Rep. Duterte: Marcos SONA failed to address issues hounding Filipinos — ANC

[0:00] Senator Aimee Marcos slams the president's announcement of looming charges against their cousin, former Speaker Martín Romualdez. [0:08] She believes this is a deception that ignores the possibility that a wider network of people may be involved in the government's flood control scandal. [0:16] The senator pointed to the president's previous challenge for corrupt officials to feel shame and claim those who have no shame are being protected. [0:25] Davao Congressman Paolo Duterte criticizes President Marcos Jr.'s State of the Nation address for appearing to show compassion for ex-speaker Martín Romualdez, [0:36] but not the same level of concern for Filipinos burdened with high food and energy costs. [0:41] Congressman Duterte says Filipinos are not asking for sympathy for the powerful, but for truth, accountability and justice. [0:49] He says any State of the Nation address will be incomplete in the people's eyes as long as questions on flood control anomalies [0:56] and other controversies remain unanswered. [1:01] Opposition Senator Aimee Marcos says the Senate minority bloc skipped her brother's State of the Nation address [1:07] because their members are upset at being persecuted by the administration. [1:11] But they attended the opening of the Senate's second regular session where its agenda was unveiled by Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian. [1:19] The details in this report. [1:21] Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian sets the agenda as he opened the second regular session of the 20th Congress in the Senate. [1:31] On top of that agenda, the timely passage of the 2027 National Budget. [1:37] The so-called Ginhawa Bill, which will make those earning $400,000 a year income tax-free. [1:43] It will also make overtime pay, holiday pay, night shift differential, hazard pay, and service charge tax-free, [1:52] while hiking the tax ceiling for bonuses, amendments to the Rice Tarification Law and Oil Deregulation Law, [2:00] reforms in the Energy Regulatory Commission and Magna Carta for MSMEs, and a 30-year infrastructure plan. [2:08] The national budget is our most powerful tool for stimulating the economy. [2:13] Its timely passage allows funding to reach critical services and ensures that new projects can begin as scheduled and meet their deadlines. [2:22] Which is why Gatchalian wants an ad hoc committee in the Senate for better coordination. [2:28] His rationale is simple. People are suffering from the economy which has lagged. [2:33] Naririnig namin ang hinahing ng bawat Pilipino at nauunawaan namin ang bigat ng kanilang pang-araw-araw na buhay. [2:41] At the lower end of the revised range, annual growth would be the slowest recorded since 2009, excluding the pandemic. [2:50] These numbers are not abstract. [2:52] They translate into lower incomes, fewer job opportunities, and heavier burdens for families struggling to get by. [3:00] Before the opening, Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano gave his own take on the country's problems. [3:07] We have a crisis of hope. Marami tayong inaarap na crisis ngayon, di ba? Crisis ng tiwala sa gobyerno. [3:15] The session was suspended after Gatchalian's speech to allow the senators to attend the joint session of the 20th Congress [3:22] for the President's penultimate State of the Nation Address. [3:27] Senator Aimee Marcos again skipped her brother's speech. [3:31] Ang pasamaan loob namin dahil pinagkukulong, pinakasunghan ang minority. Yun lang, parang di ko kaya eh. [3:42] Philippine President Marcos Jr. used his fifth sauna to highlight his administration's response to the energy crisis resulting from the Middle East war. [3:53] He drew cheers for his call to remove systems loss charges in electricity bills and his defense of the country's sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea. [4:02] Jervis Manahan reports. [4:04] At dumating na tayo sa punto na ayon sa ombudsman, ay malapit na ang paghain ng patong-patong na kaso labang sa dating speaker. [4:17] Masakit man sa akin ito, ngunit kailangan natin gawin ang tama. [4:22] President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. opened his fifth State of the Nation Address with a bombshell, an update with the cases to be filed against his cousin, former House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez. [4:33] He stressed that he could put the country ahead of his own family. [4:37] The President also emphasized that his administration would not stop at merely filing cases against corrupt officials. [4:43] Kaakibat ng mga naisampang mga kaso tiniyak ng inyong pangahalaan na mababawi mula sa mga nagsabwatan ang nakuha nilang pera ng taong bayan. [4:54] Halos 25 bilyong piso ang halaga ng nabawi, frozen at napreserbang mga pera at ari-arian ng mga akusado. [5:06] Ang mahigit 800 milyong piso dito ay agad nating nabalik sa Treasury. [5:11] He, however, did not mention former ally and fugitive ex-House Appropriations Committee Chairperson Zaldico, [5:18] who fled the country before charges could be filed against him, and is now reportedly seeking political asylum in Europe. [5:24] Meanwhile, the administration's response to the recent oil crisis triggered by the war between the United States and Iran also took center stage in Marcos' speech. [5:33] He enumerated the government's programs, including the fuel subsidy scheme for drivers, cash assistance for low-income Filipinos, [5:41] and the suspension of tolls and other fees to help curb rising prices. [5:46] According to the President, the government has allocated 60 billion pesos this year to ease the impact of the oil crisis on the country. [5:54] Ang pondo na naisalba natin na balak ibulsa ng mga tiwaling opisyal ay sa taong bayan natin ibinubuhos. [6:01] Marcos also mentioned additional trains, new bridges, the importation of additional oil supplies from other countries, [6:09] and assistance for OFWs stranded by the war in Iran so they could return home. [6:15] But it was the issue of taxes that drew the loudest applause from the audience. [6:18] When it comes to the government's response to natural disasters, the President urged Congress to review the National Building Code to strengthen the country's infrastructure. [6:43] In the agriculture sector, Marcos directed the continued expansion of the country's coconut industry. [6:49] He also promised to complete the distribution of land titles to agrarian reform beneficiaries this year. [6:55] But while both the Anti-Political Dynasty Bill and the Partidist Reform Bill remain among his priority legislative measures, [7:02] the President did not mention either of them in this year's SONA. [7:05] In the energy sector, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said it is high time to remove system loss charges and the value-added tax from consumers' electricity bills. [7:15] He called for amendments to the EPIRA Law or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 to prohibit the imposition of these charges. [7:22] To further reduce electricity costs in the country, the President also said it is time to revisit the development of nuclear energy in the Philippines. [7:45] He also said the government has begun building hydrogen power plants, which will serve as backup fuel sources for power facilities, especially in off-grid areas. [7:55] According to the President, the government targets to complete around 200 energy projects before the end of his term, [8:02] with 45 already completed and 31 more expected to be finished this year. [8:07] On the education sector, Marcos said, [8:09] the Department of Education has ensured that mechanisms and processes for reporting and responding to bullying incidents, [8:15] as well as other emergencies are in place, functional and known to all. [8:19] The President also reiterated the promise he made during his previous State of the Nation address, [8:25] that no teacher would retire with the rank of Teacher 1. [8:28] He said more than 80,000 public school teachers and school heads have already been promoted under the Expanded Career Progression Program. [8:36] Marcos also said the Department of Public Works and Highways, PAGCOR, and local government units [8:41] will help speed up the construction of new classrooms, as well address the classroom shortage. [8:46] The President said the private sector will also help to build 16,000 classrooms in Luzon through public-private partnerships. [8:54] He also expressed support for artificial intelligence, [8:57] saying that 1.8 million individuals have already received training through various AI-related programs. [9:04] The President concluded his fifth State of the Nation address by addressing the West Philippine Sea and the 2016 Arbitral Award, [9:11] that invalidated China's claims in the South China Sea. [9:15] Let me remind our friends and our detractors, Filipinos are a noble, kind, gracious, and great race. [9:26] We are not greedy, we are not racists, we are not liars. [9:32] He vowed to continue defending the Arbitral Award, especially as the country recently marked its 10th anniversary. [9:38] According to Marcos, the Philippines has also strengthened its relations with other countries, [9:43] resulting, he said, in 23 free trade agreements that are already in force or still under negotiation. [9:51] He also highlighted what he described as the growth of Philippine exports and foreign investments, [9:56] attributing these to policies that improve the ease of doing business [10:00] and accelerate digital transformation to reduce red tape and corruption. [10:04] The President also cited the outcomes of the Philippines' chairmanship of ASEAN this year, [10:10] including the rice reserve system, the ASEAN power grid, and the framework agreement on regional energy storage. [10:17] He also mentioned the controversial PAC Silica industrial hub, [10:20] which is being advanced under the PAC Silica initiative led by the United States. [10:25] The project has sparked intense discussions with many opposing it over its potential impact on the environment, [10:31] water resources, and indigenous peoples. [10:33] The President also highlighted plans to build the country's first spaceport [10:38] and conduct a sounding rocket launch test next year. [10:41] Cagayan is both geographically and economically primed to serve as our gateway to space [10:48] and host the country's first spaceport. [10:51] The President also discussed several healthcare initiatives, [10:55] including the expansion of the YACA program, [10:57] the increase in the number of tax-exempt medicines, [11:00] the implementation of zero billing, [11:01] the expansion of PhilHealth Benefit Packages, [11:05] and the streamlining of applications for medical assistance. [11:09] In his closing message, [11:10] the President called on Filipinos to stand united. [11:13] Mga kapakong Pilipino, [11:15] sa ganitong mga banta sa ating siguridad, [11:19] sa loob, [11:19] at sa labas ng bansa, [11:22] tayo'y tumindig ng taas-noo [11:24] at magkapitbisig. [11:26] The President also vowed that in the final two years of his term, [11:30] he will complete the programs his administration started [11:32] and fulfill his promises to the Filipino people. [11:36] Jervis Manahan, ABS-CBN News. [11:38] Tonight, ex-Philippine House Speaker Martin Romualdo says [11:42] he's ready to prove his innocence [11:44] after President Marcos Jr. announced [11:46] that corruption cases will soon be filed against him. [11:50] House leaders indicate they're not interested [11:51] in reviving a probe of flood control corruption, [11:54] but will instead focus on legislation [11:56] for cheaper electricity [11:58] and a social media ban on kids younger than 13. [12:02] Vivian Gullia has tonight's top story. [12:05] Dumating na tayo sa punto na ayon sa ombudsman [12:10] ay malapit na ang paghain [12:13] ng patong-patong na kaso labang [12:15] sa dating speaker. [12:18] Masakit man sa akin ito, [12:20] ngunit kailangan natin gawin ang tama. [12:23] Following these sharp words from his cousin [12:25] during the State of the Nation Address, [12:27] former House Speaker [12:28] and later Representative Martin Romualdo [12:30] has issued a statement [12:31] saying he respects the President's remarks, [12:34] adding that he never asked for special treatment. [12:37] Romualdo, who has been tagged [12:39] in the flood control corruption scandal, [12:40] also insisted he has done nothing unlawful [12:43] and he is prepared to prove it. [12:46] Meanwhile, at least two House members [12:48] expressed support for Marcos Jr.'s call [12:50] to remove the system's loss charge [12:52] from consumers' electricity bills. [12:55] Biko Saro Partilist Representative [12:56] Terry Ridon says [12:57] Congress should prioritize [12:59] and immediately pass legislation [13:01] prohibiting distribution utilities [13:03] from recovering system losses [13:05] through consumers' electricity bills. [13:07] According to Ridon, [13:08] the Energy Regulatory Commission [13:10] must disallow recoveries [13:12] arising from inefficiency, [13:14] poor system maintenance, [13:15] electricity theft, [13:16] and other preventable causes, [13:18] and impose stricter efficiency [13:20] and accountability standards [13:21] on distribution utilities. [13:24] Akbayin Partilist Representative [13:25] Shel Diokno [13:26] also backs the removal [13:27] of system's loss charge [13:28] but added that value-added tax [13:30] should also be reduced. [13:32] Akbayin Partilist Representative [13:33] Percival Sandania [13:34] also dismayed over the absence [13:36] of the proposal [13:37] to remove VAT [13:38] as well as the proposed [13:39] legislated wage hike. [13:40] He says the President's sauna [13:41] was short of the necessary solutions [13:44] to address the increasing cost [13:45] of food and basic commodities. [13:47] Meanwhile, [13:48] House Speaker Bojidi says [13:49] the lower house [13:50] is ready to translate [13:51] into legislation [13:52] and concrete action [13:53] the priorities outlined [13:55] by the President [13:56] in his sauna. [13:58] I hereby call [13:59] the second regular session [14:01] of the 20th Congress [14:03] to order. [14:05] Ahead of Marcus' sauna, [14:06] the House of Representatives [14:07] formally opened on Monday [14:09] the second regular session [14:10] of the 20th Congress [14:11] which according to House Speaker [14:13] Bojidi [14:13] is an opportunity [14:14] to acknowledge past shortcomings [14:16] and address them. [14:18] During the first regular session, [14:19] the lower chamber [14:20] passed half [14:20] of the 52 priority measures [14:22] of the Marcus Jr. administration [14:24] and both houses [14:25] of the 20th Congress. [14:27] But only one was enacted. [14:29] House Majority Leader [14:30] and Presidential son [14:31] Sandro Marcos admits [14:32] the previous issue [14:33] on the Senate leadership [14:34] was a factor in that. [14:35] The more political gulo [14:37] that there is, [14:38] the less time there is to work. [14:39] I mean, [14:40] everyone knows that, [14:40] di ba? [14:41] So, [14:42] but it's good [14:43] that the Senate [14:43] has now, [14:44] you know, [14:45] organized everything [14:47] and I'm sure [14:48] under the leadership [14:48] of SP Gachalian, [14:50] the legislative mill [14:50] will continue [14:51] or will, [14:54] go back [14:54] to functioning [14:56] as efficiently [14:58] as possible. [14:59] Marcos and D. [15:00] gave assurances [15:01] the lower chamber's [15:02] legislative work [15:02] and its deliberations [15:04] on the proposed [15:04] 2027 national budget [15:06] will be unhampered [15:07] by the impeachment [15:08] proceedings [15:08] at the Senate. [15:10] Sa ating [15:11] second regular session, [15:15] itutuloy natin [15:15] ang pagtatrabaho [15:16] para maisulong [15:18] ang mga reformang [15:19] directang tutugon [15:21] sa mga pang-araw-araw [15:23] na suliranin [15:24] ng ating mga kababayan. [15:25] Prided natin [15:28] maipasa [15:29] ang Rice Industry [15:30] and Consumer [15:32] Empower Act [15:32] upang mapababa [15:34] ang presyo [15:35] ng bigas [15:36] at mapalakas [15:37] ang suporta [15:39] sa ating [15:39] pong mga magsasaka. [15:42] Ang mga amyenda [15:43] sa Universal [15:44] Healthcare Act [15:45] upang maging [15:46] dekalidad [15:47] at abot kamay [15:48] ang servisyong [15:49] pangkalusugan. [15:51] In his speech, [15:52] the House [15:53] Speaker called [15:53] for the inclusion [15:54] to the lead [15:55] of priorities [15:55] of a bill [15:56] seeking to [15:57] prohibit children [15:58] under 13 years [15:59] old from creating, [16:00] registering, [16:01] and using social [16:02] media accounts. [16:03] This, he said, [16:04] will complement [16:04] the bill [16:05] passed by the [16:05] lower chamber [16:06] against disinformation [16:07] on digital media. [16:09] Congressman Marcos [16:10] denied this [16:11] seeks to censor [16:12] the media. [16:12] I think [16:13] what's important [16:14] is to have [16:15] necessary [16:16] media participation [16:18] in order [16:19] for those [16:20] safeguards [16:20] to at least [16:21] if not there [16:23] already [16:24] at least be [16:25] introduced [16:26] either in the [16:27] Senate version [16:27] or during [16:28] the period [16:28] of amendments. [16:29] But we are not [16:30] here to censor [16:30] anyone. [16:32] Sa kasamang palad, [16:35] maging tayong [16:35] mga matanda [16:36] ay hindi na ligtas [16:38] sa mga maling [16:39] impormasyon [16:40] na nagiging [16:41] sani [16:41] ng pag-aaway [16:43] at pagkakawatak-wata. [16:45] Wag po sana [16:47] nating [16:47] hayaan [16:49] ng ingay [16:50] ng social media [16:51] ang humubog [16:53] sa ating [16:53] paniniwala. [16:55] Ang demokrasya [16:55] ay nananatiling [16:57] matibay [16:57] kapag [16:58] ang mamamayan [17:00] ay sapat [17:01] na may kaalaman [17:02] at bukas [17:03] ang pag-iisip. [17:05] On calls [17:06] for the House [17:06] to resume its [17:07] inquiry [17:07] to alleged [17:08] flood control [17:08] anomalies, [17:10] Marcos said [17:10] it should be [17:10] left to the [17:11] ombudsman [17:12] and relevant [17:12] bodies [17:13] since some [17:13] House members [17:14] are accused [17:14] of involvement. [17:15] That's like [17:16] asking a student [17:17] to grade [17:18] your own [17:18] paper [17:19] in an exam. [17:21] Kahit anong [17:21] magiging [17:22] resulta [17:23] ng pag-iimbestiga [17:24] kung i-resume [17:26] sa lower house, [17:27] ang sasabihin [17:27] ng tao [17:28] is [17:28] angkot [17:28] naman yung tao [17:29] dyan. [17:30] Wala kaming [17:30] tiwala [17:31] sa report. [17:32] So let's [17:32] leave [17:33] the ombudsman [17:34] and the [17:34] necessary [17:35] bodies [17:37] to do [17:37] that [17:38] themselves. [17:40] On the [17:41] proposed [17:42] measures [17:42] on SOGSC [17:43] unlegislated [17:44] wage hike, [17:45] the House [17:45] majority [17:45] leader says [17:46] he will [17:46] first have [17:47] to consult [17:47] party leaders [17:48] to determine [17:49] their chances [17:49] of getting [17:50] passed at [17:50] the House [17:51] of Representatives. [17:52] Vivian [17:53] Gulia, [17:53] ABS-CBN [17:54] News. [17:57] Philippine [17:57] police [17:58] arrest [17:58] dozens [17:58] of protesters [17:59] during [17:59] anti-sona [18:00] demonstrations [18:01] in Quezon [18:01] City. [18:02] Michael [18:03] Deliso [18:03] reports. [18:11] Individuals [18:12] were among [18:12] those [18:12] arrested [18:13] by police [18:14] amid the [18:14] rallies [18:15] in Quezon [18:15] City [18:15] ahead of [18:16] President [18:17] Ferdinand [18:17] Michaels [18:18] Jr.'s [18:18] State of [18:19] Nation [18:19] Address. [18:20] Sikhs [18:20] were caught [18:21] by police [18:21] making protest [18:22] graffiti [18:22] along [18:23] Commonwealth [18:23] Avenue. [18:24] Fellow [18:24] protesters [18:25] tried to [18:25] pull them [18:26] away [18:26] from the [18:26] police [18:27] and [18:27] demanded [18:28] an [18:28] explanation [18:28] but [18:29] they [18:29] were [18:29] unable [18:30] to [18:30] stop [18:30] the [18:30] arrests. [18:31] They [18:31] were [18:31] loaded [18:32] onto [18:32] a bus [18:33] and [18:33] brought [18:33] to the [18:33] Batasan [18:34] Police [18:34] Station. [18:49] In [18:51] Tontal [18:51] Philippine [18:52] National [18:52] Police [18:52] Chief [18:53] General [18:53] Jose [18:54] Melanchel [18:54] Artariz [18:55] Jr. [18:55] said [18:55] 51 [18:56] individuals [18:57] were [18:57] arrested [18:58] for [18:58] various [18:58] violations [18:59] of [18:59] Quezon [19:00] City [19:00] ordinances [19:00] during [19:01] this [19:01] year's [19:02] SONA. [19:02] 13 [19:03] of [19:03] those [19:03] however [19:03] were [19:04] identified [19:05] as [19:05] minors. [19:06] We [19:06] have [19:06] a [19:06] reason [19:06] to [19:07] have [19:07] a [19:07] valid [19:08] arrest [19:08] and [19:08] they [19:09] were [19:09] accosted [19:09] because [19:10] of [19:10] violations [19:11] of [19:11] ordinances [19:12] and [19:12] special [19:13] laws. [19:13] Particularly [19:14] RA [19:15] 9003 [19:16] BP [19:17] 880 [19:18] and [19:18] local [19:20] ordinances. [19:21] Lalo [19:21] na [19:21] yung [19:22] magtatakip [19:23] ng mukha, [19:23] bawal [19:23] naman [19:23] magtatakip [19:24] ng mukha. [19:25] Lalo [19:26] na [19:26] yung [19:28] nangyari [19:28] noong [19:28] September [19:29] last [19:29] year. [19:30] Kita [19:30] nyo [19:30] naman, [19:31] di ba? [19:32] And [19:32] ayaw [19:33] natin [19:33] payagan [19:33] na [19:34] sila [19:34] pa [19:34] ay [19:35] patuloy [19:37] na [19:37] manggulo [19:37] dyan [19:38] sa [19:38] kalsada [19:38] at [19:39] maapektuhan [19:39] of [19:40] course [19:40] yung [19:40] tahimik [19:41] na [19:41] nagpoprotesta. [19:42] There [19:42] were [19:43] several [19:43] instances [19:43] of [19:44] confrontation [19:44] between [19:45] police [19:45] and [19:46] protesters. [19:46] As [19:47] early [19:47] as [19:47] 7 [19:48] a.m., [19:48] shoving [19:49] erupted [19:49] when [19:50] police [19:50] tried [19:51] to [19:51] push [19:51] protesters [19:52] back [19:52] to [19:52] keep [19:52] them [19:52] from [19:53] occupying [19:53] the [19:53] road. [19:56] Another [19:57] confrontation [19:57] broke [19:57] out [19:58] when [19:58] the Bureau [19:59] of [19:59] Fire [19:59] Protection [19:59] put out [20:00] a burning [20:00] U.S. [20:01] flag. [20:01] As [20:01] protesters [20:02] condemned [20:02] America's [20:03] attacks [20:03] on [20:04] Iran, [20:04] the [20:05] U.S. [20:05] led [20:05] Pax [20:05] Silica [20:06] Hub [20:06] in [20:06] New [20:06] Clark [20:07] City, [20:07] as [20:08] well [20:08] as [20:08] what [20:08] they [20:08] said [20:09] was [20:09] American [20:09] influence [20:10] over [20:10] the [20:11] policies [20:11] of [20:11] the [20:12] Marquez [20:12] administration. [20:14] This [20:14] prompted [20:14] authorities [20:15] to [20:15] alert [20:15] the [20:16] arresting [20:16] team. [20:22] The [20:22] organizers [20:23] called the [20:23] rally [20:24] the [20:24] people [20:24] Sona [20:25] which [20:25] they [20:26] said [20:26] serves [20:26] as [20:27] a [20:27] platform [20:27] to [20:28] present [20:28] what [20:29] they [20:29] believe [20:29] is [20:30] the [20:30] true [20:30] state [20:30] of [20:30] various [20:31] sectors [20:31] of [20:31] society. [20:33] Among [20:33] the [20:33] main [20:33] issues [20:34] they [20:34] raised [20:34] were [20:35] the [20:35] skyrocketing [20:35] fuel [20:36] and [20:36] electricity [20:37] prices, [20:38] the [20:38] lack [20:38] of [20:38] quality [20:38] jobs [20:39] and [20:39] low [20:40] wages [20:40] that [20:40] they [20:40] said [20:41] have [20:41] failed [20:41] to [20:42] keep [20:42] pace [20:42] with [20:43] the [20:43] rising [20:43] cost [20:43] of [20:43] living. [20:44] The [20:45] protesters [20:45] also [20:45] condemned [20:46] alleged [20:46] cases [20:47] of [20:47] corruption [20:47] and [20:48] called [20:48] for [20:48] accountability. [20:50] Halos [20:50] wala [20:50] akong [20:50] nakikita [20:51] ang [20:51] pagbabago, [20:52] puro [20:53] lang [20:53] pangako [20:54] na [20:54] talagang [20:54] walang [20:55] bitaw. [20:57] Ngayon [20:57] na [20:57] Sona [20:57] niya [20:58] ngayon, [20:58] gumawa [20:58] rin [20:58] kaming [20:58] sarili [20:59] namin [20:59] Sona. [20:59] Police [21:00] were [21:00] placed [21:00] on [21:00] full [21:01] alert [21:01] across [21:01] Metro [21:01] Manila [21:02] for [21:02] the [21:02] Sona [21:03] with [21:03] support [21:04] from [21:04] various [21:04] government [21:04] units [21:05] and [21:05] agencies. [21:06] Security [21:07] remained [21:07] tight [21:08] while [21:08] authorities [21:08] ensured [21:09] traffic [21:09] continued [21:09] to [21:10] flow [21:10] along [21:11] Commonwealth [21:11] Avenue [21:11] despite [21:12] the [21:12] large [21:12] gathering. [21:13] 5.20 [21:14] in the [21:14] afternoon [21:15] and [21:15] the [21:15] protests [21:15] here [21:15] along [21:15] Commonwealth [21:16] Avenue [21:16] has just [21:17] ended. [21:18] Now [21:18] participants [21:18] of this [21:19] rally [21:19] are [21:19] carrying [21:20] out [21:20] organized [21:20] dispersal. [21:21] Meantime, [21:22] Bayan [21:22] has [21:23] deployed [21:23] paralegal [21:23] volunteers [21:24] to the [21:24] police [21:25] station [21:25] to [21:26] assist [21:26] the [21:26] arrested [21:26] individuals. [21:28] Michael [21:28] Delizo, [21:30] ABS-CBN News. [21:32] An explosion [21:33] at the [21:33] Philippine [21:33] Justice [21:34] Department [21:34] in [21:35] Manila [21:35] and [21:35] the [21:36] discovery [21:36] of a [21:37] suspected [21:37] bomb [21:37] near [21:38] the [21:38] Senate [21:38] in [21:38] Pasay [21:39] City [21:39] prompt [21:40] police [21:40] to [21:40] tighten [21:40] security [21:41] even [21:41] further [21:42] for the [21:42] President's [21:43] State of the [21:43] Nation [21:43] address. [21:44] Jesse [21:45] Cruzant [21:45] reports. [21:48] Soldiers [21:48] kept a [21:49] tight [21:49] watch [21:49] on the [21:50] Department [21:50] of Justice [21:51] after an [21:51] explosion [21:52] took place [21:53] outside the [21:54] agency's [21:54] compound [21:54] early [21:55] Monday [21:55] morning, [21:56] the day [21:57] of President [21:57] Ferdinand [21:58] Marcus Jr.'s [21:59] State of [21:59] the Nation [22:00] address. [22:01] In an [22:01] official [22:01] statement, [22:02] the DOJ [22:03] said the [22:04] blast, [22:04] allegedly [22:05] caused by [22:05] an [22:05] improvised [22:06] explosive [22:06] device, [22:07] occurred at [22:08] exactly [22:08] 12.17am, [22:10] near the [22:11] main gate [22:11] of its [22:12] building along [22:13] Padre Faura [22:13] Street in [22:14] Armita, [22:14] Manila. [22:15] Signs of the [22:16] blast remained [22:17] visible, [22:18] with the [22:18] ground [22:18] disturbed and [22:19] rocks scattered [22:20] around the [22:20] tree. [22:21] The impact [22:21] of the [22:22] explosion [22:22] also shattered [22:23] the windows [22:24] of a [22:24] vehicle parked [22:25] inside the [22:26] DOJ [22:26] compound. [22:27] Fortunately, [22:28] the DOJ [22:29] said no [22:30] one was [22:30] hurt. [22:31] Personnel from [22:31] the [22:32] Philippine [22:32] National [22:32] Police [22:33] Explosive [22:33] Ordinance [22:34] Disposal [22:34] Unit [22:35] immediately [22:35] responded to [22:36] conduct a [22:37] technical [22:37] examination [22:38] of the [22:38] scene. [22:40] Hours [22:40] before the [22:41] Senate [22:41] opened its [22:41] regular [22:42] session, [22:43] authorities [22:43] also [22:43] recovered an [22:44] IED from [22:45] the [22:46] center [22:46] island along [22:46] Jocno [22:47] Boulevard, [22:48] near the [22:48] gate of [22:48] the Senate, [22:49] just after [22:50] 8am. [22:51] The [22:51] investigation [22:52] found that [22:52] a towing [22:53] service employee [22:54] raised the [22:54] alarm after [22:55] spotting the [22:56] suspected [22:56] IED placed [22:58] near a [22:59] tree. [22:59] Responding [22:59] police officers [23:00] immediately [23:00] secured the [23:01] area. [23:02] Among the [23:03] materials [23:03] recovered by [23:04] the Pasay [23:04] City Police [23:05] Explosive [23:05] and [23:05] Ordnance [23:06] Disposal [23:06] Team [23:07] were a [23:07] 9-volt [23:08] battery, [23:09] a [23:09] blasting [23:09] cap, [23:10] a [23:10] clock, [23:11] and a [23:11] plastic [23:11] container [23:12] filled [23:12] with a [23:13] brown [23:13] powdery [23:14] substance. [23:14] According [23:31] to PNP [23:31] Chief [23:32] Police [23:32] General [23:32] Jose [23:33] Melencio [23:33] Nartates [23:34] Jr., [23:35] there is [23:35] a strong [23:35] possibility [23:36] that two [23:36] incidents [23:37] are [23:37] connected. [23:39] A big [23:39] possibility [23:39] or [23:40] probability [23:40] is [23:41] mag-taug [23:42] ngayon. [23:42] EOD [23:46] is conducting [23:47] investigation, [23:48] pati yung [23:49] ating [23:49] investigator. [23:51] Yung [23:51] IED [23:52] na to [23:52] ay [23:53] walang [23:54] charts. [23:55] Ibig sabihin [23:55] wala siyang [23:56] sharp nails. [23:59] Panterol lang, [24:00] pantakot. [24:00] Nartates [24:01] said the [24:02] possibility [24:02] of such [24:03] incidents [24:03] had already [24:04] been included [24:05] in their [24:05] security [24:06] preparations. [24:07] Isa yan [24:07] sa mga [24:08] contingencies [24:08] na ginawa [24:10] natin. [24:10] mayroong [24:12] bomb threat, [24:13] mayroong [24:13] actual [24:13] bombing, [24:15] and [24:16] others. [24:17] May [24:17] shooting, [24:18] isa yung [24:18] sa mga [24:19] contingencies. [24:19] That's [24:20] why, [24:20] nakaka-recover [24:21] tayo [24:21] ng mga [24:22] ganyan. [24:23] Ganyan [24:23] nga lang, [24:24] meron [24:24] tayo, [24:26] I think, [24:27] past [24:27] midnight, [24:29] last [24:29] night, [24:31] may [24:31] relusutan [24:32] tayong [24:33] may [24:33] sumabog. [24:34] Senate [24:35] President [24:35] Sherwin [24:35] Gatchalian [24:36] strongly [24:36] condemned [24:37] the [24:37] incident. [24:39] He [24:39] also [24:39] said [24:40] they [24:40] already [24:40] have [24:41] information [24:41] on [24:42] who [24:42] may [24:42] be [24:42] behind [24:43] the [24:43] incident. [24:57] Gatchalian [24:58] added that [24:58] the Senate [24:59] will not [24:59] allow [25:00] any act [25:00] of [25:00] intimidation [25:01] to [25:02] disrupt [25:02] its [25:02] work [25:02] for [25:03] the [25:03] Filipino [25:03] people. [25:04] Gatchalian [25:05] also [25:05] called [25:06] on [25:06] the [25:06] PNP [25:06] and [25:07] other [25:07] government [25:08] agencies [25:08] to [25:08] conduct [25:09] a [25:09] thorough [25:09] investigation [25:10] to hold [25:11] those [25:11] responsible [25:12] accountable. [25:14] In response, [25:15] the National [25:15] Bureau of [25:16] Investigation [25:16] raised its [25:17] alert status [25:18] to RED. [25:18] It also [25:19] coordinated [25:19] with other [25:20] government [25:20] agencies [25:21] to address [25:22] possible threats [25:23] during the [25:24] President's [25:24] Sona. [25:26] Jesse Cruzat, [25:27] ABS-CBN News. [25:30] Philippine Vice [25:30] President [25:31] Sarah [25:31] Duterte [25:32] says she [25:32] will not [25:33] step [25:33] down [25:33] despite [25:34] her [25:34] ongoing [25:34] impeachment [25:35] trial. [25:36] She [25:36] spoke [25:36] at an [25:37] event [25:37] in [25:37] London [25:37] where [25:38] she [25:38] said [25:38] resigning [25:39] would be [25:39] a [25:40] betrayal [25:40] of the [25:41] 32.2 [25:41] million [25:42] Filipinos [25:42] who [25:42] voted [25:43] for her. [25:44] Duterte [25:44] dared [25:45] her [25:45] former [25:45] ally [25:46] President [25:46] Marcos [25:46] Jr. [25:47] to do [25:47] whatever [25:48] it [25:48] takes [25:48] to [25:48] remove [25:49] her [25:49] from [25:49] office. [25:50] The [25:50] Vice [25:50] President [25:51] abroad [25:51] on [25:52] travel [25:52] leave [25:53] until [25:53] the [25:53] end [25:53] of [25:54] July. [25:55] Philippine [25:55] shares [25:56] joined [25:56] a [25:56] regionwide [25:57] rally [25:57] Monday [25:57] as [25:58] investors [25:58] cheered [25:59] a [25:59] pause [25:59] in [26:00] hostilities [26:00] between [26:00] the [26:01] U.S. [26:01] and [26:01] Iran. [26:02] Michelle [26:03] Ong [26:03] has [26:03] Monday's [26:04] market [26:04] wrap. [26:06] Stocks [26:07] gained [26:07] Monday [26:08] as [26:08] America [26:08] paused [26:09] an [26:09] almost [26:09] two-week [26:10] run [26:10] of [26:10] strikes [26:10] against [26:11] Iran [26:11] triggering [26:12] a [26:12] relief [26:13] rally [26:13] across [26:13] markets. [26:15] Brent [26:15] crude [26:15] dropping [26:16] as [26:16] much [26:16] as [26:16] 7.4 [26:17] percent [26:17] to [26:17] below [26:17] $90 [26:18] a [26:18] barrel [26:19] easing [26:19] concerns [26:20] about [26:20] inflation. [26:22] Although [26:22] the [26:22] global [26:23] benchmark [26:23] is [26:23] still up [26:24] more [26:24] than [26:24] 50% [26:25] this [26:25] year. [26:26] The [26:26] U.S. [26:26] dollar, [26:27] a safe [26:27] haven, [26:28] also weakened [26:28] against [26:29] all of [26:29] its [26:29] G10 [26:30] peers [26:30] while [26:30] gold [26:31] is [26:31] up [26:31] 1%. [26:32] Here [26:33] at home [26:33] Philippine [26:34] shares [26:34] joined [26:34] the [26:34] regional [26:35] upswing [26:35] as [26:35] local [26:36] investors [26:36] awaited [26:36] the [26:37] president's [26:37] fifth [26:37] state [26:38] of the [26:38] nation [26:38] address. [26:39] First [26:39] Metro [26:40] Securities [26:40] expects [26:41] the [26:41] Bourse [26:41] to [26:41] trade [26:41] sideways [26:42] with [26:42] a [26:42] downward [26:42] bias [26:43] this [26:43] week [26:43] as [26:44] geopolitics [26:45] remain [26:45] elevated. [26:46] Midweek [26:46] focus [26:47] then [26:47] shifts [26:47] to [26:48] the [26:48] Fed's [26:48] policy [26:49] decision [26:49] which [26:50] is [26:55] locally, [26:56] first-half [26:56] earnings [26:57] are front [26:57] and center [26:58] and may [26:58] even ease [26:59] selling [26:59] pressures [27:00] amid the [27:00] challenging [27:00] macro [27:01] backdrop, [27:02] though another [27:02] round of [27:02] pump price [27:03] hikes is [27:03] likely to [27:04] stoke fresh [27:05] inflation [27:05] concerns. [27:07] In [27:07] corporate [27:07] news, [27:08] BDO [27:08] reports [27:09] flat [27:09] first-half [27:10] earnings [27:10] of [27:10] 40.7 [27:11] billion [27:11] pesos [27:12] supported [27:12] by a [27:13] 15% [27:14] loan [27:14] growth, [27:15] an [27:15] 11% [27:15] rise [27:16] in net [27:16] interest [27:16] income, [27:17] and a [27:17] 12% [27:18] increase [27:18] in [27:19] pre-provision [27:19] operating [27:20] profit. [27:21] It [27:21] notes, [27:21] asset [27:22] quality [27:22] also improved [27:23] as the [27:23] NPL [27:23] ratio [27:24] declined [27:24] to 1.64%, [27:26] with NPL [27:27] coverage [27:28] at 132%, [27:29] while strong [27:30] capitalization [27:31] was maintained [27:32] with a [27:32] 13.1% [27:34] set-one [27:34] ratio. [27:35] The [27:35] Sea-led [27:35] bank, [27:36] however, [27:36] notes [27:36] provisions [27:37] were [27:37] increased [27:38] as a [27:38] prudential [27:39] measure [27:39] against [27:40] evolving [27:40] risks. [27:41] Meanwhile, [27:42] Union Bank [27:42] of the [27:43] Philippines [27:43] closed [27:43] the first [27:44] half [27:44] of the [27:44] year [27:44] strongly [27:45] with [27:45] a [27:45] net [27:45] income [27:46] of [27:46] 6.9 [27:46] billion [27:47] pesos [27:47] up [27:48] 113%, [27:49] as [27:50] top-line [27:50] grew [27:50] 9% [27:51] to [27:51] 43.1 [27:52] billion, [27:53] supported [27:53] by expansion [27:54] and consumer [27:54] lending, [27:55] casa and [27:56] fee [27:56] income. [27:56] Net [27:57] interest [27:57] income [27:58] grew by [27:58] 8% [27:59] to [27:59] $33.7 [28:00] billion, [28:01] driven by [28:02] loan [28:02] expansion, [28:02] with consumer [28:03] lending [28:03] remaining [28:04] the primary [28:05] growth engine [28:05] and accounted [28:06] for 61% [28:07] of the bank's [28:08] total loan [28:08] portfolio. [28:09] Gross [28:10] consumer [28:10] loans of [28:10] the group [28:11] grew by [28:11] 10%, [28:12] led by [28:12] credit cards [28:13] and personal [28:14] loans, [28:14] which [28:15] collectively [28:15] grew by [28:16] 18%. [28:17] Net [28:17] interest [28:17] margin [28:18] improved [28:18] by 40 [28:19] basis points [28:20] to 6.9% [28:21] supported by [28:22] a 7% [28:23] increase in [28:24] casa balances. [28:26] Meanwhile, [28:26] non-interest [28:27] income grew [28:27] by 12% [28:28] to $9.4 [28:29] billion, [28:30] primarily driven [28:31] by higher fee [28:32] income from [28:33] card-related [28:33] fees, [28:34] wealth [28:34] management, [28:35] bank assurance [28:36] and other [28:36] everyday banking [28:37] transactions, [28:38] benefiting from [28:38] the bank's [28:39] 19.3 million [28:40] customer base. [28:42] Finally, [28:43] Maynilad Water, [28:43] which went public [28:44] just last year, [28:45] is joining the [28:46] PSE Index, [28:47] effective August [28:47] 3, [28:48] replacing [28:49] Converge [28:49] ICT. [28:50] It will [28:51] officially be [28:51] part of the [28:52] 30-company [28:52] index of [28:53] highly traded [28:54] and most [28:55] capitalized listed [28:56] companies in [28:56] the PSE. [28:57] The PSE cites [28:58] its stellar [28:59] post-IPO [28:59] share price [29:00] growth and [29:01] the demand [29:01] for its share, [29:02] allowing it to [29:03] easily meet [29:03] early the [29:04] market cap [29:05] and liquidity [29:05] criteria for [29:06] index membership. [29:08] Converge, [29:08] on the other [29:08] hand, [29:09] slides into [29:10] the PSE [29:10] mid-cap [29:10] index, [29:11] which will [29:11] also see [29:12] the entry [29:12] of Felix [29:12] Mining and [29:13] the removal [29:14] of Asia [29:14] United Bank. [29:15] Will Aboytis [29:16] Equity Ventures [29:16] joins the [29:17] PSE Dividend [29:18] Yield Index. [29:20] Michelle Long, [29:20] ABS-CBN News.