manilastandard.net
@ManilaStandardPH
@mnlstandardph
@manilastandard
@ManilaStandardYT
Missed your copy of Manila Standard? Call or text our Circulation Hotline at 0917-8848655 or email: circulation@manilastandard.net . For advertisement: email: advertise@manilastandard.net • 09173382170 / 85646229
SENATE MAJORITY FOILS OPPOSITION ATTEMPT TO UNSEAT SOTTO By Ram Superable SENATE President Tito Sotto said Wednesday that the chamber’s majority yesterday derailed an attempt to change the Senate leadership before it adjourned its session. Rumors of a leadership shift resurfaced after a leaked partial Blue Ribbon Committee report recommended
charges against Senators Joel Villanueva, Jinggoy Estrada, and Francis Escudero over a flood control corruption scandal. Sotto dismissed suggestions that he personally led the blocking of the coup, emphasizing that it was the majority bloc that acted to maintain leadership stability. The Senate plenary suspended proceedings at 3:51 p.m. and resumed at 5:24 p.m., during which Senator Loren
Legarda presided. Legarda described her role as purely procedural, while Zubiri suggested her presence reflected her potential future as Senate president and emphasized the unity of the majority bloc. Sotto previously downplayed coup rumors, noting no complaints or dissatisfaction had been raised about his Next page
STILL THE MAJORITY. Sen. Kiko Pangilinan takes a groupie of a huddle by the Senate majority before returning to the session hall. With Sen. Pangilinan are Senators Loren Legarda, Senate President Tito Sotto, Ping Lacson, Risa Hontiveros, Bam Aquino, Migz Zubiri, JV Ejercito and Win Gatchalian. Sen. Kiko FB
VOL. XXXIX • NO. 355 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2026
House junks PBBM ouster tries Both lack substance, panel says; President: Let’s move forward By Maricel Cruz and Charles Dantes
T
HE House of Representatives on Wednesday dismissed two impeachment complaints against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., with lawmakers voting overwhelmingly to junk the cases for lack of substance after three days of deliberations by the House Committee on Justice.
THE AYES HAVE IT. The House of Representatives Committee on Justice yesterday voted to junk two impeachment complaints filed against President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. Edd Castro
Malacañang welcomed the committee’s decision to declare both complaints “insufficient in substance,” saying due process was followed. Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said Mr. Marcos was “pleased” that lawmakers examined the accusations and found them lacking factual and legal basis. “The President is confident that he did not commit any impeachable ofNext page
VP’s team readying for more impeach raps until ‘28 Tulfo asks colleagues to tone down verbal attacks vs. China
By Katrina Manubay and Jimbo Gulle
THE legal team of Vice President Sara Duterte said it is prepared for the possibility of more impeachment complaints being filed yearly against her until the 2028 elections. Duterte’s team also indicated that an impeachment trial against the Vice President
could be the proper venue to disclose information, including matters linked to the identity known as “Mary Grace Piattos.” Poa said the defense is closely monitoring how the House of Representatives will act on the complaints but declined to comment further to the radio show. “We would like to reserve commenting for now, but we are monitoring the developments of the impeachment com-
plaints at the House of Representatives, on how they will act on it,” he said. “We cannot disclose our position now.” However, Poa agreed that an impeachment trial would be an appropriate venue for the Vice President to explain her office’s use of confidential funds, one of the main grounds cited in the complaints. Next page
By Rex Espiritu SENATOR Erwin Tulfo on Wednesday said he would ask his colleagues to “tone down” their verbal attacks against Chinese officials as the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said
PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s gross satisfaction rating remained relatively unchanged at 39 percent, while his net satisfaction rating saw a slight improvement, rising from -5 in September to -3 in November 2025, according to a Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey. In this latest survey, 40% of Filipino adults
expressed satisfaction with the president’s performance, while 17% reported being undecided, and 43% indicated dissatisfaction. The survey results showed that net satisfaction was highest in Balance Luzon, where it was rated as moderate at +13. This was followed by the Visayas at neutral +2, while Metro Manila rated poorly at -17, and Mindanao recorded a poor rating of -29. Next page
New vehicles registration extended PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. has approved the extension of the validity of registration for new vehicles and motorcycles from three to five years, according to Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez. Lopez said the new policy, approved on Tuesday by the President, would curb corruption in the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and provide more convenience to vehicle owners. The DOTr and the LTO are set to release a
Department Order and Memorandum Circular on the new five-year car registration validity that will officially take effect on Feb. 15. In a statement, Lopez said the move aligns with the extended warranty often provided by car dealerships to new vehicle owners and demonstrates the DOTr’s prioritization of public convenience. “More than that, [dahil sa extension ng validNext page
Next page
Tourism chief orders gutting of her images
PBBM’s satisfaction ratings remain unchanged, says new SWS poll By Katrina Manubay
stoking the world war could affect the ongoing negotiations for a code of conduct (COC) in the South China Sea. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said on Tuesday that supporting China’s claims in the West Philippine Sea
MISS WORLD PHILIPPINES WINNERS. Winners of the Miss World Philippines beauty contest held yesterday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. Among the winners was Miss Ifugao candidate Valerie Pawid West who was crowned as Miss Global Philippines 2026. Dave Leprozo
TOURISM Secretary Christina Frasco on Wednesday ordered the removal of all Department of Tourism (DOT) materials bearing her image and directed regional offices to stop producing similar materials. The order came on the heels of allegations raised during a Senate hearing that she was using government-funded tourism campaigns for self-aggrandizement. Speaking at a media forum, Frasco disclosed that she had instructed DOT regional offices to take down all existing materials featuring her image, even as she denied issuing any directive to post them in the first place. “I have already issued an order to the DOT to take down any material that may bear my image, and to not produce any material that may bear my image,” Frasco said during the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum. Next page