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Detached from reality 

by Rhoda Grace Saron
written by Rhoda Grace Saron
  • VP Sara slams Marcos admin amid surprise EDSA rally

VICE PRESIDENT Sara Duterte launched a scathing attack on the Marcos administration on Tuesday, accusing the government of severe “poor governance” and weaponizing the justice system to silence political critics and suppress dissent.

The Vice President’s remarks were issued in a statement on June 30, coinciding with an unannounced “emergency rally” that drew an initial 8,000 demonstrators to the People Power Monument along EDSA early Tuesday morning, severely disrupting traffic.  

“The people gathered in EDSA today reflect a growing sentiment that I have consistently expressed since 2024,” Duterte said. “This administration has been defined by poor governance and its failure to acknowledge and address the country’s real problems.”

In her statement, the Vice President highlighted the severe economic vulnerabilities gripping ordinary citizens against executive apathy.

Duterte claimed that while millions of Filipinos face soaring inflation, job insecurity, and skyrocketing costs of living, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. remains fundamentally “detached from the hardships confronting Filipinos.”

“Instead of confronting these challenges with solutions, the administration has chosen to silence dissent under the guise of accountability,” the statement read. “It has weaponized the justice system by filing cases against and imprisoning individuals who dare speak out against alleged corruption and abuses in Malacañang, question the administration’s competence, or criticize the President, including allegations concerning his drug use.”

Duterte warned that responding to political criticism with state-backed intimidation severely undermines democratic accountability and drastically shrinks the space for legitimate political dissent in the country.

The statements come as the Senate impeachment court prepares to begin trial proceedings against the Vice President on July 6, over the alleged misuse of confidential funds and other corruption issues.  

“This is no longer a matter of politics,” Duterte concluded. “It is a matter of the honor of the State and a future of a people who continue to bear the weight of economic hardship while their voices are increasingly met with repression.”

The unannounced demonstration at the corner of EDSA and White Plains Avenue began as early as 3 a.m. on Tuesday. 

According to the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), the crowd consisted primarily of members of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC), assembling in support of Senator Rodante Marcoleta, an ally of the Vice President who is currently facing an impending plunder complaint filed by the Office of the Ombudsman.  

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VP Sara lashes at President Marcos but nixes latest People Power calls

by Rhoda Grace Saron
written by Rhoda Grace Saron

VICE PRESIDENT Sara Duterte on Friday firmly rejected calls from disgruntled retired military officers to lead an extra-constitutional “People Power” movement to oust President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., but launched her most scathing personal tirade against the Chief Executive yet.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the 128th Independence Day celebrations at Rizal Park, Duterte said she couldn’t support a revolt because of her oath of office and Constitutional boundaries.

“I am the Constitutional successor; I am the next in line according to our Constitution. I took an oath when I assumed the office of the Vice President that I will preserve and defend the Constitution,” Duterte said. “So, executing extra-constitutional means to overthrow the current administration is not in my hands.”

However, the Vice President quickly made it clear that her refusal to back a coup was not born out of loyalty to her former “UniTeam” running mate.

“I don’t want that either. I don’t want to usurp the position of Bongbong Marcos,” Duterte said in Filipino. “I want the Filipino people to see until the very end just how shameless BBM is.”

When asked about her message to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) amid the alleged destabilization plot, Duterte doubled down on the theme of her main speech, directly accusing the sitting president of high-level corruption.

“Our freedom and sovereignty are not only lost to foreign invaders… It is also lost when the high officials of our government, including the President, act like syndicates in stealing the people’s money,” she said. “Every peso that is stolen is a loss of dignity for every person.”

‘Corruption steals freedom’

Duterte broke down the ground-level impacts of systemic corruption, linking stolen public funds to failing public infrastructure and social services.

“Every peso stolen from the people’s treasury steals a child’s freedom from hunger. It steals a student’s freedom from illiteracy. Every ghost project is a classroom never built. Every corrupt contract is a road that was never built for farmers,” she said. “Corruption is not just the theft of money. It steals opportunity, it steals dignity, and it steals hope. And ultimately, it steals freedom itself.”

Evoking the memory of revolutionary heroes like Rizal, Bonifacio, and Luna, Duterte warned that freedom is “never permanent unless it is defended.”

She then urged Filipinos to voice discontent rather than accept political defeat.

“Hope survives when citizens refuse to accept bad governance as their destiny,” Duterte said. “On this Independence Day, let us resolutely stand up again for truth, for accountability, for freedom, and for sovereignty. Let us choose to fight over submission, dignity over subjugation.”

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UN submission alleging ‘totalitarian purge’ exposesb bribe, gold liquidation claims vs Marcos regime

by Rhoda Grace Saron
written by Rhoda Grace Saron

A COMPREHENSIVE written statement submitted to the 62nd Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) accused President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of executing a “totalitarian political purge,” starting with former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.

The 4-page document, submitted by the International Career Support Association (ICSA)—an NGO in special consultative status—claims that the domestic campaign to neutralize the Duterte family has actively subverted democratic institutions in the Philippines through systemic corruption, institutional bribery, and asset liquidation.

The ₱20-M impeachment bribe allegation

Among the most explosive claims detailed in the submission is an alleged institutional buy-out within Congress to legally disqualify Vice President Sara Duterte from the 2028 presidential election.

According to the document posted by Fujiki in his Facebook account, Representative Leandro Legarda Leviste formally exposed an operational bribe originally brought to light by the President’s own sister, Senator Imee Marcos.

The submission alleged that members of the House of Representatives were offered ₱20 million each in exchange for voting in favor of the Vice President’s impeachment.

The statement asserts that the move was intentionally manufactured to neutralize the Vice President due to her “overwhelmingly superior national popularity rating compared to the Marcos faction.

“Alleged plunder of welfare funds and sovereign gold liquidationThe UN submission further alleges that the immense financial capital required to fund these congressional bribes was siphoned directly from critical state infrastructure and public welfare sectors.

Citing ongoing legislative investigations, the report claims that out of the ₱545.6 billion national budget earmarked for urgent flood control projects, billions have vanished into “ghost projects” and contractor monopolies.

It also points to a suspicious depletion of public funds within the Social Security System (SSS), national healthcare, and development sectors.

Compounding the economic allegations, the document notes that “grave alarms” have been raised in the Senate regarding the irregular and aggressive unloading of the nation’s sovereign assets.

Under current leadership, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) reportedly became the top global seller of gold, liquidating nearly 25 tons of the country’s gold reserves within a remarkably short window.

The opposition has denounced the liquidation as a systematic strategy to generate untraceable cash reserves used to fund domestic bribery networks and secure the regime’s political survival.

Targeting political allies and the Senate arrest attempt

Illustrating what it calls an active “domestic coup,” the statement highlights the highly controversial May 15, 2026 attempt within the Senate of the Philippines to arrest sitting Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa—the former PNP Chief who led the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign and remains a critical political ally of the family.

The convergence of these events, the document argues, provides empirical proof that law enforcement mechanisms and legislative processes are being weaponized for political coercion.

Accusations of ICC weaponization

The submission also takes aim at the International Criminal Court (ICC), accusing it of violating the principle of political neutrality under Article 42(3) of the Rome Statute.

By accepting a “selectively surrendered” target from a regime allegedly utilizing looted public funds to purchase the political demise of the defendant’s family, the statement argues the ICC has severely compromised its objectivity and allowed itself to become an “enforcement echo chamber” for the ruling faction in Manila.

Furthermore, the document challenges the statistical foundation of the ICC prosecution, asserting that it relies heavily on exaggerated and unverified data from biased non-governmental organizations.

The statement contrasts publicized casualty figures of 12,000 to 30,000 deaths with verified Philippine National Police (PNP) data, which documents the actual number of casualties in legitimate anti-drug operations to be 6,252—all involving armed suspects resisting arrest ( nanlaban ).

Demands for immediate release

Asserting that the 81-year-old former President has been held in continuous, unconditional physical detention at the ICC Detention Center in The Hague for over 14 months since his arrest in March 2025, the submitting party made a series of definitive recommendations to the UNHRC:

  • Condemn the Political Instrumentalization of International Justice: Issue a strong warning against the weaponization of the ICC to settle domestic political scores and eliminate opposition leaders.
  • Demand Immediate Provisional Release: Call upon the ICC to grant immediate interim or conditional release to Rodrigo Roa Duterte on humanitarian grounds, citing his advanced age (81) and declining health.
  • Direct an Investigation: Request the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD) to formally assess procedural violations and the breach of prosecutorial neutrality in light of state-sponsored corruption surrounding the case.

Malacañang and leadership of the House of Representatives have yet to issue an official statement responding to the specific allegations contained within the UN document.

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‘Where is the evidence?’: VP Sara hits impeachment as mere political purge 

by Rhoda Grace Saron
written by Rhoda Grace Saron

VICE PRESIDENT Sara Duterte questioned whether the impeachment moves are a genuine quest for accountability or a targeted attempt to “remove a person who doesn’t agree with the administration.”

Speaking to Filipino media in the Netherlands, the Vice President addressed rumors that members of Congress are leaning toward impeachment out of fear of political retaliation or the loss of district funding.

‘I am not vindictive’

Responding to claims that lawmakers fear her “vindictiveness” should she remain in power, Duterte pointed to her long political history in Davao as proof to the contrary.

 She cited her past rivalry with the late Speaker Prospero Nogales, noting that despite their “heavy” political battles, she never developed a reputation for being vengeful.

“People in Davao know that,” Duterte said. “I have never been known as a vindictive person.”

The Vice President challenged lawmakers to focus on the merits of the case, which she claims are nonexistent. She described the current impeachment complaints as a collection of baseless narratives lacking any supporting evidence.

“If I were a member of Congress, I wouldn’t think about whether a person is vindictive or not. I would look at the evidence. Is there evidence or none? There is none,” she asserted. “Everything in that complaint is just allegations. There is nothing to support them.”

Meanwhile, Duterte asked the public to weigh the true intent of the House of Representatives.

“What is the real story here? Is this accountability, or is this about removing someone who doesn’t agree with the administration?”

The Vice President’s remarks come at a time of deepening cracks in the “UniTeam” alliance, as the political landscape shifts ahead of the 2028 elections.

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Cabinet in Crisis: 5 in 10 voters disapprove of Marcos’ Cabinet performance – PAHAYAG

by Contributor
written by Contributor

MANILA, Philippines – Half of Filipinos (50%) continue to express dissatisfaction with the performance of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s Cabinet, a level of disapproval that has remained virtually unchanged from the previous quarter’s 51%.

Filipinos show a clear divide in their views of government agencies, favoring institutions that provide direct services or uphold economic stability. Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) leads with 65% approval and 45% trust, followed by Department of Science and Technology (DOST) with 55% approval and 39% trust, and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) with 53% approval and 37% trust. The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) also posts a notable 37% trust rating.

In contrast, institutions linked to public spending, infrastructure, and legislative functions rank among the least-performing. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) registers the lowest approval at 20% and is tied as the least trusted at 13%. The House of Representatives of the Philippines similarly posts low approval (23%) and shares the lowest trust rating (13%). The Senate of the Philippines follows with 25% approval and 14% trust, while the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) records 25% approval and 17% trust.

This pattern underscores a broader public sentiment: confidence is higher in agencies that deliver tangible services and manage the economy, while skepticism persists toward institutions associated with spending, infrastructure, and oversight. The continued 50% disapproval of the Cabinet reflects this divide, signaling a sustained demand for more effective and credible executive governance.

PQ1-2026 is an independent, non-commissioned nationwide purposive sampling survey conducted from March 21-24, 2026, comprising 1,509 respondents who are registered Filipino voters, randomly selected from the market research panel of PureSpectrum, a US-based panel marketplace with global operations and a regional office in Singapore. The national margin of error is +/- 3%.

PAHAYAG is a CSR of PUBLiCUS Asia Inc., which has tracked key metrics since 2017, while Vox Opinion Research is its commissioned research arm since 2013.

For more information on the survey methodology and detailed results, please visit www.publicusasia.com/pahayag.

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Philippines added to human rights watchlist as repression of dissent intensifies

by Contributor
written by Contributor

The Philippines is added to the CIVICUS Monitor Watchlist as civic freedoms continue to deteriorate nearly four years into President Ferdinand Marcos Jr’s administration. Civil society organisations have raised growing concerns about intensified efforts to stifle demonstrations, criminalise protesters, and target activists.

The CIVICUS Monitor currently rates the Philippines as “Repressed”, the second worst rating a country can receive, indicating severe restrictions to the freedoms of expression, peaceful assembly, and association. Alongside the Philippines, the latest Watchlist also includes Benin, Ecuador, Iran, and Georgia, all countries where there has been a recent and rapid decline in civic freedoms.

“There is a deeply troubling pattern of state actions against protests that is restricting the democratic space and stifling fundamental freedoms,” said Josef Benedict, CIVICUS Monitor Asia researcher. “It is creating a chilling effect for many in the Philippines who seek to speak out and organise.”

In September 2025, police responded to anti‑corruption demonstrations with widespread repression, including excessive force and arbitrary arrests. More than 200 people, among them 91 children, were detained and denied access to lawyers and their families. Numerous protesters reported being punched, kicked, and beaten with batons, treatment that may amount to torture or ill-treatment.

The authorities have also weaponised the legal system to pursue protesters and activists. In November 2025, the Department of Justice initiated criminal proceedings against 97 protesters, including charges of sedition and inciting to sedition under the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012. Subpoenas were issued to prominent movement leaders such as Renato Reyes Jr, President of BAYAN, as well as several student activists, in what civil society groups describe as a growing campaign of judicial harassment.

On 25 February 2026, police arrested human rights defenders Edel Parducho and Three Odeña during a march commemorating the 40th anniversary of the People Power Revolution. Earlier in the year, anti‑mining protesters in Nueva Vizcaya and farmers involved in long‑standing land disputes in Laguna were also arrested, underscoring the increasing use of law enforcement to stifle community organising and environmental activism.

Human rights defenders, land rights advocates, and labour organisers remain particularly at risk. In November 2025, defenders in Negros Occidental and Cagayan Valley, both affected by typhoons Tino and Uwan, were arrested or attacked. Meanwhile, authorities have escalated the use of fabricated terrorism‑financing charges. Among those detained in December 2025 were activist Carmilo Tabada, formerly with FARDEC, and Michael Cabangon, a Cordillera‑based labour leader and cultural worker. Reports of red‑tagging continue to proliferate, with environmental lawyer Antonio La Viña targeted by a retired military officer in December 2025, and seven organisers and labour leaders publicly vilified in Bicol in February 2026.

Journalists face similar persecution. In January 2026, independent journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio and human rights defender Marielle Domequil were convicted of terrorism‑financing charges after nearly six years of pre‑trial detention. A regional trial court denied their petition for bail the following month, raising further concerns about the misuse of counter‑terror laws to silence dissent.

“During a period when public accountability is urgently needed, authorities are choosing to use restrictive laws to criminalise activists and journalists rather than address legitimate public concerns,” said Benedict. “The international community must not remain silent but call on the Philippine government to adhere to its international human rights obligations to ensure the right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly and to drop all charges against activists.” 

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Rising fuel costs threaten jeepney drivers’ livelihood

by Contributor
written by Contributor

BY MERRY CRIS DURON & SHETORI ROBLES/DNSC Interns

LOCAL jeepney drivers are seriously considering temporarily halting operations if they don’t receive government aid amid surging fuel prices.

In an interview with TIMES, jeepney drivers said they are already feeling the pain of fuel costs, as they directly affect their take-home pay.

Jujie Dungan, a veteran jeepney driver with 30 years of experience, shared that if gasoline prices increase further, he will be forced to find another means of livelihood.

“We might just park the jeepney and look for other work, because it feels useless to keep driving when most of our income only goes to gasoline. It’s better to find another job,” Dungan said.

Juli Clarin, a jeepney driver of 10 years currently operating the Panacan to SM Ecoland route,  echoed the sentiment.

“I might stop driving soon, maybe in just a few days, because gasoline prices keep going up every day,” Clarin added.

Dungan spoke about the drastic reduction in their daily earnings due to the steady increase in fuel prices.

“We’ve lost a lot because gasoline prices keep going up. Before, we could earn 800 to 1,000 pesos a day, but reaching 1,000 is very rare. These days, we can hardly even reach half of that; 500 pesos is already considered high for us,” he explained.

Drivers also slammed and further criticized the decision of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to suspend the implementation of the approved fare increase, which was announced on March 18.

The decision left drivers struggling even more with rising fuel costs and shrinking income. 

“Even a small increase in fares could have helped us. But they said it’s not yet the right time, so when will it be? Should we wait until the price of crude oil or gasoline doubles or even quadruples?” Clarin emphasized.

This was also reechoed by Dungan, stressing that even a little adjustment would have made a difference.

“It may have been a small increase, but it would still have helped. Even a little is fine, as long as there’s something added,” he said.

To note, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board in Davao Region on March 17 announced a P1.00 fare increase for traditional jeepneys and a P2 hike for modern jeepneys in response to the rising fuel prices, but PBBM ordered the suspension of the fare hike a day before it was scheduled to take effect on March 19.

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PBBM suspends scheduled fare hike 

by Nova Mae Francas
written by Nova Mae Francas

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday suspended the implementation of the approved fare increases for public utility vehicles (PUVs) supposedly scheduled for Thursday, March 12.

The president issued a statement Wednesday afternoon directing the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to suspend the suspension.

In a video message, Marcos said that it is not the time to increase the fare, considering the ongoing crisis in the Middle East.

“I-defer natin yan, i-postpone na muna natin yan dahil ay nasa gitna ngayon tayo nitong sitwasyon na ito na kailangan patuloy ang ating pag-alalay sa commuter, manggagawa, estudyante,” he said.

Marcos emphasized the need to continue providing support to affected Filipinos, especially the users of the transportation system.

The order from the president follows the announcement of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Tuesday that fare increases ranging from PHP1 to as much as PHP40 for all modes of land transportation will take effect on Thursday.

The president assured the public utility vehicles that the interventions for the sector are being fast-tracked to alleviate the effects of the rising fuel price.

“Huwag pong mag-alala ang ating mga transport workers dahil madadaliin po namin, dadagdagan po namin ang suporta sa inyo para naman hindi kayo masyadong mahirapan,” he said.

Marcos directed the DOTr to immediately launch free rides nationwide to help the commuters and ease the financial burden.

Fare discounts to passengers of the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) and Light Rail Transit (LRT), and discounts on toll roads are ordered.

“Alalahanin po ninyo na ang inyong pamahalaan ay laging nandito. Lagi kaming nag-iisip ng panibagong paraan upang matiyak na ang inyong pamumuhay ay normal, maayos at ligtas,” he said.

The DOTr, in a statement following the president’s message, assured to postpone the fare increase on public transport vehicles and focus on interventions in aid of the passengers and PUV drivers, such as free rides.

DOTr Secretary Banoy Lopez has communicated to toll operators for the provision of toll discounts.

The DOTr is also expediting the release of fuel subsidies for qualified drivers and operators as additional assistance.

“Patuloy pong kumikilos ang DOTr at lahat ng attached agencies nito para matiyak na agad na maibibigay ang lahat ng posibleng ayuda at suporta sa mga komyuter, tsuper at transport operators,” the agency said.

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Sara says she already recruited potential running mate for 2028 

by Rhoda Grace Saron
written by Rhoda Grace Saron

JUST DAYS after officially declaring her 2028 presidential bid, Vice President Sara Duterte revealed that her search for a running mate is already over.

In an interview with SMNI‘s “Vox Populi” that aired on Saturday, Feb. 21, Duterte disclosed that she successfully recruited a partner as early as last year.

However, the vice president remains tight-lipped regarding the individual’s identity, citing a need to shield them from political fallout.

“I recruited someone, that’s all I’ll say,” Duterte said during the interview. She emphasized that the secrecy is intentional, stating, “We’ll protect the person until he decides what he’s going to do with his career.”

Last week, Duterte declared her intention to run for president in the 2028 elections amid the four impeachment raps filed against her at the House of Representatives. The official filing of candidacies will begin in October 2027.

In declaring her bid for the presidency, she also apologized to the nation for her role in helping install President Ferdinand Marcos Jr in Malacañang. She said this administration is riddled with corruption and incompetence, which she took accountability for because of the UniTeam. 

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Office of the President earns -39% trust rating among Davaoeños; 7 in 10 trusts VP Sara

by Contributor
written by Contributor

THE OFFICE of the President earned a very low level of trust and confidence among Davaoeños, with only 10.9% expressed much trust, while 30.4% reported little trust, and half of the respondents (50%) expressed no trust at all, with 8.7% undecided, the University of Mindanao–Institute of Popular Opinion (UM-IPO) survey revealed.

This translates to a new trust score of -39.10%, reflecting widespread public skepticism. The Office of the President also registered a high confidence deficit of 69.5%, suggesting that nearly 7 out of 10 Davaoeños have very low confidence in its performance. 

When asked the same question, the Office of the Vice President (OVP) enjoys very high public trust and confidence among Davaoeños. About 71.7% expressed much trust, 17.4% reported little trust, and only 2.2% expressed no trust, while 8.7% remained undecided. 

This corresponds to a strong net score of 69.5%, indicating that roughly 7 out of 10 Davaoeños approve of the OVP`s performance. Confidence in the OVP is equally high, reflected by a 0% confidence deficit showing near-universal public assurance in its leadership.  

The UM-IPO conducted an online survey from January 9-26, 2026, targeting 1,200 Davaoeños from the three districts of Davao City to assess their trust towards the two highest government offices in the country – the Office of the President (OP) and the Office of the Vice President (OVP). The coverage of the survey asks whether they express much, little, or no trust or are undecided in their performances.  

Since the survey was done online via sponsored ads on three Meta platforms (Facebook, Messenger, and Instagram), IPO relied heavily on online, pre-defined, targeted social media users, such as Davaoeños, who met the inclusion criteria and are targeted for contact within the defined geographical radius. Respondents were defined to be at least 18 years old, have valid/ active email addresses and have resided in any district in Davao City. The survey was done at a 95% confidence level and a 5% margin of error.

The results reveal a sharp contrast between the two offices. The Office of the Vice President enjoys broad public trust and confidence, whereas the Office of the President faces significant distrust and a pronounced confidence deficit.

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