Jasha Gamao

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has formally requested the Philippine National Police (PNP) to immediately cancel all firearms licenses of Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa, ordering the confiscation of his massive arsenal of 118 registered guns. 

In a letter dated May 25, 2026, signed by NBI Director Melvin Matibag, the bureau gave the former PNP Chief a strict 48-hour deadline to surrender his firearms to the nearest police or NBI station. 

The urgent directive targets Dela Rosa's Type 5 license, which covers a broad array of weapons stored at his Davao City residence, including high-powered, semi-automatic, and select-fire rifles.

The NBI bases its mandatory disqualification on Section 4(g) of Republic Act No. 10591, which absolutely prohibits anyone with a pending criminal case carrying a penalty of more than two years from owning firearms. 

Because the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an outstanding warrant of arrest against Dela Rosa for crimes against humanity linked to the previous administration's "War on Drugs," the bureau asserts that his licenses are legally void. 

The NBI explicitly argues that interpreting the law to apply only to domestic courts would produce an absurd double standard, allowing an internationally indicted individual greater firearm privileges than a local offender.

To back its legal stance, the NBI cited the recent administrative precedent involving Apollo C. Quiboloy. Chief PNP Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil previously approved the revocation of Quiboloy's 19 firearms while he was a fugitive facing domestic criminal charges. 

The NBI notes that Dela Rosa’s situation is factually identical but carries a far more severe dimension, given the sheer volume of weapons in his possession and the global weight of the ICC charges, which carry maximum penalties of up to 30 years or life imprisonment.

Emphasizing the extreme peril faced by law enforcement officers tasked with serving the ICC warrant, the NBI declared the immediate confiscation a necessary measure to ensure inter-agency safety. 

The bureau warned that keeping over a hundred high-caliber weapons including UZI submachine guns, battlefield-grade shotguns, and handguns in the hands of an active fugitive creates an extraordinary danger. 

Moving forward, the NBI has coordinated with territorial police units, particularly in the Davao Region, to enforce the immediate seizure and safe-keeping of the firearms upon Dela Rosa's apprehension or failure to comply.

PASAY CITY—Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano issued a powerful call to action on May 25 plenary session, urging both majority and minority senators to transcend factional politics and restore the chamber's dignity as democracy’s "last line of defense." 

Pushing back against critics who claim the institution's integrity has eroded under his leadership, Cayetano championed an independent Senate that acts as a robust check and balance to the executive branch. 

He emphasized that the Senate must anchor its work on a sacred oath of impartiality, shifting the public discourse away from political infighting and toward critical national crises.

Instead of engaging in partisan confrontation, Cayetano proposed a collaborative yet independent relationship with the executive branch to rebuild public trust. 

“Why can't we bind together - minority and majority - and be an independent senate? Not to confront the executive but to collaborate and also as checks and balances?" The Senate President said.

He pressed his colleagues to refocus their legislative energy on pressing economic issues directly impacting Filipinos, including skyrocketing inflation, agricultural smuggling, and ongoing controversies surrounding flood control funds. 

Maintaining strict discipline inside the session hall, he argued, is essential to safeguarding the chamber's autonomy and effectively addressing the country's urgent priorities.

However, the session also highlighted deep ideological rifts within the chamber as Senator Imee Marcos took to the floor to launch a fierce defense of the current system. 

Delivering a passionate privilege speech, Marcos expressed her staunch opposition to proposed amendments to the 1987 Constitution. 

Invoking her family's political legacy, she declared it her duty as a public servant and the daughter of the late President Ferdinand Marcos to stand firm and protect the nation's foundational law, drawing a clear battle line over the future of the country's constitution.

“At bilang Pilipino, bilang isang lingkod bayan, bilang isang kaisa-isang anak ni Ferdinand Marcos na may lakas ng loob na tumindig para sa ating bansa, dapat protektahan natin ang saligang batas ng Pilipinas,” the lady Senator said.

The 66th Palarong Pambansa officially exploded into action at the Datu Lipus Makapandong DO Plaza Sports Complex, marking the first time the Provincial Government of Agusan del Sur is hosting the prestigious national games. 

Running from May 24–31, 2026, the multi-sport tournament welcomes a massive delegation of 13,000 student-athletes from 18 regions, alongside National Academy of Sports (NAS) and Philippine Schools Overseas (PSO) competitors. 

Led by Governor Santiago Cane Jr., Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sonny Angara, and DepEd Undersecretary Malcolm Garma, this historic edition expands inclusive play by introducing new sports and Para Games exhibition matches across seven host municipalities and cities.

To fuel the competitive fire, the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) officially turned over a ₱10-million cash incentive from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to reward this year's top performers. 

Gold medalists will pocket ₱5,000, while silver and bronze achievers will take home ₱3,000 and ₱2,000 respectively, highlighting a major push to boost Philippine grassroots sports development. 

Adding star power to the opening festivities, Tokyo Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz took charge of the Weightlifting discipline and spearheaded the solemn oath-taking of technical officials, setting a high standard of national pride and sportsmanship for the week-long battle ahead.

PASAY CITY—The Senate Committee on Migrant Workers launched a sweeping inquiry on Monday to address escalating threats facing overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and maritime crews. 

Led by Senator Raffy Tulfo, lawmakers pressed for the strict implementation of the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers and stronger safety protocols in volatile waters like the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf. 

Tulfo demanded immediate status updates on seven injured Filipino sailors and urgent welfare checks for 3,000 others currently stranded or deployed in high-risk Middle Eastern maritime zones.

Beyond high-seas dangers, the panel sounded the alarm on a sophisticated surge in illegal online recruitment targeting hopeful migrants. 

Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito revealed that human trafficking syndicates have largely abandoned mainstream apps like Meta and TikTok following a massive government crackdown that deleted 200,000 fraudulent posts and migrated to encrypted platforms like Telegram. 

These criminals actively evade prosecution by wiping chat histories, creating massive evidence gaps that stymie local law enforcement.

Determined to protect the country's 600,000 seafarers and broader migrant community, senators vowed to introduce aggressive legislative reforms and tighten enforcement loops. 

The committee ordered closer cooperation between employment agencies and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to track and disable international cyber-syndicates. 

Moving forward, lawmakers plan to enshrine a seafarer's absolute right to refuse deployment into combat zones while deploying advanced technical solutions to intercept fake job postings at the source.

MANILA—The DENR Lawin Patrollers unleashed a dominant performance to pull off a 95-79 upset victory against the GSIS Furies in the UNTV Cup Season 12 elimination round on May 24, at the Paco Arena. 

Right from the opening tip-off, the Lawin Patrollers dictated the tempo and consistently frustrated the Furies' offense. 

This crucial victory marks DENR's second win of the season, while the struggling GSIS Furies slide further down the standings, enduring their fourth consecutive loss without a single win.

Ralph Lansang took center stage for the Lawin Patrollers, maximizing his minutes on the court to dismantle the GSIS defense and anchor his team's relentless attack. 

Lansang earned Best Player of the Game honors after delivering an efficient and well-rounded stat line, exploding for 14 points, pulling down 6 rebounds, and dishing out 2 assists. 

His defensive presence and offensive execution kept the Furies at bay every time they attempted to mount a comeback.

Following the masterful win, Lansang credited their rigorous preparation and tactical discipline for the blowout result. 

"Yung mga training talaga pinatutok sa amin kung ano yung game plan para mapahirapan yung kabilang team," Lansang stated, highlighting how their focused strategy successfully neutralized the GSIS offensive threats. 

With momentum now on their side, the Lawin Patrollers look to build on this commanding performance as the tournament intensifies.