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Koko seeks all-senators caucus VOL. XXXIX • NO. 10 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2025
TRIAL READY. A mock set up of the session hall for the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte is being readied by the Senate upon orders of Senate President Francis Escudero. Office of the Senate President
Cites need to explain differing positions on VP impeachment trial By Maricel Cruz
S
ENATE Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III yesterday said he will call for an all-senators caucus to discuss their positions on the impeachment trial of Vice
President Sara Duterte. Pimentel, a Bar topnotcher, said he will write again to Senate President Francis Escudero to request for the caucus after pressing his colleagues on their Constitutional duty to start the trial without delay. “I will request a caucus so that he
(Escudero) can explain his position to the senators and so that he can also give me time to explain my position,” he said during a press forum Thursday. “What is my position? The content of my first letter and the content of my second letter which will show the constitutional provisions and the rules of
Senate President Francis Escudero
Senate Minority Leader Koko Pimentel
Comelec now regulating survey firms
Chavez out of PCO; ex-journo Jay Ruiz to take over
By Vito Barcelo THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Thursday announced that all survey firms are now required to register with the poll body during the election period. Comelec Resolution No. 11117, which was approved by the commission en banc on Wednesday, directs all organizations conducting and disseminating election surveys to register with its Political Finance and Affairs Department (PFAD). It also requires that all survey firms disclose the amount spent by candidates and political parties for surveys that they commissioned. This applies to the election period preceding the May 12, 2025 polls and the BARMM parliamentary election, the Comelec said. “During the election period, any person, whether natural or juridical, candidate, or organization that conducts and publicly disseminates an Next page
By Charles Dantes PR ESIDENTI A L Communications Office acting Secretary Cesar Chavez yesterday announced his irrevocable resignation effective
February 28, admitting that he had “fallen short” of what was expected of him. Chavez also conf irmed that former broadcast jour nalist Jay Ruiz will take over his position by
impeachment, and our conclusion that the Senate as a legislative body does not need to be in session to act,” Pimentel added. The minority leader earlier wrote Escudero to emphasize the constitutional mandate which requires the Senate to act “forthwith” on the impeachment case against Duterte, Next page
March 1. “I would like to thank the President for the opportunity to serve, which has been an honor of a lifetime made possible only by his trust and conNext page
Incoming PCO Secretary Jay Ruiz
Hollow blocks for old tires in anti-dengue campaign ANTI-DENGUE PROJECT. Chairman Allan Franza, left, of Barangay Matandang Balara, Quezon City checks on the old tires which will be exchanged for hollow blocks for the antidengue project ‘Lumang Gulong Palit Hollow Block’. Unused old tires are known to be breeding places for mosquitoes during the rainy season. Manny Palmero
After aerial tussle, US warns China of defense pact with PH By Rex Espiritu and Rachelle Tonelada
Defense Treaty (MDT) with the Philippines following what it described as “unsafe and irresponsible actions” by a THE United States government reit- Chinese military helicopter near Bajo erated its commitment to the Mutual de Masinloc, known internationally as
Scarborough Shoal. Navy (PLAN) of China for obstructing In a statement issued Thursday (Phil- the Philippines’ operations in the area. ippine time), US State Department “We call on China to refrain from spokesperson Tammy Bruce sharply coercive actions and settle its disputes Next page criticized the People’s Liberation Army
Supreme Court sets oral arguments on Maharlika Fund, GAA in April By Pot Chavez and Maricel Cruz THE Supreme Court (SC) En Banc on Tuesday set for April the oral arguments for the petitions challenging the constitutionality of the Maharlika Investment Fund Act of 2023 and the General Appropriations Act of Fiscal Year 2025 (GAA). In a press conference, SC spokesperson Camille Ting said the arguments will be
held at the En Banc Session Hall, SC Baguio Compound, Baguio City. She announced that the oral arguments in the case challenging the validity of Maharlika fund is scheduled on April 22 while the oral arguments for the GAA is set on April 1. Aquilino Pimentel III et al. is challenging the validity of the Maharlika fund and request a temporary restraining order and/or Next page
CLEAN UP. A crowd gathers yesterday after the cleanup of the reconstructed main gate and wall facades of Baluartillo de San Miguel and Medio Baluarte de San Francisco at Fort Santiago, Intramuros, Manila. Organized by the German brand Kärcher in collaboration with the Intramuros Administration, the cleanup is part of Kärcher’s global initiative to complete 90 cleaning projects in public spaces, streets, communities, and historic landmarks worldwide in 2025. Norman Cruz
WITH the Department of Health (DOH) warning of possible dengue outbreaks in nine local government units, two barangays in Metro Manila have initiated projects aimed at controlling the spread of the disease in their localities. In Matandang Balara, Quezon City, barangay chairman Allan Franza recently launched “Lumang Gulong Palit Hollow Block” which rewards hollow blocks to those who turn in unused old tires. Throwaway tires become breeding places for mosquitoes during the rainy season. Barangay Addition Hills in Mandaluyong City, on the other hand, has put up a bounty – one peso for every five mosquitoes, dead or alive. Carlito Cernal, village captain in Addition Hills, said the Next page