Dev Flores

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) approves five state universities across the Philippines to operate Doctor of Medicine programs.

According to the commission, the initiative aims to address the critical shortage of medical doctors in the Philippines. 

Following CHED’s approval, the five state universities are authorized to operate the first and second years of the mentioned program.

“The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has approved the applications of five State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) to operate the first and second-year levels of their respective Doctor of Medicine programs, effective Academic Year (AY) 2026-2027,” according to the commission

The approved institutions authorized to offer Doctor of Medicine programs include:

• Visayas State University 
• Eastern Samar State University 
• University of Eastern Philippines 
• Benguet State University 
• Cotabato State University - Cotabato Regional Medical Center School of Medicine

Based on the data provided by CHED, the physician-to-population ratio in the Philippines is currently 7.2 per 10,000 people. The commission flagged this figure as critical, as it doesn’t meet the World Health Organization’s (WHO) international minimum standard of 10 doctors per 10,000 people.

As part of the ongoing preparations for the upcoming impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, senators are thinking on who will be seated as the presiding officer in the Senate Impeachment Court.

In an interview with Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, he revealed that members are planning to elect Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero as the presiding officer because of his extensive legal background.

“Lawyer eh at saka may experience na rin siya sa impeachment. 'Yun ang consensus namin as of this morning, puwedeng magbago, and si Senator Win mismo, Senate President Win, ang nag-suggest din,” he said

[“He’s a lawyer, and he already has experience when it comes to impeachment. That is our consensus as of this morning, though it could still change, and Senate President Win himself actually is the one who suggested it.”]

“Kasi alam niyo pag ikaw nagp-preside, kailangan talaga meron kang hindi basic knowledge sa law. Yung rules of court, evidence. Kasi once na merong magmosyon  from either from the prosecution or defense, merong pagkakataon na kailangan mag-rule ka immediately 'di ba?” he added

[“Because you see, when you are the one presiding, you need more than just a basic knowledge of law, the rules of court, the evidence. Once there’s a motion filed by either the prosecution or the defese, there will be instances where you need to rule immediately.”]

With reports from Jed Nerecina

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The House of Representatives expressed confidence in the new Senate leadership following the appointment of Senator Sherwin Gatchalian as the duly elected Senate President.

Gatchalian’s appointment took place during a special session on June 17, 2026, which also served as a resumption of sessions and legislative duties for both the Senate and the House. 

According to House Speaker Faustino Bojie Dy III, the cooperation between the upper and lower chambers would accelerate the implementation of reforms for the benefit of the public. 

“Kapag nagtutulungan ang dalawang kapulungan, mas mabilis nating naihahatid ang mga repormang kailangan ng sambayanan,” he said

[“When both chambers work together, we can quickly deliver the reforms that the people need.”]

Meanwhile, House Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte 1st District Representative Sandro Marcos welcomed the newly elected SP Gatchalian.

“On behalf of the house, we would like to congratulate Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian. We look forward to working with him. I have worked with him,” he said

So, I think that's exactly what this current political climate needs, especially there in the Senate – level-headedness and you know, just the need for all of us to really get back to work,” he added

House Impeachment Trial Spokesperson and Kabataan Party-list Representative Renee Co expressed hope that under the new leadership, no further delays would happen to the upcoming trial of Vice President Sara Duterte in July.

“Wala na pong dapat balakid sa pagtutuloy ng paglilitis on July 6,” she said 

[“There should no longer be any obstacles to continuing the trial on July 6.”]

Meanwhile, the pre-trial conference is scheduled to take place at the Senate on June 18, 2026. However, the conference will be closed to the media to allow participants to discuss matters openly.

With reports from Rosalie Coz

PASAY CITY — Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson has revealed the potential appointment of Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero as a presiding officer for the upcoming impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte on July 6, 2026.

“As per our consensus as of this morning, we will elect Senator Chiz Escudero if we convene again,” he said

Lacson noted that the senators had already agreed on the matter, and Senate President Win Gatchalian also supports the possible appointment.

“Lawyer eh at saka may experience na rin siya sa impeachment. 'Yun ang consensus namin as of this morning, puwedeng magbago, and si Senator Win mismo, Senate President Win, ang nag-suggest din,” he said

[“He’s a lawyer, and he already has experience when it comes to impeachment. That is our consensus as of this morning, though it could still change, and Senate President Win himself actually is the one who suggested it.”]

He also stated that Escudero’s extensive legal background and mastery of impeachment procedures would be an asset. 

“Kasi alam niyo pag ikaw nagp-preside, kailangan talaga meron kang hindi basic knowledge sa law. Yung rules of court, evidence. Kasi once na merong magmosyon  from either from the prosecution or defense, merong pagkakataon na kailangan mag-rule ka immediately 'di ba?”

[“Because you see, when you are the one presiding, you need more than just a basic knowledge of law, the rules of court, the evidence. Once there’s a motion filed by either the prosecution or the defese, there will be instances where you need to rule immediately.”]

Senator Escudero has not yet responded to the matter.

With reports from Jed Nerecina

PASAY CITY — The Senate officially selected its duly elected Senate President during a special session on June 17, 2026. This time, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian is a fully-fledged Senate President.

Following the election of Senate President Gatchalian, the institution has also designated a new lineup of chairpersons for its various committees.

The list of new committee chairmanships is as follows:

Erwin Tulfo

• Accountability of Public Officers and Investigations (Blue Ribbon)
  
  • Vice Chairperson: Sen. Kiko Pangilinan, Sen. Ping Lacson
• Committee on Justice
• Committee on Energy

Joseph Victor "JV" Ejercito

• Committee on Finance
• Committee on Local Government

Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan

• Committee on Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Reform
• Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes
• Committee on Justice and Human Rights

Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri

• Committee on Rules
• Committee on Foreign Relations

Bam Aquino

• Committee on Trade
• Committee on Basic Education

Vicente "Tito" Sotto

• Committee on National Defense and Security, Peace, Unification and Reconciliation
• Committee on Ethics and Privileges

Risa Hontiveros

• Committee on Health and Demography
• Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality

Joel Villanueva

• Committee on Higher, Technical and Vocational Education
• Committee on Labor, Employment, and Human Resources Development

Panfilo "Ping" Lacson

• Committee on Ways and Means

Lito Lapid

• Committee on Games and Amusement
  
  • Vice Chairperson: Sen. Erwin Tulfo

Raffy Tulfo

• Committee on Public Services
• Committee on Migrant Workers

Meanwhile, Senator Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri was designated Majority Leader, while Senator Joel Villanueva was named as Deputy Majority Leader.