Abbey M.

The Senate majority and minority blocs are now composed of 11 members each following the voluntary surrender of Senator Jinggoy Estrada to authorities and the continued absence of Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa, who remains at large in connection with a warrant of arrest issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

The Senate majority bloc retains Senate President Allan Peter Cayetano, Senator Loren Legarda, Senator Pia Cayetano, Senator Rodante Marcoleta, Senator Imee Marcos, Senator Joel Villanueva, Senator Chiz Escudero, Senators Mark and Camille Villar, Senator Robin Padilla, and Senator Bong Go.

The minority bloc is composed of Senator Tito Sotto III, Senator Panfilo Lacson, Senator Risa Hontiveros, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, Senator Kiko Pangilinan, Senator Bam Aquino, Senators Erwin and Raffy Tulfo, Senator Lito Lapid, Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, and Senator JV Ejercito.

With both blocs at equal numbers, concerns have been raised over a possible legislative gridlock that could prevent the Senate from conducting official business.

Some members of the Senate majority have previously pushed for a measure that would allow senators to vote through teleconferencing as a potential remedy to the impasse.

Malacañang has commended Senator Jinggoy Estrada for voluntarily surrendering to authorities following the issuance of a warrant of arrest against him.

The Sandiganbayan 5th Division issued the warrant on Tuesday in connection with plunder and graft cases filed against Estrada and four co-accused. Despite a brief commotion, the senator held a short press conference before turning himself in to authorities.

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro praised the senator's decision, saying it spared law enforcement officers unnecessary difficulty.

"Maganda ang ginawa ni Senator Jinggoy na siya ay boluntaryong sumuko, hindi na nahirapan ang law enforcement officers, hindi tulad ng nangyayari kay Senator Bato." 

[It was commendable that Senator Jinggoy voluntarily surrendered — law enforcement officers were not put through difficulty, unlike what happened with Senator Bato.]

Castro added that voluntarily surrendering is simply what a person should do when they know a valid warrant of arrest exists against them.

The Palace official also moved to dispel claims that the arrest was linked to Estrada's alleged refusal to join the Senate minority bloc, stressing that Malacañang has no involvement in the senator's legal situation.

"Is it the other way around? Dahil ngayon ang bumubuo sa majority, sila yung may isyu — may mga kaso na nakaabang. Di umano, sabi nga natin, wala pang binubuo na majority sa pamumuno ni Senator Cayetano ay mayroon na silang mga issues na kinakaharap. Hindi ba baligtad? Baka sila namumolitika at hindi ang ehekutibo." 

[Is it actually the other way around? Because those now forming the majority are the ones with issues — with cases pending against them. We said it before: even before a majority under Senator Cayetano's leadership was formed, they were already facing these issues. Isn't it reversed? Perhaps they are the ones playing politics, not the executive.]

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had earlier denied allegations that his administration was targeting the Senate majority bloc through the filing of cases against its members in connection with flood control anomalies. 

The President noted that the investigation into the flood control issue had been initiated before the change in Senate leadership on May 11.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has confirmed that Senator Jinggoy Estrada and three co-accused are detained alongside the general prison population at the New Quezon City Jail.

In an official statement, the DILG said all individuals under the custody of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) are processed and treated in accordance with existing policies and detention protocols, regardless of their status or position in life.

Meanwhile, former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan was brought to a hospital due to hypertension following his voluntary surrender to authorities yesterday.

Tokyo, Japan - Tokyo's Shibuya Ward has begun enforcing on-the-spot fines of 2,000 yen against individuals caught littering in public areas.

The measure is part of a broader campaign by local authorities to address a worsening litter problem amid a surge in tourist arrivals in Japan.

Up to 50 officials will be deployed to patrol the area and impose fines on violators of anti-littering rules around the famous Shibuya Crossing.

The new regulations also include penalties for businesses that fail to provide sufficient waste bins for their customers.

Manila, Philippines – Several local government units (LGUs) in Metro Manila have begun distributing free school supplies to students in preparation for the upcoming start of classes.

In Parañaque City, thousands of students from public schools received free uniforms, shoes, notebooks, and other school materials ahead of the Monday, June 8, class opening.

The Taguig LGU likewise distributed school packages to students of Rizal Elementary School, Pembo Elementary School, West Rembo Elementary School, and Comembo Elementary School.

The LGU programs aim to ease the financial burden on parents as students prepare for the new school year.