Dev Flores

Another two ethics complaints have been filed against Cavite 4th District Representative Kiko Barzaga. 

House Deputy Speaker at Iloilo 1st District Representative Janette Garin is a complainant of these two concerns. 

One of the complaints stems from Barzaga allegedly linking linking Garin, her daughter, and Deputy Majority Leader at Iloilo 3rd District Representative Lorenz Defensor to the death of Iloilo Vice Mayor Aimee Paz Lamasan. However, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) says that the death of Lamasan “was the result of accidental firearm discharge”.

Another complaint is the unauthorized taking of videos of fellow members of the House of Representatives. 

Garrin noted that a second suspension is a strong warning for a member of Congress.

“Historically, kasi sa kongreso kapag na-suspend ka na, and then you have another suspension, and in his case, the 2nd suspension had a very strong warning that if he repeats it again, it will proceed to a higher penalty,” she said

She added that the situation could ultimately lead to expulsion.

“Well, technically it’s expulsion eh, kasi it’s usually suspension, suspension, then expulsion,” she said

But the final decision for the next action against Barzaga will remain on the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges, according to Garin.

She also emphasized that a member of Congress must act in a manner according to what is expected in his position.

“Parang his point is that sees nature as a cat, but he’s not a cat. He’s a member of Congress, duly elected, who should demonstrate what is expected commensurate to his position,” she said

In a Facebook post, Barzaga answered Garin’s statement.

With reports from Evan Alvarez

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) calls on the public to disregard fake letters regarding guidance on a full refund agreement for tax borrowers.

The bureau also stated that this modus uses false details to pressure recipients to comply. 

“The BIR warns that this modus uses FAKE letters, FALSIFIED tax language, and the UNAUTHORIZED use of the Commissioner’s name to pressure recipients into making payments or complying with FRAUDULENT directives,” the BIR said

Consequently, the BIR advises the public to verify any notices received from the bureau before taking any action and report suspicious documents or transactions.

“The public is urged to verify suspicious letters, notices, and directives with the BIR before taking any action, and to report questionable documents or transactions through the Bureau’s official channels,” the bureau added

San Pablo, Laguna Mayor Arcadio Gapangada Jr. has filed a complaint to the Office of the Ombudsman against Vice Mayor Justin Colago over the alleged presence of at least 200 ghost employees under the vice mayor’s office.

According to Mayor Gapangada Jr., the ghost employees allegedly receive a ₱600 daily salary from October to December 2025.

Based on their case build-up, the ghost employees were registered under the names of actual individuals.

“Napakarami po nating mga taga-lungsod ng San Pablo sa pagkakaroon po ng pagiging ghost employees na hindi nila alam na sila po pala’y multo,” the Mayor said

Some of them are allegedly residing abroad, and others are not registered residents in the area.

The complaints filed against Colago include alleged malversation, graft, violation of code of conduct and ethical standards for public officials and employees, grave abuse of authority, serious dishonesty, and other complaints. 

The UNTV is reaching out to the side of Vice Mayor Colago for a comment. His response will be published soon once received.

With reports from Evan Alvarez

The Toboso Local Government Unit (LGU) stated that the University of the Philippines (UP) did not conduct a courtesy call regarding students’ immersion in the area, following the encounter between the 79th Infantry Battalion of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and alleged members of the New People’s Army (NPA), where 19 individuals died.

In a statement released by the Municipality of Toboso PIO Albertito Morados, he noted that no student from the university consulted the barangay or municipal office to seek permission to conduct a study.

“Sa pagkakaalam natin, wala po talagang isang estudyante na pumunta sa barangay man lang o sa munisipyo, parang process of courtesy call na magpahayag na meron silang gagawing instrumental study,” he said

[“As far as we know, not a single student approached the barangay or the municipality for a courtesy call to say that they will be conducting an instrumental study.”]

Among those killed in the encounter in Toboso last April 19, 2026, was Alyssa Alano, a councilor of the University Student Council (USC) at the University of the Philippines (UP).

According to the statement issued by the UP Diliman University Student Council, Alyssa lived with farmers to understand their actual living conditions.

“Nakipamuhay at nakipag-aralan si Alyssa sa hanay ng mga kapatid nating magsasaka mula sa Negros upang alamin ang kanilang tunay na kalagayan sa harap ng pangangamkam sa lupa, pagsasamantala, at militarisasyon,” based on the statement of the campus organization

[“Alyssa lived and studied with our fellow farmers in Negros to understand their true situation amid land grabbing, exploitation, and militarization.”]

UP Diliman - Committee on the Protection of Academic Freedom and Human Rights (CPAFHR) calls on the Philippine government to conduct a transparent and impartial investigation into the death of Alyssa and other individuals in the Toboso clash incident.

“We demand the conduct of a transparent and impartial investigation into their killings, and give human rights organizations and response teams access to information and resources in order to launch their own,” they said

With reports from Allan Manansala

The Sandiganbayan has concluded the closed-door hearing on the ex-parte application for the issuance of a precautionary hold departure order (PHDO) against Senator Chiz Escudero and businessman Maynard Ngu on April 27, 2026. 

According to Associate Justice Sarah Jane Fernandez, the hearing was made private to avoid compromising the hearing, especially since the application is ex-parte or no participation from the respondents. This is not yet considered a trial, as no charges have been filed in court. This remains a motion, ensuring that Escudero and Ngu will not leave the country.

The court has officially issued the PHDO against the two, placing them in the Hold Departure List of the Bureau of Immigration (BI), meaning this restricts them from leaving the country while the investigation against them is ongoing. 

The senator and the businessman are under investigation by the Ombudsman due to alleged involvement in a flood control scandal. Former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo previously tagged Escudero for allegedly receiving kickbacks from the infrastructure project, while Ngu is the alleged bagman.

Both Escudero and Ngu have denied the allegations.

Based on the motion submitted by the Ombudsman to the Sandiganbayan, the two could potentially face violations of plunder, graft, and indirect bribery.

With reports from Evan Alvarez