Dev Flores

Artemio Panganiban earned his Associate of Arts and Bachelor of Laws degrees at Far Eastern University.

For many years, he dedicated his career to law, academia, and public offices before being appointed as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

He entered the legal profession in 1961 as an Associate at Salonga, Ordonez & Associates Law Office. In 1963, he became a senior partner at Panganiban, Benitez, Parlade, Africa & Barinaga Law Office (PABLAW). Concurrently, he served as Legal Consultant to the Secretary of Education and the National Board of Education from 1963 to 1965.

Alongside his career in law firms and public office, he also served as a Professor of Law and Political Science for 9 years at Far Eastern University, Assumption Convent, and San Sebastian College from 1961 to 1970.

After building a strong foundation in private practice, legal education, and public service during the 1960s, he joined the judiciary and was appointed Associate Justice from October 10, 1995, to December 20, 2005, then later appointed as Chief Justice from December 21, 2005, to December 5, 2006.

In addition to his leadership in the Supreme Court, he also served as a special lecturer at the Philippine Judicial Academy from 2004 to 2006.

And now, Panganiban has been invited to serve as an amicus curiae, or a friend of the court, who will provide legal advice regarding the voting threshold in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte

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Former Supreme Court Chief Justice Reynato Puno has been invited by the Senate impeachment court, as he was included among the legal experts tapped by the court to provide legal advice on the voting threshold in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

Puno graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Jurisprudence, followed by a Bachelor of Laws from the University of the Philippines. He also pursued his postgraduate degrees abroad, earning a Master of Comparative Laws from Southern Methodist University and a Master of Laws from the University of California, followed by a Doctor of Juridical Science from the University of Illinois.

The retired chief justice built an extensive career in private law practice, legal education, public offices, and four decades of service in the Philippine judiciary.

Puno began his legal career in 1962 as an Assistant Attorney in Gerardo Roxas and Abraham F. Sarmiento Law Office. The following year, he entered public service as a Tax Attorney for the Joint Legislative and Executive Tax Commission until 1967.

Alongside his service in the government, Puno served as a Professor of Law at Far Eastern University from 1969 to 1973. Besides, the former chief justice also served as a lecturer in the U.P. Law Center - Institute of Judicial Administration and a special lecturer in Constitutional Law at the Philippine Judicial Academy.

In 1971, he joined the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) as a solicitor. In 1974, Puno was promoted to Assistant Solicitor General in 1974, serving in the position for eight years.

He was appointed Associate Justice of the Court of Appeals from 1980 to 1984. During his period in the executive branch, he also served as Acting Chairman of the Board of Pardons and Parole in February 1985.

Puno returned to the Court of Appeals as Associate Justice on August 1, 1986. He also continued to apply his legal expertise to legal education, serving as a Bar Examiner in Mercantile Law in 1989 and in Taxation in 1993.

On July 6, 1993, Puno was appointed to the Supreme Court as Associate Justice and served for 13 years, and was subsequently promoted to Chief Justice on December 7, 2006, until May 16, 2010.

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Akbayan Party-list Percival Cendaña, together with 1PWD Party-list Rep. JD Castro, filed a complaint before the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to seek a probe into more than 30 online accounts mocking persons with disabilities (PWDs) that allegedly violate the Magna Carta of Disabled Persons and Safe Spaces Act.

The lawmaker added that the call to address acts of disrespect and shaming originated from the PWD community itself.

“Nasa PWD community ang nagsabi na hindi dapat ito pinapalampas kasi kung palalampasin lamang ito, manonormalize ang pambabastos at panghihiya sa mga PWD,” he said

“Isa itong violation ng Magna Carta for disabled persons,” he added

The lawmaker also labeled the disrespect and shaming against PWDs as illegal due to the power of the law.

“So actually illegal na gawing katatawanan, illegal na gawing subject of ridicule ang mga people with disabilities,” he said

Meanwhile, vlogger Cho Moreno said in a Facebook post that he heard the news regarding reports that he was among those named in Cendaña’s complaint before the NBI over alleged violation of the two laws.

He said this was no longer a surprise for him, as he had long anticipated that numerous complaints would be filed against Duterte supporters.

“I cannot say that I am surprised. In fact, I have long anticipated that more complaints would be filed against vocal Duterte supporters and content creators as the 2028 elections draw closer,” he said

“I view this latest complaint as politically motivated and as another attempt to intimidate and legally pressure vocal Duterte supporters,” he added

He also stated that he would face any complaint against him, but he would not allow the filing of charges to silence him.

“I will answer any complaint through the proper legal process. But I will not allow the filing of cases to intimidate me into silence,” he said

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Metro Manila and several parts of Luzon have been affected by the southwest monsoon since August. In the presence of heavy rains, a clear succeeding issue is the widespread flooding in various areas, especially those in low-lying zones and riverside areas

Hence, if there’s a flooding issue, public scrutiny on the flood control projects intensifies.

In response, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) plans to construct and expand the drainage inlets along flood-prone major roads in the National Capital Region.

But what role do the drainage inlets play in flood mitigation?

You have likely seen them along several major roads while going to work or school.

The most common drainage structures visible along roads are curb inlets and grate inlets.

A curb is a vertical opening built into the sidewalk that channels surface runoff into underground drainage networks. A grate inlet, meanwhile, is a surface opening covered with a metal or concrete grid designed to capture surface water and direct it into stormwater or sewer systems.

Across Metro Manila, however, many of these drainage points are clogged with garbage.

Rainfall nowadays is heavier, which is also driven by the impact of climate change. Heavy downpours rapidly lead to urban flooding. When drainage inlets remain obstructed by waste, floodwaters will take longer to subside.

While infrastructure improvements continue, public cooperation remains crucial. Proper waste management and responsible garbage disposal are essential to support effective flood mitigation efforts.

The Senate impeachment court announced the appointment of the former Supreme Court justices to serve as amici curiae or ‘friends of the court’.

They were invited to the impeachment trial to provide legal expert advice on the required voting threshold in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

Among those invited to appear before the court are Retired Chief Justices Artemio Panganiban and Reynato Puno; Associate Justice Adolfo Azcuna is also included in the list.

The former presiding officer in the impeachment trial of former President Joseph Estrada, Retired Chief Justice Hilario Davide, is also invited.

The invited retired justices are expected to appear before the impeachment court on September 16, 2026.