Dev Flores

Members of the Duterte bloc in the House of Representatives expressed support for Vice President Sara Duterte following her statement after posting bail for a grave threats case.

Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo ”Pulong” Duterte, Davao City 2nd District Rep. Omar Duterte, and Puwersa ng Pilipinong Pandagat Party-list Rep. Harold Duterte posted their statements of support on Facebook

The Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PD) Laban likewise issued a statement supporting the Vice President.

However, several lawmakers from the minority bloc criticized the Vice President. 

Mamamayang Liberal Party-list Rep. Leila De Lima asserted that VP Duterte is not a victim and she must be held accountable.

Akbayan Party-list Rep. Perci Cendaña also called it a telenovela.

Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon believes that VP Duterte alone must bear the responsibility to address and answer the allegations against her.

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Aspiring lawyers across the country began taking the 2026 Bar Examinations on September 5, 2026.

Out of 13,441 applicants allowed to take the exam, only 12,029 examinees appeared for the first day across 15 local testing centers nationwide, with over 1,400 absent.

According to 2026 Bar Exams Chairperson Associate Justice Samuel Gaerlan, incomplete preparation was one of the reasons why some examinees failed to proceed.

“Habang dumarating na lumalapit yung ah yung examination day, nako-confuse sila kung parang kulang yung kanilang preparations, so that is one of the reasons siguro nakikita namin,” he said

According to the bar exams chairperson, their chance to take the exam is forfeited, and they will be able to take the exam next year.

Based on the data record of the Supreme Court, the oldest examinee this year is 84 years old, while the youngest is 24.

One person deprived of liberty (PDL) also took the exam, while three individuals were permitted to take the handwritten exam instead of the digital.

Justice Gaerlan also stated that the majority of the examinees for this year are women.

“Nakaka-inspire na maraming mga babae ang magte-take ng bar exams. Ang dami, ang daming mga babae. At the same time, 56% ay mga babae,” he said

“Samantalang nung panahon namin siguro mabibilang-bilang lang yung mga babae,” he added

Bar Head of the Office of the 2026 Bar Chairperson Atty. Cheska Ann Pazziuagan also acknowledged that women were sso empowered nowadays to fight for their dreams.

“I guess it says that women are more empowered now, but they have always been empowered. They now go after their dreams. They fight for what they want in life,” she said

The Supreme Court aims to release the result in January 2027.

With reports from Dante Amento

The Department of Education (DepEd) and its attached agencies are proposing a ₱975.96-billion budget for 2027, according to a presentation by DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara during a budget hearing.

The proposed allocation remains the largest budget among all government agencies for 2027.

However, according to the Secretary, this is ₱38.35 billion, or 3.88%, lower than its ₱1.015-trillion budget under the 2026 General Appropriations Act. But it is higher when compared to the ₱928.52 billion in the 2026 National Expenditure Program.

The department highlighted key concerns, including funds for teachers and personnel, classroom construction and repairs, and learning materials.

Under the proposal, ₱17.31 billion is allocated for the construction of 4,945 new classrooms, while ₱17.33 billion is for the repairs of 11,140 classrooms.

Additionally, ₱12.9 billion is allocated to fund the career progression of 135,000 DepEd personnel, while ₱2.4 billion will be used for laptops for 50,337 teachers.

DepEd will also allocate ₱11.43 billion to fund hot meals for kindergarten pupils and undernourished learners and ₱38.12 billion for vouchers and subsidies.

The budget covers programs aimed at enhancing student competencies, strengthening educational quality, addressing basic facility requirements, improving infrastructure, professional growth for educators, improving learners’ nutrition, and expanding access to quality education across the country.

With reports from Mia Alonzo

BAGUIO, Philippines – City officials summoned the boat concessionaires in Burnham Lake to a meeting following the sudden hike in boat rental fees – from 250 to 450.

In response, the city LGU issued an order to all concessionaires to charge only ₱250 per boat for a 30-minute ride.

“Burnham Park boat concessionaires are authorized to charge only the existing rate of ₱250 per boat for a 30-minute ride, regardless of boat size,” according to Baguio City PIO

According to the City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO), any rate increase must undergo the approval of the city council.

“Diwas reminded the concessionaires that no rate increase has yet been authorized, as this still requires approval of the city council,” according to Baguio City PIO

The CEPMO explains that there is an earlier agreement allowing the potential rental adjustments, but that depends on the upgrade and is still necessary to undergo city council’s approval.

“There was an earlier agreement for rental fee adjustment, but this is on condition that they will comply with the boat upgrading requirement and secure the city council’s approval,” according to Baguio City PIO

Out of the nine boat concessionaires, only two have complied with the boat upgrading requirement.

The Office of the Vice President (OVP) did not request confidential funds in the 2027 proposed budget. House Committee on Appropriations Vice Chairperson and Palawan 2nd District Rep. Jose Alvarez confirmed this after the committee discussed the 2027 proposed budget.

The OVP seeks a P785.2 million budget for the next year. This is 11.7% lower than its current P889-million allocation.

According to the OVP, the proposed budget is sufficient to execute its public programs and services, and cover operational expenses.

2027 OVP Budget Breakdown:

P561.6 million - Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE)

P235.7 million - Personnel Services

P3.3 million - Capital Outlay

Meanwhile, during the interpellation, lawmakers questioned the OVP on the Vice President's position on national issues, including the Pax Silica.

OVP Chief of Staff Atty. Zuleika Lopez stated that the Vice President has not yet issued a comment on the project.

Hence, Atty. Lopez assured that the concerns raised by lawmakers would be relayed to Vice President Sara Duterte.

With reports from Evan Alvarez