Jasha Gamao

QUEZON CITY—The Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP), led by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., has formally convened to finalize its position on the impending impeachment process against Vice President Sara Duterte. 

Negros Occidental 3rd District Rep. Javi Benitez confirmed that the party has established a unified stand ahead of the high-stakes plenary vote scheduled for next week. 

“May party stand ang PFP and we’re basing it on what we see as evidence for probable cause. So, kung may classification for that, that’s what we will stand on.” Rep. Benitez emphasized to the reporters.

As the House of Representatives prepares to deliberate on the articles of impeachment, the PFP’s decision is expected to be a decisive factor in the proceedings.

According to Benitez there are 51 party members currently holding seats in the House, the PFP stands as the second-largest political bloc next to LAKAS-CMD of Former Speaker Martin Romualdez.

This significant numbers game places the President's party in a "kingmaker" position, as their collective vote could determine the fate of the Vice President. 

Benitez emphasized that the group is organized and ready for the upcoming plenary session, signaling a major shift in the administration's political landscape.

QUEZON CITY—Bicol Saro Partylist Rep. Terry Ridon, key member of the House Justice Committee, confirmed today that approximately 200 congressmen have already signaled their support for the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte. 

“I think as we speak, we are looking at almost 200 already House members who are signifying their intent to support the impeachment.”—Rep Ridon tol the House’s reporters.

This growing alliance in the House of Representatives signals an aggressive push to bring the articles of impeachment to the floor. 

Ridon emphasized that the sheer volume of legislators joining the cause reflects a unified stance within the lower house to hold the Vice President accountable.

When questioned about the certainty of the move, Ridon declared, "Tiyak ho kami sa ebidensya, tiyak ho kami sa 6.7B transaction na pumasok po at lumabas sa mga account po ng mag-asawang Duterte-Carpio, tiyak ho kami sa 448 million na pinapasauli ho sa kanya, tiyak ho kami doon sa pagbabanta laban ho sa pangulo. So, that is the source of the House Committee on Justice.” Citing the mountain of documents and testimonies surfaced during recent House Justice Committee hearings. 

He asserted that the case against the Vice President is not merely political but is anchored on verified records that the committee has meticulously reviewed. 

With the numbers now well beyond the required threshold for a House transmission, the committee appears ready to fast-track the proceedings based on the strength of their documented findings.

QUEZON CITY—The Liberal Party (LP) will allow its members in the House of Representatives to exercise a conscience vote regarding the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte. 

House Senior Deputy Minority Leader and Mamamayang Liberal Partylist Rep. Leila De Lima confirmed the decision following a party meeting held on March 3, 2026. 

“Napag-usapan na ho namin yan. March 3 nagkaroon ho ng meeting yung what we call the LP House Caucus…at ang naging consensus po no’n is should be conscience vote.”, Rep. De Lima told reporters.

While some lawmakers expressed supreme confidence that the impeachment will succeed, De Lima noted she sees no issue with such optimism as the party prepares for the critical plenary proceedings.

The push to hold the Vice President accountable moves to the fast track, with the House plenary expected to tackle the resolution and the formal Articles of Impeachment on May 11, 2026. 

This conscience vote gives LP members the individual freedom to decide based on the evidence presented, rather than following a rigid party line. 

As the date approaches, all eyes remain on the lower house to see if the required numbers will be met to send the case to the Senate for trial.

PASAY CITY—The Senate Committee on Foreign Relations fast-tracked the review of four critical international nuclear conventions on May 5, to fortify the country's shift toward nuclear power. 

Senators Erwin Tulfo and Senator Sherwin Gatchalian spearheaded the deliberations, emphasizing that the ratification of these treaties is essential to align the Philippines with global safety and liability benchmarks. 

Senator Tulfo specifically pressed government agencies to accelerate the implementing rules for the Philippine National Nuclear Energy Safety Act (RA 12305), demanding clear protocols on emergency response and specialized personnel training to ensure the nation is fully equipped for a nuclear transition.

Senator Gatchalian underscored that adopting these rigorous international frameworks is the primary solution to easing public anxiety regarding the safety and sustainability of nuclear facilities. 

By committing to global standards for radioactive waste management and civil liability, the panel aims to provide a concrete "safety net" that protects citizens while building investor confidence. 

“Maraming agam-agam sa isip ng mga kababayan natin, hindi natin maaalis ‘yan…Kailangan po natin nang ganito para mabigyan po natin ng assurance at kumpiyansa ang taong-bayan na napakadaming pag-aaral at proteksyon ang ginagawa natin,” Gatchalian said. 

"We need these conventions to provide the public with the assurance that extensive protections are in place," Gatchalian noted, framing the move as a vital step in transforming the Philippine energy landscape into a secure and modern system.

Albert Ian Delos Santos continues his relentless assault on the weightlifting history books, resetting the global standard for the third time in less than a year. 

Competing at the 2026 IWF World Junior Championships on May 5, in Ismailia, Egypt, the 19-year-old phenom stunned the crowd with a commanding 187kg lift in the Men’s 71kg Clean and Jerk. 

This powerhouse performance didn't just secure his third world title; it effectively erased his own previous world junior record, proving that the Filipino sensation is currently in a league of his own.

The victory marks a staggering trajectory of improvement for Delos Santos, who has turned record-breaking into a routine. 

His record-setting spree began in October last year in Norway with a 185kg lift, followed quickly by a 186kg silver-medal performance at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand. 

By adding another kilogram to his total in Egypt, Delos Santos has solidified his status as the undisputed king of the 71kg junior division and a formidable threat for the senior circuit.