Dev Flores

A 21-year-old college student, Mark Joseph Duque has filed an ethics complaint against Senator Alan Peter Cayetano and former majority bloc members due to a three-day absence from the senate sessions. 

According to a complainant, political conflict should not affect their duties amidst a crisis.

“Unang-una po, hindi dapat inuuna ang pulitika sa panahon ngayon na nagtataasan ang presyo ng langis at pangalawa po, dapat isinasantabi ang mga galit at sarili po nilang hidwaan,” he said

[“First of all, politics should not be prioritized at a time when oil prices are rising, and second, they should set aside their anger and personal conflicts.”]

Duque added that their absences could be considered a negligence of duty.

“Halata naman po ba negligence of duty po yong ginagawa nila kasi unang-una po sa lahat, hindi sila nag-convene na dapat ay trabaho ng mga kongresista at mga senador. 

[“It’s obvious that what they did was a negligence of duty because, first and foremost, they didn’t convene, which is a part of their job as lawmakers and senators.”]

The House of Representatives recognizes the new Senate leadership under acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian, according to Lead Public Prosecutor and Batangas 2nd District Representative Gerville Luistro.

“Ni-recognize na po ng House of Representatives ang bagong liderato ng Senado, that is through the acting Senate President Sen. Win Gatchalian,” she said

[“The House of Representatives has recognized the new Senate leadership, and that is through the acting Senate President Sen. Win Gatchalian.”]

Luistro also noted that the House prosecution panel aligns with the lower house in acknowledging the new leadership.

“The House prosecution panel is representing the institution, the House of Representatives. I think it is logical that we follow the position of the House of Representatives,” she said

“Ni-recognize na rin ng Palasyo, which represents the executive branch, ang bagong leadership ng Senado,” she added

[“The Palace, which represents the executive branch, also recognizes the new Senate leadership.”]

Regarding the impeachment trial, Luistro stated that it would be better for the new leadership to study the next steps in the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte. Earlier, the Senate had already convened as an impeachment court, but due to a change of leadership, the Presiding Officer will also be replaced by acting Senate President Win Gatchalian.

“Siguro, mas maganda, pag-aralan muna ng bagong leadership kung kailangan pang magkaroon ulit ng oath-taking ang mga Senator judges because we will remember, nag-convene na sila, nag-oath taking na rin,”

[“Maybe it would be better for the new leadership to first study whether the senator-judges need to take their oaths again, because remember, they have already convened and taken their oaths.”]

Luistro also emphasized that the trial should not be compromised by the ongoing issues between the Senate’s majority and minority bloc.

“We do not want to compromise the impeachment trial to the issues on leadership that is happening in the Senate,” she said

Senator Sherwin Gatchialian assures that the conflict won’t affect the impeachment and said that they will take an oath once the trial begins.

Dizon hints at ‘big fish’ to face charges in Bulacan

A “big fish” in Bulacan will face charges over a flood control anomaly, according to Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon on June 3, 2026.

“Meron ng mga bagong kasong finile nitong nakaraan, meron pang mga padating na kaso. In  fact, tomorrow meron ulit ifa-file sa Bulacan naman. Hintayin niyo na lang kung sino kasi malaking isda din.,” he said

[“New cases were already filed previously, and more will come. In fact, tomorrow, another one will be filed in Bulacan. Just wait, who it is because it’s a big fish. Just wait for it tomorrow.”]

While the Secretary did not identify the more related details on that day, he made it clear that the complaint will be officially filed in the Malolos Regional Trial Court.

Dizon added that the filing of complaints remains continuous, but emphasized that those must be supported by strong evidence. He noted that he understands the public’s appeal to hold those involved in the flood control scandal accountable, but they have to consider complete information and evidence in filing complaints. 

“Alam mo paulit-ulit sinabi ng Pangulo, kung saan dadalhin tayo ng ebidensya doon tayo pupunta,” Dizon said

[“You know, this is what the President has repeatedly said, we will go wherever the evidence takes us.”]

The revelation of ‘big fish’

According to DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon, the ‘big fish’ that he is talking about are Sarah Discaya and Curlee Discaya. Nine other officials and personnel from DPWH Bulacan 1st District are also included in the complaint.

“Yung Discaya parang Napoles yan dito sa flood control scam. Talagang malaking isda yan. At 2016 palang, nag-ooperate na sila. Bilyong-bilyong piso ang kanilang nakalap. Ang kanilang ninakaw,” Dizon said

[“The Discayas are like the Napoloes, here in the flood control scam. They are truly big fish. They have been operating since 2016, where they got billions of pesos.”]

Recently, the Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano and DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon filed a malversation complaint against the Discaya couple and the nine others. According to Dizon, this is linked to the substandard flood control project in Barangay Bulusan, Calumpit, Bulacan, amounting to almost 54 million pesos.

This is a developing story

With reports from Asher Cadapan Jr. and Nestor Torres

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) admitted that the timeline will be tight if the special election is officially held to fill the vacant seat of expelled Cavite 4th district Representative Kiko Barzaga.

According to COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin Garcia, the poll body has only a grace period of at least 60 days but not more than 90 days from the declaration of vacancy to the lower chamber.

“At tayo po'y binigyan lamang ng ating saligang batas ng hindi po maaga nang animnapung (60) araw at hindi po lalampas sa siyamnapung (90) araw matapos ang pagkakaroon ng pagbakante diyan sa mababang kapulungan. Nangangahulugan ang animnapung (60) araw po ay August 2 and 90 days naman po, siyamnapung araw ay September 2.” he explained

[“Our Constitution only gives us not earlier than sixty (60) days and not longer than ninety (90) days after the vacancy in the lower house. This means the 60-day mark falls on August 2, while the 90-day is on September 2.”]

Because of this, Garcia said that the election could likely take place on August 22 or 29 if the 60-day window timeframe is used as a basis.

“Kung kaya naman base sa inisyal na usapan natin, maaaring isagawa natin ang halalan kung hindi po August 22 ay maaari gawin natin ito ng August 29,”

[Therefore, based on our initial discussions, we might hold an election on either August 22 or August 29.”]

He also hopes that it won't extend to September, as the Bangsamoro Parliamentary Election is scheduled in the same month, followed by the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) election in November.

“Pero dapat hindi po sana ito papasok sa buwan ng September sapagkat diyan na po kasi yung ating pong Bangsamoro Parliamentary Election ng September 14 at syempre yung ating barangay and SK election naman ng November 2.”

[“But we hope this does not fall in the month of September because that is when we have Bangsamoro Parliamentary Election on September 14 and of course our barangay SK election on November 2.”]

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has confirmed that a special election will be held in Cavite, following the expulsion of Representative Kiko Barzaga.

According to COMELEC Chairman George Erwin Garcia, a special election is needed because the vacancy occurred more than a year before 2028 elections.

“Tayo po ay nasa labas pa ng isang taon bago ang susunod na halalan ng 2028. Kung kaya naman kung tutuusin parang lumalabas kakailanganin talaga nating mag-hold ng special election,” Garcia said

[“We are still over a year away from the next elections in 2028. Therefore, it appears we will really need to hold a special election.”]

However, Garcia admitted that the estimated budget to conduct a special poll in the 4th district in Cavite will take ₱200 million.

“Sa kasalukuyan, more or less, base sa ating inisyal na pagtatantsa, mukhang gagastos po ang COMELEC ng mga ₱200 million para maisagawa ang halalan sa nag-iisang distrito ng Dasmariñas, Cavite. Ang diyan po kasi sa Dasmariñas, ang kabuuan ng voting population o yung botante ay 437,730,”

[“Recently, more or less, based on our initial estimates, it seems like the COMELEC will spend ₱200 million to conduct the election in just one district in Dasmariñas, Cavite. This is because the total voting population in Dasmariñas is 437,730.”]

Garcia noted that the ₱200 million budget is higher than the nearly ₱98 million spent during the special election in Antipolo, following the passing of the late Antipolo 2nd district Representative Romeo Acop. He also clarified that the voting population is also lower (almost 200,000), which also affects the amount of budget needed at that time.