Here's the target completion of distribution of cash aid for PUV and TNVS drivers:

Transportation Secretary Banoy Lopez shares the toll discount for selected vehicles. More details in this report: https://www.rappler.com/business/nlex-slex-star-toll-discount-march-2026/?_thumbnail_id=2575112

Why excise tax suspension applies only to LPG and kerosene

Asked why excise taxes were suspended only for LPG and kerosene, Finance Undersecretary Rolando Ligon said these fuels were prioritized because about 50% of vulnerable Filipino households rely on them.

Ligon said that the Office of the President is still studying the possible removal of excise taxes on other petroleum products, with no specific timeline set.

Kiko Barzaga released after posting bail

Kiko Barzaga was released from the Dasmariñas Component City Police Station late Monday evening, April 13, after posting bail. This follows the suspended lawmaker’s surrender to police authorities at 6:59 pm the same day after a court issued an arrest warrant against him in relation to eight counts of cyberlibel.

VP Sara Duterte rejects Madriaga claim she needed help in law school

Vice President Sara Duterte rejects claims made by her former alleged bagman Ramil Madriaga during a congressional hearing that she needed help to finish law school, calling them false and politically motivated.

“I completed my studies on my own terms,” she says in a statement posted on her Facebook page on Wednesday, April 15, adding she passed the bar exam on her first attempt in 2005 with a general weighted average of 80, which she says is five points above the minimum.

"I placed a higher premium on living a well-rounded life rather than pursuing academic excellence. I never asked any professor for special accommodation for my grades because the bare minimum was easy enough to meet."

Madriaga appeared before a House panel for the first time, where he raised corruption allegations against Duterte as she faces the prospect of getting impeached.

Photos from Inday Sara Duterte/Facebook

https://www.rappler.com/world/middle-east/usa-iran-peace-talks-updates-april-16-2026/ - test

Will Zaldy Co’s arrest trigger resumption of House flood control probe?

House public accounts chairperson Terry Ridon is personally not keen on resuming the House’s investigation into anomalous flood control corruption projects despite the arrest of former congressman Zaldy Co, but said he would discuss the matter with fellow lawmakers.

During a press conference on Friday, April 17, Ridon said any investigation by the lower chamber will be hounded with questions on conflict of interest, as several lawmakers are contractors themselves, and are the subject of investigations at the Ombudsman..

“I think it is better left sa Ombudsman ‘yung proceedings. Even if we resume… and do the rhetoric that we will be fair, laging may magsasabing ‘Hindi iyan totoo, dahil magkakasama kayo diyan,’” Ridon added.

SPEAKER BOJIE DY: ZALDY CO'S ARREST A STEP TOWARDS JUSTICE

Speaker Bojie Dy welcomes the arrest of Zaldy Co in Prague, saying it is "an important step forward for justice and the rule of law."

"It sends a clear message that those who attempt to evade the law will be held to account," Dy says.

LOOK: Czech police letter confirming intervention involving Zaldy Co

This is the letter sent by Czech police to Rappler confirming in their language that a person named Elizaldy Co was the subject of law enforcement action in their country. While they did not use the word "arrest" or "detention," they called it an "intervention." That is noteworthy because it constitutes independent confirmation from Czech authorities that official police action involving Co took place, even as the exact legal nature of that action has yet to be specified. It comes amid efforts by some personalities and bloggers to completely dismiss the President's announcement that Co had been arrested without proof.

Good morning! The Supreme Court continues the oral arguments on petitions challenging the legality of unprogrammed appropriations and special accounts in the national budget. Watch the livestream @here https://www.rappler.com/philippines/video-supreme-court-oral-arguments-budget-unprogrammed-funds-april-21-2026/

During oral arguments, Solicitor General Darlene Berbarabe argued that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. does not need to give prior approval before Unprogrammed Appropriations in the 2024 and 2025 budgets are released, claiming the General Appropriations Act gives the DBM Secretary direct authority.

However, Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Marivic Leonen noted that the 2024 GAA explicitly subjects these funds to Section 35, Chapter 5, Book 6 of the Administrative Code (EO 292), which mandates that all requests for Special Allotment Release Orders (SARO) must be accompanied by a special budget approved by the President.

SC Associate Justice Hernando: I hate unprogrammed appropriations

Supreme Court Associate Justice Ramon Hernando deemed unprogrammed appropriations unconstitutional. "I hate unprogrammed appropriations," Hernando said.

During the oral arguments on the national budget on Tuesday, April 21, Hernando argued that the national budget should be “rigid with purpose-specific spending.” 

Hernando: We don’t need UAs, Madame SolGen.They are too risky for me. They are so risky and heavy na hindi sila magkakasya sa isang maleta. They need to be encase in several maletas. 

Hernando flags deprioritization of Metro Manila Subway, NSCR projects in 2024 budget

Supreme Court Associate Justice Ramon Hernando flagged the apparent deprioritization of key transport projects, noting that the Metro Manila Subway Project Phase 1 (tranches 1 to 4) and the North–South Commuter Railway Extension were not given programmed funding in 2024.

Instead, both flagship projects were placed under unprogrammed appropriations. Hernando said this shift may have contributed to delays in their implementation. (See the 2024 column)

Today is day 3 of the impeachment hearing vs VP Sara Duterte. Watch our livestream here @here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgD3NcdFxm8