Jasha Gamao

QUEZON CITY—The impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte will push forward even if she boycotts the proceedings entirely. 

House impeachment prosecutor Joel Chua of Manila clarified on May 19 that the Senate impeachment court does not require Duterte's physical presence to move the case against her. 

“The impeachment court issued a writ of summons, because the writ of summons, dalawa ang purpose niyanz. One is for the Vice President to appear before the impeachment court and the other one, for her to submit the answer within 10 days,” Representative Chua said.

Under the established rules, the Senate’s writ of summons primarily demands that the Vice President submit her formal answer to the articles of impeachment and enter her plea within a 10-day window.

While the writ of summons serves the dual purpose of calling for her appearance and demanding her legal response, Chua emphasized that Duterte’s absence will not stall the wheels of justice. 

The Vice President retains the strategic option to attend personally, send her legal counsel, or completely decline participation. 

“Right now, the vice president is not under our consideration to be our hostile witness," Congressman Chua noted during a televised interview, highlighting that the choice ultimately rests on the defense's legal strategy.

Should Duterte and her legal team choose to ignore the trial altogether, the Senate is fully prepared to act. 

“Well, that depends on the legal strategy of the defense. That is not for us to decide.” The Representative emphasized.

According to the Congressman of Manila, pursuant to Senate Resolution No. 39 which governs the impeachment trial procedures for the 20th Congress the court will automatically enter a plea of not guilty on her behalf if she fails to appear or respond. 

This safeguard ensures that the high-stakes proceedings will continue seamlessly, with or without the Vice President in the courtroom.

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) firmly stands by the validity of the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) arrest warrant against Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa on May 19.

NBI Director Melvin Matibag clarified the agency's stance amid ongoing legal debates surrounding the high-profile case. 

Despite the complexities of the international order, the bureau recognizes the legal weight of the warrant issued for the lawmaker.

Matibag acknowledged that while a petition regarding the matter remains pending before the Supreme Court, the law enforcement agency respects the ongoing judicial process. 

He emphasized that both the NBI and the Department of Justice (DOJ) closely monitor and defer to the high tribunal's guidance. 

However, he maintained that the outstanding legal questions do not diminish the current legitimacy of the ICC’s directive.

"There is an ongoing case sa Supreme Court. And alam niyo naman, from the point of view of the lawyers, including the DOJ, we always somehow listen to the Supreme Court. But, one thing is clear, the warrant is valid." NBI Director Matibag told reporters

The declaration signals a critical development in the country's shifting dynamics with international legal bodies.

QUEZON CITY—Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. ordered all commanders and personnel on May 19, to tune out social media political noise and focus entirely on public safety. 

Nartatez warned that online intrigues and attempts to drag police officers into partisan politics are deliberate distractions meant to disrupt the country's peace and order gains. 

“These intrigues and political noises, including attempts to encourage any of our personnel to engage in partisan politics, are meant to distract us from performing our job well and sustaining our gains on peace and order,” General Nartatez highlighted in a statement.

Instead of letting criticisms divide the force, he urged the PNP to use the digital chatter as motivation to sharpen their service and protect the public.

The PNP’s top official emphasized that the PNP's official mandate remains completely unchanged despite the current political climate. 

He pointed to falling nationwide crime rates and high public trust ratings as proof of the organization's steady commitment to duty. 

Moving forward, Nartatez vowed to keep the momentum going by working closely with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) under Secretary Jonvic Remulla to enforce internal reforms that make citizens feel secure.

“The PNP remains completely focused on its mandate and other reform measures, including the integration of the policies of the DILG under Secretary Jonvic Remulla on internal reforms and actions that will make the public feel safe,” The Chief of PNP said.

To back this directive, regional and local police units are intensifying community-level operations rather than engaging with online debates. 

The PNP is currently ramping up its "Safer Cities" initiative, boosting police visibility, and sharpening emergency response times across the country. 

Nartatez reassured the public that the force will continue to focus its energy on crime prevention, anti-illegal drug operations, and cracking down on smuggled goods.

PASAY CITY—The Senate Committee on Ways and Means launched a probe on May 18, targeting the value-added tax (VAT) imposed on electricity bills. 

Lawmakers demanded answers as to why Filipino households face soaring power rates despite enduring frequent rotational brownouts. 

The investigation follows a wave of public complaints from consumers who are tired of paying premium prices for unreliable service and even being taxed for electricity they never receive.

Committee Chair Sen. Pia Cayetano expressed deep frustration over the ongoing energy crisis, noting that skyrocketing rates coupled with unstable power supply now threaten lives. 

“The situation highlights a difficult reality faced by Filipino consumers. Many are paying increasingly high electricity rates while simultaneously experiencing concerns over the reliability and stability of power supply.” The Committee Chairperson stressed.

Cayetano highlighted the tragic death of an 80-year-old father in Laguna during a recent power outage to underscore the urgency of the situation. 

She stressed that electricity is no longer just a basic utility, but a critical lifeline essential for education, health, and daily survival.

“For many Filipinos, electricity is no longer a simple utility, simply a utility is essential to education, livelihood, health, communication, and daily survival.” Senator Pia Cayetano pointed out.

During the hearing, senators thoroughly reviewed potential reforms to protect consumers, focusing heavily on VAT treatment, subsidies, and system losses. 

Grid alerts in Luzon and Visayas have triggered widespread power interruptions, prompting lawmakers to question the fairness of current billing structures. 

The committee aims to restructure these charges to ensure the public only pays for stable, actual power delivered to their homes.

Meanwhile, Senate President Allan Peter Cayetano back fired on the allegations that the government is a bystander on the drastic increase of electricity rates.

“Hindi totoo na may delays ang ating administration. Given the present crisis, it’s actually an opportunity… [We’re in ] crisis, let’s find a way to get something done.” The Senate President stressed out.

Adding to the scrutiny, Sen. Rodante Marcoleta argued that system loss charges should be treated strictly as business risks by energy companies rather than being passed on to consumers. 

Citing a Supreme Court ruling, Marcoleta stated that any expense that does not benefit the consumer is unjustified and inequitable. 

He declared that charging citizens for electricity that never reaches their households directly violates consumer protection laws.

MANILA—The Ombudsman Graftbusters preserved their unblemished record in a thrilling, down-to-the-wire encounter, clipping the PNP Responders, 70-62, in the UNTV Cup Season 12 elimination round on May 17, at the Paco Arena.

The Graftbusters relied on a suffocating defensive blueprint and steady execution down the stretch to weather a furious PNP rally and escape with the hard-fought victory.

Paul Ladia earned Best Player of the Game honors after orchestrating the Graftbusters' offense and anchoring their defensive line. 

While he finished with a modest 5 points, Ladia dominated the floor by filling the stat sheet with 7 rebounds, a staggering 12 assists, and 4 steals. 

His masterclass in playmaking culminated in a cold-blooded, clutch three-pointer in the crucial moment of the game, effectively crushing the Responders' comeback hopes and sealing the win.

Reflecting on the grit required to pull off the victory against a tough PNP squad, Ladia credited their collective trust and defensive focus for the comeback. 

“Tiniyaga lang namin sa depensa, then tiwala lang kami sa isa’t isa, nagtiwala kami sa sistema nila coach kaya kami nakahabol,” Ladia said in a post-game interview.

With the win, the Graftbusters keep their flawless campaign alive while sending a clear message to the rest of the league.