Impeach prosecutors file manifestation waiving response to VP Sara answer

Batangas 2nd District Representative Jinky Luistro says the 11-member prosecution team in Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial filed a manifestation on Monday, June 8, explaining its decision to forgo a reply to the answer submitted by the veep.

Luistro argues Duterte's answer did not dispute the materials or facts contained in the impeachment articles.

“Wala po kaming official notices pa but nonetheless, our preparation is aligned to the timeline that was publicized by the Senate,” Luistro said.

Impeach prosecutors assert credibility intact despite Zaldy Co ex-aides’ kickback claims

Batangas 2nd District Representative Jinky Luistro asserts her prosecution team upholds integrity and honesty, in response to the accusations made by 18 purported former soldiers during a Senate blue ribbon committee hearing on the flood control corruption scandal on Thursday, June 4.

“The inconsistencies are very much evident at tayo po’y nananalig na hindi maaapektuhan ng 18 ex-marines na affidavit ang kredibilidad na matagal nang mayroon ang 11 prosecutors,” Luistro says during a press conference on Monday, June 8.

Lawmaker wants House probe into Ateneo athletes' drowning

Pinoy Workers Representative Karl Legazpi will file a resolution seeking a House investigation into the drowning of Ateneo student-athletes Divine Adili and Rene Clert Baterbonia in Aurora, his office said.

"These young athletes had promising futures ahead of them. Beyond their talents on the court, they were sons, students, teammates, and individuals whose lives were filled with potential. Their untimely passing is a heartbreaking loss not only to their families and school, but also to Philippine sports," Legazpi says on Tuesday, June 9.

" If this tragedy can happen in one of the country’s most respected educational institutions, then it is incumbent upon us to examine whether sufficient protections exist for student-athletes nationwide," he adds.

‘Young Guns’ lawmakers call for House probe into Ateneo student-athletes’ drowning

Deputy speakers Paolo Ortega and Jay Khonghun, as well as House Assistant Minority Leader Zia Adiong, join calls for the House to initiate a probe into the tragic deaths of Ateneo student-athletes Divine Adili and Rene Baterbonia during a team building activity in Aurora.

“Such an investigation is crucial not only to establish the facts but also to provide the legislative basis for crafting new laws or amending existing ones. Our objective is to institutionalize stricter safety standards for all school, sports, and team-building activities nationwide, so that no other family will have to endure this kind of preventable loss,” the group says.

JUST IN: Impeachment court sets June 18 pre-trial

Senate to shift to work-from-home setup for two days following security threat

Senate President Pro Tempore Win Gatchalian has authorized a work-from-home arrangement for Senate personnel on Wednesday, June 10, and Thursday, June 11, following information on a security threat relayed by the National Bureau of Investigation. @here

House prosecution panel holds a press conference today.

Luistro says prosecution is eyeing more than 30 witnesses for the impeachment trial.

President Marcos calls for a special session of Congress on June 17, to tackle priority legislation and to attend to the confirmation of various officials.

Trial prosecutors, via House Secretary General Cheloy Garafil, submit their pre-trial brief to the impeachment court on Monday, June 15. The pre-trial brief, which the court requires both the Duterte camp and the prosecutors to submit by today, contains a summary of admitted facts, evidence to be marked, and names or descriptions of witnesses, among others. Finding mutual ground between the two parties ahead of the trial proper can help expedite the proceedings.

Senate to convene special session on June 17

The Senate will convene a special session at 9 am, on Wednesday, June 17, acting Senate President Win Gatchalian announced on Monday, June 15. @here

Vloggers gather along southbound side of Ortigas MRT Station, calling for the continuation of the Senate blue ribbon committee hearing. The area is near the supposed venue of the hearing of the Cayetano bloc. Some vloggers are being aggressive and are accusing members of the mainstream media of bias. There is also a heavy police presence in the area. @here | via @Patrick Cruz - Rappler

Doublegem EDSA Garden Events Place management said the blue ribbon committee hearing set to take place in the venue at 10 am on Tuesday, June 16, will no longer proceed as originally planned.

Former congressman Mike Defensor’s staff and lawyer Ferdinand Topacio, however, said that the hearing will proceed.

Here’s the situation inside the venue of the press briefing organzied by former congressman Mike Defensor

Cayetano runs to Supreme Court to resolve Senate leadership dispute

Eight other members of the Cayetano bloc are Alan Peter Cayetano's co-petitioners, as well as former Senate secretary Jose Luis Montales. Senators Joel Villanueva and Mark Villar are not among the petitioners.

BREAKING: The Sandiganbayan 2nd Division suspends Senator Jinggoy Estrada due to his graft case related to the flood control corruption.

The anti-graft law mandates that a sitting official should be suspended if he/she has a pending graft case. | via @Jairo Bolledo-Rappler

JUST IN: Alan Peter Cayetano gives up claim to Senate presidency, an hour before Senate convenes during a special session.

“And so I will end with a message to the public — it has been the honor of my life to serve as your Senate President. Offices are temporary, titles are temporary, even majorities are temporary — but your right to the truth is not. I promise you, we will get to the bottom of this. We will find the Masterminds. We will hold them accountable,” he says on Facebook.

“I may leave the position of SP, but I am honored to still be your PS — your Public Servant,” he adds. @here | via @Dwight de Leon - Rappler

Senate special session now has 13 attendees, with Villanueva present.

Senator Tito Sotto is the new Senate president pro tempore. @here

Senator Chiz Escudero opted not to join the Senate blue ribbon committee, the panel tasked with investigating alleged corruption and other anomalies involving public officials.

Escudero is the lone member of the majority bloc who is not part of the committee.

Senator Joel Villanueva, who just joined the Gatchalian bloc, has been elected deputy majority floor leader.

He will also chair the Senate committees on higher, technical, and vocational education, as well as labor

After weeks of waiting, Senate approves on third reading bills granting Philippine citizenship to basketball player Bennie Boatwright and wrestler Matthew James Ramos.

JUST IN: Alan Cayetano back as Senate minority leader
Senator Alan Peter Cayetano is back as Senate minority leader. Senator Loren Legarda forwarded his name, after which Gatchalian 'recorded' her manifestation.

Hi, I have a question. Will they tackle the Anti Political Dynasty Bill in the Senate plenary this special sesssion? Also, what status is the Senate version of the bill? Is it like for ammendments etc?