Senate Blue Ribbon Subcommittee sets June 4 hearing on flood control anomalies — ANC

[0:00] Senate President Ellen Peter Cayetano maintains there is nothing illegal about the creation of a Blue Ribbon Subcommittee [0:07] tasked with investigating alleged anomalies in flood controls, make that flood control projects. [0:13] The subpanel, which will be chaired by former Blue Ribbon Committee Chairman Senator Rodante Marcoleta, [0:19] is set to begin its hearings on June 4th. [0:21] But even before the probe gets underway, it has already drawn criticism over its timing, [0:27] with some questioning the decision to hold the hearings alongside the Duterte impeachment trial. [0:33] The move comes after the partial report prepared by former Blue Ribbon Committee Chairman Panfilo Laxon fell short by two signatures, [0:41] preventing it from being presented before the Senate plenary. [0:47] Para i-divert yung attention from the impeachment. [0:50] Kasi may mga destabilization component na yun sa ginagawa ni Cayetano. [0:54] Kaya I hope hindi na tayo umabot doon simply by replacing him as Senate President. [1:01] Probably para linisid yung pangalan o may kaso, dahil natawa ako eh, [1:06] yung naging vice chair ng Blue Ribbon Committee na mag-i-investiga sa corruption sa bansa, [1:11] ay themselves charged with plunder, Gingoy Estrada at si Marcoleta. [1:15] So parang ina-investigahan mo yung sarili mo. [1:20] Senate President Cayetano insists the reopening of the hearings is not intended as a diversionary tactic. [1:29] Hindi po bawala na nasa rules po yan. [1:32] All the majority has to do is for the chairperson, Senator Pia Cayetano, [1:36] to come out herself with the notice on Monday. [1:40] So ang point ko, sa lahat ng pwedeng reaksyon, bakit parang ayaw talaga na ituloy ito? [1:46] We're not here para dagdagan pa ang problema ng Pilipino. [1:50] We're here para yung hindi maayos, ayusin. [1:59] A former head of the Blue Ribbon Panel questioning the Senate's resumption of its flood control probe, [2:04] former Senator Richard Gordon believes there is conflict of interest in letting Senator Marcoleta lead that inquiry, [2:11] especially after his own witness in the previous probe, or Ligotesa, [2:16] was found to have falsified his sworn statement. [2:18] Gordon also believes it won't look good, with Marcoleta leading the accountability panel hearing [2:24] as he faces criminal complaints over his campaign donations. [2:31] I think he's severely compromised because any witness can now say, [2:36] I remember one time I was having a hearing, [2:40] and the witness told one of the senators, [2:41] eh kayo may kaso eh, ako wala akong kaso, kayo may kaso, convicted pa kayo, sinabing ganon. [2:47] So that way, that right away puts a big block on the credibility of the investigators of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee. [2:56] So we really have to be careful. [2:57] He appeared thereat, and he appeared to be coaching him, [3:00] he appeared to know everything that was in the affidavit, which is where, [3:04] but he knew right away that he was already reading the wrong thing, [3:08] which means that that affidavit is probably by benefactor in somebody's law office, [3:13] probably close to Marcoleta. [3:19] Vice President Sara Duterte still leads in the 2028 presidential preference rankings [3:23] and net satisfaction ratings. [3:26] A recent Pulse Asia survey commissioned by StratBase shows [3:29] more than half, or 51 percent, of Filipinos would vote for Duterte [3:33] if the May 2028 polls were held today. [3:37] Naga City Mayor Lenny Robredo ranked second with 43 percent. [3:41] Meanwhile, a social weather station survey conducted from March 24 to 31 [3:46] found 54 percent of respondents were satisfied with Duterte's performance. [3:52] Former Senate President Vicente sought out the third place second in satisfaction ratings with 44 percent. [3:58] The surveys were conducted before the impeachment proceedings against Duterte began at the House of Representatives. [4:06] StratBase Institute President Dindo Manjit believes [4:08] the public sources of information have contributed to their trust and support for certain public figures. [4:15] Maaring may dismay treating na over 50 percent nationally si VP Sara, [4:23] pero mataas din yung distrust. [4:25] At yung distrust, nakatali sa pananaw na meron siyang hindi mga naisasagot, [4:30] lalo-lalo na sa katiwalian, sa isyo ng katiwalian. [4:33] Kasi anong din namin, ano ba ang source of news nyo? [4:35] At lumabas dito yung 83 percent ay social media. [4:42] Kasi hindi natin alam kung tama ba yung source of news. [4:45] Yan ang ating dapat harapin din because information, making or perception, di ba, ng tao, saka lang pananaw. [5:00] Senator Jingoy Estrada files omnibus motions questioning the filing of plunder and graft cases against him [5:06] in connection with the flood control scandal. [5:09] Estrada's lawyer, Noel S. Austria, says this is separate from the urgent motion to withdraw warrants of arrest [5:16] which they filed Friday morning. [5:18] Estrada posted bail last Friday, hours after the syndic and buy-in's second division [5:23] ordered his arrest for a graft case stemming from alleged budget insertions and kickback schemes [5:28] involving flood control projects worth 573 million pesos. [5:33] The senator now faces a separate, non-bailable plunder case before the syndic and buy-in's fifth division. [5:40] Its presiding justice says the court would first consider a motion filed by Estrada's lawyers [5:45] before issuing any whole departure order or warrant. [5:49] Estrada maintains that the allegations against him are baseless and false. [5:57] The National Bureau of Investigation issued subpoenas as part of its investigation into events [6:02] that unfolded at the Senate on May 13. [6:04] Jesse Cruzat now joins us on the line for more on this. [6:07] Jesse, over to you. [6:08] Carmina, NBI Director Melvin Matibag on Monday said [6:13] the Bureau has issued subpoenas to several individuals [6:16] as position in the incident at the Senate on May 13 [6:20] and the circumstances surrounding Senator Ronald Bato de la Rosa's departure from the Senate premises. [6:26] Among those subpoenaed were suspended Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Mau Aplasca, [6:31] Pasay City Police Chief Jose Lito Di Sesto, [6:33] Senator Robin Padilla's Deputy Chief of Staff Jean Robles, [6:36] and Padilla's uncle Vergilio Carino. [6:39] Matibag said the individuals are expected to appear before the National Bureau of Investigation this week [6:45] as the probe continues. [6:48] He explained that the public should understand that receiving a subpoena [6:52] does not automatically mean a person is an accused party. [6:55] Instead, he said a subpoena is issued to individuals [6:58] who may be able to provide information and help shed light on matter under investigation. [7:04] He also said that the Bureau's tracking team has been continuously working to locate de la Rosa [7:08] in order to execute his arrest. [7:11] The NBI chief likewise clarified that the victims is considering issuing a subpoena [7:15] to Senator de la Rosa's wife, Nancy de la Rosa, [7:19] not to question her about Senator's whereabouts, [7:22] but in connection with the shooting incident at the Senate. [7:25] Matibag said the possible subpoena was being considered in relation to statements [7:29] made by Senator Alan Peter Cayetano regarding an alleged conversation involving Nancy de la Rosa. [7:36] He also emphasized that Nancy de la Rosa is not being considered a suspect [7:40] and that the purpose of a possible subpoena would only be to help shed light on the incident. [7:45] Meanwhile, Matibag also said he had already spoken with Senator Banfield Laxon [7:49] regarding the Senator's remarks criticizing the NBI's move to subpoena Nancy de la Rosa, [7:55] which Laxon described as harassment and a trabajo tamad, or lazy approach, to the investigation. [8:02] According to Matibag, he respects Laxon's position and appreciates the Senator's high regard for the NBI. [8:10] Carmina, he added that Laxon's comments reflecting his wisdom [8:13] is something that the Bureau will value and process in order to proceed with their investigation. [8:19] That's the latest from my end. Back to you, Carmina. [8:22] Thanks a lot, Jesse Cruz out there, joining us on the line back here in the newsroom, [8:25] the death toll from the collapse of an under-construction hotel in Angeles City [8:30] rises to 12 more than a week after the incident. [8:33] Another body was recovered before dawn this morning. [8:36] Responders initially located the body late Sunday night. [8:39] The recovery operation lasted more than five hours [8:42] and required the use of various equipment due to the large volume of debris [8:47] that had to be cleared to safely reach the victim's location. [8:51] Authorities say the intermittent rains, extreme exhaustion, [8:55] and the worsening conditions on the ground [8:57] posed a major challenge to the rescue and retrieval efforts. [9:00] The intermittent rains were a bit difficult for the end of the day. [9:09] After that, the assessment was unstable. [9:15] Sunday recorded the highest number of recoveries, [9:37] with five bodies retrieved during rescue and recovery operations [9:41] conducted from morning until evening. [9:44] Around eight individuals remain missing. [9:49] Typhoon Doming now making its way out of the Philippine area of responsibility, [9:53] but it continues to enhance the southwest monsoon. [9:56] Let's get the latest on the weather [9:57] from Pagasa weather specialist Charmaine Varelia. [10:00] Charmaine, over to you. [10:02] Yes, good afternoon, Carmina. [10:03] And to all our listeners, here's the latest from Pagasa. [10:07] Typhoon Doming has now exited the Philippine area of responsibility [10:10] as of 11.30 a.m. [10:12] And it is now estimated around 710 kilometers northeast of Itbayat, Matanes. [10:18] It has a maximum sustained winds of 120 kilometers per hour near the center, [10:23] with augustness reaching up to 150 kilometers per hour. [10:26] It is now moving northward toward the southern portion of Japan [10:31] with a speed of 20 kilometers per hour. [10:33] It continues to have no direct effect in our country, [10:37] but is now intensifying the southwest monsoon, [10:39] which brings cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms [10:43] over Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Bico Region, Mimaropa, and Western Visayas. [10:49] For the rest of the country, [10:51] 40 cloudy to cloudy skies will prevail [10:53] with isolated rain showers and thunderstorms. [10:57] And due to southwest monsoon, [10:58] expect 50 to 100 millimeters of rainfall [11:01] over occidental Mindoro, Zambales, and Bataan for today. [11:05] And for the succeeding days, [11:08] it will also affect or reach 50 to 100 millimeters of rain [11:13] over Metro Manila, Batangas, Bulacan, Pampanga, [11:17] and the rest of Ilocos region, [11:19] including Pangasinan and La Union. [11:22] And that's our latest from Pagasa. [11:23] Charmaine Varilia reporting. [11:25] Thanks a lot, Charmaine Varilia there. [11:27] Joining us on the live news, [11:29] maritime security expert Ray Powell, [11:31] warning of serious implications amid reports [11:34] that China may be building new structures in Bajo de Masinloc. [11:38] Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. [11:41] disclosed that the government had received raw intelligence, [11:45] indicating possible new developments [11:46] in the disputed maritime feature. [11:49] Bajo de Masinloc, located off the coast of Zambales, [11:52] lies within the Philippines' 200 nautical, [11:55] make that nautical mile exclusive economic zone. [11:57] In 2023, China Coast Guard vessels were reported [12:01] to have installed floating barriers in the area, [12:04] restricting Filipino fishermen's access [12:06] to waters surrounding the shoal. [12:09] I'm certainly interested in looking, [12:13] but so far I've not been able to see anything. [12:17] But, you know, certainly if there were evidence [12:21] of China building at Scarborough Shoal, [12:24] that would be a very serious problem for the Philippines, [12:28] for the United States, [12:30] and this would certainly drive a whole new discussion [12:34] about what China is doing. [12:39] Meanwhile, Teodoro met with his U.S. counterpart, [12:41] Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, [12:44] for bilateral talks on the sidelines [12:46] of the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore Saturday. [12:49] During their discussions, [12:50] the Philippines reaffirmed its commitment [12:52] to working with allied nations [12:54] to strengthen cooperation [12:55] and uphold peace, stability, [12:57] and freedom of navigation in the region. [12:59] The United States also pledged [13:01] to transfer a decommissioned U.S. Coast Guard cutter [13:04] to the Philippine Coast Guard. [13:08] Sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states, [13:15] which must be based on international law [13:18] and unclose for maritime and archipelagic states. [13:23] When we look across the region today, [13:25] there is rightful alarm [13:27] regarding China's historic military buildup [13:30] and the expansion of its military activities [13:32] in the region and beyond. [13:35] We do not approach this challenge [13:36] with needless confrontation, [13:39] but with a posture of measured and deliberate strength. [13:42] Our focus is strong, quiet, and clear. [13:53] Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of the Philippines [13:55] refutes claims made by China [13:56] that it conducted joint military drills [13:58] near Bahos de Masinloc. [14:01] The military says they monitored the presence [14:03] of the People's Liberation Army Navy [14:05] and China Coast Guard vessels [14:07] in the vicinity of the shoal, [14:09] but the claim of coordinated movements [14:11] are completely unfounded. [14:13] Instead, what it found was a scattered presence [14:16] of Chinese vessels operating independently [14:18] with no monitored, organized movement [14:21] that would constitute a military exercise. [14:24] The AFP says it remains vigilant and steadfast [14:27] in monitoring the country's maritime domain [14:29] and advises the public against [14:31] taking China's propaganda narratives [14:33] at face value. [14:42] The Commission on Higher Education admits [14:43] that while some schools now offer free tuition, [14:47] many students are still unable [14:48] to avoid dropping out [14:51] due to expenses covered [14:52] under practicum programs. [14:54] To help address this, [14:55] the agency has rolled out [14:57] an educational assistance program [14:58] covering nursing and allied health students. [15:02] The details from Francis Orshu. [15:03] Nursing students, her lead and Anjali [15:07] no longer pay tuition fees [15:09] at the pamantasan ng lungsod ng Marikina. [15:11] However, they still struggle [15:13] with internship costs [15:14] and clinical training expenses. [15:16] They are required to undergo [15:17] a related learning experience or RLE, [15:20] which cost more than 30,000 pesos a year [15:22] for their clinical practicum in hospitals. [15:25] Malaki-laki po talaga yung expenses [15:29] pag nasa medical field ka. [15:31] And yung for RLE naman, [15:33] yung binabayaran po namin doon [15:34] is napupunta po yung sa mga hospitals [15:36] na affiliated po na schools namin. [15:39] Yung 30,000 po sa isang taon, [15:41] hindi po siya biro nakitain eh. [15:43] Kasi given na yung sweldo po sa Pilipinas, [15:46] hindi naman po ganong kataas. [15:47] Bukod po sa RLE, [15:48] meron pa po kami yung binibiling [15:49] mga parapernalias. [15:51] Hindi naman na po siya binibigay din [15:53] ng school. [15:54] Ched also admits [15:55] this is one of the most common reasons [15:57] why some students in nursing [15:58] and allied health programs [16:00] fail to complete their studies. [16:02] Kailangan nila talaga ng pera [16:05] for their accommodation, [16:07] transportation, [16:08] uniform most of the time [16:10] pag nandyan na sila [16:11] sa clinical training sa hospitals. [16:14] So dito yung bottleneck [16:15] yung mga allied health sciences natin. [16:18] Nai-stop sila [16:19] any time from second year [16:21] to fourth year. [16:22] This is what the agency aims to address [16:25] through its financial assistance program, [16:28] the Allied Health Experiential Assistance [16:30] for the Serving Students [16:31] or AHEAD grant. [16:33] Qualified students will receive [16:34] a one-time 25,000 pesos subsidy [16:36] funded by a 500 million peso allocation [16:39] from the government. [16:40] According to Ched, [16:41] RLE cost can reach up to 75,000 pesos [16:44] depending on training requirements [16:46] across different colleges and universities. [16:49] The AHEAD grant covers [16:50] 14 priority allied health programs [16:52] including nursing, pharmacy, [16:55] midwifery, physical therapy, [16:57] medical technology, [16:58] and among others, [16:59] whether in public or private institutions. [17:01] Ang qualification is [17:03] ang estudyante na ka-enroll [17:05] ng RLE [17:06] during the first semester [17:08] 2026-2027. [17:11] Pangalawa, [17:12] para equitable siya, [17:14] ang combined income [17:15] ng father and mother [17:17] should not be more than [17:18] 1.2 million. [17:19] So, gumawa din kami ng scheme [17:22] in order to prioritize. [17:24] Number one na priority [17:26] is yung mga, [17:27] siyempre yung mga [17:28] gra-graduate na talaga. [17:31] An estimated 19,000 students [17:32] are expected to benefit [17:33] from the program. [17:35] But this is a small figure [17:36] since more than 400,000 students [17:38] are currently enrolled [17:39] in allied health programs [17:41] nationwide. [17:42] Senator Baum Aquino [17:43] is pushing for broader reforms [17:45] to Republic Act No. 10931 [17:47] including making the RLE subsidy permanent. [17:50] He stressed the need [17:51] to address the long-standing issue [17:53] of costly clinical training [17:54] which also contributes [17:56] to the migration [17:57] of healthcare workers abroad. [17:58] However, [17:59] Aquino admitted challenges [18:00] following his removal [18:01] as Education Committee Chair. [18:03] Magiging mas mahirap lang, [18:05] sa totoo lang, [18:05] yung mga reforma [18:06] pag hindi ikaw yung [18:07] namumuno dun sa kumite. [18:11] Pero kaya pa rin gawin yan. [18:12] And I believe [18:13] pag ating sa edukasyon, [18:14] dapat talaga [18:15] hindi ito pinupolitika [18:17] at lahat tayo nagtutulungan. [18:18] He continues to call [18:19] for sustained education reforms [18:21] through legislative cooperation [18:23] and greater attention [18:24] to concerns of students. [18:27] Francis Orsho, [18:28] ABS-CBN News. [18:32] World News Now, [18:32] Israel expands [18:33] its ground offensive [18:34] into Lebanon. [18:35] The Israeli military [18:37] has captured [18:37] the strategic side [18:38] at Beaufort Castle [18:40] in southern Lebanon [18:41] as ground troops [18:43] move ever deeper [18:44] into Lebanese territory [18:45] in an operation [18:47] to supposedly [18:48] destroy Hezbollah elements. [18:50] The Israeli defense forces [18:51] warned more residents [18:52] to evacuate. [18:54] Lebanon's prime minister [18:55] has accused Israel [18:56] of carrying out [18:57] what it called [18:57] a collective punishment. [18:59] Local authorities say [19:00] more than 3,300 people [19:02] have been killed [19:03] in Lebanon [19:03] since the conflict [19:05] that spilled over [19:06] from the Iran war [19:07] erupted. [19:08] Oil prices rose [19:09] more than 2 percent [19:10] in early trading [19:11] following the escalation. [19:13] Malaysia requires [19:18] major social media platforms [19:20] to verify ages [19:21] of its users [19:22] and bar children [19:23] under 16 [19:24] from registering accounts. [19:26] The new online safety rules [19:28] that took effect Monday [19:29] applied to platforms [19:30] with at least [19:31] 8 million users [19:32] in the Southeast Asian country. [19:34] Those include Facebook, [19:36] Instagram, [19:37] TikTok, [19:38] and YouTube. [19:39] But platforms [19:40] will be given [19:40] a great spirit [19:41] to implement the measures. [19:43] Malaysia is the latest country [19:44] to restrict young people's [19:45] access to social media platforms [19:47] as concern grows [19:49] over their negative impact [19:50] on child well-being. [19:53] Australia in December [19:54] became the first country [19:55] to require social media platforms [19:56] to restrict use [19:57] for those under 16. [20:03] And checking on [20:03] the financial market now, [20:05] the Philippine Stock Exchange [20:06] opening the new [20:07] trading month higher. [20:08] Its main index [20:09] up by nearly 8 percent [20:10] at noontime Monday [20:11] with a broader [20:12] all-shares [20:13] also in the green. [20:15] The local bourse [20:15] is up [20:16] as Philippine factory output [20:17] returned to expansion territory [20:20] last month. [20:21] Total value, meanwhile, [20:22] is at 3.5 billion pesos. [20:24] The PSC's closing numbers [20:26] end the analysis [20:26] later on Market Edge [20:27] at three. [20:30] In sports, [20:31] Filipino tennis sensation [20:32] Alex Ayala [20:33] kicks off her grass court season [20:35] at the Birmingham Open. [20:36] She is set to face [20:37] Australia's Priscilla Hahn [20:39] in the first round. [20:40] The two have clashed [20:41] twice before [20:42] with Ayala winning [20:43] their first meeting [20:44] in 2023 [20:45] and Han taking [20:46] the rematch [20:47] in 2024. [20:48] Ayala is now [20:49] the top seed [20:50] in the updated draw [20:51] while Indonesia's [20:52] Janice Chen [20:53] is in second. [20:55] Ayala will also [20:56] see action [20:57] in the women's doubles [20:58] where she will be [20:59] teaming up [20:59] with WTA No. 69 [21:01] Nikola Bartonkova [21:03] of the Czech Republic.