Senator Estrada surrenders to Sandiganbayan over flood control-related charges, posts bail

[0:00] Let's begin with the top stories across the Philippines today. [0:04] Senator Jinggoy Estrada surrenders to the anti-graft court following an arrest warrant for graft. [0:11] President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. says he is very concerned with the polarity in the Senate. [0:17] Rescuers detect possible signs of life from the collapsed nine-story building in Pampanga. [0:22] And rotation power outages loom in the Visayas as the island's grid operates on thin reserves. [0:29] More twists and turns in Philippine politics at the close of the week. [0:36] Senator Jinggoy Estrada has surrendered to the anti-graft court over criminal charges tied to last year's flood control scandal. [0:43] We are showing you live shots from outside the Sandigan Bayan in Quezon City where the senator turned himself in to post bail this afternoon. [0:53] He has vowed to use all legal means to defend himself and clear his name. [0:57] He has posted a bail bond of 90,000 pesos for the graft charge. [1:02] Senator Estrada is accused of making irregular insertions in the 2025 national budget in exchange for kickbacks from contractors. [1:13] The senator in a statement insisted the complaints of plunder, graft and bribery against him were baseless and said he's hoping for a fair trial. [1:22] The Sandigan Bayan has only released an arrest warrant for the graft charge today. [1:26] No warrant is out yet for the plunder charges, which are non-bailable. [1:32] But the court barred him from leaving the country. [1:35] Also facing charges alongside Estrada are former DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan and other officials of the DPWH NCR Engineering Office. [1:46] Senator Estrada will fight plunder charges for the third time in his political life. [1:51] He was a co-accused in a similar case involving his father, former President Joseph Estrada. [1:58] Allegations of funds misuse also landed him in detention in 2014. [2:03] In both instances, he was acquitted and walked free. [2:10] Our correspondent, Cassandra Salonga, now on the line with the latest from the Sandigan Bayan. [2:15] Nakarating na nga si Sen. Gingoy Estrada dito sa Sandigan Bayan at nandito na siya mismo sa third floor sa Clerk of Court Office ng anti-graft court [2:30] para makapagpiyansa ng P90,000 para sa kanyang graft case sa ugnay ng maanumalyang flood control project. [2:39] Pasama ng Senador ang kanyang anak na si Janela Estrada at silang security personnel papasok ng loob ng gusali. [2:46] Pagdating na kanina ng Estrada, tulakan yung ilang membro ng security guard niya at may meron din mga ilang sumigaw [2:54] para padaanin ng media si Estrada papasok nitong office ng Clerk of Court. [3:00] Usually din ito maabot itong proseso ito na pag-bail ng 30 minutes to 2 hours. [3:05] Inaasahan din na maya-maya ay kukuha na din siya ng fingerprints at mugshot dito sa isang courtroom. [3:12] Ito lang din sa may third floor kung saan nakahanda na rin yung mga lighting equipment at yung ilang mga opisyal na magpaproseso ng kanyang return of warrant. [3:23] Pero inaasahan din na maglalabas ang fifth division ng Sandigan Bayan ng arrest warrant kaya Estrada at kanyang iba pang correspondents. [3:34] Kaugnay naman ng kanyang isa pang kasong draft at yung kaso niyang plunder na non-bailable. [3:39] Pwede sa'yo, Denise? [3:41] Cassandra, this was asked a while ago by Mimi to Jeff. [3:45] But I wanted to ask, so okay, the posting bail, 30 to 2 hours. [3:49] But after he posts bail, what's next? [3:57] Pwede ulit lang yung tanong. [3:59] Cassandra, you mentioned that the posting of bail usually takes 30 to 2 hours. [4:03] But after he is able to post bail, what happens next? [4:08] What are the next steps after this? [4:52] Yung kanyang bail, pero sa papakalam natin, ito yung 90,000 pesos. [4:57] Sakaling nga na mag-grant ito, ay meron pa rin siyang kinakaharap na isang non-bailable na cashmung plunder at isa pang cashmung job sa fifth division naman. [5:08] At yun na yung hinihintay natin na maglabas ng warrant of arrest. [5:14] Kapag nagkaroon na sila ng determination of probable cause na dapat makasuhan itong si Estrada. [5:20] Denise? [5:20] Cassandra, kamusta naman yung demeanor ni Sen. Estrada? [5:26] Mukha ba siyang confident na everything will work out? [5:30] Is he nervous? [5:32] Ano yung energy ngayon nung inaresto siya? [5:35] Ah, hindi pala yung pag-aresto yung pagpunta niya sa Sandigan Bayan? [5:38] Yung facial expressions ni Estrada. [5:43] At kanina nga, ay sinusubukan natin siyang tanungin kung kamusta na siya. [5:46] Pero hindi siya sumasagot sa media dahil talagang nakatuon lang yung kanyang atensyon dito sa pag-post ng bail sa Sandigan Bayan, second division. [5:55] Sinabi din niya ng kanyang abogado na napakahirap nito para sa kanya. [6:03] Although hindi pa nga daw niya sinasabi, sinasabi niya na hindi pa niya nakakausat niya sa Estrada. [6:08] Pero mahirap ito para sa Estrada dahil ito na nga yung pangatlong patakataon na nagkaroon ng kasong plunder. [6:16] Siya matandaan mo ay nadawit their case kung saan na nag-responded din niya ang kanyang ama na si dating presidente Estrada. [6:28] At matatandaan din mo na na-acquit na rin siya sa takong plunder sa ugnay ng kanyang pork barrel. [6:36] Minit? [6:37] Cassandra Salonga with that report. [6:40] Again, Cassandra was saying that Senator Estrada's posting bail usually takes 30 minutes to 2 hours. [6:49] She also mentioned there was a grave expression on the senator's face. [6:52] Again, we repeat that this is the third time that the senator has been charged with graft. [7:03] Still on the flood control scandal, former House Speaker Martin Romualdez again rejecting claims. [7:09] He was the mastermind of alleged budget insertions in Congress. [7:13] His legal team belied the ombudsman's statement he had functional control over the budget process. [7:19] Reiterating the spending proposal comes from the president and is deliberated by the House and the Senate. [7:24] Romualdez's lawyers also said lawmakers don't approve the release of funds, nor are they in charge of implementing government projects. [7:33] They add sweeping pronouncements tagging the late representative as the grand architect of a multifaceted process [7:39] does not help the public's search for truth and only reinforces views not backed by evidence. [7:48] President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. speaks for the first time on the ongoing turmoil in the Philippine Senate. [7:53] He is coming home from a state visit to Japan with great concern over the developments, recalling he watched with horror as they unfolded. [8:02] Marcos questions how the Senate has reached this level of conflict, saying it is very different from his time then as a senator. [8:09] I look at my other fellow senators, madalas kaming nagtitinginan ni E.S. Ralph, [8:20] ganyan ba tayo nung senador tayo? Meron ba tayong ganyan na ginagawa? Hindi tayo ganyan. [8:26] Paano nangyari? Yung senado hindi nakagaya nung panahon natin. [8:32] Dahil nagpe-personalan na eh. Naging personal. Ang babaw na nang usapan. [8:42] I was watching the comments of former SP, another colleague of ours, Senator Frank Dillon. [8:51] Sabi niya pa paano nangyari dito. The Senate is now sheltering fugitives from justice. [8:59] How did that happen? I don't understand how a Senate is supposed to function if those are the kind of things that the Senate is embroiled in. [9:12] I hope they figure it out. [9:13] Meanwhile, Marcos denies the government is targeting the new Senate majority amid the growing number of legal cases filed against its members. [9:23] He also rejects the proposal by Senator Rodante Marcoleta to allow absentee senators to vote online. [9:30] As a former senator, I disagree with that. I understand that we had to do it in COVID because there was a health risk. [9:42] But I do not see any particularly good reason for us to allow it now. [9:48] It seems to only be applicable to Senator Bato para makaboto si Senator Bato dahil nagtatago siya. [9:57] Now, for someone who is actually a fugitive from justice na hinahanap ng polis, na hinahanap ng Interpol at may arrest warrant galing sa ICC, [10:11] palagay ko hindi siya dapat magbumoto hanggat dumating siya dun sa Senado. [10:19] Almost a year ago, ang sinabi ko sa taong bayan, kailangan malaman ng buong taong bayan ang katotohanan. [10:25] At noong kami ay pinag-aaralan ng Ombudsman, ng Department of Justice, lahat ng mga allegasyon na dumating dahil sa flood control, [10:36] maraming nagsasabi bakit wala pang nangyayari, bakit wala pang nangyayari, bakit ang tagal ninyo, namimili lang yata kayo kung sino yung i-prosecute ninyo. [10:45] Ngayon, nandito na at dahan-dahan lumalabas na ang katotohanan. At dahan-dahan na, at ang pinakamaganda, kung talagang may kaso, kung sila ba naman, [10:56] ay walang ginawang mali, ay lalabas naman yan sa pagsusuri ng paghuska. At kaya naman, eto na, eto na yung mga ang hinihingi sa amin ng tao. [11:07] President Marcos also responding to his sister's claim of a no-election scenario in 2028. [11:18] He called Senator Aimee Marcos' allegation an example of fake news as he denied plans to stay in power beyond his six-year term. [11:27] The estranged sibling of the president has long been in feud with her brother and has repeatedly criticized his administration. [11:33] I don't know. She should fire her staffer who gave her that information because, you know, fake news hurts everyone. [11:53] Not only those that fake news is attacking, but also those who are purveying that fake news. [11:59] The purveyors of fake news are also damaged by this kind of... [12:05] So she should choose her sources of information. [12:11] President Marcos also reaffirming his trust on Interior Secretary John Vic Remulia. [12:18] His comments amid speculations, the Interior Chief will soon be booted out from his post [12:23] after a string of fugitives managed to evade law enforcement. [12:29] I don't know why that rumor went around. I think somebody wants his job. [12:35] Kaya kinakalat na matatanggal na siya para siguro ang inaasahan nila sila may ilagay. [12:42] Pero wala kaming pinaplano na ganun. [12:45] The Justice Department receives the obstruction of justice complaint filed by the Criminal Investigation [12:56] and Detection Group against Senator Robin Hood Padilla. [13:00] Five others, including a female security personnel, are also facing charges for allegedly helping [13:05] Senator Ronald De La Rosa leave the Senate premises and evade authorities. [13:10] De La Rosa is wanted by the International Criminal Court for his role in the bloody drug war. [13:15] The CIDG maintains De La Rosa's escape was carefully planned and insists Padilla did more than [13:22] simply give his colleague a ride out of the Senate complex. [13:27] It was not a mere hitch ride. A backup vehicle was waiting outside of the Senate premises. [13:36] It is a pickup by indispensable cooperation. It will not happen without him. [13:42] The Davao Regional Police says there are no sightings so far of fugitive Senator Ronald De La Rosa in the region. [13:54] Let's get the latest from our correspondent, Ernel Tocmo. [13:57] Ernel? [13:57] Good afternoon, Denise. The Davao Regional Police said it continues to monitor possible sightings of [14:04] Senator Ronald Bato De La Rosa facing an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court [14:09] over his role in the Duterte administration's war on drugs. [14:14] However, Police Major Catherine De La Rosa, spokesperson of PRO 11, said there have been no confirmed sightings so far [14:21] of the Senator who is reportedly in hiding. [14:25] Meanwhile, De La Rosa clarified that there was no attempt to search De La Rosa's ancestral home [14:30] in Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur yesterday, following the photos circulating online showing police presence [14:37] outside the Senator's house. [14:39] She said the visit was merely an on-site inspection conducted by the head of the Davao Regional Police. [14:46] She added that PRO 11 has not yet received any coordination from the lead PNP unit regarding possible assistance. [14:54] After serving the order revoking De La Rosa's license to own and possess firearms [14:59] and firearms registrations on May 27, De La Rey said no firearms belonging to the Senator [15:06] have been confiscated yet as authorities await a response from his camp. [15:11] And that's the latest. Back to you, Denise. [15:13] Ernel Tocmo with that report. Thanks, Ernel. [15:17] The National Bureau of Investigation eyes issuing an official summon against the wife of Senator [15:22] Ronald De La Rosa. [15:24] NBI Director Melvin Matibag says the move is part of their efforts to locate the fugitive lawmaker. [15:29] The Senator's wife, Nancy De La Rosa, previously appealed to the Supreme Court not to allow the [15:35] surrender of her husband to the International Criminal Court. That request fell on deaf ears [15:41] from the court as justices rejected to block De La Rosa's arrest. [15:45] Patibag says authorities also continue to process leads on the Senator's whereabouts. [15:50] At this moment, Senator Bato is still a fugitive of justice. At large pa rin po siya. [15:58] And we are still doing our best to locate him and to affect the arrest. [16:03] Yung mga huling nakasama niya, will issue a subpoena. Of course, we're contemplating on [16:09] issues of subpoena to his wife also. Kasi may statement siya yung wife niya, if you will recall, [16:16] that what happened on May 13, yun yung ginamit na opportunity ni Senator Bato to escape the arrest. [16:23] Senator Sherwin Gachalian disputes the claim of his colleague Robin Hood Padilla, [16:32] the looming El Nino and the ongoing war in Iran constitute force majeure. [16:37] Gachalian says Senate rules only allow teleconferencing during times of disaster like the COVID pandemic [16:43] and not amid a war happening thousands of miles away. [16:47] The Senate majority is pushing for the remote participation of senators, [16:50] which the minority believes is aimed at allowing fugitive Senator Rona de la Rosa [16:55] and other senators who faced arrest to vote on important matters like the upcoming impeachment trial [17:01] of Vice President Sara Duterte. [17:03] May El Nino, pwede pa naman kami pumasok eh. Kahit na may gera sa Iran, which is ang layo-layo nga, [17:11] pwede pa rin kami makapasok. So hindi porket merong nangyayari sa buong mundo, [17:16] may nangyayari sa ating bansa, e kaagad teleconference. [17:19] Ang sinasabi ng rules, kung may mangyayari man na hindi nating kontrolado [17:24] at sabi ng majority, mayorya, na ito ay isang force majeure at may isa pa, [17:33] hindi kami makakapasok, tsaka lang papasok in teleconference. [17:39] A legal expert echoing Gachalian's statement. [17:42] UP College of Law Assistant Professor Michael Chu says, [17:46] although the war in Iran and the Luming El Nino could affect the Philippines, [17:50] these do not prevent senators from doing their job. [17:52] Kung talagang force majeure yung mga bagay na yun, [17:58] bakit mga senador lang ang maaapektuhan at hindi makakapunta at bumoto? [18:05] Paano naman yung buong senado, yung staff nila at yung mga committee staff? [18:11] So kung ang punto ay may force majeure at hindi sila makakapasok, [18:16] makapag-convene ng Senate, parang weird naman na senador lang ang maaapektuhan ng rule na yan. [18:22] And in the same case, lahat naman ng mga events na binabanggit ni Sen. Padilla [18:27] ay theoretically nakaka-apekto sa lahat ng tao sa Pilipinas. [18:33] So in that case, pwede din yung gamitin na rason na hindi pumasok ang mga tao sa trabaho [18:38] kasi may force majeure. [18:43] A political analyst sees the need for a leadership change in the Senate [18:47] to address the chamber's deepening divide. [18:49] UP political science professor Aris Arugay says [18:53] senators must think beyond their own interests and allies [18:57] and consider the broader national interest. [19:01] The Senate is perniciously polarized at the moment [19:04] and there's only a thin number that separates the majority and the minority. [19:10] Under conditions of this very dangerous polarization, I think, [19:15] it needs to depolarize. [19:17] It needs to have some bipartisan or this divide needs to be transcended. [19:26] I think a change of leadership is necessary. [19:31] A new leader would be able to de-align or re-align the senators [19:35] towards acting in concert rather than acting in rival factions. [19:42] Arugay also believes the Senate should not focus solely [19:47] on the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte [19:49] as it still has other important legislative duties to fulfill. [19:55] The Senate should not be captured by the Sara Duterte impeachment trial. [20:00] It cannot be defined by this process [20:04] because it is much larger than Sara Duterte's impeachment trial. [20:09] So the Senate is a bigger, larger institution [20:14] than the impeachment court that it has convened into itself [20:18] because it has to think of that while it has this task [20:23] of being an impeachment court, [20:26] it must transcend this in order to think about the national welfare [20:31] and not simply what happens to one particular Filipino individual, [20:36] may it be the Vice President. [20:38] A political analyst says allies of the Duterte family in the Senate [20:46] are now going all-in to protect the political future [20:49] of Vice President Sara Duterte ahead of the 2028 elections. [20:54] De La Salle University professor Julio Tehanque says [20:57] senators are moving to ensure they will attain victory in the next elections. [21:02] Look at the incentives, the political incentives, [21:07] why they're doubling down. [21:08] Because to their mind, the Vice President [21:12] is still the strongest bet for 2028. [21:17] And just like in a game of political poker, [21:20] they're betting all-in. [21:22] They're willing to burn down the House [21:24] in order to bet and to ensure [21:27] that their candidate, Vice President Sara Duterte, [21:32] will survive the next few months and years [21:36] and make it through 2028. [21:38] Because if they cross that imaginary line, [21:43] you know, they will be the big winner. [21:46] The current Senate standoff shows deepening polarization [21:51] inside the country's political institutions, [21:54] with both sides fighting for control of the chamber [21:56] and its impeachment direction. [21:59] Tehanque also warned the continuing power struggle [22:02] could trigger more controversy, [22:04] including possible rule changes, [22:06] core challenges, and further realignments inside the Senate [22:09] when session resumes next week. [22:12] This is more on political theater, [22:18] political drama, confrontational politics [22:20] ang nangyayari na nakikita natin. [22:27] Moving to other news, [22:28] the preliminary probe into the second gentleman's complaint [22:31] against House lawmakers and financial executives [22:34] is postponed to July. [22:37] Let's get more details from our correspondent, [22:39] Michael Delizzo. [22:40] The preliminary investigation into the criminal complaint [22:45] filed by Mance Carpio, [22:47] husband of Vice President Sara Duterte, [22:49] against several lawmakers and finance executives, [22:52] has been moved to July 3, [22:54] following the complainant's addendum filed last May 13. [22:58] The preliminary investigation was originally scheduled today, [23:01] during which the initial respondents [23:03] were supposed to submit their country affidavits [23:05] at the Kasson City Prosecutor's Office. [23:07] But instead, they were furnished copies of the addendum [23:11] to the complaint affidavit. [23:15] Carpio earlier added Securities and Exchange Commission, [23:18] Chairman Francis Edralin, [23:19] and Insurance Commission Commissioner Reynaldo Regalado, [23:24] as respondents over the disclosure of his bank records [23:26] during a House hearing. [23:28] Last month, Carpio sued Banco Central ng Pilipinas [23:30] Governor Erick Premo Lana, Jr., [23:33] Anti-Money Laundering Council Executive Director, [23:37] Ronel Benaventura, [23:38] as well as House Committee on Justice Chair Pearson, [23:40] Jerville Luis Roe of Batangas, [23:42] and Representatives Percival Cerdanya [23:44] and Chaljochnov of Acbayan Party Lease, [23:48] and Laila Dilima of Mamamayang Liberal Party Lease. [23:52] The AMLOC revealed during the House Committee on Justice hearing [23:54] on the impeachment complaint against Vice President [23:57] that it had received reports of suspicious [24:00] and covered bank transactions amounting to 6.77 billion pesos, [24:05] linked to the 30 and Carpio over a period of nearly 20 years. [24:09] Abayon noted that under Section 8A [24:13] of the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2001, [24:16] confidential AMLOC transaction records [24:18] shall not be disclosed in any manner, [24:21] as well as the confidentiality laws emanating from the Bill of Rights. [24:25] At the time, Abayon maintained that their case [24:38] does not intend to affect the Vice President's impeachment proceedings. [24:41] The respondents' lawyers refused to respond to media queries, [24:44] saying they were not authorized to speak on behalf of their clients. [24:48] Denise, back to you. [24:49] Michael Delizo with that story. Thanks, Michael. [24:53] Rescuers detect signs of life from the collapsed nine-story building [24:57] in Angeles, Pampanga. [24:59] Five days after the disaster, authorities reported hearing sounds [25:02] similar to metal knocking from beneath the debris. [25:05] Rescue teams have deployed life locator equipment [25:08] in hopes of finding survivors. [25:10] The death toll from the Angela City building collapse has risen to six. [25:39] That's after responders recovered the remains of a father and son [25:42] who were working at the site. [25:44] Local officials say the two construction workers from Camarines Sur [25:48] were found near the entrance of the collapsed structure [25:51] with search teams still looking for 14 missing people. [25:58] The Philippine Army is investigating the deaths of two military recruits [26:02] during their training in Tarlac Province. [26:04] The recruits died on May 26. [26:07] As part of the investigation, [26:09] their immediate superiors have been confined to barracks, [26:12] pending the outcome of the probe. [26:13] The Army Training Command says assistance is being provided [26:17] to the families of the recruits. [26:19] It adds it strictly enforces policies prohibiting violence, [26:23] maltreatment and abuse in military instruction and training activities. [26:31] Power distributor Meralco files petitions for a nine-billion-pesor refund [26:36] to its customers to offset expected increases in power bills [26:40] due to the series of yellow and red alerts in the Visayas and Luzon grids. [26:45] Alvin El Chico tells us more. [26:49] The country's largest power utility has filed two petitions [26:52] with the Energy Regulatory Commission to refund around 9 billion pesos [26:56] in overcollection from millions of consumers for the whole of 2025. [27:01] Meralco spokesman Joe Zaldariaga says the company proposes [27:04] to return the overcharged amount in three years, [27:07] which is 4.69 billion pesos covering January to June 2025 [27:12] and 4.32 billion pesos for the July to December period. [27:16] Pag pinagsama mo itong dalawa, around 9 centavos per kilowatt hour po yan [27:22] sa customers na i-refund natin if the proposal of our application will be approved. [27:31] But Zaldariaga admits if the commission decides to shorten the refund period, [27:36] the reduction in the bill will also be bigger. [27:39] ERC Chairman Nino Juan earlier said that the commission is finding ways [27:43] to mitigate the impact of the expected increase in the June billing [27:47] due to the series of yellow and red alerts in the Luzon and Visayas grids. [27:52] Luzon was under red alert from May 13 to 15, [27:55] while Visayas is still under yellow alert until Thursday. [27:58] But Nacicor says the regulator should be alarmed that Meralco, [28:03] a regulated entity, is the one offering to refund [28:06] instead of authorities doing a thorough audit [28:09] if the proposed refund amount is accurate. [28:12] Kailangan talaga rito yung masusing pag-audit ng ERC sa Meralco [28:19] nang malaman talaga yung tamang presyo ng kuryente. [28:24] Former ERC Commissioner Alfredo Nunn claims Meralco's current interim [28:29] distribution charge of 1 peso and 35 centavos per kilowatt hour [28:33] is too high, which means the utility needs to refund [28:37] more than 9 billion pesos it offers to the commission. [28:40] Ang problema, hindi nagre-recompute ang ERC. [28:44] Yung sinasabi niyang 135, it's not in accordance with the law [28:47] kasi ang batas, dapat sinasabi niya yung rate, yung siningil, [28:51] hindi dapat mag-i-exceed sa ginasos ng Meralco. [28:55] Alvin Olcico, ABS-CBN News. [28:59] Households in the Visayas are ending the month [29:02] with continued energy troubles. [29:04] The power grid of the group of islands will once more be on red alert [29:08] for an hour beginning at 6 this Friday. [29:12] This means power generation cannot meet demand [29:14] and so rotational brownouts are possible. [29:17] Electricity lines there are currently on yellow alert [29:19] indicating thin supply which will be until 10 in the evening. [29:23] This is now the third straight week [29:25] that the Visayas has had to endure its sufficient power supply. [29:29] The grid operator has pointed to higher electricity consumption [29:33] as helping complicate the situation [29:35] amid forced shutdowns of some power plants. [29:42] Authorities are urging the public to conserve water this dry season. [29:46] The water level at Metro Manila's main source, Sangat Dam, [29:49] fell about 7 meters below its minimum operating level. [29:52] Officials are now pushing contingency measures [29:55] including rainwater harvesting and water recycling [29:58] while maintaining current water releases from the dam to meet demand. [30:02] Let's now check on the weather here in the Philippines [30:25] with Pagasa forecaster Dan Villamil. [30:27] Good afternoon and to our viewers here at ANC. [30:33] As of 4 p.m., the center of Tropical Storm Domeng [30:35] was located at 1,120 kilometers east of Central Luzon [30:40] and has maximum sustained winds of 85 kilometers per hour near the center [30:44] and gustiness of up to 105 kilometers per hour. [30:49] It is currently moving west-northwestward at 10 kilometers per hour. [30:53] As of today, there is no tropical cyclone wind signal issued over any part of the country. [31:00] However, the trough of Tropical Storm Domeng [31:03] is expected to bring cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms [31:06] over eastern Visayas, Rosabon, and Masbate. [31:09] Meanwhile, due to the southwesterly wind flow, [31:12] we are also expecting high chances of cloudiness and rains [31:15] over western Visayas, Negros Island region, Zamboanga Peninsula, [31:19] Sargen, Barm, Palawan, Oksina, Lanao, Del Norte. [31:24] For Metro Manila and the rest of the country, [31:27] for this afternoon to evening, there are chances of rain showers [31:33] because rain showers or thunderstorms caused by localized thunderstorms. [31:37] And for our sea condition, as of the moment, [31:39] there is no gale warning currently in effect, [31:42] but we are expecting moderate rough sea conditions [31:45] over the eastern seaboard of Luzon [31:47] due to the effects of the tropical cyclone doming. [31:52] And that will be all for the weather report for today. [31:55] Dan Villamil reporting. [31:56] Thanks, Dan. [31:59] World News Now. [32:00] The U.S. and Iran have reportedly reached an agreement [32:03] to extend their ceasefire and lift restrictions [32:06] in the Strait of Hormuz. [32:08] But sources told Reuters U.S. President Donald Trump [32:11] has yet to approve the tentative deal, [32:14] while Iranian safe media said it has not been finalized. [32:18] The agreement would reportedly extend the truce for another 60 days [32:21] and allow traffic to flow through the strategic waterway, [32:25] while negotiators tackle difficult issues such as Iran's nuclear program. [32:30] If approved, it would be the biggest step towards peace [32:33] since the U.S. and Israel initiated the war on February 28. [32:37] We've already accomplished here, assuming that we're able to get to a final agreement here. [32:45] We're reopening the Straits of Hormuz. [32:47] We've already decimated their conventional military. [32:50] And we're in a position where we could substantially step back their nuclear program, [32:54] not just during the term of this president, but over the long term. [32:57] That's a very, very good thing for the American people. [32:59] So we're not there yet, but we're very close to where to keep on working at it. [33:03] China's increasing assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific and the Middle East war [33:11] are expected to dominate Asia's defense summit. [33:14] The Shangri-La Dialogue kicks off in Singapore, [33:16] drawing leaders, top diplomats and security officials from around the world. [33:21] Officials are expected to debate on growing concerns over U.S. priorities [33:25] as it tries to solve the conflict in Iran while dealing with China's aggressive behavior. [33:31] U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegsip is set to take the floor on Saturday. [33:35] The summit is happening about two weeks after Chinese leader Xi Jinping [33:39] warned the U.S. they could clash over Taiwan if the issue was not handled properly. [33:48] Russia signs a $16.5 billion deal to build the first nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan. [33:55] The move, seen as historic as Kazakhstan was once the site of hundreds of Soviet nuclear weapon tests, [34:02] which have made large areas of land uninhabitable and caused numerous diseases among its people. [34:09] But a 2024 referendum paved the way for the construction of the plant amid Kazakhstan's energy needs. [34:16] Despite having a sizable natural gas reserve, [34:19] the Central Asian nation, which is the world's biggest producer of uranium, [34:23] relies mostly on coal-powered plants for its electric power needs. [34:27] Kazakhstan's Atomic Energy Agency says construction for the nuclear plant will begin next year, [34:34] and the first reactor will be commissioned in early 2034. [34:39] A Blue Origin rocket explodes during a test run, [34:45] marking a setback for the space tech firm of Jeff Bezos, [34:49] as it seeks to narrow the gap with Elon Musk's SpaceX. [34:52] The company says it experienced an anomaly, [34:56] a term commonly used by rocket companies to describe a launch failure or explosion. [35:01] But Bezos assured on social media that all personnel were accounted for and safe. [35:07] Blue Origin earlier said it was preparing the new Glenn rocket [35:10] to launch 48 Amazon Leo satellites into low Earth orbit. [35:16] The move is part of efforts to build a broadband constellation, [35:20] the rival Musk's Starlink network. [35:22] Again, we are showing you live shots from the Philippine anti-graph court, [35:28] where we are awaiting Senator Jingoy Estrada to complete the process of posting his bail. [35:35] He surrendered to the Sandigan Bayan this afternoon, [35:38] which issued an arrest warrant for a graft charge against the senator. [35:43] He has been granted temporary liberty after posting a bail of 90,000 pesos. [35:48] But he is not allowed to leave the country. [35:51] The office of the ombudsman on Thursday filed plunder and two counts of graft against Senator Jingoy Estrada. [35:59] No arrest warrant is out yet for the plunder cases, which are non-billable. [36:05] Estrada is accused of pocketing kickbacks and proposing budget insertions involving 573 million pesos in flood control projects. [36:15] Also facing charges alongside Estrada are former DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan and other officials of the DPWH NCR Engineering Office. [36:28] We are getting reports former Secretary Bonoan is in the Sandigan Bayan as well. [36:37] Let's now take a look at the top stories in the business world. [36:41] A big-time oil price rollback set for next week. [36:44] Authorities report a bleaker business confidence in the Philippines. [36:48] The country's trade deficit widens in April. [36:52] And the PSE index ends the month in the red. [36:57] Philippine shares cap the trading month lower on profit-taking from investors and the results of an index review. [37:03] Michelle Ong reports. [37:06] Asia stocks supercharged on Friday while U.S. stocks held steady at all-time highs. [37:11] As traders wait to see whether Washington and Iran could finally get a peace deal across the line [37:16] and restore oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz. [37:19] The optimism causing Brent crude to fall toward $93 a barrel with a benchmark set for its biggest monthly drop since the onset of the pandemic. [37:29] Here at home though, not so enthusiastic as the MSCI rebalancing and profit-taking dragged the PSE index back to the $5,700 level. [37:36] Starting June 1, there's going to be an MSCI rebalancing. [37:40] So we saw quite a bit of rebalancing that was happening. [37:46] So we saw Jollibee get a very big net orange selling today. [37:52] It was sold down. [37:53] It's down about 6%. [37:54] That one was moved from the main index down to the small cap index. [38:00] We also saw the likes of Ayala Land also got sold down, getting quite a bit of foreign selling. [38:09] We actually ended the day at the $6.6 billion net foreign selling. [38:14] I think we also saw some profit-taking happen, even some of the top gainers when it comes to our index. [38:24] Like ICT was down 4% today. [38:27] Same goes with Miralco, something that was quite stable, who performed quite well. [38:33] Even since last year, we saw them drop 4% today. [38:38] So I think it's a combination of the rebalancing as well as some profit-taking. [38:44] In corporate stories, Emerit's asset portfolio nears a milestone, [38:48] 1 million square meters with its largest single acquisition to date. [38:51] The Real Estate Investment Trust of MegaWorld is acquiring 12 more commercial assets [38:55] with a combined gross leasable area of over 303,000 square meters. [39:00] The deal covers some of the property giant's most well-known assets, [39:03] including Eastwood City in QC, [39:05] Vinnie Small at McKinley Hill in the Gig, [39:07] as well as office buildings and even the Holiday Inn Express Hotel at Newport City in Pasay. [39:13] The acquisition expands Emerit's overall portfolio from 647,000 square meters [39:18] to about 950,000 square meters, [39:21] ahead of the previous target of reaching the 1 million mark by 2027. [39:26] Still in the property space, [39:28] a Yellowland's New Valley Estate in Laguna receives the Berde 5-star Sustainability Certification. [39:34] Ali says this makes New Valley, [39:35] with its lakeside and east block developments the first commercial business district in the country [39:40] to be recognized by the Philippine Green Building Council. [39:45] And finally, Alson's Consolidated Resources is speeding up the construction of its key energy projects [39:50] to support growing electricity demand in Mindanao. [39:53] Alson says those projects include the Boeing solar plant in General Santos City [39:57] in an undertaking to transform a diesel-fired power plant in Salangani into a renewable energy facility. [40:04] Alson's is also advancing studies on a hybrid technology and battery energy storage system [40:08] for its conventional power plants in Zamwanga and Iligan. [40:12] Aside from that, it also operates the Sigil Hydro Power Plant in Salangani, [40:16] which began operations two years ago. [40:19] Michelle Long, ABS-CBN News. [40:21] A huge oil price rollback greeting motorists in June. [40:27] The Energy Department said diesel may be lowered by 8 pesos per liter, [40:31] gasoline by 4 pesos, [40:33] and kerosene with the biggest decrease of 10 pesos also per liter. [40:38] The agency says those figures could still be adjusted, [40:40] as it considers suggested prices by oil firms to protect them from losses. [40:45] Officials are urging the public to report gasoline stations hiking prices [40:50] before the expected rollbacks kick in. [40:55] Philippine business confidence turned even more negative in April. [40:59] As companies warn the escalating conflict in the Middle East [41:02] is driving up inflation risks, fuel costs, and operating expenses. [41:07] The Banco Central ng Pilipinas says the business confidence index fell [41:11] to negative 35.8 percent, down sharply from negative 24.3 percent in March, [41:17] marking a second straight month of deteriorating sentiment. [41:21] Firms also flagged weaker household spending power [41:24] and delayed expansion plans amid global uncertainty. [41:28] Still, businesses expect conditions to improve over the next 12 months [41:32] with hopes of stronger demand, higher sales, [41:35] and a possible easing of geopolitical tensions. [41:38] The BSB says it remains ready to take further action [41:42] to keep inflation expectations under control. [41:48] President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. says four major Japanese firms [41:52] are expanding in the Philippines with more than 56 billion pesos [41:56] in new investment commitments expected to create over 10,000 jobs. [42:01] The deals were announced during Marcos' four-day state visit to Japan [42:04] covering semiconductors, advanced electronics, [42:08] AI-related manufacturing, and shipbuilding. [42:12] Furukawa Electric is investing 17 billion pesos [42:15] in heat sink modules used in AI data centers. [42:20] Well, Sumitomo Electric, Minebea Mitsumi, and Tsuneshi Group [42:24] are also expanding operations in Laguna, Cebu, and other industrial hubs. [42:30] The government says the projects could strengthen the country's role [42:33] in global AI, electronics, and green manufacturing supply chains. [42:40] These engagements reaffirm strong confidence in the Philippine economy [42:43] and open new opportunities for investments that will benefit our people. [42:48] Most of what we were talking about were really to look forward for the future [42:54] and try to engage partners so that we are ready, we are able to be trained, [43:01] and we are ready with the infrastructure and the ecosystem [43:07] that will support these new high-tech indices. [43:10] The Philippines and Japan also agreed to strengthen energy security ties, [43:16] with Tokyo supporting Manila's plan to build its first strategic petroleum reserve system [43:22] amid rising geopolitical risks and supply chain concerns. [43:26] Meanwhile, the Ayala Group and several Japanese companies [43:29] also signed new agreements during President Marcus' state visit [43:32] focused on smart cities, digital connectivity, and financial inclusion. [43:37] The deals involve Ayala, Globe, Gcash, ParentMind, [43:42] Mitsubishi Corporation, MUFG, and Japanese telecom firm KDDI. [43:47] One project will pilot an intelligent city platform in Makati [43:51] using AI, data analytics, and Internet of Things technology, [43:56] while other agreements aim to expand digital financial services [43:59] and cross-border payment opportunities. [44:05] The Philippines' trade deficit widening to a near four-year high in April. [44:10] Official data today showed a bigger gap of nearly double [44:14] from the $3.9 billion in the same period last year to $5.97 billion. [44:19] The Statistics Bureau says that's on the back of imports expansion, [44:24] outpacing the growth of exports. [44:27] Inbound shipments were valued at $13.17 billion. [44:30] That's 22 percent higher from last year, [44:33] while Philippine goods sold overseas grew by 6.3 percent to $7.21 billion. [44:40] The U.S. stayed as Manila's top exporter of goods, [44:44] followed by China and then Japan, Hong Kong, and Singapore. [44:48] Electronics remained the top export item, [44:50] followed by other mineral products, machinery and transport equipment, [44:54] as well as coconut oil and even gold. [44:57] Manila's top imports, meanwhile, are electronic products, [45:00] followed by mineral fuels and animal feeds. [45:06] A cargo firm facing a criminal complaint for abandoning tens of thousands [45:11] of so-called balikbayin boxes of overseas Filipino workers. [45:16] The Customs Bureau filed the complaint against Makari Express Cargo Incorporated [45:21] for not delivering over 36,800 balikbayin boxes. [45:26] The BOC also cited allegations that the firm misrepresented material information, [45:31] its registration records, and continued accepting or processing balikbayin box shipments [45:37] despite prior abandoned cargoes and operational deficiencies. [45:41] BOC Commissioner Ariel Napumoseno said [45:44] the abandoned cargo has already cost the government 30 million pesos. [45:52] Switching gears now, South Korea's latest tourism hit is not a boy band or drama drop. [45:59] It's lasers, Botox, and facelifts. [46:02] Nearly 2 million foreign visitors came last year [46:05] for medical and beauty treatments, [46:08] turning Seoul into what some are calling the world's glow-up capital. [46:12] Travelers are now packing their itinerary like a spa buffet, [46:17] red light therapy, skin lifting, and wrinkles smoothing sessions [46:21] all before dinner in Gangnam. [46:25] Korea is doing a really great job in many areas, [46:29] not only in skincare, but it shows us a community [46:31] that you guys work really hard, [46:33] but we feel safe coming to this country for our face, you know. [46:37] It's not, we're not going to put our beauty just in any hands. [46:40] It has to be in the best hands. [46:41] Yes, so I started from K-pop, the music, [46:44] then I started going to dramas, then variety shows, [46:47] then the culture and the food, and then to beauty treatments. [46:50] So it kind of like slowly linked to everything else, [46:53] and even to me coming here. [46:55] I like that it is, there's a variety of K-beauty treatments in general [46:59] that are not even offered in the U.S., [47:01] and that it is like two or three times cheaper here than the U.S. [47:05] And before we go, a recap of this afternoon's developments [47:12] from the Philippine Anti-Graft Court. [47:15] We are awaiting Senator Jinggoy Estrada [47:17] to complete the process of posting his bail. [47:20] He surrendered to Di San Digan Bayan this afternoon, [47:23] which issued an arrest warrant for a graft charge against the senator. [47:27] He has been granted temporary liberty after posting a 90,000 bond, [47:31] but he is not allowed to leave the country. [47:33] The Office of the Ombudsman on Thursday filed plunder [47:36] and two counts of graft against Senator Jinggoy Estrada. [47:41] No arrest warrant is out yet for the plunder cases, which are non-bailable. [47:45] Estrada is accused of pocketing kickbacks [47:48] and proposing budget insertions involving P573 million in flood control projects. [47:55] Also facing charges alongside Estrada, [47:58] our former DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan [48:00] and other officials of the DPWH NCR Engineering Office. [48:07] Former Secretary Bonoan also in Di San Digan Bayan to post bail.