Abbey M.

Vice President Sara Duterte assured members of the House of Representatives that they have nothing to fear in voting on the impeachment complaint against her, urging them to base their decision on the evidence presented rather than on concerns of political retaliation.

The vice president made the statement in response to circulating reports that some congressmen critical of her would vote in favor of the impeachment out of fear that she would go after them should she survive the complaint.

She maintained that she has never been a vindictive politician and that, if she were in their position, she would weigh the merits of the case rather than the personality involved.

"Unang-una, matagal na ako sa politika. Hindi ako kilalang tao na, or politiko na vindictive. Alam 'yan ng mga taga-Davao. Nagkaroon din ako ng mabigat na kalaban noon si Speaker Nograles. Pero hindi ako kilala na isang vindictive na tao. Tapos pangalawa, pag ako congressman, hindi ako titingin sa kung vindictive ba o hindi 'yung isang tao. Titingin ako sa ebidensya. Meron bang ebidensya o wala? Wala naman. Nung finile 'yung complaint, walang ebidensya at all 'yung nakalagay doon. Lahat 'yun parang, ano man tawag nung abugado sa kanila? Parang, kung baga allegations lang lahat. Nothing to support the allegations. So 'yun 'yung dapat na tinitingnan nila. May basehan ba ito o wala?" Vice President Sara Duterte said.

(First of all, I have been in politics for a long time. I am not known as a vindictive person or politician. The people of Davao know that. I also had a tough rival before in Speaker Nograles, but I am not known as a vindictive person. Second, if I were a congressman, I would not look at whether a person is vindictive or not. I would look at the evidence. Is there evidence or none? There is none. When the complaint was filed, there was no evidence at all included there. Everything was — what do the lawyers call it? — just allegations. Nothing to support the allegations. So that is what they should be looking at. Does this have basis or not?)

The Vice President also addressed concerns from lawmakers that their districts might not receive budget allocations should they refuse to support efforts to remove her from office, saying there is no money left in the first place.

"Zero na talaga. Wala ng pera. Uy! Merong impeachment o wala, wala ng pera na pwedeng ibigay. Pag binigay pa 'yan nila ang pang-MOOE sa mga congressman, hindi na magfu-function ang gobyerno." Vice President Sara Duterte said.

(It is really zero. There is no more money. Whether there is an impeachment or not, there is no money left to give. If they still give the MOOE [Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses] to the congressmen, the government will no longer function.)

The number of unemployed Filipinos slightly decreased in March compared to February, based on new data released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

The unemployment rate in March stood at 5%, down from 5.1% recorded in February.

However, despite the marginal decline, the figure remains higher than the 3.9% unemployment rate posted during the same period last year.

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The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has asserted that beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) should not be blamed for the sudden spike in electricity bills.

Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian said the bill shock experienced by consumers was caused by MERALCO's generation cost itself.

"Fake news si Meralco. Hindi 4Ps ang rason bakit sumipa ang mga bill natin, kundi Meralco mismo. 'Yong bill shock na 'yon ay galing sa sarili nilang generation," Gatchalian said. 

(MERALCO is spreading fake news. 4Ps is not the reason our bills shot up — MERALCO itself is. That bill shock came from their own generation.)

He added that less than half a centavo goes to the lifeline rate subsidy allocated for the 4Ps members' discount.

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The Philippine National Police ranked among the most trusted institutions by Filipinos, based on the latest survey conducted by OCTA Research.

The PNP recorded a 63% trust rating and a 61% satisfaction rating in the first quarter of 2026.

The PNP expressed gratitude for the continued trust and confidence of the Filipino people.

It also pledged to further improve its performance to maintain peace and order and protect communities.

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Vice President Sara Duterte has admitted that former President Rodrigo Duterte is unaware of the second impeachment complaint filed against her.

Although their conversation during her visit to the former president at the ICC detention facility touched largely on political matters, VP Sara said she deliberately chose not to mention the complaint she is currently facing.

She said it was better for the former president to remain uninformed so he would not worry further.

"Hindi ko binanggit sa kanya ang impeachment at hindi ko binanggit sa kanya ang mga nangyari sa House of Representatives. So, hindi niya alam na merong pangalawang posibleng impeachment na mangyayari. Kasi sa tingin ko, hindi na niya kailangan malaman ang mga ganyan na klase na bad news. Kasi wala din naman yung value sa kanya. Nandoon naman siya sa loob. Ang mangyayari lang dun ay mag-iisip siya. Tapos mag-overthink siya. Siya lang mag-isa. Siya karapat-dapat para sa isang 81-year-old. Dapat ang alam lang niya ay yung mga happy na mga bagay, lalo pati nag-iisip tayo na baka nga dyan siya bawain ng buhay sa loob, dyan siya mamamatay sa loob ng detention. So dapat yung maaalala niya at naiisip niya ay yung mga masasayang bagay, hindi yung mga... Kalukuhan, korupsyon at abuso ng mga congressman at iba pang politiko kasama ng administration," VP Sara said.

(I did not mention the impeachment to him, and I did not mention what happened in the House of Representatives. So he does not know that a second possible impeachment may happen. Because I think he no longer needs to know that kind of bad news — it holds no value for him anyway. He is already inside. All that would happen is he would think about it, overthink it, alone. He deserves better at 81 years old. He should only know about happy things, especially when we consider that he might lose his life in there, that he might die inside detention. So what he should remember and think about are the happy things — not the corruption, abuse, and misconduct of congressmen and other politicians in the administration.)

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