Hello, everyone @here! I hope you all are having a great Sunday night. In case you missed this: (1st UPDATE) Without a chair heading the government peace implementing panel, 'there is no credible table at which the two parties can meet,' the Moro Islamic Liberation Front wrote in February https://www.rappler.com/philippines/mindanao/marcos-urged-reconstitute-panel-bangsamoro-peace-process/

Puno slams Speaker Bojie Dy, says NUP mulling move to minority

NUP chairman and acting president Ronaldo Puno hits Speaker Bojie Dy, says he is dissatisfied with his leadership as budget woes hound congressional districts. Puno says NUP is considering jumping to the minority.

Puno and NUP members are holding a press conference now. @here

NON-ANSWER?

The petitioners in the impeachment complaint against Sara Duterte endorsed by ML Representative Leila de Lima waive their right to reply to the Vice President's verified answer.

For the complainants, Sara's answer is a "non-answer.

The complainants say formally replying would be unnecessary when Duterte "conspicuously failed to deny each and every material allegation in the 98-page impeachment complaint."

"Complainants also note, and lament, respondent's continued failure to explain to the Filipino people how she was able to spend P125 million in 11 days, and where exactly the total amount of P612.5 million entrusted to her by the public went," the document reads. @here

Public official abusing it's own people from Laog City Northern Luzon Ilocos Norte https://www.reddit.com/r/Ilocos/s/boiFytpUpP

Good morning. Today, the hearing proper stage begins for the impeachment case of VP Sara Duterte. At this stage, the House justice committee will evaluate the pieces of evidence and the witnesses against the Vice President. Committee chair Jinky Luistro calls this a “mini-trial.”

Will VP Duterte attend? Here’s her nameplate in today’s proceedings. @here

Vice President Sara Duterte again frames the impeachment proceedings against her as a "fishing expedition," and questions why politics is supposedly being prioritized over the rising prices of goods.
"Ang suliranin ng bayan ngayon ay ang nanganganib na pagsasara ng mga negosyo, ang pagkawala ng trabaho, at ang hirap ng bawat pamilyang Pilipino dulot ng patuloy na pagtaas ng presyo ng mga produkto," Duterte says.

As the hearing begins, committee chair Jinky Luistro says the House is not remiss on its other responsibilities outside impeachment, enumerating what the chamber has done to alleviate the burdens faced by Filipinos due to rising prices of goods. 

In her opening speech, Luistro explains that the proceedings seek to determine whether there is probable cause for imepachment. The panel will evaluate whether there is sufficient basis to proceed with a trial in the Senate.

VP Sara, as expected, is a no-show in today's hearing. Committee vice chair Mauricio Domogan insists the VP should be present to answer clarificatory questions from the committee. Cagayan de Oro Rep Rufus Rodriguez counters, says VP has the right not attend.

Some lawmakers such as Renee Co and Rodge Gutierrez are disputing the framing that the proceedings today constitute a "mini-trial" by the House. VP Sara has echoed that categorization to justify her refusal to attend the proceedings.

For the record, it was committee chair Jinky Luistro who coined that word phrase last week. Today, she said that the label was used to distinguish the House proceedings from the actual trial at the Senate.

House to NBI: Release records of investigation into VP Sara threats vs Marcos

The House justice committee approved a motion by Congressman Joel Chua compelling the National Bureau of Investigation to provide the panel records of investigation into the apparent threats to life by Vice President Sara Duterte against President Marcos, First Lady Liza Marcos, and Speaker Martin Romualdez.

The House justice committee compels COA team leader Gloria Camora to attend the House impeachment proceedings, and also subpoenas pertinent documents related to the confidential expenses of OVP and DepEd in 2022 and 2023. The vote: 29-1-0.

The House justice committee orders Atty. Michael Poa, former DepEd undersecretary and OVP spokesman, to attend the hearings. The vote: 34-3-0.

The House justice committee also approves a motion seeking protective custdody for Madriaga. 

This means:
1. additional security for Madriaga from NBI at Camp Bagong Diwa
2. additional security during his transport to the House on days he will testify 

3. additionaly security while Madriaga is testifying

Marcos calls for a press conference a day after placing country under "state of national energy emergency." @here

"We have sufficient supply and we will continue to source those supplies and I do not think there is a problem."

Marcos adds government is first ensuring suppliers fulfill existing contracts, pending deliveries.

President Marcos says he expects to sign the law that allows him to suspend or reduce fuel excise tax today. He says, however, that the admin will have to study "when is the best time to use that authority."