Jasha Gamao

MANILA—Malacañang Press Officer Claire Castro on Monday, February 16, challenged individuals named in the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) case against former President Rodrigo Duterte to face the charges instead of evading justice. 

During a briefing, Castro emphasized that going into hiding only invites suspicion, asserting that those who are innocent should be "courageous" enough to undergo the legal process. 

She clarified that if warrants are issued, the government is duty-bound to cooperate via Interpol, following the same precedent that led to the turnover of Duterte to The Hague in March 2025.

Castro also hit back at claims that the ICC’s tagging of Senators Bato dela Rosa and Bong Go is a "diversionary tactic" to mask the administration’s current flood control issues. 

She pointed out that the ICC proceedings were initiated as early as 2017 long before the current administration took office and that the government has no influence over the tribunal’s timing. 

Additionally, Castro noted that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has not yet discussed the possibility of the Philippines rejoining the ICC with his Cabinet.

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MANILA—In a bold move that heightens the tension between the judiciary and the legislature, high-profile lawyers Ferdinand Topacio, Manuelito Luna, and Harold Respicio have filed a petition for indirect contempt against Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III at the Supreme Court. 

The petitioners, backed by former congressman Jing Paras, argue that Sotto’s recent scathing criticisms of the High Court’s ruling on the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte crossed the line from legitimate commentary into a direct assault on the court's integrity. 

The legal group contends that Sotto’s public dismissals of the ruling where he reportedly compared the magistrates to "first-year law students" undermine the public's faith in the nation's highest judicial body.

The controversy stems from Sotto’s vocal opposition to the Supreme Court’s decision to block the initial impeachment trial of the Vice President, a move he previously slammed as "judicial overreach" and an "encroachment" on the powers of Congress. 

As the head of the Senate, Sotto has argued that the judiciary should not dictate the rules for legislative trials, famously declaring that the ruling made impeachment an "impossible dream." 

By bringing this contempt charge, the petitioners are asking the Supreme Court to penalize the Senate leader for what they describe as "disrespectful" and "unacceptable" language, setting the stage for a significant constitutional showdown over the limits of free speech and inter-branch courtesy.

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QUEZON CITY—House Speaker Faustino "Bojie" Dy III is sounding the alarm on the "unignorable" threats posed by digital platforms and emerging technologies. 

Speaking at a parliamentary training course on February 11, Dy emphasized that while AI offers immense potential, it is increasingly being hijacked by extremist groups to spread disinformation and sow fear. 

He warned that these digital tools are being weaponized to erode public trust, particularly during sensitive times like elections and national emergencies.

“We have seen how digital platforms can be misused to spread disinformation, sow fear, and weaken trust in public institutions, particularly during critical moments such as elections and emergencies.” Speaker Dy said.

To combat these evolving risks, Dy is pushing for a unified front across ASEAN through stronger legislative oversight and "concrete" law enforcement actions. 

He advocated for a robust digital governance framework that prevents AI from being used for terrorism and violent extremism. 

“We know these are threats we can no longer ignore. So, we have taken concrete steps to address these risks through law enforcement action, legislative oversight, and stronger digital governance.” He added.

By fostering regional cooperation, Dy aims to ensure that technology serves as a tool for progress rather than a catalyst for instability, calling on neighboring parliaments to enact policy measures that hold digital platforms accountable.

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PASAY CITY—Lawmakers moved one step closer to transforming the teaching landscape on Thursday as the House Subcommittee on Professional Regulation resumed critical talks to overhaul the Philippine Teachers Professionalization Act. 

This push for legislative reform aims to bridge the gap between outdated regulations and the rapidly evolving demands of 21st-century education. 

By integrating modern innovations and digital-age teaching standards into the law, the panel seeks to ensure that Filipino educators are not just compliant with old rules, but are actively equipped to lead in a globalized academic environment.

The high-stakes session brought together heavy hitters from the Department of Education (DepEd), CHED, and the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) to hammer out the details of the proposed amendments. 

Advocacy groups and teacher unions also voiced their priorities, focusing on how the updated law can better support career growth and professional welfare. 

As the subpanel synthesizes this feedback, the goal remains clear: creating a streamlined, future-proof framework that elevates the teaching profession and, ultimately, improves the quality of learning for millions of students nationwide.

PASAY CITY—The Senate Committee on Public Services launched a high-stakes inquiry on Thursday, February 12, 2026 to investigate the devastating sinking of MV Trisha Kerstin 3, which claimed 52 lives off the coast of Basilan last month. 

Lawmakers aggressively questioned government regulators and shipping executives, uncovering a series of regulatory and operational failures that contributed to the January 26 disaster. 

Chairman of the Committee Senator Raffy Tulfo in his opening speech emphasized that the recent incident was not isolated but rather demonstrated a familiar pattern of unfulfilled promises of maritime reform.

“Sa totoo lang po this is not an isolated incident. For too long, maritime tragedies have powered painful and familiar pattern. Disaster, public outrage, investigation, promises of reform and then wala na.” Senator Tulfo said. 

The hearing served as a blunt reckoning for the maritime industry, with senators demanding accountability for the safety lapses that allowed the vessel to founder.

This probe is fueling a broader legislative push to overhaul public transport safety through the proposed Magna Carta of Commuters. 

By integrating the lessons learned from the Basilan tragedy, the Senate aims to institutionalize the public's right to safe and reliable travel. 

Moving forward, the panel seeks to create stringent new standards that ensure commuter welfare is never again sidelined by negligence, turning this maritime catastrophe into a catalyst for nationwide transport reform.

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