Abbey M.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) Trial Chamber III has officially set the start of the trial in the case against former President Rodrigo Duterte on November 30.

ICC Trial Chamber III Presiding Judge Joanna Korner announced the start date of the trial.

"As regards first of all the then to the decisions we've come to the start of trial. We are prepared to exceed to the prosecution's application of the 30th of November as the start of trial. The trial will run on a daily basis until the judicial recess, or thereabouts," Korner said.

The November 30 schedule was the date proposed by the prosecution.

The defense, however, had initially sought to delay the start of the trial beyond this year.

Counsel for FPRRD Peter Haynes argued that the defense needed more time to prepare following the prosecution's disclosure.

"That the start of the trial could not be this year. We will be ready whenever you want it to start, but our anxiety is that should not be a date which leaves us perhaps one or two months after the end of the prosecution disclosure it should be a minimum of three," Haynes said.

Meanwhile, the Office of Public Counsel for Victims (OPCV) expressed openness to the November 30 schedule.

OPCV Counsel Paolina Massidda said the proposed schedule is acceptable, but a later start would be too long.

"We had further consultations with our client. They are amenable to start 30 of November since to then at a reasonable period of time. January 2027, no. The time is too long," Massidda said.

Based on the court's ruling, hearings will be held daily, up to five days a week, before the scheduled judicial recess during the long holiday in December.

Several key deadlines must also be observed before the formal opening of the trial.

August 31 is the deadline for the prosecution to submit its final list of witnesses, evidence, and trial brief.

September 28 is the deadline for the submission of the trial brief of the legal representatives of the victims.

October 30, meanwhile, is the deadline for the defense to provide its indication of issues and the defenses it will use.

The court also emphasized the importance of the accused's fitness to stand trial.

The parties were directed to submit a joint letter on the matter of experts by June 3 to assess the health of the former President.

Presiding Judge Joanna Korner noted that the schedule may need to be adjusted depending on the condition of the accused.

"The chamber would obviously like to sit, subject to witness problems, 5 days a week, but we note the recommendations that were made for the confirmation, hearing, and so it may well be that, we'll have to adjust it if we have to have a day, for the accused not to be in court, each week," Korner said.

As part of the preparations, two more status conferences are scheduled on June 23 and July 14.

The ICC also assured that interpretation will be provided for the opening statements at the end of November to ensure that Filipino citizens will be able to understand the proceedings.

In addition, the use of household forms for victims was also permitted to make their participation in the process easier.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. registered his lowest net satisfaction rating to date, based on the First Quarter 2026 Social Weather Report.

From -3 in November 2025, the rating went down to -15 in March 2026.

Members of the House minority bloc said the steep decline comes as no surprise, citing the mounting problems and controversies hounding the Marcos Jr. administration — chief among them, the alleged massive corruption involving the government's flood control projects.

House Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers Partylist Rep. Antonio Tinio said the rating reflects the public's verdict on the administration's anti-corruption efforts.

"Pinapakita ang husga ng publiko, walang anumang credibility yung kaniyang so-called anti-corruption campaign, yung mga pangako niyang malaking isda, nasaan na? At more than that, alam ng publiko, siya mismo ang sangkot kaya talagang hindi niya madiinan yung mga kasabwat niya dito sa pagpapatupad ng massive flood control corruption," Tinio said. 

(It shows the judgment of the public — there is no credibility in his so-called anti-corruption campaign. His promises of going after the big fish, where are they now? And more than that, the public knows he himself is involved, which is why he really cannot crack down on his cohorts in the implementation of the massive flood control corruption.)

For his part, Kamanggagawa Partylist Rep. Eli San Fernando pointed out that the President has failed to deliver on the public's key concerns, including lowering the prices of basic goods, raising wages, and generating more jobs.

Malacañang, meanwhile, appeared unfazed by the President's declining numbers.

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said the figures will only push the government to work harder.

"Tumaas, bumaba, patuloy ang Pangulo sa pagta-trabaho at pagbibigay ng good governance," Castro said. (Whether it goes up or down, the President continues to work and to provide good governance.)

Operatives of the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) failed to find Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa at four houses suspected to be his location.

Two houses in Parañaque City, one in Bulacan, and one in Angeles City, Pampanga were raided by the CIDG and the NBI on the belief that Senator Dela Rosa was inside.

In a statement, PNP-CIDG Director Police Major General Robert Morico II said the operation was part of their commitment to find fugitives hiding from the law.

Meanwhile, the PNP-CIDG also recommended that an obstruction of justice complaint be filed against Senator Robinhood Padilla.

This is due to Senator Padilla's alleged assistance in helping Senator Ronald Dela Rosa escape from the Senate premises in the early morning of May 14.

Senator Robin Padilla has yet to issue a statement regarding the CIDG's recommendation.

The Deputy Political Chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy of Iran, Mohammad Akbarzadeh, believes that the possibility of a large-scale war with the United States breaking out again is low, following recent negotiations and ceasefire efforts between the two countries.

According to Akbarzadeh, although they do not expect an immediate return to war, their armed forces remain on alert and are prepared to retaliate should any new attacks take place.

Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei also issued a strong statement, insisting that countries in the region will no longer allow themselves to serve as shields for US military bases.

Despite the declaration of a ceasefire, several attacks have still been recorded on both sides.

The exchange of threats between the two parties also continues, with each accusing the other of violating the ceasefire.

It was on April 8 when both sides declared a ceasefire to give way to diplomatic talks through mediators.

Recently, US President Donald Trump himself said that the negotiations are progressing well and that a large portion of the agreement has already been accepted by both countries.

Iranian state media also confirmed that a draft framework has been formed for a possible agreement between Tehran and Washington.

Under the said framework, Iran would agree to restore normal commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz within one month, in exchange for the withdrawal of United States military forces around Iran and the lifting of the naval blockade.

However, Tehran emphasized that it will not implement any steps without concrete verification of the other side's commitments.

Indirect talks between the two countries also continue through the mediation efforts of Pakistan.

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that the negotiations for an agreement may be concluded within a few days, although he admitted that issues such as Iran's nuclear program and security in the Gulf region remain difficult.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) stood firm that a large part of the flooding problem in cities is rooted in improper waste disposal.

This follows concerns from some residents along Quirino Avenue about the possible worsening of flooding due to trees that were cut down in the area for the upcoming Southern Access Link Expressway Project.

In a statement, DENR Acting Secretary Atty. Juan Miguel Cuna said proper waste disposal is key to addressing the flooding problem.

"Ang kailangan natin gawin para mabawasan ang baha ay magtapon tayo ng basura ng maayos. That's what we have to do. Because year in and year out kausap namin ang MMDA, may mga clogged mga drainage natin dahil sa basura. That's one of the main causes ng mga flooding," Cuna said. 

(What we need to do to lessen the flooding is to dispose of our garbage properly. That's what we have to do. Because year in and year out, we talk with the MMDA, and our drainage gets clogged because of garbage. That's one of the main causes of flooding.)

The agency further explained that while some low-lying areas are naturally prone to flooding, the situation worsens due to the lack of discipline in waste disposal.

The DENR called on the public to be part of the solution to the flooding problem.

Meanwhile, amid the issue of tree cutting, the DENR said the wood from the felled trees will not go to waste, as there are plans to convert them into chairs and tables for schools under the Department of Education.

According to the agency, they are already coordinating with DepEd and TESDA to process the wood and use it in producing school furniture.

In another statement, DENR Acting Secretary Atty. Juan Miguel Cuna explained the arrangement.

"So that's another arrangement and coordination with DepEd para sa mga school chairs and tables at tumutulong rin ng TESDA in that aspect para turuan rin yung mga tao kung paano to construct these chairs and tables which as you know we have a shortage of. So doon po wala tayong problema doon," Cuna added. 

(So that's another arrangement and coordination with DepEd for school chairs and tables, and TESDA is also helping in that aspect to teach people how to construct these chairs and tables, which as you know, we have a shortage of. So we have no problem with that.)

The agency also denied claims that decisions on the widespread cutting of trees were made without proper consideration, including reports that the DENR allowed tree cutting in Palawan.

DENR Acting Secretary Atty. Juan Miguel Cuna acknowledged the difficulty of the agency's mandate.

"Masakit na tungkulin po namin mag-issue ng tree cutting permit dahil we're the ones supposed to be ensuring na kumakapal ang forest cover natin but at the same time kami ang naatasan sa ilalim ng batas na mag-issue ng tree cutting permit for whatever purpose. Private property, whether it's in public land, kami pong naatasan. Hindi ko po masisisi ang publiko kung magalit o hindi maganda ang dating sa kanila ng mga nangyayaring ganito, but in this, pinag-daanan natin ang mitigation hierarchy,"

(It is a painful duty for us to issue tree-cutting permits because we are the ones supposed to ensure that our forest cover thickens, but at the same time, we are mandated under the law to issue tree-cutting permits for whatever purpose. Private property, whether on public land, we are the ones mandated. I cannot blame the public if they get angry or if these incidents do not sit well with them, but in this, we went through the mitigation hierarchy.)

DENR reminded the public that addressing environmental concerns such as flooding and garbage is not solely the responsibility of the government, but of every citizen.