New SP Gatchalian starts work as ex-leader Cayetano hits majority members — ANC

[0:00] Tonight, Philippine Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian declares an end to the chamber's infighting a day after he was installed as its leader. [0:08] But his immediate predecessor, Alan Cayetano, is not yet done criticizing the new majority bloc. [0:14] Victoria Tulad has tonight's top story. [0:19] This was the directive of newly installed Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian in his first press conference on Thursday as Senate President. [0:30] He said the Senate is back-to-work season now. [0:34] In the next few weeks, we'll be able to pass the lead-up bills that we should finish and we'll be able to pass the preparations for the impeachment on July 6. [0:46] But it seems the fireworks aren't over just yet. [0:49] Former Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano took to Facebook anew on Thursday to respond to issues and blast members of the new majority bloc. [0:57] He reacted to the social media post of Sen. Panfilo Laxon, who said the Senate lost P700 million pesos in the 28 days that Cayetano was Senate President. [1:08] Laxon said, under Cayetano, the output was chaos, gunfire, Sen. Ronald Bato de la Rosa's supposed escape, and a session boycott. [1:17] But Cayetano claims it was the Gatchalian bloc that did not want to work, [1:21] since it supposedly did not assign its members to committees when Cayetano took over on May 11. [1:27] Sabi ko tutal, magaling mag-divide sila Sen. Laxon, very divisive. [1:33] Dinivide ko, 700 divided by 28 days is 25 million. [1:39] Yun din naman ang ginawa ni Sen. Wyn, tinignan niya lang yung budget ng Senado, tapos dinivide niya, nakuha yung 25 million a day. [1:47] So nasaan yung intellectual dishonesty? [1:50] Cayetano also accused Senators Rafi and Erwin Tulfo of sowing intrigues. [1:55] Kasi magaling naman talaga sila mang intriga eh. [1:58] Nagte-take turns lang naman po. [1:59] Si Rafi Tulfo, si Erwin Tulfo, si Sen. Ping Laxon, tapos yung iba sa grupo nila, yung tag-team lang yun, [2:07] para, oh, kayo naman manginis kay Alan, kayo naman magkalat ng hindi totoo. [2:11] Cayetano also claiming the Gatchalian bloc had ulterior motives in securing the Senate presidency. [2:16] Gusto nyo, grupo nyo ang magdikta ng tempo through the presiding officer. [2:24] That's been very clear to us from the start. [2:26] Pero number two lang pala yung impeachment. [2:28] Ang number one, yung cover up dito po sa flood control. [2:33] ABS-CBN is still trying to get the side of Gatchalian, Laxon, and the Tulfos. [2:38] Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian has not yet spoken with former Senate President Alan Pitoy Cayetano. [2:45] Gatchalian says, however, that his office is always open and that he is ready to reach out to the former Senate leader. [2:53] Meanwhile, Gatchalian says the Senate will cooperate with the investigation of authorities on the May 13 shooting incident at the upper chamber. [3:02] On Wednesday, Justice Secretary Frederick Vida said the Senate was not under attack, contrary to what Cayetano previously asserted. [3:10] Vida also said those who helped De La Rosa escape would be held accountable. [3:14] I have to read the final report. Ano ba yung context ng kanyang statement na yun? [3:20] I've discussed this with members of the OSAHA. [3:23] Nag-meeting na kami. [3:26] It's a very sensitive topic yan sa kanila. [3:29] Kasi siya directly involved. [3:31] So I don't want to discuss anything beyond what is coming out of that official report. [3:39] In fairness to OSAHA, and in fairness to the people involved rin. [3:42] Asked if there's a need for the Senate to have its own investigation on the gunfire, Gatchalian said it is better left with authorities as the Senate cannot investigate itself. [3:53] Victoria Tulad, ABS-CBN News. [3:57] House prosecutors and defense lawyers met Thursday to identify potential witnesses in the impeachment trial of Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte. [4:05] Agatha Gregorio reports. [4:10] The pre-trial conference for the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte kicked off Thursday. [4:16] House impeachment prosecutors and the defense team of Vice President Sara Duterte faced off for the first time to mark evidence, identify witnesses, and agree on trial dates. [4:26] According to Duterte's camp, they were able to take care of one article of impeachment relating to alleged bribery. [4:31] May isang article po na tapos na yung marking, pero the three articles hindi pa. [4:38] I think there's one other article na maaaring either matapos ngayon or early Monday, pero yung meron tayong dalawang article na marami talagang mga dokumento. [4:48] BOA says they hope to present around 25 to 30 witnesses. [4:52] Both the defense and the prosecution say there was no tension during the pre-trial conference. [4:57] Rather than tension, I think normal adversarial proceedings yung nangyari, which is that may disagreements on points na dapat pag-agrihan in a pre-trial conference, which is yun nga po yung proposed stipulations, statements of issues, etc. [5:16] So wala naman pong ganong pagtaasan ng bosses. [5:19] I think it was good because we were both parties who were able to settle differences at parang magpadali. [5:31] BOA says to speed up the process, they agreed to simply submit comments on proposed stipulations in writing. [5:37] Among those present were House prosecutors Jerva Luistro, Terry Redon, and Laila Delima, as well as private prosecutors, including attorney Lorna Capunan. [5:45] At one point, Luistro, Delima, and some prosecutors transferred to another room with BOA while the pre-trial conference was suspended. [5:53] BOA explained they were simply discussing how to expedite the process. [5:57] BOA says the next pre-trial conference will be held on Monday. [6:01] House impeachment trial spokesperson Rene Coe called it unfortunate that the vice president was not present in the meeting. [6:07] Coe hopes Duterte will attend the trial proper, but BOA notes this is still up in the air. [6:12] This is a direct opposite of what we have heard in the previous months, that she will appear in the proper forum, which now is the impeachment court. [6:24] Para sa amin, para sa taong bayan, mas magiging tapat yung kanyang sinasabi na wala siyang kasalanan kung may pakita ni na siya mismo ang humarap sa impeachment court. [6:40] In this case, in the pre-trial court. [6:42] Meantime, Senate President Sherwin Gachalian confirms the Sundigan Bayan's 90-day preventive suspension against Senator Jingoy Estrada means he will be unable to take part in the trial as a senator judge. [6:54] From what I understand, pag suspended ka as a senator, kasama na rin doon yung being a senator judge. [7:01] Itong 90-day suspension, hindi bago ito. Nangyari na ito in the past with other senators. [7:07] So kung ano yung naging practice in the past and ano ang legal practice in the past, yun ang susundan natin. [7:15] Gachalian also says they will still discuss who will be the presiding officer despite reports Senator Francis Escudero would take on this role. [7:22] Pag-uusapan muna, but right now as it stands in the rules, I will preside. [7:27] Gachalian believes the pending petition of the Cayetano block before the Supreme Court will not have any impact on the trial. [7:34] Cayetano had asked the High Court to invalidate the Senate's June 3 session where impeachment rules were amended to allow a different presiding officer. [7:42] Gachalian has said two-thirds of all 24 members or 16 votes is required for conviction. [7:48] According to Gachalian, they will have an all-senators caucus before the impeachment trial on July 6 to discuss relevant topics, including the Senate's security. [7:58] Senator Panfilo Lakson said it is also possible that the impeachment court will designate an impeachment manager to assist the presiding officer. [8:06] Lakson says this is similar to the role of a Senate majority leader. [8:09] Meanwhile, a recent survey by Okta Research shows most Filipinos are skeptical of the Senate's possible handling of the impeachment trial. [8:18] The poll conducted on April 2024 but only released Thursday showed that only 19 percent of 1,200 respondents believe that most senator judges will decide based on evidence and the law rather than political considerations. [8:32] Okta reported that skepticism in the impeachment trial was most pronounced in Mindanao while uncertainty was highest in Metro Manila and Balans, Luzon. [8:43] Agatha Gregorio, ABS-CBN News. [8:46] Philippine Senator Bong Goh insists he has violated no laws amid claims the International Criminal Court has ordered his arrest. [8:54] Davao City Congressman Paolo Duterte earlier said he was told by a highly reliable source that the Hague-based tribunal had already issued an arrest warrant for Goh. [9:04] The senator has been identified in ICC documents as a co-accused of Rodrigo Duterte in the former president's crimes against humanity case. [9:13] The Interior Secretary says authorities have not received any formal notice of a supposed warrant for Goh. [9:19] Baka-baka sabog nung sinabi niya eh kasi siya lang nakakita na nung sakapin nung sabi nung wala pa eh. [9:26] Sabi niya highly reliable source. [9:28] Baka high lang. [9:31] Malacanang rejects the accusation of Congressman Duterte that the Marcos Jr. administration is using ICC arrest warrants to target its opponents. [9:39] Palace Press Officer Claire Castro points out that Duterte's ICC case did not begin with the current administration but was based on complaints filed by Filipinos in 2017. [9:50] The ASEAN-Russia commemorative summit kicks off in the central Russian city of Kazan with a focus on regional stability and economic prosperity. [10:01] The Philippine president and current ASEAN chair cites big opportunities to expand areas of cooperation between Manila and Moscow. [10:10] Katrina Domingo reports from Kazan, Russia. [10:12] President Ferdinand Marcus Jr. outlined three priorities in ASEAN's dialogue and cooperation with Russia in the coming years. [10:21] First, ensuring the region's peace and stability. [10:24] Second, developing more economic opportunities for micro, small and medium enterprises in Russia and Southeast Asia. [10:31] And third, continuing scholarship programs, cultural exchanges and other efforts to help Russians and Southeast Asians develop closer relations even at the civilian level. [10:40] We must strengthen practical cooperation on maritime security and counter-terrorism, reinforce our collective resilience in cyberspace, and develop the institutional habits of anticipation rather than mere reaction. [10:57] The Filipino leader adds that the region must also be more ambitious in expanding economic opportunities across the globe. [11:03] Our trade and investment ties have grown, but they have yet to reach full potential. [11:09] We must be more deliberate and more ambitious in expanding economic opportunities, improving trade facilitation, deepening investment flows, and connecting our business communities. [11:22] Food and energy security deserve a particular attention. [11:26] ASEAN and Russia are expected to release the Kazan Declaration after the commemorative summit. [11:31] It is a framework on how the two parties would work together in the next few years to mutually benefit from the partnership. [11:37] Indeed, our meeting went very well, and it was very productive, and it was held in a friendly and business-like atmosphere, fruitful partnership. [11:48] Strategic dimensions of cooperation between Russia and ASEAN countries for the future are enshrined in the outcome document of the summit, Kazan Declaration. [11:59] It highlights specifically the commitment of all of our states to building a just and democratic, multi-polar world order. [12:07] We remain committed to ensuring that the momentum generated at the summit translates into concrete outcomes and meaningful cooperation. [12:17] On behalf of ASEAN, I express my appreciation to President Putin and the government of the Russian Federation for the warm hospitality extended to all the delegations for this commemorative summit. [12:29] As we mark this important milestone, we look forward to working closely with Russia to further strengthen our partnership and to build a more peaceful, resilient, and prosperous future for our regions. [12:44] Meantime, in a separate bilateral meeting, Marcos and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed that there is a big opportunity for Manila and Moscow to expand their businesses in each other's jurisdictions. [12:54] Among the low-hanging fruits are the energy and agricultural sectors, as Russia is considered to be the most oil-rich country in Europe, while the Philippines is a major producer of fruits, high-value crops, and seafood that are in demand but scars in Russia. [13:09] There are many potential areas that I think we should still open to explore, and I think that the present level of trade, although it is steady, I think that there is a great deal more that we can do. [13:27] Data from the ASEAN secretariat show that as of 2024, bilateral trade between ASEAN and Russia reached some 18.13 billion U.S. dollars, but Putin says that in 2025, bilateral trade between the Philippines and Russia was only at 500 million U.S. dollars, or less than 3 percent of Russia's total trade with the 11-member regional bloc. [13:47] Of course, this is far from the limit, and of course, there is a good potential to enhance supplies of agriculture and energy resources. [13:59] Today, we have a good opportunity, Mr. President, to evaluate the current state of the Russia-Philippine cooperation. [14:07] Malikanyang has yet released details if deals were finalized during Marcos and Putin's first bilateral meeting. [14:13] But Philippine ambassador to Russia Igor Bailen earlier said that Russian airlines are already preparing to mount more flights to the Philippines. [14:21] There is the Russian market to be top. They are interested, and they have the resources because alam po natin na compared to other countries, [14:31] ang Russians per capita, mas malaki sila gumastos in terms of tourism. So iyan po ay dinadevelop pa natin. [14:39] Meantime, Marcos personally invited Putin to travel to Manila in November for the East Asia Summit, [14:45] an annual forum where ASEAN countries invite other nations outside the region to tackle economic, political, and security issues. [14:52] As chair of ASEAN, I may I personally extend my invitation to your excellency to attend the 21st East Asia Summit. [15:00] The East Asia Summit remains an integral part in maintaining a regional architecture towards our shared goal of a stable, secure, and prosperous region. [15:11] While Russia has been ASEAN's dialogue partner since 1996, and Putin has been in power since 2012, [15:18] the Russian leader has never flown to Manila on an official capacity. [15:22] Katrina Domingo, ADS-CBN News, Kazan, Russia. [15:25] A coaching staff of the Ateneo men's basketball team faces the National Bureau of Investigation [15:31] to help shed light on the drowning of two of their student-athletes. [15:35] The Philippine Interior Chief says a full report on the tragedy will be submitted next week to the Justice Department. [15:42] This report from Allison Cole. [15:46] Ateneo Blue Eagles men's basketball team assistant coach Sandro Soriano appeared on Thursday [15:51] before the National Bureau of Investigation to give his statement on the June 8 team-building activity [15:57] in the province of Aurora that resulted into the deaths of student-athletes Rene Batarbonha and Divine Adili. [16:03] Soriano is the first member of the Ateneo coaching staff to personally appear before authorities [16:08] after he failed to attend the NBI's initial hearing last Tuesday. [16:12] According to his legal counsel, attorney Raymond Rojas, [16:15] Soriano was unable to attend due to severe emotional distress. [16:18] We submitted a certificate of the Ateneo of Student Guidance Counseling [16:22] attesting that Coach Soriano is undergoing treatment and he's in emotional distress now. [16:27] Soriano spent nearly four hours inside the Homicide Division. [16:31] He declined to give any statement. [16:33] Meanwhile, more players from the basketball team also submitted their sworn statements to the NBI [16:37] as well as the CIDG, which is also conducting investigation into the tragedy. [16:42] Among them is Team Captain Jared Bahay. [16:45] NBI Director Matibag says other members of the coaching staff, including head coach Taub Baldwin, [16:50] are expected to appear on Friday. [16:52] An immigration lookout bulletin order has already been issued against Soriano and Baldwin [16:56] as well as three other members of the coaching staff, including team manager Epo Quimpo. [17:02] Meanwhile, Philippine Police Chief Jose Malencho Nartates Jr. and Interior Secretary John Vicremulia [17:07] met with CIDG officials as authorities worked to determine the potential liability of those involved in the incident. [17:13] Hindi pa natin masabi kung with definite numbers, who, saka anong case. [17:21] Bibilisan natin. We are utilizing almost all of the investigators. [17:26] May namatay eh. Basta may namatay, may liability lagi yan. [17:30] Pero kung para masabi ko sino liable, hindi ko pa masabi ngayon. [17:34] Remulia says they expect to submit their full report on the drowning incident on Tuesday. [17:39] The CIDG earlier said, based on its initial findings, the tragic incident in Dipakulao, Aurora was not an accident [17:45] and they are considering possible homicide charges or violations of the Anti-Hazing Act of 2018. [17:51] Alison Nicole, ABS-CBN News. [18:01] Tanker traffic resumes in the Strait of Hormuz after the U.S. and Iran signed an agreement to end their war. [18:07] Three Saudi-flagged supertankers carrying six million barrels of crude [18:11] were the first to cross the waterway hours after the deal was signed. [18:16] U.S. President Trump put his signature on the Memorandum of Understanding to End the War, [18:21] as did Iran's President Mazud Pezeshkin. [18:23] This brought the deal into effect two days earlier than previously expected. [18:28] The deal calls for the immediate opening of the Strait of Hormuz [18:31] and the lifting of a U.S. blockade off Iran's ports. [18:35] It also starts the clock on a 60-day negotiation period to reach a final settlement to the war. [18:43] U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announces a review of America's troop deployments in Europe. [18:48] Hegseth spoke to defense ministers at the NATO headquarters in Brussels. [18:52] He blamed America's European allies of relying entirely on the U.S. while underspending their military budgets. [19:00] Hegseth says the U.S. review could take up to six months. [19:03] He says this aims to get Europe to do more in terms of security, [19:07] while ensuring the U.S. military can meet its global commitments. [19:11] The Pentagon chief also threatened to withhold U.S. contributions to NATO [19:15] if its European members did not meet their defense spending commitments. [19:19] Heavy rains prop severe flood warnings in Hong Kong. [19:24] The Special Chinese Administrative Region raised its highest rain signal Thursday, [19:29] forcing schools and businesses to close. [19:31] The city has had several days of strong rain due to an active southwest monsoon. [19:36] Similar disaster warnings were issued by authorities across the border in Shenzhen. [19:41] The Philippine securities regulator says it has secured an Interpol red notice against Mika Tan, [19:55] the businesswoman accused of orchestrating a massive fraudulent investment scheme. [19:59] Tan is the founder and CEO of the MFT group of companies. [20:04] She faces multiple arrest warrants in the Philippines, including a no-bail warrant for syndicated estafa. [20:09] Tan is accused of deceiving investors with promises of lofty returns and offering securities without SEC registration. [20:18] The Interpol red notice allows global law enforcement to locate and provisionally arrest Tan to face extradition. [20:28] The Philippine Central Bank raises key interest rates for a second time this year [20:32] as war-driven inflationary pressures remain. [20:36] It's also not closing its doors to more rate hikes. [20:39] Jackie Pascual reports. [20:43] The Monetary Board has raised the policy rate by 25 basis points to 4.75%. [20:49] This is the second interest rate hike this year and since October 2023 [20:54] as authorities try to slow down borrowing and spending to tame high inflation. [21:00] Central Bank Governor Elie Remolona Jr. says [21:03] inflationary pressures remain strong due to the Middle East conflict and its second-round effects. [21:09] Monetary tightening is still warranted. [21:14] Today's policy action will help keep inflation expectations anchored [21:19] and will mitigate the risk of second-round effects. [21:25] The central bank also raised its inflation forecast for 2026 from 6.3% to 6.4% [21:32] and for 2027 from 4.3% to 4.5%. [21:37] These are above the government target of 2% to 4%. [21:41] Average inflation could be beyond the tolerance range. [21:46] The target for inflation is 3% with a plus-minus-one tolerance range. [21:51] But it will be on a downtrend, but it could take some time. [21:58] Remolona says there could be more rate hikes if inflation remains elevated. [22:04] You could go with what I call baby steps so that if something unexpected happens, [22:14] you can always adjust. [22:15] We can always have an off cycle. [22:17] I think 25 basis points is possible, 50 basis points is possible, [22:23] depending on the data that we see going forward. [22:28] The BSP says even with a newly signed peace deal between the U.S. and Iran, [22:34] it would still take months for the situation to normalize [22:37] and for oil prices to return to pre-war levels. [22:42] Jackie Pascual, ABS-CBN News. [22:44] The Philippine stock market returned to positive territory [22:49] despite another rate hike by the country's central bank. [22:52] The details in this report. [22:56] Most Asian markets were higher on Thursday with risk sentiment back [22:59] after the signing of the peace deal between the U.S. and Iran. [23:03] Today's session, while pushing a gauge of forces in the region up for a fifth day, [23:07] also came with sobering news. [23:09] The Federal Reserve still seen hiking interest rates later this year as a result of the war. [23:13] Here at home, Philippine shares similarly higher as the Iran deal, [23:17] coupled with improved inflation data last month, [23:20] helped avert a rate hike bigger than expected from the central bank. [23:24] For the day, the PSC index climbed by six-tenths of a percent, closing at 61.53. [23:30] This is apparently a shift. [23:32] This is a dovish hike because earlier the BSP was signaling [23:37] they're going to do like maybe an off-cycle rate hike of as much as 50 basis points. [23:43] That was prior to the beginning of the end of the war, prior to the U.S.-Iran MOU. [23:49] And so oil prices were then still very high, [23:51] and inflation would likely be very sticky. [23:55] But now that the war has ended, oil prices in the global market have eased. [24:00] And so I think that's very favorable for the BSP. [24:03] It gave them leeway, a lot of room to ease on the rate hikes, [24:09] become less aggressive in terms of the pace and the scale of the rate hike. [24:15] In corporate stories, Merrimart is proceeding with its delisting from the Philippine Stock Exchange. [24:20] The company said today 99% of its shareholders backed Double Dragon's acquisition of Merrimart [24:26] following a tender offer worth P758 million. [24:30] Merrimart shareholders were offered the chance to stay as Double Dragon shareholders [24:34] with good exchange valuation of P9.30 apiece. [24:38] The retailer went public in 2020. [24:41] Double Dragon chairman Ingep Sia II said the takeover will help streamline Merrimart's operations [24:46] as well as cost-effectiveness measures. [24:48] He added the integration of Merrimart into Double Dragon [24:52] is part of the developer's plan to expand their business across all provinces in the Philippines. [24:58] And finally, from SSI Group, the Philippine distributor of high-end brands [25:02] marks a third straight year in the Fortune Southeast Asia 500 list. [25:06] SSI says its inclusion in that list reflects the strength of its business, [25:11] the enduring appeal of its brand portfolio, [25:13] as well as its efforts to adapt to evolving consumer and market trends. [25:17] It also views the recognition as proof of the company's collective efforts, [25:21] its continued engagement with customers, as well as the trust of its brand partners.