Bahrain, Kuwait targeted by renewed Iran salvoes WORLD / A4
US warns Ebola outbreak on scale of largest ‘possible’ WORLD / A4
Gatchalian open to dialog with Cayetano-led group Alan to Win: Be careful; Remulla to Alan: ‘Maghunos dili ka’
ICC prosecutors, defense seek to simplify Rody’s trial proceedings
By Joel E. Zurbano, Pot Chavez, Maricel and Rex Espiritu
S
ENATE President Pro Tempore Sherwin Gatchalian said he is open to discussions with all his fellow senators, regardless of their political affiliations, to resolve the ongoing leadership impasse in the Senate.
By Ratziel San Juan THE defense and prosecution in the International Criminal Court (ICC) case of former president Rodrigo Duterte respectively submitted their suggested amendments to the directions on the conduct of proceedings set by the Trial Chamber III in a bid to simplify these. Duterte’s lead counsel, Peter Haynes, said in light of the chamber’s indication that the proceedings would largely follow the model adopted in the case of Sudan’s Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman — the defense sought a “balance” between the admission and submission regimes. These determine how much evidence the prosecution can place before the
The acting Senate President emphasized a shared goal of returning to work to draft legislation to assist citizens amid rising prices and inflation, highlighting the importance of a united Senate to tackle current challenges. “Regardless of whether one belongs to the minority or majority, I maintain an open heart and an open door for discussions with our senators. What everyone wants is to work. I know our senators, their direction is to get back to work, to draft bills that
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will help our countrymen, particularly in light of the current high prices of goods and high inflation rates,” Gatchalian said in an interview with ABS-CBN News. “Our direction, my direction are the same – to have a united Senate so that we can get back to work and address our problems,” he added. Senator Francis Pangilinan earlier urged the members of the group of Senator Alan Peter Cayetano to follow in the footsteps of Senator Francis Escudero in supporting the leadership of Gatchalian. However, Cayetano maintains that he remains the Senate President, saying what happened last Wednesday was an “illegal coup.” Turn to A4
MANILA
VOL. XL • NO. 113 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES JUNE 7, 2026
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DON’T LOSE YOUR WAY.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. urges law graduates of the West Visayas State University (WVSU) College of Law ‘not to be swayed by fleeting opinions of the allure of convenience’ and to remain anchored in ‘integrity, fairness and truth.’ Among those in attendance is First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos, who serves as a faculty member of the WVSU College of Law since 2022. PCO
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Ombudsman questions Blue Ribbon hearing of Cayetano bloc By Rex Espiritu and Maricel Cruz
House prosecutors finalizing witnesses, evidence ahead of VP’s impeachment pre-trial proceedings By Maricel V. Cruz THE House prosecution panel is in the final stages of preparing its case against Vice President Sara Duterte, with prosecutors now completing the lineup of witnesses and documentary evidence to be presented before
the Senate impeachment court, House prosecutor and Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon said Saturday. Ridon said the prosecution is focused on ensuring that all evidence and witnesses are ready ahead of the pre-trial proceedings scheduled for mid-June.
OMBUDSMAN Jesus Crispin on Saturday questioned the decision of the Cayetanoled bloc to revive the Blue Ribbon Committee investigation into alleged flood control anomalies. “My question is – and I am just thinking out loud – why is there another Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on flood control? What is that? The Ombudsman is already investigating that because that is our job,” he said in a radio interview. He said his office has already received the partial
“We are preparing for the pretrial. All the documents are being finalized, all the witnesses are being finalized,” he said. The House prosecutor noted the timetable set by the Senate impeachment court, with the start of trial on July 6.
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THIS ‘MALETA’ HAS NO CASH.
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Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon shows a luggage containing only mangoes and wigs but no cash during a news forum on Saturday, rejecting claims by 18 former security personnel of exlawmaker Zaldy Co that they delivered suitcases filled with money to several individuals. PTV Facebook page
Prices of most school supplies declined – DTI chief By Othel V. Campos PRICES of school supplies have generally declined compared to last year, with most items either posting lower prices or maintaining previous levels ahead of the opening of School Year 2026–2027on Monday, the DepartmentofTradeandIndustrysaid.
“There are more affordable school supply options available for students this year. Our monitoring in Divisoria shows that prices have gone down compared to last year, while many items have also retained their previous levels,” Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque said. Roque led the price monitoring
report of the Blue Ribbon Committee prepared by then head Senator Panfilo Lacson. Among those who did not sign the partial report was Senate President Alan Cayetano. As this developed, former Senate President Senator Vicente Sotto III said he will file libel and cyber-libel complaints against the 18 witnesses who claimed to be security personnel of ex-lawmaker Zaldy Co after they claimed Sotto received kickbacks from flood control projects. “I will decide who to charge by Monday. It might include the persons who brought and coached some of the 18 ex-bodyguards,” Sotto told ABS-CBN News. Lacson said the senators who led the hearing attended by the 18 witnesses last Thursday could also face legal consequences. At the House of Representatives, Lanao del Sur 1st District Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong said he is prepared to personally con-
activity in Divisoria, Manila on June 4, 2026, to ensure the continued affordability and accessibility of basic school supplies during the back-toschool season. The monitoring team, composed of DTI officials together with representatives from the Food and Turn to A4
STRONGER TOGETHER.
Publishers and editors of member-newspapers and online news sites across the country, led by Philippine Press Institute chairman and Manila Standard publisher Rolando Estabillo, gather for the PPI 2026 Annual Membership Meeting held on June 4, 2026, at Hotel Lucky Chinatown. The PPI also held its National Press Forum on June 5, 2026 with media advisor Jaemark Tordecilla leading the lecture and hands-on workshop on AI use for community newsrooms.
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