fired.”]
Under the Anti-firing Ordinance during burials in the City of Tabuk, gunshots during burial are strictly prohibited, regardless of whether the weapon is licensed or not. Violators may face immediate confiscation of the firearm used and potential charges.
“Kaya aantayin pa ba natin na may madisgrasya pa? So, nag-propose tayo ng ordinance na ipagbawal ‘yong pagpapaputok ng baril during burial ceremonies,” he said
[“Are we going to wait for a tragedy to happen? That is why we proposed this ordinance to ban gunshots during burial ceremonies.”]
The measure exempts official military honors, traditional gun salutes for uniformed personnel, and war veterans, as long as they are coordinated with respective authorities and comply with safety protocols.
The ordinance now only awaits the signature of Tabuk City Mayor Darwin Estrañero for the official enactment and city-wide implementation of the law.
With reports from Grace Doctolero
