Jasha Gamao

PASAY CITY—The Senate Committee on Health and Demography hit the Department of Health (DOH) with hard questions on May 11, exposing a massive disconnect between official reports and the actual state of local clinics. 

Senate Deputy Majority Leader Risa Hontiveros flagged the Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP) for listing projects as "completed" even when citizens find them shuttered, understaffed, or filled with unused, stockpiled medical equipment. 

Lawmakers demanded to know why billions in taxpayer funds have been poured into facilities that remain non-operational or abandoned.

Senator Hontiveros traced these systemic failures to a toxic mix of weak monitoring, contractor negligence, and political favoritism. 

She warned that the DOH’s procurement process is being undermined by "palakasan" or political interference, which bypasses technical vetting to favor certain regions or contractors. 

“Hindi katanggap-tanggap ang lahat ng ito. Hindi ito dapat maging normal lalo na kung bilyong-bilyong piso ng taong bayan ang pinag-uusapan,”  Senator Hontiveros stated, emphasizing that the public cannot normalize the waste of billions of pesos while patients are turned away from empty health centers.

Compounding the frustration, Senator JV Ejercito stressed that these delays are actively sabotaging the Universal Health Care (UHC) Law. 

As a primary author of the landmark 2019 measure, Ejercito argued that UHC cannot succeed if the government continues to fund "antiquated" or unfinished infrastructure. 

“We want to find out what is causing the delay… These health facilities cannot wait any longer kasi kailangan ng tao ’yan. For us to be proud of the Universal Health Care law, our health facilities have to be at par as well. Hindi na puwede yung dating makaluma,” Senator Ejercito said. 

He called for an immediate investigation into why projects receiving hundreds of millions in funding are still stalling, asserting that Filipinos deserve modern, functional facilities that are "at par" with international standards.

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QUEZON CITY—The Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) has officially issued a Subpoena to Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa, ordering his appearance at Camp Crame this coming Thursday, May 14, 2026. 

Signed by CIDG Director PMGen. Robert Morico II, the directive compels the senator to face the Major Crimes Investigation Unit to provide a sworn statement and surrender relevant documents. 

This legal move marks a significant escalation in the government's renewed scrutiny of high-profile personalities linked to the controversial war on drugs.

The investigation focuses on the alleged Extra-Judicial Killings (EJKs) in the Davao Region, drawing from explosive revelations made during the House of Representatives Quad Committee hearings and public testimonies from retired SPO3 Arturo Lascañas. 

Authorities are specifically looking into Dela Rosa's tenure as Davao City Director and Regional Director, seeking to clarify his role in the reported deaths. 

The subpoena warns that failure to comply without a valid justification will lead to charges for Indirect Contempt of Court, signaling the PNP's firm stance on the proceedings.

This development follows a direct order from DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla issued on May 10, mandating the PNP to reopen and investigate approximately 100 cases of EJKs. 

By leveraging Republic Act No. 10973, which grants the PNP leadership the power to issue subpoenas, the CIDG is centralizing its efforts to address long-standing allegations from the Duterte administration. 

As the deadline for his appearance nears, all eyes are on the former police chief turned senator to see how he will respond to the formal demand for transparency.

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Atty. Elaine Atienza, spokesperson for former House Speaker and Leyte 1st District Rep. Martin Romualdez, hit back at the Philippine Global News Network (PGMN) following the arrest of its founder, Franco Mabanta. 

Atienza clarified that the case is not an attack on press freedom or government criticism, but a direct response to an alleged extortion attempt. 

She revealed that Romualdez reported the matter to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) after money was purportedly demanded in exchange for keeping a "scandalous" video private. 

"Rep. Romualdez simply did what any person would do—he reported the crime to the proper authorities," Atty. Atienza stated, emphasizing that the NBI acted strictly within its legal mandate.

The Romualdez camp further argued that PGMN’s claims of having "exposés" are irrelevant to the criminal investigation. 

“Whatever materials or exposés they claim to possess are irrelevant to the criminal allegations of extortion now under investigation.” Atty. Atienza added.

Atienza challenged the media platform to release any evidence of government wrongdoing to the public or the courts instead of using it as financial leverage. 

“If anyone believes he has evidence of wrongdoing by public officials, the proper course is simple: release it, submit it to the authorities, and let the proper institutions act on it — not use it as leverage in exchange for money.” The attorney argued.

By allegedly holding a video for weeks instead of publishing it, the camp asserts that PGMN crossed the line from news reporting to criminal activity. 

“That is what PGMN did: they purportedly produced a video that was allegedly ready to run several weeks ago and yet chose not to release it. That is NOT journalism, that is extortion.” Atty. Atienza added.

Atienza concluded that while democracy encourages criticism, the law strictly punishes extortion, noting that such conduct only serves to damage the public’s trust in legitimate media institutions.

“Such conduct undermines legitimate journalism and damages public trust in genuine media institutions. Simple lang po ito: Sa demokrasya, malayang pumuna. Pero malinaw po sa ating batas: Isang krimen ang pangingikil. “ Atty. Atienza concluded.

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QUEZON CITY—The Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 81 has dismissed a petition filed by Atty. Manases "Mans" Carpio, husband of Vice President Sara Duterte, which sought to block the House of Representatives from accessing their income tax returns. 

In a five-page order dated May 6, 2026, Presiding Judge Madonna C. Echiverri denied the request for a preliminary injunction and junked the case for lack of jurisdiction. 

In her decision, Judge Echiverri clarified that the Regional Trial Court does not have the authority to restrain a co-equal branch of government like the House of Representatives. 

The court emphasized that the House Committee on Justice was acting within its constitutional mandate to investigate impeachment complaints, and any judicial review regarding "grave abuse of discretion" by such a body must be filed directly with the Supreme Court. 

“In the case at bench, the respondents are acting in the official capacity as part of the HCOJ, a co-equal branch of the government hence, the case at bench should have been filed with the Supreme Court.”

The dismissal comes at a critical time, just days before the House is scheduled to hold a plenary vote on the consolidated Articles of Impeachment on May 11. 

While the House panel previously voted to keep the tax records in a sealed box for the time being, lawmakers noted that this court victory reinforces their authority to handle such documents as public records in constitutional proceedings. 

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Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste dismissed the complaint filed by Energy Secretary Sharon Garin against him and Solar Para sa Bayan, labeling the legal move as “super duper hina” or incredibly weak.

Leviste maintained that the allegations regarding violations of the Public Service Act lack merit based on reports circulating in the media. 

The lawmaker further warned that the case sets a dangerous precedent, potentially opening the door for future administrations to file nuisance complaints against directors of major public utilities and media conglomerates.

“I would also like to point out: This sets a precedent for future administrations to file nuisance complaints against officers and directors of public utilities in the Philippines—including ABS-CBN, GMA, TV5 and Philippine Star.” Representative Leviste said in his statement.

Leviste linked the timing of the complaint to his recent call for a legislative inquiry into the alleged connections between high-ranking officials and local contractors. 

“Sabay pa ito sa resolution ni Recto at sa panawagan kong imbestigahan ang koneksiyon ni Recto kay Gardiola, pati ang kanilang mga koneksiyon sa Batangas DPWH contractors at STL operator Refresh Gaming Corporation.” The young lawmaker stressed out.

Despite claims that the legal action was orchestrated by political rivals, the freshman representative vowed to push forward with his investigation.

“Itinutuloy ko ito kahit may nagsabi sa akin na si Recto umano ang nag-uutos kay Garin. Malapit nang matapos ang panahon ni Recto, pero hindi dapat matapos ang pagsusuri ng koneksiyon niya kay Gardiola.” Representative Leviste said.

Leviste’s legal counsel, Atty. Ruy Rondain, is expected to handle the specifics of the case as the lawmaker prepares to release a more detailed formal statement on the matter.

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