Senate visitors allowed again

Visitors are again allowed inside the Senate under the Office of the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms' Visitor Management System, Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian says on Monday, June 29.

The announcement comes ahead of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte and after a weeks-long no-visitor policy imposed due to heightened alert over alleged security threats.

Gatchalian says security measures, including inspections at entry points, ID checks and close coordination with security agencies, remain in place to balance public access with safety.

The pre-trial order to the prosecution and defense teams have been released via email, according to Senate Secretary and Impeachment Court Clerk of Court Renato Bantug Jr.

The pre-trial order contains list of witnesses, pieces of evidence, and trial dates.

The pretrial order has yet to be publicly available, as of writing. @here

Senator Rodante Marcoleta condemns the possible filing by the Office of the Ombudsman of a plunder case against him.

In a Facebook post, Marcoleta says the possible filing of the case is an attempt to prevent him from serving as a senator-judge in the impeachment trial of his ally, Vice President Sara Duterte, next week, on July 6.

Malacañang Palace says President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has cancelled two events today — the launch of a Marine clean-up vessel in Manila and a forum with foreign press. Palace says he is "monitoring the situation in EDSA." @here

NEWS UPDATE — Palace says Marcos checking on welfare of those affected by traffic disruption along EDSA

Undersecretary Claire Castro: Nagmomonitor po ang Pangulo sa ngayon sa kasalukuyang sitwasyon. Patuloy na inaalam ang nangyayari sa mga kababayan natin na naantala sa paglalakbay at pagtatrabaho dahil sa nangyayari sa EDSA. Minomotor din niya ang kapakanan ng ibang kababayan na naiipit sa gitna ng EDSA pati na rin ang pagsasagawa ng mga kapulisan ng kanilang mandato na magbigay proteksyon at seguridad sa mga inosente nating kababayan.

@here

AFP says coordinating with PNP, monitoring EDSA lighting rally @here

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), through its NCR‑based units, remains in close coordination with the Philippine National Police and other concerned government agencies in monitoring the situation related to the reported lightning rally along EDSA.

The AFP recognizes and respects the constitutional right of every Filipino to peacefully assemble and express their views. At the same time, we underscore that all public activities must be conducted in accordance with existing laws, local regulations, and the necessary permits issued by the appropriate authorities, with the Philippine National Police and other law enforcement agencies taking the lead in maintaining order. We likewise encourage organizers to ensure that their activities do not unduly disrupt public order or cause unnecessary inconvenience to commuters, workers, students, and other members of the public.

As a professional, non‑partisan institution, the AFP remains committed to supporting national efforts that uphold peace, public safety, and the rule of law while respecting the rights and welfare of all Filipinos and safeguarding the stability of our democratic institutions.

MMDA: No permit for INC rally on EDSA

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) General Manager Nick Torre III said the rally staged by Iglesia ni Cristo along EDSA and White Plains Avenue on Tuesday, June 30, did not have a permit. 

Torre said in an interview with DZRH that the MMDA did not receive prior coordination regarding the INC rally. @here

Alan Cayetano arrives at INC-led rally

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano shows support for Senator Rodante Marcoleta as he attends the rally led by members of the Iglesia ni Cristo at the EDSA People Power Monument in Quezon City on Tuesday, June 30.

The National Capital Region Police Office says the rally has no permit. | via @Jelo Mantaring - Rappler @here

MMDA advises motorists to avoid EDSA due to INC rally

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) advised motorists to avoid EDSA — capital region’s main thoroughfare — due to heavy traffic caused by an Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) rally at the People Power Monument in Quezon City.

In an advisory issued at 5:35 pm on Tuesday, June 30, the MMDA said motorists should expect heavy traffic, particularly along EDSA’s northbound lanes near White Plains Avenue, due to protesters and vehicles parked along the road.

On the southbound side, traffic congestion had already stretched as far as Main Avenue in Quezon City, the MMDA said. @here

Protesters mostly from the Iglesia ni Cristo continue their rally along White Plains Avenue in Quezon City on Tuesday night, June 30, amid rainy weather.

The June 30 rally was without a permit, but the Quezon City Police Department said the organizers have secured a permit to stage another rally on Wednesday, July 1. | via @Jelo Mantaring - Rappler @here

There will be a second day for the Iglesia ni Cristo-led rally along White Plains Avenue in Quezon City on Wednesday, July 1, after protesters secured a permit.

There was no permit for the June 30 rally, but it was allowed to continue after organizers held talks with authorities on the same day.

As of 6 pm on Monday, June 30, the crowd estimate was 15,000 people. | via @Jelo Mantaring - Rappler, photo from QCPD @here

Trixie Cruz-Angeles, a former press secretary under the current Marcos administration, talks to the crowd at the People Power Monument on Tuesday, June 30.

Angeles worked the crowd with the chant: “Don’t bend the law!”

Angeles claimed the investigation into corruption in government has been selective. “Ang hinihingi lang natin, sana patas," she said. | via @Iya Gozum/ Rappler @here

Imee Marcos attends INC-led protest

Senator Imee Marcos extends support to members of the Iglesia ni Cristo during their protest at the EDSA People Power Monument in Quezon City on Tuesday night, June 30. | via @Iya Gozum/Rappler | @here

Iglesia ni Cristo protesters near the stage are starting to settle down at past 9 pm on Tuesday, June 30. There are currently no performers or speakers at the rally, which began in the early hours of Tuesday at White Plains Avenue in Quezon City. | via @Iya Gozum/Rappler @here

Around 600 Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel are deployed in second day of the Iglesia ni Cristo-led rally along White Plains Avenue in Quezon City on Tuesday, July 1.

If every statement that threatens to kill another person were automatically protected as freedom of speech, it would make it much harder for the law to protect ordinary citizens from intimidation and credible threats.

Hypothetical scenarios:

A person files a blotter report at the barangay because someone threatened him. The accused person can cite the Vice President's example, as justified by her more than 10 lawyers, arguing that his threat was merely an exercise of "freedom of speech".

If this happens in schools, intimidation and threats become a form of free speech. The Vice President, together with her more than 10 lawyers, can set a bad example for all Filipino students, today and for generations to come.

Batangas 1st District Representative Leandro Leviste joins the Iglesia ni Cristo-led rally in EDSA on Wednesday, July 1.

NEWS UPDATE; President Marcos designates Executive Secretary Recto, Agrarian Reform Sec Estrella, Labor Sec Tolentino as government caretakers while he is in Canada for an official visit from July 1-5. @here

Senator Rodante Marcoleta shows up at the Iglesia ni Cristo-led rally on Wednesday night, July 1, as he faces possible arrest and detention for plunder.

 “Nakahanda po akong magpakulong. Kung kinakailangang maaresto po ako, wala pong problema,” he said.

There are 9,000 attendees as of 6:30 pm, according to the Quezon City government. | via @Eirene Manatlao - Rappler @here

Quezon City LGU revokes Iglesia ni Cristo rally permit for July 2

The Quezon City Department of Public Order and Safety has revoked the permit it earlier granted to the organizers of the Iglesia ni Cristo rally for Thursday, July 2.

The city government cited the “severe difficulties being experienced by the general public due to the conduct of the rally” as the reason for the revocation.
@here

Day 3 of INC rally to move to Liwasang Bonifacio

The Iglesia ni Cristo rally will continue for a third day, but will be moved to Liwasang Bonifacio, Manila.

The announcement came after their permit to rally for tomorrow, July 2, was revoked by the Quezon City government. @here

No permit required for INC rally at Liwasang Bonifacio – Manila PIO

The Manila Public Information Office reiterates that the organizers of the Iglesia ni Cristo rally do not need to secure a permit to protest at the Liwasang Bonifacio for its third day on Thursday, July 2.

“Liwasang Bonifacio is a government-designated Freedom Park. As such, the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) does not need to secure a permit to assemble peacefully in the area,” they said in a post.

Manila City gov’t suspends classes on July 2 as INC holds rally

The Manila city government suspends classes at all levels in both public and private schools on Thursday, July 2, as the Iglesia ni Cristo stages a rally at Liwasang Bonifacio. @here

Senate opens Sara Duterte’s trial to the public

The public can attend the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte in-person, starting Monday, July 6. 

Senate Secretary Renato Bantug Jr. said that 61 seats will be available to the general public for each trial day. @here

Those who want to attend the impeachment proceedings in-person may register online through the Senate Visitor Management System (VMS). See the link below: https://vms.senate.gov.ph/