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PH HOSTS TRILATERAL TALKS WITH THAILAND, CAMBODIA
By Charles Dantes
CAMBODIA and Thailand agreed to continue direct dialogue and avoid actions that could escalate tensions over their long-running border dispute, fol-
lowing a trilateral meeting hosted by the Philippines during the ASEAN Summit in Cebu. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., serving as chairman of this year’s ASEAN Summit, said the Philippines convened
the talks to provide “a meaningful space for constructive dialogue” between Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. Next page
MEDIATION. Thailand and Cambodia agree to pursue efforts aimed at rebuilding trust, easing tensions, and achieving lasting peace during a trilateral meeting with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, and Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul here in Cebu. MPC Pool
VOL. XL • NO. 83 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2026
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Laos Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone
Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong
Thailand Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul
Indonesia President Prabowo Subianto
Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Manet
Malaysian Prime Minister Datu Seri Anwar Bin Ibrahim
Vietnam Prime Minister Le Minh Hung
Timor Leste Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao
Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah
Myanmar Foreign Ministry Permanent Secretary U Hau Khan Sum
ASEAN to focus on wars, COC
Bloc’s leaders work on shared concerns, coordinated responses By Charles Dantes and Katrina Manubay
Talking points: • MidEast conflict • Myanmar issue • Push for COC
C
EBU—Supply chain woes sparked by the US-Israeli attack on Iran may dominate talks of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, now 11 strong with the addition of Timor-Leste, even as the bloc has a still-raging civil war in its own backyard. The 48th ASEAN Summit begins today with an opening ceremony at the
newly-constructed Mactan Expo located within Mactan Newtown in Lapu-
Lapu City. Leaders will hold their meetings and working lunch there before proceeding to Shangri-La Mactan for the Retreat Session. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is scheduled to hold a press conference at the International Media Center at 4 p.m., while a gala dinner hosted by the First Couple will cap the summit. Here are a few of the topics the region’s leaders may discuss this week:
Court throws out bid of VP Sara’s husband to block impeachment By Maricel V. Cruz, Katrina Manubay and Rolando Ng III A QUEZON City Regional Trial Court (RTC) has tossed out a petition filed by lawyer Manases “Mans” Carpio seeking to block the ongoing impeachment proceedings against his wife, Vice President Sara Zimmerman Duterte.
Meanwhile, Tingog party-list Rep. Jude Acidre said he was confident that at least 200 members or two-thirds of the membership of the House of Representatives would vote for impeaching the Vice President. House Committee on Public Accounts chairman Terry Ridon echoed Acidre’s view, saying the one-third
vote required to impeach Duterte “is not difficult to surmount.” For her part, Duterte said that she remains unfazed by the possibility of losing her position amid the impeachment case against her, emphasizing that public service will continue regardless of her status in office. The court ruling that the judiciary
cannot interfere with the exercise of constitutional impeachment powers by the House of Representatives. RTC Branch 81 also denied Carpio’s plea for a writ of preliminary injunction against Speaker Faustino Dy III, House Committee on Justice chair Batangas Rep. Gerville Reyes-Luistro, and Bureau Next page
5-year low: PH econ growth slows to 2.8% By Thony Rose Lesaca PHILIPPINE economic growth slowed to a five-year low of 2.8 percent in the first quarter of 2026 as the combined impact of domestic and external headwinds dampened the country’s economic performance, government data showed Thursday. Next page
QUARTERLY GDP GROWTH FROM 2019-2026
Strait talk Dwindling fuel supplies, soaring food costs and the safety of migrant workers near the Middle East conflict zone will be the most pressing issues at the summit, Mr. Marcos said. “What we really need at this time is for leaders to talk about... how can we help each other,” he said. But while ASEAN has issued broad
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PGMN ‘twisting the narrative’– Martin’s lawyer By Maricel V. Cruz THE camp of Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez on Thursday rejected claims that the arrest of Peanut Gallery Media Network (PGMN) founder Franco Mabanta was an attack on press freedom, insisting that the case centers on alleged extortion and not journalism. In a statement, lawyer Elaine Atienza, spokesperson for Romualdez, said the issue should not be framed as one involving free speech or criticism of the government. “PGMN is twisting the narrative,” Atienza said. “The issue here is not about free press. It is certainly not about anyone’s right to criticize the government. The real question is: did anyone ask for money in exchange for silence?” Atienza said. She asserted that her client merely brought the matter to authorities after being exposed to an extortion attempt. Next page
DOE chief sues Leviste, cites ‘badges of fraud’ By Alena Mae S. Flores DEPARTMENT of Energy (DOE) Secretary Sharon Garin filed a complaint Wednesday with the Department of Justice against Rep. Leandro Leviste for allegedly violating the Public Service Act. The complaint alleges Leviste failed to fulfill the franchise obligations of
Solar Para Sa Bayan (SPSB), where he served as chairman, president, and director. Garin’s complaint-affidavit also named several incorporators and directors of the company. Leviste, for his part, said he has not seen the complaint but described it as “super duper weak.” Leviste said the filing of the complaint coincided with Executive Secretary
Ralph Recto’s resolution “and my call to investigate Recto’s connection to Gardiola, including their alleged ties to Batangas DPWH contractors and STL operator Refresh Gaming Corporation.” “I am pursuing this even though someone told me that Recto is allegedly directing Garin, because Recto’s term may soon end, but scrutiny of Next page
7 PINOY SEAFARERS HURT IN DRONE ATTACK
PH BACKS ASEAN MARITIME HUB IN MANILA
NEWS / A2
NEWS / A3
One more Blue Ribbon hearing before Congress sine die—Ping By Ram Superable THE Senate Blue Ribbon Committee is likely to conduct another hearing on alleged flood control anomalies before Congress adjourns on June 6, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson said late Wednesday. According to Lacson, the panel is consolidating documents and evidence to ensure the next inquiry tackles issues not fully addressed in previous hearings. “We’re consolidating the documents to make sure the next hearing covers issues not covered by the previous hearings. Allocables could be one issue, especially if we find allocable-funded projects that are sub-
standard or ghost,” he said. The veteran lawmaker also confirmed that the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee will transmit evidence related to the alleged anomalies to the Department of Justice and the Office of the Ombudsman. The materials include various documents, testimonies, and official transcripts gathered during the hearings. “I am having the transmittal letter to the Office of the Ombudsman prepared to provide all pieces of evidence. At least now it is a matter of public record, I have released it via privilege speech,” Lacson said, referring to the Chairman’s Progress Report presented at Tuesday’s plenary session.
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