Politics & Other News Features

While Fiji battles a crisis tied to syringe sharing, the Philippines has been identified by UNAIDS as having the fastest-growing HIV epidemic in the Asia-Pacific region driven almost mostly by sexual transmission.

With the Senate currently sitting as an impeachment court for Vice President Sara Duterte, the majority agreed that internal bickering must take a back seat.

“The issue is not merely about who encashed the check. The more important question is: who gave the order and who decided how the people’s money would be spent? Was the withdrawal truly rushed?” Deputy House Speaker Paolo Ortega asked.

The refund, equivalent to an average rate of P0.3448 per kilowatt-hour across all customer classes, will be implemented over a six-month period or until the full amount has been returned.

The ombudsman defended the malversation case his office had filed before the Sandiganbayan against Revilla, saying they only file cases when there is a reasonable certainty of conviction.

House prosecutor Manila Rep. Joel Chua said the panel may shorten the list in the pre-trial order if the allegations can already be established through fewer testimonies and documentary evidence.

The subpoenaed documents covered the period 2007 to 2025, including the time when Duterte was Davao city mayor and vice mayor.

By placing the chart on deposit with the Secretary General of the UN, the DFA said the Philippines ensures its official maritime information forms part of the public international record.

Dy said the reforms initiated in last year’s budget process were good and transparent, and the House will just build upon these measures to further promote transparency.

The Office of the Ombudsman said Leviste’s firm secured a 25-year legislative franchise to produce and sell solar energy across the Philippines, but failed to deliver the power supply promised under the Philippine Energy Plan.