Senate: VP Sara Duterte may submit impeachment answer until today, June 1 — ANC

[0:00] Vice President Sara Duterte has until Monday to file her answer to the articles of impeachment [0:06] against her. Senate Secretary Jose Moneales says the vice president can respond personally [0:12] through counsel or through electronic mail until 7 this evening. Duterte's legal team has yet to [0:19] issue a statement on the matter. The impeachment trial is scheduled to begin July 6th. Duterte's [0:25] camp previously said it is ready to participate in the proceedings. The lead prosecutor in the [0:34] impeachment case of Vice President Sara Duterte expressing strong opposition to a proposal [0:40] allowing senators to vote remotely. Congressman Jervil Luisto insists senator judges must be [0:46] physically present during the trial to properly observe the demeanor of witnesses. Ever since I [0:54] am not conformed to that. No, I am against that. Because for me, this impeachment process [1:03] is sacred, is solemn. This is a power that is given to the sovereign Filipino people, which [1:12] we are exercising us as prosecutors and the senators as the judges. If Senator Bato risks his liberty [1:22] in voting for the change of leadership, he has to show more courage now because this impeachment trial [1:29] is responding to a constitutional mandate. Meanwhile, Luis Cho also warned senator judges against basing [1:41] their votes on political affiliations instead of the evidence that will be presented. She also weighs [1:46] in on allegations the new majority bloc is being targeted with legal troubles. I do not believe in the [1:56] allegation that the majority is being targeted because, first and foremost, there are controversies [2:03] surrounding the majority bloc even before the change of leadership. Our concern only is the [2:10] presentation of evidence. That is our constitutional duty as prosecutors from the House of Representatives. [2:19] To vote as to whether the Vice President will be convicted or acquitted, that is a duty [2:26] that rests upon the senator judges. However, let us not forget that the sovereign Filipino people [2:35] will be watching us closely, which means that all of us, the prosecutors as well as the senator judges, [2:45] will be judged as well by the viewing public. So if the evidence is strong and the decision of the senator [2:55] judge is not aligned... The Philippines and Vietnam boosting bilateral relations on several fronts [3:01] as President Ferdinand Marcus Jr. meets with Vietnamese counterpart to Vietnam in Malacanang. Let's [3:10] get the latest now from our correspondent, Katrina Domingo-Kat. Over to you. [3:15] Hi, Fermina. The Philippines and Vietnam have agreed to bolster their joint capabilities in maritime [3:21] security and military education as well as disaster risk reduction and management as the two countries [3:26] elevated their relations to an enhanced strategic partnership, making Hanoi-Manila's sole strategic [3:32] marker in Southeast Asia. This means, Fermina, that the two countries have agreed to address challenges [3:37] decisively through accelerated intelligence sharing and coordinated law enforcement action. [3:43] In his speech in Malacanang delivered before Filipino and Vietnamese officials, President Ferdinand [3:48] Marcus Jr. underscored that as fellow claimants in the South China Sea, Hanoi and Manila reaffirmed [3:54] that maintaining peace, stability, and the freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea [3:59] remain as non-negotiable. Marcus also underscored that the Philippines and Vietnam stand resolute in [4:04] their commitment to the peaceful resolution of disputes grounded firmly in international law, [4:10] particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, or UNCLOS, and the 2016 [4:15] South China Sea Orbital Award. Now, Marcus did not mention other countries, but the Philippines and [4:21] Vietnam have been actively pushing back against China's illegal incursions in waters surrounding the [4:26] two countries, as Beijing continues to ignore a 2016 international arbitration ruling that invalidated [4:32] its sweeping claim in the South China Sea, a strategic waterway where a trillion worth of [4:37] sea-borne goods passed annually. Meantime Carmina, in Paul Lam's speech also delivered in Malacanang, [4:44] he described the Philippines as an excellent friend and an important partner in the region. [4:50] He says that Vietnam and the Philippines are maritime neighbors and important partners, [4:55] sharing strategic visions and interests and a strong commitment towards peace, stability, [5:00] the rule of law and respect for international law. He also adds that both countries reaffirmed the importance [5:06] of maintaining a peaceful and stable environment, maintaining security, safety and freedom of [5:12] navigation and overflight at sea, and as mentioned by President Marcus, addressing disputes through [5:18] peaceful means. Now, Carmina, aside from their defense cooperation agreement, the two countries also [5:24] committed to mount a unified front against severe cross-border threats such as internet fraud, [5:30] human trafficking, illegal gambling and people smuggling. Other agreements signed during this [5:34] trip, Paul Lam's first ever visit to the Philippines, also include frameworks to deepen cooperation on [5:40] information technology, tourism and education between Southeast Asia's fourth and fifth largest economies. [5:47] Thanks a lot. Katrina Domingo there reporting to us more about Vietnamese President Toh Lam's visit [5:54] there in Malacanang where bilateral talks were held between Vietnamese President Toh Lam and our very [6:01] own President Bongbong Marcos Jr. Thanks again, Kat. Well, Senate President Ellen Peter Caetano maintains there is [6:08] nothing illegal about the creation of a blue ribbon subcommittee tasked with investigating alleged anomalies and flood [6:15] controls make that flood control projects. The sub-panel, which will be chaired by former Blue Ribbon [6:21] Committee Chairman Senator Rodante Marcoleta, is set to begin its hearings on June 4th. But even before the [6:28] probe gets underway, it has already drawn criticism over its timing, with some questioning the decision to hold [6:35] the hearings alongside the Duterte impeachment trial. The move comes after the partial report prepared by former [6:42] Blue Ribbon Committee Chairman Panfilo Lacson fell short by two signatures preventing it from being [6:48] presented before the Senate Plenary. [6:52] Para i-divert yung attention from the impeachment. Kasi may mga destabilization component na yun sa [6:58] ginagawa ni Caetano. Kaya I hope hindi na tayo umabot doon by simply by replacing him as Senate President. [7:06] Probably para linisid yung pangalan o may kaso, dahil natawa ko eh, yung naging vice chair ng Blue Ribbon [7:13] Committee na mag-iimbestiga sa corruption sa bansa, ay themselves charged with plunder, [7:18] Gingoy Estrada at si Marco Leta. So parang inaimbestigahan mo yung sarili mo. [7:26] Senate President Caetano insists the reopening of the hearings is not intended as a diversionary tactic. [7:32] Hindi po bawala, nasa rules po yan. All the majority has to do is for the chairperson, [7:40] Senator Pia Caetano, to come out herself with the notice on Monday. So ang point ko sa lahat ng pwedeng [7:47] reaksyon, bakit parang ayaw talaga na ituloy ito? We're not here para dagdagan pa ang problema [7:54] ng Pilipino. We're here para yung hindi maayos, ayusin. A former head of the Blue Ribbon Panel questioning [8:06] the Senate's resumption of its flood control probe. Former Senator Richard Gordon believes there is conflict [8:12] of interest in letting Senator Marco Leta lead that inquiry, especially after his own witness in the [8:18] previous probe or Ligotesa was found to have falsified his sworn statement. Gordon also believes [8:25] it won't look good with Marco Leta leading the accountability panel hearing as he faces criminal [8:31] complaints over his campaign donations. I think he's severely compromised because [8:38] any witness can now say, I remember one time I was having a hearing and the witness told one of [8:46] the senators, eh kayo may kaso eh. Ako wala akong kaso, kayo may kaso. Convicted pa kayo, sinabi ganon. [8:52] So that way, that right away puts a big block on the credibility of the investigators of the [8:59] Senate Blue Ribbon Committee. So we really have to be careful. He appeared thereat and he appeared to be [9:05] coaching him. He appeared to know everything that was in the, in the affidavit, which is where, [9:09] but, uh, he knew right away that he was already reading the wrong thing, which means that, [9:14] that, uh, affidavit is probably by benefactor in somebody's law office, probably close to [9:19] Barcoleta. Vice President Sara Duterte still leads in the 2028 presidential preference rankings [9:29] and net satisfaction ratings. A recent Pulse Asia survey commissioned by StratBase shows [9:34] more than half or 51% of Filipinos would vote for Duterte if the May 2028 polls were held today. [9:42] Naga City Mayor Lenny Robredo ranked second with 43%. Meanwhile, a social weather station survey [9:49] conducted from March 24 to 31 found 54% of respondents were satisfied with Duterte's performance. [9:57] Former Senate President Vicente sought of the third place second in satisfaction ratings with 44%. [10:03] The surveys were conducted before the impeachment proceedings against Duterte began at the House of [10:09] Representatives. StratBase Institute President Dindo Manjit believes the public sources of information [10:16] have contributed to their trust and support for certain public figures. [10:20] Maaring may dismayting na overset nationally pisara, pero mataas din yung distrust. At yung distrust [10:31] nakatali sa pananaw na meron siyang hindi mga naisasagot, lalo-lalo na sa katiwalian, [10:37] sa isyo ng katiwalian. Kati anong din namin, ano ba ang source of news nyo? At lumabas dito yung 83% [10:45] ay social media. O yun, kasi hindi natin alam kung tama ba yung source of news. Yan ang ating dapat harapin din, [10:52] because information leads to decision-making or perception, di ba ng tao, at yung pananaw. [11:00] Sen. Jingoy Estrada files omnibus motions questioning the filing of plunder and graft cases against him [11:11] in connection with the flood control scandal. Estrada's lawyer, Noel S. Austria, says this is [11:18] separate from their urgent motion to withdraw warrants of arrest which they filed Friday morning. [11:23] Estrada posted bail last Friday hours after the Sandican Bayan Second Division ordered his arrest [11:29] for a graft case stemming from alleged budget insertions and kickback schemes involving flood [11:35] control projects worth 573 million pesos. The senator now faces a separate non-bailable plunder case before [11:42] the Sandican Bayan's Fifth Division. Its presiding justice says the court would first consider a [11:48] motion filed by Estrada's lawyers before issuing any whole departure order or warrant. Estrada maintains [11:55] that the allegations against him are baseless and false. The National Bureau of Investigation [12:04] issues subpoenas as part of its investigation into events that unfolded at the Senate on May 13. [12:09] Jesse Kruzan now joins us on the line for more on this. Jesse, over to you. [12:13] Carmina NBI Director Melvin Matibag on Monday said the Bureau has issued subpoenas to several [12:21] individuals' suspicion incident at the Senate on May 13 and the circumstances surrounding [12:28] Senator Ronald Bato de la Rosa's departure from the Senate premises. Among those subpoenaed were [12:33] suspended Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Mau Aplasca, Pasay City Police Chief Jose Lito de Sesto, [12:38] Senator Robin Padilla's Deputy Chief of Staff Jean Robles, and Padilla's uncle Vergilio Carino. [12:44] Matibag said the individuals are expected to appear before the National Bureau of Investigation [12:49] this week as the probe continues. He explained that the public should understand that receiving a [12:56] subpoena does not automatically mean a person is an accused party. Instead, he said a subpoena is [13:02] issued to individuals who may be able to provide information and help shed light on matter under [13:08] investigation. He also said that the Bureau's tracking team has been continuously working to locate [13:13] De La Rosa in order to execute his arrest. The NBI chief likewise clarified that the [13:18] victims is considering issuing a subpoena to Senator De La Rosa's wife, Nancy De La Rosa, [13:24] not to question her about Senator's whereabouts, but in connection with the shooting incident at [13:29] the Senate. Matibag said the possible subpoena was being considered in relation to statements [13:35] made by Senator Alan Peter Cayetano regarding an alleged conversation involving Nancy De La Rosa. He also [13:41] emphasized that Nancy De La Rosa is not being considered a suspect and that the purpose of a [13:46] possible subpoena would only be to help shed light on the incident. Meanwhile, Matibag also said he [13:52] had already spoken with Senator Panfilo Laxon regarding the Senator's remarks criticizing the NBI's move to [13:58] subpoena to subpoena Nancy De La Rosa, which Laxon described as harassment and a [14:04] trabajo tamad or lazy approach to the investigation. According to Matibag, he respects Laxon's position and [14:11] appreciates the Senator's high regard for the NBI. Ramina, he added that Laxon's comments reflecting his [14:18] wisdom is something that the Bureau will value and process in order to proceed with their investigation. [14:24] And that's the latest from my end. Back to you, Ramina. Thanks a lot, Jesse Cruz out there, [14:29] joining us on the line back here in the newsroom. The death toll from the collapse of an under-construction [14:34] hotel in Angeles City rises to 12 more than a week after the incident. Another body was recovered [14:40] before dawn this morning. Responders initially located the body late Sunday night. The recovery [14:45] operation lasted more than five hours and required the use of various equipment due to the large volume of [14:52] debris that had to be cleared to safely reach the victim's location. Authorities say the intermittent [14:58] rains, extreme exhaustion, and the worsening conditions on the ground posed a major challenge to the rescue [15:04] and retrieval efforts. [15:23] Sunday recorded the highest number of recoveries with five bodies retrieved during [15:44] rescue and recovery operations conducted from morning until evening. Around eight individuals remain [15:50] missing. Well, Typhoon Doming now making its way out of the Philippine Area of Responsibility, [15:58] but it continues to enhance the southwest monsoon. Let's get the latest on the weather from [16:03] Pagasa weather specialist Charmaine Varelia. Charmaine, over to you. [16:06] Yes, good afternoon, Carmina. And to all our listeners, here's the latest from Pagasa. [16:11] Typhoon Doming has now exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility as of 11.30 am, and it is now [16:18] estimated around 710 kilometers northeast of Itbayat, Batanes. It has a maximum sustained winds of 120 [16:26] kilometers per hour near the center with augustness reaching up to 150 kilometers per hour. It is now [16:32] moving northward toward the southern portion of Japan with a speed of 20 kilometers per hour. [16:38] It continues to have no direct effect in our country but is now intensifying the southwest [16:44] monsoon, which brings cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms over Metro Manila, Central [16:50] Luzon, Calabarazon, Bicol Region, Mimaropa, and western Visayas. For the rest of the country, [16:56] 40 cloudy to cloudy skies will prevail with isolated rain showers and thunderstorms. And due to [17:02] southwest monsoon, expect 50 to 100 millimeters of rainfall over Occidental Mindoro, Zambales, [17:09] and Bataan for today. And for the succeeding days, it will also affect or reach 50 to 100 [17:17] millimeters of rain over Metro Manila, Batangas, Bulacan, Pampanga, and the rest of [17:24] Ilocos region including Pangasinan and La Union. And that's our latest from Pagasa, [17:28] Charmaine Varilia reporting. Thanks a lot, Charmaine Varilia there. Joining us on the live [17:34] is maritime security expert Ray Powell warning of serious implications amid reports [17:39] that China may be building new structures in Bajo de Masinloc. Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro [17:45] Jr. disclosed that the government had received raw intelligence indicating possible new developments in [17:52] the disputed maritime feature. Bajo de Masinloc, located off the coast of Zambales, lies within the [17:58] Philippines' 200 nautical, make that nautical mile exclusive economic zone. In 2023, China Coast [18:05] Guard vessels were reported to have installed floating barriers in the area, restricting [18:10] Filipino fishermen's access to waters surrounding the shoal. I'm certainly interested in looking, [18:18] but so far I've not been able to see anything. But, you know, certainly if there were evidence of [18:26] China building at Scarborough Shoal, that would be a very serious problem for the Philippines, for the [18:34] United States. And this would certainly drive a whole new discussion about what China is doing. [18:41] Meanwhile, Teodoro met with his U.S. counterpart, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, for bilateral talks [18:50] on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore Saturday. During their discussions, [18:55] the Philippines reaffirmed its commitment to working with allied nations to strengthen cooperation [19:01] and uphold peace, stability and freedom of navigation in the region. The United States [19:06] also pledged to transfer a decommissioned U.S. Coast Guard cutter to the Philippine Coast Guard. [19:11] Sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states, which must be based on international law [19:24] and unclosed for maritime and archipelagic states. When we look across the region today, [19:30] there is rightful alarm regarding China's historic military buildup and the expansion of its military [19:38] activities in the region and beyond. We do not approach this challenge with needless confrontation, [19:43] but with a posture of measured and deliberate strength. Our focus is strong, quiet and clear. [19:58] Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of the Philippines refutes claims made by China that it conducted [20:03] joint military drills near Barros de Masenloc. The military says they monitored the presence of the [20:09] People's Liberation Army, Navy and China Coast Guard vessels in the vicinity of the shoal, [20:14] but the claim of coordinated movements are completely unfounded. Instead, what it found was a scattered [20:20] presence of Chinese vessels operating independently with no monitored organized movement that would [20:27] constitute a military exercise. The AFP says it remains vigilant and steadfast in monitoring the [20:33] country's maritime domain and advises the public against taking China's propaganda narratives at face value. [20:40] The Commission on Higher Education admits that while some schools are now offered free tuition, [20:52] many students are still unable to avoid dropping out due to expenses covered under practicum programs. [20:59] To help address this, the agency has rolled out an educational assistance program covering nursing [21:05] and allied health students. The details from Francis Orshu. [21:09] Nursing students, her lead and Anjali, no longer pay tuition fees at the pamantasan ng lungsod ng Marikina. [21:16] However, they still struggle with internship costs and clinical training expenses. [21:21] They are required to undergo a related learning experience or RLE, which costs more than 30,000 pesos a year for their [21:28] clinical practicum in hospitals. [21:30] Malaki-laki po talaga yung expenses pag nasa medical field ka. And yung for RLE naman, [21:38] yung binabayaran po namin doon is napupunta po yung sa mga hospitals na affiliated po na schools namin. [21:44] Yung 30,000 po sa isang taon, hindi po siya biro nakitain eh. Kasi given na yung sweldo po sa [21:50] Pilipinas, hindi naman po ganun kataas. Bukod po sa RLE, meron pa po kami yung binibiling mga parapernalyas. [21:56] Hindi naman na po siya binibigay din ng school. [21:59] Ched also admits this is one of the most common reasons why some students in nursing and [22:04] allied health programs fail to complete their studies. [22:07] Kailangan nila talaga ng pera for their accommodation, transportation, uniform most of the time pag [22:16] nandyan na sila sa clinical training sa hospitals. So dito yung bottleneck yung mga allied health sciences [22:22] natin. Nai-stop sila any time from second year to fourth year. [22:28] This is what the agency aims to address through its financial assistance program. [22:33] The allied health experiential assistance for deserving students or AHEAD grant. [22:38] Qualified students will receive a one time 25,000 pesos subsidy funded by a 500 million [22:44] peso allocation from the government. [22:45] According to CHED, RLE cost can reach up to 75,000 pesos depending on training requirements across different [22:52] colleges and universities. The AHEAD grant covers 14 priority allied health programs including nursing, [22:59] pharmacy, midwifery, physical therapy, medical technology and among others whether in public or [23:05] private institutions. [23:07] Ang qualification is ang estudyante naka-enroll ng RLE during the first semester 2026-2027. [23:16] Pangalawa, para equitable siya, ang combined income ng father and mother should not be more [23:23] than 1.2 million. So gumawa din kami ng scheme in order to prioritize. Number one priority is yung mga, [23:32] siyempre yung mga gra-graduate na talaga. [23:36] An estimated 19,000 students are expected to benefit from the program. But this is a small figure [23:42] since more than 400,000 students are currently enrolled in allied health programs nationwide. [23:48] Senator Baum Aquino is pushing for broader reforms to Republic Act No. 10931, [23:52] including making the RLE subsidy permanent. He stressed the need to address the long-standing [23:58] issue of costly clinical training which also contributes to the migration of healthcare workers [24:03] abroad. However, Aquino admitted challenges following his removal as Education Committee Chair. [24:08] Magiging mas mahirap lang, sa totoo lang, yung mga reforma pag hindi ikaw yung [24:12] namumuno dun sa committee, pero kaya pa rin gawin yan. And I believe pag [24:19] ating sa edukasyon, dapat talaga hindi ito pinupolitika at lahat tayo nagtutulungan. [24:23] He continues to call for sustained education reforms through legislative cooperation and [24:28] greater attention to concerns of students. Francis Orsio, ABS-CBN News. [24:37] World News now. Israel expands its ground offensive into Lebanon. The Israeli military [24:42] has captured the strategic site at Beaufort Castle in southern Lebanon as ground troops move ever [24:49] deeper into Lebanese territory in an operation to supposedly destroy Hezbollah elements. The [24:55] Israeli Defense Forces warned more residents to evacuate. Lebanon's Prime Minister has accused [25:01] Israel of carrying out what it called a collective punishment. Local authorities say more than [25:06] 3,300 people have been killed in Lebanon since the conflict that spilled over from the Iran war [25:12] erupted. Oil prices rose more than two percent in early trading following the escalation. Malaysia [25:23] requires major social media platforms to verify ages of its users and bar children under 16 from [25:30] registering accounts. The new online safety rules that took effect Monday applied to platforms with at [25:36] least 8 million users in the Southeast Asian country. Those include Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube. [25:44] But platforms will be given a great spirit to implement the measures. Malaysia is the latest country to [25:50] restrict young people's access to social media platforms as concern grows over their negative impact [25:56] on child well-being. Australia in December became the first country to require social media platforms to [26:02] restrict use for those under 16. And checking on the financial market now, the Philippine Stock Exchange [26:11] opening the new trading month higher. Its main index up by nearly eight percent at noontime Monday, [26:17] with a broader all shares also in the green. The local bourse is up as Philippine factory output returned [26:24] to expansion territory last month. Total value, meanwhile, is at 3.5 billion pesos. The PSC's closing [26:31] numbers and the analysis later on Market Edge at 3. In sports, Filipino tennis sensation Alex Ayala [26:38] kicks off her grass court season at the Birmingham Open. She is set to face Australia's Priscilla [26:44] Hahn in the first round. The two have clashed twice before, with Ayala winning their first meeting in 2023 [26:50] and Hahn taking the rematch in 2024. Ayala is now the top seed in the updated draw, while Indonesia's [26:57] Janice Chen is in second. Ayala will also see action in the women's doubles, where she will be teaming up [27:05] with WTA number 69 Nikola Bartunkova of the Czech Republic.