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US suspends immigrant visa processing THE US government has paused or rescheduled immigrant visa appointments at American embassies and consulates worldwide, according to the US State Department. It said that visa service appointments have been paused to accommodate the global training initiative across all its overseas diplomatic posts. Visa service appointments will be adjusted to accommodate the training, although the State Department did not provide a specific timeline for how long Next page

NOT A SANDSTORM. A dusty haze is seen sweeping across Diokno Boulevard from the nearby Manila Bay reclamation area, affecting visibility near the Senate, Government Service Insurance System, and Mall of Asia complex, on Aug. 26, 2026. Lino Santos

Prosecutors to present Poa as hostile witness next week By Maricel Cruz, Katrina Manubay, Ram Superable and Joel Zurbano

VOL. XL • NO. 194 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 •THURSDAY, AUGUST 27, 2026 •

THE House prosecution panel is preparing a fresh wave of witnesses – includ-

ing defense lawyer Michael Poa – for next week’s hearings in Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial as the Impeachment Court granted new subpoenas for additional bank and financial Next page

Impeach court issues gag order

VP Sara, lawyers warned about future comments on impeach trial By Joel E. Zurbano and Maricel V. Cruz

Gov’t looking into China support for pols

ENATE Impeachment Court Presiding Officer Francis Escudero on Wednesday ordered the strict enforcement of Rule 18 of the Senate Rules of Impeachment, or the sub judice rule, barring parties involved in Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial from publicly commenting on the merits of the case.

By Charles Dantes and Rex Espiritu THE Philippine government is looking into allegations that some Filipino politicians may be receiving support from China to promote Beijing’s interests in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), Malacañang said Wednesday. Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. earlier said there is reason to suspect that some Philippine politicians are getting support from China and issuing statements favorable to Beijing’s position on the contested territory. Meanwhile, independent think tank Stratbase Institute flagged what it described as attempts by foreign interests to pressure the Philippine government into halting or weakening enforcement actions against Chinese-linked steel facilities accused of violating Philippine laws. The Palace cautioned, however, against naming individuals pending

Escudero also specifically reminded Duterte to observe the new ruling after the prosecution said the Vice President had issued a public statement earlier in the day condemning the namecalling directed at her during the impeachment trial. Escudero said the court would not penalize previous violations, instead effectively wiping the slate clean for those involved. “With respect to prior statements or conduct covered by Rule 18, the court shall extend grace, exercise liberality and wipe the slate clean. Tabula rasa,

RESTORED LANDMARK. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos lead the ceremonial reopening of the Coconut Palace in Pasay City following its conservation and renovation.Originally built in 1978 and designed by National Artist Francisco ‘Bobby’ Mañosa, the Tahanang Pilipino showcases Filipino architecture, craftsmanship, and locally available materials. The restored landmark will once again serve as a venue for official, diplomatic, and cultural engagements, including the 49th ASEAN Leaders’ Summit this November. PCO

OMB has ‘zero’ evidence vs. ex-Speaker—lawyer By Maricel V. Cruz A PUBLIC interest and human rights lawyer on Wednesday said Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla has “zero” evidence against former Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez. Lawyer Antonio Bucoy also asked why the Ombudsman is still bent on filing charges against the Leyte congressman despite the absence of proof. He said Remulla may be driven by a “personal motivation.”

Bucoy said with the retraction of the allegations against Romualdez by four “Maleta Boys,” ex-Marine Orly Guteza and 25 former aides of ex-Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, the Ombudsman has no evidence against Romualdez. “Yung 25, lahat ito ay (nagsabing) gawa-gawa lamang at kathang isip (ang alegasyon nila). So ngayon, ano ang natitirang ebidensiya laban kay Speaker Romualdez? Magaling tayo sa math, kahit mahina tayo sa math, anong sagot? Zero, wala na ho,” he said in an

interview with radio station dzMM. Moreover, the public interest and human rights lawyer pointed out that no contractor and no official of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) have linked the former House leader to the flood control scam. He noted that even ex-DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan has made no allegation against Romualdez. “Wala hong contractor na nag-ugnay Next page

Tax support for LGUs may increase up to P1.4T in 2027 By Charles Dantes THE Marcos administration is accelerating the transfer of resources to local governments, with the National Tax Allotment for local government units projected to reach a record P1.4 trillion in 2027, Executive Secretary Ralph Recto said Tuesday. Recto announced the increased

THE Department of Education (DepEd) has introduced a “hybrid” school security framework which aims to operate with limited resources through partnerships with local government units (LGUs) on Aug. 25. Under the circular, DepEd provides guidelines on the responsibilities, roles, coordination arrangements and operational duties for deploying community watch volunteers in “small campuses” (fewer than 500 learners) and medium campuses (501 to 1,000 learners) to sup-

Dolly Parton, 80

DepEd to enforce hybrid security model for schools By Gabriel Oliva

funding during the League of Municipalities of the Philippines Luzon National Congress, where he led the distribution of Special Allotment Release Orders under the Local Government Support Fund to municipalities across Luzon. The projected 2027 National Tax Allotment represents an 11% increase

port the one proposed security guard. Large campuses (1,001 to 3,300 learners) will receive security personnel alongside LGU or barangay watchmen for perimeter control, and Parent-Teachers Association assistance teams for crowd and traffic control. Meanwhile, very large campuses (3,301 to 8,500 learners) and extremely large campuses (8,501 learners or more) are allocated four security guards, with Philippine National Police (PNP) patrolling the perimeters. According to DepEd, the framework Next page

FAREWELL DOLLY. US singer-songwriter Dolly Parton performs during the 37th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at the Microsoft Theatre on November 5, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. AFP

AMERICANS of all stripes united to grieve the death of country music legend Dolly Parton, offering a rare moment of agreement as presidents of both parties joined entertainment and business giants in paying her tribute. The singer, who was 80, was long heralded as one of the few celebrities that everybody loved. President Donald Trump announced the lowering of flags across the United States for a week, calling Parton’s death a “true loss for millions of people.” “Very sad to report that Dolly Parton, one of the greatest Country singers, and far beyond, EVER, has just passed away,” Trump posted on his Truth Social network. “There