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Palace slams BR ‘usurpation’
House hits Blue Ribbon ‘hearing’ as diversion from impeach trial By Katrina Manubay, Ram Superable, and Rio Araja
M
ALACAÑANG on Sunday said senators who participated in last week’s disputed Senate hearing could face complaints for allegedly usurping authority. Meanwhile, a House spokesman dismissed the proceedings as an unofficial gathering aimed at diverting attention from the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. In a radio interview, Presidential
VOL. XL • NO. 114 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • MONDAY, JUNE 8, 2026
Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said those who took part in the June 4 hearing may also face libel complaints because the activity was not recognized by the Senate’s leadership. Next page
At least 26 million students return to school today
BACK TO SCHOOL.
Public schools are ready to welcome millions of students for the first day of classes today. Teachers of Angat, Bulacan elementary school, top photo, show off a well-cleaned classroom with books on each student’s chair. At Navotas National High School, inset, a locator board guides students to their classrooms while a teacher explains to the school principal the workflow for today’s classes. Norman Cruz, Edwin Manayao
By Jimbo Gulle and Vince Lopez CLASSES for School Year 2026–2027 open today (June 8) under a new three-term academic calendar, with the Department of Education (DepEd) reporting that nearly 26 million students have already enrolled and preparations are in place nationwide for the return of learners. Under the revised calendar, the school year will run until April 8, 2027 and cover 201 class days. The new structure divides the academic year into three terms, each consisting of opening activities, regular instruction, and end-of-term assessments. Initial school activities will be conducted from June 8 to 11, with regular classes beginning on June 15. The first term will run until September, the second until December before the holiday break, and the third from January to April 2027. DepEd said the revised calendar is intended to distribute learning periods more evenly, provide time for assessments and remediation, and support programs such as the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) initiative. Next page
Alan to Win: Let’s talk, settle who’s real Senate boss Sen. Win Gatchalian
Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano
By Ram Superable and Itchie Cabayan SENATE President Alan Peter Cayetano on Sunday renewed his challenge to the Senate reorganization that elevated Senator Sherwin Gatchalian as acting Senate president, while rival lawmakers and legal experts continued to defend the legality of the June 3 session that triggered the chamber’s leadership shakeup.
In a Facebook livestream, Cayetano invited Gatchalian to a meeting on Monday to settle the dispute over who is the Senate’s legitimate leader. “I will offer you a solution, Senator Win. Let’s meet. It is difficult to determine who the true Senate president is because the three books I have here say that the legitimate Senate president is the one elected by 13 votes,” Cayetano said in Filipino, referring to the Constitution,
Marines, PNP told to remain apolitical amid political noise
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Taiwan deploys ships to counter Chinese ops
By Rex Espiritu and Vince Lopez THE commander of the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) on Sunday called on his men to remain steadfast in upholding the organization’s traditions and esprit de corps amid the ongoing flood control controversy involving former servicemen. On the other hand, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez reminded all police personnel, including those active in online content creation, to steer
MYTOYOTA SPACE. Toyota’s expansive PIMS 2026 display named the “myToyota Space” brings together the New Land Cruiser FJ, All-new Hilux BEV, All-new LC300 HEV, and a range of other mobility options under the Toyota Choice. The showcase demonstrates how Toyota combines trusted vehicles, connected services, expert innovations, and customer support to help Filipinos choose mobility solutions that fit their needs.
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‘Functional control’ not applicable to legislature—former law dean THE concept of functional control applies to the executive branch of government, not to the legislature, according to prominent lawyer Jose Roy III. Roy, a former law dean and acting president of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, made this comment in reaction to the allegation of Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano that
Senate rules, and the Bible on his table. As of presstime, Gatchalian did not openly accept Cayetano’s invitation but invited the media to meet him in an ambush interview before the scheduled Blue Ribbon Committee hearing at 9 a.m. on Monday. Gatchalian said Saturday he is open to discussions with all his fellow senators, regardless of their political affiliations,
former Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez had “functional control” over the national budget. “I am shocked with this theory on functional control. This does not apply to the legislature,” Roy said in an interview over radio network dzMM. According to him, members of the Next page
Funeral mass for Emil Jurado set for June 9 at 10 am THE funeral mass for journalist and lawyer Emil Jurado will be held tomorrow, June 9, at 10 am at Heritage Chapels 2 and 3 in Taguig City. Cremation follows immediately after. His wake will be open today, June 8, from 2 pm to 10 pm.
A multi-awarded journalist, Jurado co-founded the Manila Standard with journalist Rod Reyes in 1987. He also served as chairman-emeritus of the paper’s editorial board and wrote the column “To The Point” for the paper.
TAIWAN’S coast guard said Sunday it has deployed vessels “to respond appropriately” to a Chinese operation in waters east of the island democracy, which it said “violates international law.” It comes after Chinese state media reported Saturday that the “law enforcement operation” was in response to talks between Japan and the Philippines to draw a boundary in the affected waters. China, which asserts Taiwan is part of its territory, called the talks “illegal” and has claimed exclusive control over the waters. The Chinese ships have been monitored “throughout the entire process” and Taiwan “has deployed the necessary vesNext page
Emil P. Jurado