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VP Sara bucks inhibition move, no senators would be left to judge By Cherrie Anne Villahermosa
asked to inhibit themselves from the impeachment trial. “The senator-judges will run out. VICE President Sara Duterte on Monday said there will be no senator- There will be no judges left of the judges left if the senators who are for pro-Duterte senator-judges inhibit beor against her impeachment would be Next page
VOL. XXXIX • NO. 122 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • TUESDAY, JUNE 17, 2025
‘Crisis mode’ amid MidEast tensions •1 Pinoy critically wounded in Israel •18 OFWs stranded in Dubai repatriated
SAFE RETURN. Personnel from the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) led by Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac assist overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who were repatriated from Israel in the wake of its heightened tensions with Iran. DMW / Facebook
By Charles Dantes, Vito Barcelo, Maricel Cruz and Ram Superable
P
RESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered key government agencies to be on “crisis mode” as missile strikes between Iran and Israel continue, with at least 18 OFWs bound for Tel Aviv and Amman repatriated yesterday after getting stranded in Dubai due to the shutdown of major airports in the Middle East. “Right now, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) are in crisis mode and on heightened alert to help the OFWs and their families,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro on Monday said. “The DMW and OWWA should ensure the safety and well-being of the OFWs affected by the tension here in the Middle East,” she added. Asked if forced repatriation is being considered, Castro said: “We have not yet reached that point, but our agencies are ready if needed.” There are over 2 million Filipinos working or residing in the Middle East. The DFA said about 50,000 are in Israel while approximately 2,000 are in Iran. Philippine Ambassador to Israel Next page
ENGAGING LEARNERS. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (inset) attends the opening of classes at Epifanio Delos Santos Elementary School (EDSES) in Malate, City of Manila on June 16, 2025. Some students in tears as they return to school on the first day of classes at Bagong Silangan Elementary School in Quezon City. Emotions ran high during Monday morning’s opening flag ceremony, followed by classroom assignments and welcome activities. PCO, Edd Castro
Chronic woes hound school opening: Lack of teachers, classrooms By Charles Dantes and Ram Superable
classrooms and lack of teachers and even school buildings. It was worse for the San Francisco High OVER 27 million students trooped School in Bago Bantay, Quezon City, as back to public schools yesterday, faced 16 sections or about 640 students had to with chronic problems of overcrowded be relocated after a fire damaged one of
the school’s buildings Sunday. Our immediate concern is to find space for the children so that their learning will not be hampered,” said Quezon City Schools Division Superintendent Carleen Sedilla.
According to the Alliance of Concerned Teachers, the government has yet to adequately address the gaps in education, including shortages in classrooms, teachers and even learning facilities. Next page
Torre relieves 8 station chiefs for failing 5-minute rule test By Rex Espiritu
Response Time policy of the Philippine National Police (PNP). This was disclosed on Monday by EIGHT police chiefs in Metro Manila have been relieved from their posts for PNP chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III who failing to implement the Five-Minute confirmed that the sacked police officials did not adhere to the policy, resulting in their removal. “We already relieved eight, and there will be more because I was there in Central Visayas yesterday in Iloilo and Next page
OATH OF OFFICE. Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez administers the oath of office to Davao Del Norte 1st District Rep.Oyo
Uy, Cagayan 3rd District Rep. Jojo Lara, Davao De Oro 2nd District Rep. Jhong Ceniza, Davao De Oro Governor Raul Mabanglo and Laak, Davao De Oro Mayor Mark Anthony Libuangan during a simple ceremony held at the Manila Golf and Country Club in Makati City Monday afternoon.Also in photo is Senior Deputy Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte 1st District Rep. Sandro Marcos. Ver Noveno
PBBM lauds Partido Federal for job well done By Charles Dantes PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. yesterday called on members of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) to remain committed to the party’s principles and to continue delivering a brand of governance that is trans-
parent, effective, and responsive to the needs of Filipinos. In a video message addressed to PFP leaders and members, the President thanked the party for its steadfast support and highlighted its growing influence in public service and national development.
“I am truly proud of what we have accomplished in the past years,” he said. “Because of our concerted efforts, we have become a formidable force in public service as well as agents of meaningful growth and progress in the country,” the President added. Next page
SINGER COCOY LAUREL, 72
PAKISTAN SHUTS DOWN BORDER WITH IRAN
NEWS / A2
WORLD / A6
Sen. Robin resigns as PDP head, Mayor Baste takes over post DAVAO City Mayor Sebastian president Senator Robin Padilla took a “Baste” Duterte has assumed the posi- leave of absence from the organization. tion of acting president of the Partido In a press statement released yesterDemokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bay- day, PDP Laban said Padilla decided to an (PDP Laban) party after incumbent Next page