Dev Flores

The House prosecution panel has listed 13 witnesses for Article I, or the alleged misuse of confidential funds against Vice President Sara Duterte.

According to House Prosecution Panel Member and Manila 3rd District Representative Joel Chua, there is a possibility of reducing the number of witnesses once they determine that sufficient evidence against the accused has been established.

“Let's say after presenting 8 or 9 witnesses, (kung) tingin namin, solid na solid na, so we can move on to the next article,” he said

[“Let's say after presenting 8 or 9 witnesses, if we think it’s already solid, so we can move on to the next article.”]

The prosecution team is set to present the two witnesses from the Commission on Audit (COA) from August 3 to 4, 2026.

The witnesses include former State Auditor of COA Intelligence Confidential Fronts Office (ICFAO) Roderick Wamil and the current State Auditor of COA ICFAO Xylene May Del Campo.

Their testimony is expected to determine whether the utilization of confidential funds of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and Department of Education (DepEd) complies with existing regulations.

“Dito po, titingnan natin kung yung paggamit po ay nasa tama ayon sa circular, sa joint circular na inilabas, kung paano gagamitin dapat yung confidential fund,” Rep. Chua said

[“Here, we will look into whether the utilization strictly followed the circular, the joint circular has been released on how confidential funds should be spent.”]

Once the prosecution finishes presenting its witnesses and evidence in all articles of impeachment, the defense panel will present its own.

After both sides present all necessary matters to the Senate impeachment court, the Senator-judges will vote on the conviction or acquittal of the Vice President.

Securing the required two-thirds vote of the Senator-judges in a single article is sufficient to convict or acquit Vice President Sara Duterte.

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Department of  Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon and Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Damagoso express confidence that floodwaters along España Boulevard will subside faster once a catch basin is completed.

The initiative is a response to the severe flooding along the major thoroughfare last week due to heavy rains.

According to Sec. Dizon, the drainage system along España Boulevard has existed since 1950; starting this September, the DPWH will expand the system, which may help the floodwaters to subside faster.

In line with this, the Manila City LGU is currently preparing a prospective site to build the catch basin facility.

“Magkakaroon lang ng konting abala doon sa kambal na simbahan natin kasi yung buong kanto na yon o yung buong plaza will be converted as a catch basin area of España,” according to Mayor Isko Moreno

[“There will be a slight inconvenience near our twin churches because that entire street or plaza will be a catch basin area of España.”]

The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) expressed dismay over the suspension of the wage hike for minimum wage earners in Metro Manila.

The delay follows the issuance of a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) of the Pasig Regional Trial Court against the implementation of NCR Wage Order No. 27.

According to TUCP Spokesperson Carlos Oñate, the concern should have first been brought before the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) as an appeal before its transfer to the court.

“Kung meron silang problema sa inilabas na wage order, dapat umakyat sila sa National Wages and Productivity Commission as an appeal,” he said

The labor group highlighted that RA 6727 or the Wage Rationalization Act states that setting the minimum wage falls under the exclusive authority of regional wage boards, and any objections or concerns must be first filed with the NPWC.

Meanwhile, according to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Francis Tolentino, they were upset with the situation, but they respect the decision of the court. He also gave the court a way to explain the basis for issuing the TRO.

The Cebu City Health Department has recorded 1,228 dengue cases over the past six months. The figure is 12.35% higher compared to the 1,093 cases recorded during the same period last year.

“Sa ating lungsod simula nitong Enero hanggang sa Hulyo 18 ng kasalukuyang taon, mayroon na tayong naitala na kaso ng dengue na 1,228,” according to Councilor Dave Tumulak

[“In our city, from January to July 18 of this year, we have recorded 1,228 dengue cases.”]

Ten individuals have been confirmed dead due to the disease.

“Mayroong sampung kaso na nasawi dahil sa dengue,” Coun. Tumulak said

[“There are ten fatal cases due to dengue.”]

Based on the data, the majority of the afflicted are male. Children aged 1 to 10 are also affected and have the highest number of cases across the city.

Tumulak noted that consecutive rainfalls have contributed to the spike in cases, as stagnant water in clogged drains provides breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

“Dahil sa  sunod-sunod na pag-ulan sa ating lungsod ngayong taon, maraming tubig ang na-stagnant. Nakalimutang linisin at ligpitin ang mga basura na nagiging dahilan sa problema ng daloy ng tubig at dito na nangingitlog ang mga lamok na may dalang dengue,” he said

[“Due to continuous rains in our city this year, a lot of water has become stagnant. Uncollected and uncleared garbage causes problems in the flow of water, and here where dengue-carrying mosquitoes lay their eggs.”]

Authorities advised the public that if symptoms are present, consult the nearest health center or hospital to receive medical attention and prevent severe complications.

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Following the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to expand income tax exemptions, House Committee on Ways and Means Chairperson and Marikina 2nd District Rep. Miro Quimbo believes this would provide much-needed relief to the middle class.

In the proposed bill, the annual income tax exemption will climb to ₱350,000.

“Ang middle class, ito yung portion ng ating population na nagbabayad ng buwis pero never nakakatanggap ng ayuda. Sila ang parating napag-iiwanan pagdating sa mga tulong ng gobyerno. Pero pagdating sa tax burden, sila ang pumapasan ng 90% ng burden ng individual taxpayers sa ating lipunan,” Quimbo said

[“The middle class is a portion of our population that pays taxes but never receives government aid. They are always left behind when it comes to government assistance. Yet when it comes to tax burden, they shoulder 90% of individual taxpayer burdens of our society.”]

The lawmaker clarified that the proposed ₱350,000 exemption applies to the taxable income, not the gross annual salary. The taxable income reflects after deducting mandatory contributions (i.g. SSS, GSIS, PhilHealth, and PAG-IBIG).

“In short, kapag may gross salary ka na tingin ko umaabot ng 385,000 (or) 390,000, ikaw pa rin ay magiging tax exempt dahil aalisin natin ang mga SSS at saka GSIS contributions,” Rep. Quimbo explained

[“In short, someone with a gross-salary of around ₱385,000 (or) ₱390,000, I think you could still qualify as tax-exempt because the SSS and GSIS contributions will be subtracted.”]

If the House schedule proceeds as planned, the House Committee on Ways and Means will begin hearings over the matter next week. According to Rep. Quimbo assures that the committee will hear the sides of the concerned agencies and stakeholders to ensure that the middle class will truly get the benefit.

The lawmaker also emphasized that the granted tax relief should not be wiped out by introducing new indirect taxes, as the goal of the House bill is to provide relief to the taxpayers.

“But we will always stand firm on our position that hindi po pwede na ibibigay natin sa kaliwang kamay yung pagpapaluwag ng taxes, pero with the right hand, babawiin naman natin in the form of indirect taxes. Hindi naman tayo papayag doon,” he said

[“But we will always stand firm on our position that we shouldn’t waive the tax relief in the left hand, but in the right hand, it will be taken back in the form of indirect taxes. We will not allow that.]