Dev Flores

Senate impeachment court spokesperson Atty. Regie Tongol confirmed that statements from Former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, which were made outside the impeachment court, cannot be considered in deciding the case of Vice President Sara Duterte

Atty. Tongol clarified that although they respect the freedom of the former Senator to speak, it cannot be used as the basis of the verdict to be made by the Senator-judges.

“That is his freedom of speech. Hindi naman po natitinag 'yung ating impeachment court doon sa mga ganyang mga extraneous na mga comments at ang ikokonsidera lang talaga nila ay kung ano po yung mga komento na sinasabi on the floor,” he said

He also stated that the Senator-judges will only base their decision on the evidence, testimonies, and formal documents presented before the impeachment court.

“Evidence and the testimonies and the exhibits or documents presented before the impeachment court are the only ones na pagbabasehan nila ng kanilang desisyon,” he said

The impeachment court spokesperson also clarified that the prosecution can use the statements of Trillanes if they see it as a strong instrument to strengthen the case.

“They have the prerogative to call Senator Trillanes in the coming days, if they feel that those information or mga evidence na merong hawak ni former Senator Trillanes would add on to their case or make their case stronger,” he said

Akbayan Party-list Rep. Percival Cendaña, accompanied by the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), filed House Bill 11495 or the Animal Life Advocacy and Guardianship Act (ALAGA) Bill in the House of Representatives.

“Itong mga nakaraang araw, nakita natin yung matinding pang-aabuso, pang-aapi, pananakit sa ating mga alaga at nakalulungkot na walang ngipin ang batas para panagutin yung mga nangaabusong ito. Kaya kinakailangan, maliban sa pagtiyak ng welfare ng ating mga alaga, magkaroon din ng ngipin batas para i-prosecute yung mga nananakit sa kanila,” he said

The proposed bill seeks stricter law enforcement and to ensure accountability for animal abusers.

Under the proposal, the National Commission on Animal Welfare will be established as a quasi-judicial body with its own enforcement powers for animal welfare.

In addition to establishing the commission, the bill includes the imposition of stricter penalties for convicted animal offenders. This is supported by PAWS Executive Director Atty. Anna Cabrera because the consequences imposed on convicted animal offenders will become clearer.

“Doon sa current law, “and/or” lang, so madalas ang ini-impose ng mga judges is like the fine or yung minimum ano lang ng fine,” she explained

“Pero ngayon under the Alaga Bill, it's fine and imprisonment all across convicted animal offenders. Ang maganda pa dito, pounds will be strictly monitored and meron accountability,” she added

Apart from enforcing accountability among animal offenders, it also aims to incorporate animal welfare education into basic and higher education and provide protection for rescuers of neglected animals. It also pushes for spay-neuter programs as the proper method for controlling the population of stray animals.

Through these reforms, PAWS and AKBAYAN aim to strengthen accountability in cases of animal cruelty and neglect, and to promote better treatment of animals across the country.

The bill will undergo the legislative process and review before being enacted as law.

A newly licensed board exam passer has proven that visual impairment is no barrier to achieving one’s aspirations.

Aira Brigola is a BS Psychology graduate from Our Lady of Fatima University - Antipolo, and has now officially earned her title as a Registered Psychometrician (RPm) despite being totally blind.

Brigola is included in the list of 14,146 successful examinees of the September 2026 Psychometrician Licensure Examination.

To accommodate her during the exam, personnel from the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) dictated the questions and answer choices, according to RGO Psychology Review Center.

“During the exams, the staff of PRC dictated to her the exam with choices, then shade Aira's answer in the scantron paper,” they said on the congratulatory message

The review center also stated that Brigola was rejected in several institutions before she found OLFU Antipolo.

“She was not accepted in several schools and yet true to its name, Our Lady of Fatima University - Antipolo Campus welcomed her, studied her Psychology Course, reviewed with RGO and now a licensed RPm,” they said

Brigola’s story is truly inspiring and serves as a story of hope to young persons with disabilities pursuing their dreams.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has issued the new fare rates for Public Utility Vehicles (PUVs), effective on Monday, September 28, 2026.

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PUJ 

Traditional - ₱14.00 (first 4km) | ₱2.00 per succeeding kilometer

Modern - ₱17.00 (first 4km) | ₱2.40 per succeeding kilometer

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City Bus 

Ordinary - ₱15.00 (first 5km) | ₱2.49 per succeeding kilometer

Aircon - ₱15.00 (first 5km) | ₱2.98 per succeeding kilometer

EDSA Busway Northbound & Southbound - ₱18.00 (first 5km) | ₱2.98 per succeeding kilometer

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Provincial Bus 

Ordinary - ₱2.20 per succeeding kilometer

Air-conditioned - ₱2.45 per succeeding kilometer

Deluxe - ₱2.60 per succeeding kilometer

Super Deluxe - ₱2.70 per succeeding kilometer

Luxury - ₱3.35 per succeeding kilometer

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Taxi

Regular - ₱65.00 flag-down rate 

Silver Premium - ₱80.00 flag-down rate 

Gold Premium - ₱95.00 flag-down rate 

Airport Taxi - ₱115.00 flag-down rate (first 500 m) | ₱4.00 per succeeding 300 meters

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TNVS

Hatchback / Sub-Compact - ₱55.00 flag-down rate 

Car Sedan - ₱65.00 flag-down rate 

AUV / SUV - ₱75.00 flag-down rate 

Premium - ₱165.00 flag-down rate

UV Express

Traditional - ₱2.60 per kilometer

Modern - ₱3.00 per kilometer

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According to Department of Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez, it is high time to increase the fare for PUVs.

“Itong umiiral na pamasahe sa PUVs, ito na ‘yung pamasahe bago pa man ‘yung fuel crisis. Kaya hindi na ito sapat para magkaroon nang maayos na kita ‘yung ating mga driver at operator. Napapanahon na itong dagdag-pasahe para masiguro rin nating sapat ang mga PUV sa kalsada, at may masasakyan ang ating mga komyuter,” he said

TNVS Community Philippines expressed gratitude following the announcement of newly approved fare adjustments, and stated that the government is listening and responsive to the needs of the affected sectors.

“Ang makasaysayang pagpapatibay sa kinakailangang fare adjustment ay isang malinaw na patunay na ang ating pamahalaan ay nakikinig at handang umalalay sa mga sektor na patuloy na nagsisilbi para sa ekonomiya at sa mamamayang Pilipino,” they said

The Victory Liner is also grateful and stated that fare adjustments may help protect jobs and maintain the quality service for the communities.

“The fare adjustment provides essential support for operators to continue dispatching safe and roadworthy buses, maintain routes, protect jobs and serve communities throughout the country,” they said

Although they were grateful for the government's response, they were aware that this might add to the financial burden on commuters. Hence, they clarified that the adjustment is not a reason to celebrate, but a necessary measure to ensure quality transport service for Filipinos who depend on it.

“It is not a reason for celebration, but a necessary measure to help preserve the public transport service on which millions of Filipinos depend on,” they added

The mandatory 20% fare discounts to students, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities will also be retained, according to the DOTr.

Meanwhile, a transport group, PISTON, held a protest on Monday, September 28, in relation to rising fuel prices in the market. 

The group expressed in the protest that the take-home earnings of some drivers have dropped to P300 to P400 after deducting daily operational expenses. The largest portion of their expenses goes to fuel, which costs almost P100 per liter.

PISTON calls on the government to repeal the Oil Deregulation Law, Excise Tax, and Value-Added Tax (VAT), and set the fuel price to 55 pesos per liter.

The group emphasized that the 1-peso increase for traditional jeepneys is not enough to cover the family's living expenses.

“Kahit na sabihin natin na kung nakaka-200 passenger ang ating mga driver – 200 pesos yung madadagdag – kulang doon sa sinasabi natin na sa ilalim ng family living wage man lamang na 1,200 pesos,” PISTON President Mody Floranda said

Alongside the protest, the PISTON also announced the two-day nationwide transport strike, starting September 29 to September 30.

The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) directs Reddit and Discord to appoint resident agents or local representatives in the Philippines within 24 hours.

According to the CICC, their request to the two platforms aims to strengthen coordination on child safety concerns.

The order follows growing concerns about children being exposed on online platforms, which are used to spread violent extremist content or ideologies, leading them into danger.

According to CICC Executive Director Usec. Aboy Paraiso, the agency is not asking the platforms to police the internet for the government but to be reachable, accountable, and responsive when activities involving their platforms put the children and the communities at risk.

Aside from the order, the CICC also requests that the two platforms submit a written explanation regarding the arrangement and concrete plans to strengthen safety standards, rapid response mechanisms, and age-verification or age-assurance measures.

The CICC also seeks the participation of Discord and Reddit to provide a cooperative framework to address online exploitation of minors.

However, if the two platforms fail to comply, the CICC may coordinate with the authorities to restrict user access in the Philippines.

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