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PBBM: MidEast crisis, safety of workers key ASEAN focus By Charles Dantes, Minerva Newman and Vince Lopez VOL. XL • NO. 82 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • THURSDAY, MAY 7, 2026
30 NUP solons back impeaching VP Sara Puno: ‘Yes’ votes may reach 180 in plenary By Marice Cruz, Ram Superable and Pot Chavez
S
OME 30 lawmakers from the National Unity Party (NUP) will vote to transmit the Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte to the Senate, House Deputy Speaker and Antipolo Rep. Ronaldo Puno said. He said around 180 members of the House of Representatives – well above
the one-third threshold of 106 votes – are likely to support the impeachment
VP SARA: UNFAIR TO DRAG FAMILY IN IMPEACH RAPS NEWS / A2 of the Vice President. “The majority [of us in NUP] is in favor of sending this to the Senate. Next page
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he will lead the discussion on the ongoing crisis in the Middle East during the ASEAN Leaders’ Summit in Cebu this week, noting its potential impact on various key sectors of development. “At this summit, I will lead discussions on how the region can bolster preparedness and ensure stable energy supply, while accelerating diversification to reduce vulnerability to
PH WELCOMES SUU KYI HOUSE ARREST NEWS / A4 external shocks,” Mr. Marcos said in a video message. He said the crisis underscores the need for stronger regional coordination, particularly to safeguard energy and food security and to protect citizens working abroad. The President highlighted the risks faced by millions of Southeast Asians working overseas, including in conflict-affected Next page
NBI arrests PGMN founder, 4 others for alleged extort try By Rolando Ng III and Charles Dantes THE National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has arrested Peanut Gallery Media Network (PGMN) founder Franco
Mabanta and four associates over an alleged P350-million extortion attempt targeting former Speaker and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez. Next page
Japan joins US, PH forces in antiship missile strike By Charles Dantes and Rex Espiritu A DECOMMISSIONED Philippine Navy battleship was sunk on Wednesday during a simulated maritime war exercise off Paoay, Ilocos Norte in connection with the ongoing multilateral Balikatan Exercise, with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as a key spectator. Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi also witnessed the missile firing and later spoke with troops taking part in the drills. In a related development, the Philippines and Japan deepened bilateral
SUSPECTS. NBI chief Melvin Matibag presents to the media Peanut Gallery Media Network (PGMN) founder Franco Mabanta, second from left, and four others who were arrested in an entrapment by NBI agents for allegedly trying to extort P350 million from Leyte Rep. and former Speaker Martin Romualdez. Norman Cruz
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Bill establishing PH as regional education hub gets approval By Maricel V. Cruz
MISSILE STRIKE. Japan fires its land-based Type 88
surface-to-ship missile system during the maritime strike (MARSTRIKE) exercise on Wednesday, marking Tokyo’s first full participation in the annual Philippines-United States Balikatan military drills. Inset shows President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. witnessing the strike together with the US embassy and the Exercises Balikatan officials. Department of National Defense/ PCO
DOH PUSHES FOR TOTAL VAPE BAN NEWS / A2
House approves 4Ps expansion By Maricel V. Cruz SPEAKER Faustino G. Dy III said the government remains committed to lifting poor families out of poverty as the House of Representatives approved on third and final reading the measure strengthening and expanding the Pantawid Pamilyang
Pilipino Program (4Ps). In a 224–3 vote with zero abstentions, the chamber on Tuesday overwhelmingly approved House Bill 8647, or the proposed “Patuloy ang Pagtawid sa Pamilyang Pilipino Act,” to enhance and expand 4Ps in response Next page
THE House Committee on Higher and Technical Education has approved a measure that seeks to position the Philippines as a regional hub for worldclass higher education, research, and educational tourism. House Bill 7875, or the proposed Philippine Global Education City Act, is principally authored by Leyte 1st District Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, TINGOG Party-list Reps. Yedda Marie Romualdez, Andrew Julian Romualdez, and Jude Acidre. The panel’s chair, TINGOG Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre, said the measure responds to a persistent gap in the country’s higher education system: while the Philippines continues to produce a large pool of skilled and globally competitive graduates, opportunities for advanced, world-class education and research remain limited, often pushi n g talent to seek
IN THE HOUSE. Leyte Rep. Ferdinand
Martin G. Romualdez engages fellow lawmakers on the House of Representatives’ legislative agenda during Wednesday’s session wherein his proposed National Land Use Act was passed by a vote of 224-3-0 on third and final reading. Ver Noveno
these abroad. At the center of the proposal is the Next page
EALA BEATS FRECH 6-0, 3-6, 6-4 IN ROME NEWS / A2