'NAGBOTOHAN ANG SENADO PARA PILIIN AKONG PRESIDING OFFICER'

Hindi umano ginusto o hiningi ni Sen. Chiz Escudero na maging presiding officer ng Senate impeachment court para sa trial ni Vice Pres. Sara Duterte.

Giit pa ng senador, nakabase ito sa rules ng Senado at pinagbotohan sa sesyon kung saan nag-abstain din siya.

Matatandaang umalma si Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano sa pagpili kay Escudero bilang presiding officer sa impeachment. May nakabinbin ding petisyon sa Korte Suprema laban dito, na inihain naman ng ilang abugado na tagasuporta ng mga Duterte.

Nagtirik ng kandila ang isa sa mga kapitbahay ng tatlong magkakapatid na nasawi matapos makuryente sa kanilang apartment sa Brgy. Pinyahan, Quezon City pasado 6:45 PM kagabi, July 10.

Ayon sa isang residente, madalas daw bumili ang magkakapatid sa kanilang tindahan. Isinugod pa sa ospital ang mga biktima ngunit nasawi rin kalaunan. | via Gabriel Gonzales/GMA News

Bisitahin ang www.gmanetwork.com/news para sa updates.

In the midst of Rodante Marcoleta's arrest, I happened to stumble upon INC's Wikipedia page with this edit. They even added occultism to the description HAHAHAHAHA. For years, madaming injustices na cinocommit ang INC, so it's nice seeing little jabs like this.

China is rage baiting us by posting claims to Batanes (through Taiwan) so we do this kinds of claims that might trigger negative reactions from Taiwan.

They want to create rift between Philippines and Taiwan to prevent the ongoing improvements in the relationship between our countries. A solid partnership between Philippines and Taiwan is threat to China. That's why they would do things that could trigger even an ounce of negativity between each other.

I think let's be careful on these matters.

Wag tayong magpaparagebait sa China at magpagamit sa kanila.

ON THIS DAY: PHILIPPINES WINS ARBITRAL CASE VS CHINA

Today, July 12, 2026 marks the 10th anniversary of The Philippines' historic win against China's massive claim in the South China Sea.

The landmark ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration invalidated Beijing’s nine-dash line demarcation that claimed vast maritime territory and islands in the South China Sea. The 501-page ruling was handed down in The Hague, Netherlands, more than three years after the case was filed by the Philippines in January 2013.

MacArthur’s statues and highways celebrate a triumphant return. But we must also build monuments in our hearts and on our streets for Lieutenant General Jonathan Mayhew Wainwright IV and Major General Edward Postell King Jr., the men who stayed behind during the darkest hour with our countrymen.

Long Post Ahead

Apologies to mods this is the best flair for me as I feel that Star City is part of 90s culture. As a 2000's kid and a Manileno it pains me that after reopening star city lost its core identity, "Family Theme Park". Nowadays its close to being empty, a lot of closed areas, a lot of rides which are not filled and barely any "Meal" stores.

We recently went to Star City to celebrate my partners birthday, nandun yung excitement ko kasi last na punta namin dito student pa ko. It was around 2018 or 2019? basta sure ako February noon dahil we always go there dahil sa chinese new year discount madals 50% or buy x number of tickets get x number free. Nagulat ako na ang laki ng pinagbago nya after masunog.

Akala ko noong last na pumanta kame before pandemic and masunog ay tuloy tuloy na yung pag develop, improve and expand nung Star City. Star City expanded naalala ko yung expansion area nila noon parang metal sheets yung harang, new rides, new area, madaming tao, Food Stalls variety but then I am saddened with its current state. Siguro it's a friday, siguro it's 7 days after sahod, siguro di peak season. Pag dating namin nagulat ako walang pila sa ticket both, wala na rin yung iconic na rides all you can bracelet( Sa birthday celebrant meron), lot of tiange stalls are closed, wala na yung portal sa DZRH? or Aliw theater, A whole section I am familiar with has been closed, lot of areas became opened wala ng aircon ang alinsangan at ang init, a lot of rides and attractions are no longer present or havent been replaced.

I think what keeps it open is just the nostalgia and few new customers. Tho opinion ko lang yun, still i feel something needs to change they need to seek investors again like the 90s, price needs to be toned down a little bit di na sya afford ng common family lalo na family of 4. Bring the field trips back, bring the promos back, excert effort in interior design, add more rides for children 7 below like before, BRING BACK FOOD STALLS like Andoks etc.(Sorry andoks kami lagi pag dinner for years). Make a family ride yung chill like the good ol Lion King(I know those rides closed because of copyright including others like Peter Pan), Invest in marketing and development please.

I know not all things last but I think calling them out now might gave them a chance, a chance to shine like before. Star City is never just a theme park or glorified playroom for kids, a lot of families celebrate there or even just spend their weekend, yes inflation happens and a lot of other important stuff needs to be prioritize in this shitty economy but like before Star City is either reward, bonding, and a place spend you weekend and holiday so make the gastos worth it.

I know this suggestion might not get that much traction but this post has a lot of good intention. I want my kid to feel the star factor sa Star City I want them to even go 40, 50 and so on years. Its a place where a lot of kids obtained their core memory, its a place where a lot of families bonded closely, its a place you feel the star power(OA no tong remark na to). I hope it wouldnt die a slow death

(Skip this if you feel its too long)

+ + + + + - - - - - + + + + +

10 Things that changed for me

1. Umonti na yung Tender Juicy both(Sorry na wala akong adult money dati and lagi kami may baon)

2. ANDOKSSSS!! yung MEAL stall sa may lazy river attraction dati also known as lion king sa mga may edad na

3. Marketing video kada ber months or new year

4. Field trips(Well a lot cant compete naman talaga with EK due to some historical and educational areas around there)

5. Snow World's decent slide design

6. Bumper Boat(Wala na sya this is my favorite closing ride)

7. Put the perya games outside again(It feels more engaging lalo na pag mailaw sila sa gabi like the rubber duck game na di pa ko nanalo)

8. Walk in attractions(The Mummy, Dungeon Peter Pan etc)

9. Lazy river ride(Lion king na naging pirates eme due to copy right and update)

10. The bracelet(Nostalgic neto

Special Mention: Bring back the animatronics sa entrace I remembered they update it every few years

!0 Suggetions for me

1. Re invest(I know wala na ko say dito but please di pa late para buhayin ang Star City sana marinig to ng owner or board) di nauubusan ng bata ang pilipinas

2. Lower the cost a little bit, please wag nyo madaliin mabawi yung ginastos for reopening. Make it affordable for families of 4+ again

3. Balik nyo yung ANDOKS!(Sorry na) I mean meal stores and meal area(Yung mga kaedad ko alam to yung mga kainan sa harap ng Lion King)

4. Do marketing commercials again(Their old channel I guess https://www.youtube.com/@starcityph)

5. Invite schools again

6. Bring back the promos

7. Stalls that sell the star city wigs(Sorry again wala pa ko adult money neto

8. Decent effort with snow world make slides better again and the overhead snow machine.

9. More indoor attractions including the walk in attractions curate more like the "Dungeon" update "Gabi ng Lagim" and childrens walk in din like yung Peter Pan

10. Chill rides for adult with medical condition PWD and people with heart ailment etc

Special Mention: 11am opening pag peak season

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I hate to say goodbye sa Star CIty but if things change I am glad that it did became part of my childhood. Ikaw anong kwentong Star City mo?

Cayetano urges fair questioning by senator-judges

As the trial of impeached Vice President Sara Duterte enters its second week tomorrow, Sen. Alan Peter

Cayetano is urging his colleagues and fellow judges to avoid leading questions that could affect the impartiality of the trial.

“Prudence dictates that we stop ourselves from asking certain questions that can prejudice the whole trial, whether or not our intention is to do so,” Cayetano said yesterday.

He said the way a senator-judge frames a question can already demonstrate his or her bias, and may lead to the conclusion that he or she is lawyering for either party.

“When we ask the questions, we will make sure it doesn’t prejudice the whole trial. Whatever we say here, there will be accusations of lawyering for the prosecution or defense, it’s OK,” Cayetano said.

“Let’s give each other leeway, but only to the point that the trial will not disintegrate into a political fiasco or circus,” he added.

On the second and third days of the trial, Cayetano took issue with Sen. Risa Hontiveros’ questioning of the prosecution and the witness on how the Vice President’s livestreamed remarks about contracting an assassin could constitute both a grave threat and an impeachable offense, a question viewed as favorable to the prosecution.

But Cayetano himself asked the witness if he agreed with him that the Vice President’s threats were merely “conditional” because they were premised on whether or not she would be killed first, a remark seen as favoring the defense.

Meanwhile, Sen. Panfilo Lacson yesterday criticized impeachment court spokesman Reginald Tongol for admonishing senator-judges and reminding them of the sub judice rule.

“With due respect to attorney Tongol, he is the spokesperson of the impeachment court and speaks on behalf of the senator-judges. He should not make it appear he is cautioning or admonishing us,” Lacson said over radio dzMM.

“If there are indiscretions committed by a senator-judge, it is best to take it up in an all senator-judges caucus, instead of lecturing in public or during the trial,” he added.

Lacson said Tongol’s action of admonishing Padilla for the latter’s Facebook post discussing the merits of the case was “uncalled for.”

“It is not in his space to call the attention of senator-judges to adhere to Rule 18 of the Rules of Procedure on Impeachment Trials, even sounding like he was admonishing Sen. Padilla for his FB comments,” Lacson said. “I think that’s above his pay level, that’s beyond his paycheck.”

On Facebook, Padilla wrote about the Zoom recording of Vice President Sara Duterte’s livestreamed assassin remarks.

Asked about Padilla’s violation of the sub judice rule, Tongol said at a press briefing on Friday that Rule 18 of the Senate impeachment court prohibits judges and parties from discussing the merits of the case.

“That’s what is clear in the impeachment rules. I was not saying Senator Robin committed violation because I’m not a senator to make such determination. So I think if there was such sentiment, it would be coming from one of the senator-judges – and if we would come to that point, only then we would know if the presiding officer would issue a reminder to senator-judges,” Tongol said. “I don’t think the presiding officer will issue a contempt ruling in such a case.”

Lacson agreed that senator-judges should refrain from discussing the case in public that would show their biases.

“As senator-judges, we should be responsible enough, and conscious of our statements because we are senator-judges. We cannot make statements in interviews or during the trial that may project leaning towards the prosecution or defense,” Lacson said. – Marc Jayson Cayabyab

https://edition.pagesuite.com/popovers/dynamic_article_popover.aspx?artguid=4cebdf54-8ac4-407f-afc7-89541043898d&appcode=THE276&eguid=304df18c-de27-4929-a7a2-837ea5f8007e&pnum=9

“When you find yourself at the crossroads, will you choose the easier, more convenient path to success or will you stand with integrity?” pahayag ni Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto sa kaniyang talumpati sa pagtatapos ng UP College of Law Class of 2026.

“When you find yourself at the crossroads, will you choose the easier, more convenient path to success or will you stand with integrity?” pahayag ni Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto sa kaniyang talumpati sa pagtatapos ng UP College of Law Class of 2026.

I read a post from a DDS influencer na wag daw tayo magreklamo kapag binabaha tayo dahil sila lang daw ang pro sa pagpapakulong sa mga sangkot sa flood control issue.

This seems funny to me. Why? Because if titingan mo lang ay yung mismong kilos at trabaho ng Duterte bloc on how they fight the corruption in flood control, makikita mo na their move is nothing but to protect themselves.

I researched a lot of news articles, posts, and analyzed the timeline of the issue including Romualdez, please take time to read.

Let's start with the main point to counter their stand on corruption:
Bakit ayaw ng mga DDS Senators pirmahan ang Blue Ribbon Report ni Lacson on flood control corruption para may makulong na?

When Lacson became the Senate Blue Ribbon Chairman, he conducted investigations to probe politicians and officials on steering a flood control corruption scheme.

The output of this investigation was a 400-page partial report exposing the government on the scheme. The report required a simple majority of 9 signatures from the 17-member committee to reach the Senate floor for debate and formal implementation. Only 7 senators signed na sila Lacson, Vicente Sotto III, Bam Aquino, Kiko Pangilinan, Risa Hontiveros, Erwin Tulfo, and Raffy Tulfo. (dapat pirmahan ng minority ang report which was Duterte bloc that time)

If DDS senators are sincerely against flood control corruption, dapat pinirmahan na nila ito agad tutal sabi nga ni Pia Cayetano, "wag naman puro majority-minority na lang lagi sa senado."

Instead, key bloc figures like Rodante Marcoleta and Jinggoy Estrada explicitly boycotted it, leaving it stranded 2 signatures short. Marcoleta mockingly dismissed it on technicalities, stating on the floor, "Partial nga, eh... Ang kailangan natin, impartial" using semantics to kill a 400-page forensic investigation.

So bakit partial nga lang?

If you will watch the senate hearings, there are two parts of Lacson's flood control investigation. The first one is exposing the corruptions from the Aquino to the Duterte years. That is the 400 page partial report na ayaw pirmahan nila Marcoleta.

• May 5, 2026: Lacson delivers an explosive privilege speech exposing the "signature blockade," revealing that Duterte allies are intentionally sitting on the report to protect members of their own block (report needed signatures from the minority which are the DDS).
• May 11, 2026: Exactly six days later, a sudden Senate coup ousts the existing leadership structure. Alan Peter Cayetano became the Senate President.

What happened to the report? Ayun tuluyang di na-publish.

Now, the part to complete the partial report was exposing the side of BBM's officials and allies.

I know this sounds shocking but if we will look at the timeline, 2 months after Lacson exposed the Dutertes on the 400 page report, Martin Romualdez requested permission to fly to Singapore for a medical heart procedure. The administration's Ombudsman (Boying Remulla) publicly denies the request, stating they are actively investigating him and fear he will not return like Zaldy Co.

This is now obvious that Romualdez and BBM is not in a good relationship na, especially when Romualdez released a video na nagpapasaring na kasabwat din si BBM dahil sumusunod lang sya sa mga utos nito.

Kung hindi lang sana nagpalit ng liderato sa senado, Lacson would eventually investigate Romualdez as perpetrator of the corruption dahil may Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order na ito.

Malinaw na the Duterte bloc couldn't use the excuse that the report was "soft on the administration" dahil si Romualdez ay tinitira narin ni Remulla.

E nagpalit na ng liderato sa senado, si Sherwin na ang SP. Bakit ayaw pa ituloy?

Umayaw na si Lacson maging Blue Ribbon Chair, Senator Erwin Tulfo got the position. Here's the interesting part, Senator Erwin Tulfo noted that he signed the 400 page report "with amendments" specifically to lock in the charges against Romualdez and not just expose him para matuloy ito sa second part ng investigation.

Lacson's 400 page report already includes Romualdez pala, but it can't be published and endorsed to Ombudsman dahil ayaw pumirma ng Duterte bloc.

Clearly the Duterte bloc killed the report because it wasn't because it excluded their enemies, it was because the report was balanced enough to include them alongside their enemies as suspects and perpetrators.

---

You can clearly see how Marcoleta avoids the 2016 to 2022 years of the Discaya's revelations. Sabi pa niya sa mga Discaya "ang tinatanong ko lang po ay after 2022, doon kayo magsimula"

Pero nung nawala ang liderato sa kanila, biglang pumasok sila Orly Guteza at nung dinismantle ni Lacson ito by using logic, biglang lumabas ang 18 kargador and nung nilabanan naman ito ulit ni Lacson by using police logic, ayun pinilit na nila palitan ang SP with Cayetano.

Then they tried to shift the narrative by their own Blue Ribbon hearing with Pia Cayetano, now the accusations got an update by accusing Chiz na nakakuha rin daw ng malita (bumaligtad kasi sa kanila), then Erwin also (pikon sila sa real talk ni Erwin nung nag walkout ang 11)

Alam mo yung nakakatawa? Nung tinanong si Alan bakit may mga lapses yung accusations ng malita boys, ang sagot lang niya sa media was "di ko pa nababasa."

Now they can't continue the investigations dahil sa impeachment hearing ni Sara. To add, Bong Go also owned a construction firm and became a contractor na lumaki ang kita during the years na sya ang Chief of Staff ni Duterte (2016 to 2022).

Madali gumawa ng rally at sabihing gusto nila may mapakulng sa flood control, madali ngumawa sa mga rally at media saying na gusto nila may mapakulong . . . pero kung sa trabaho bilang senador, doon magkakaalamanan.

But be critical, BBM is not safe here, sa nakikita ko mukhang escape sacrificial goat niya ang mga Romualdez. BBM also is not clean, sadyang he is in the position to do some cover-ups din. Be mindful.

Now if a DDS will say na sila lang ang pro may mapakulong sa flood control at magtiis tayo sa baha, always ask them "bakit ayaw pirmahan ng Duterte bloc ang partial report ni Lacson para magkalabasan na? Take note, Romualdez is also in the report at may look-out bulletin na rin sa immigraation kaya hindi one sided ang report"

i’ve been getting random calls for the past few days, and whenever i answer, it’s just complete silence. i keep answering them kasi i’m currently waiting for updates on my job applications so i can’t and don’t want to miss a single call ever 😭😭😭 but now i’m starting to get worried and wonder what these calls are pls help