Author: WWC NEWSDESK

Philippines

Sotto Draws the Line on Sara Duterte Fund Aliases — But One Question Could Decide What ‘Mary Grace Piattos’ Really Means

MANILA, Philippines — A seemingly simple question over what qualifies as an “alias” has reopened one of the most controversial issues in Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial: Were the unusual names appearing on confidential-fund acknowledgment receipts connected to real people — or were some of them merely fictitious identities? Senator-judge Vicente “Tito” Sotto III raised that distinction before the Senate impeachment court on September 1, saying that an alias presupposes the exist

September 1, 2026

Philippines

Jojo Ang Pleads Not Guilty to Graft Charges—But the Sandiganbayan Case Is Far From Over

MANILA, Philippines — Uswag Ilonggo party-list Rep. James “Jojo” Ang Jr. pleaded not guilty to two graft charges before the Sandiganbayan on Tuesday, September 1, as the lawmaker faces a total of 14 counts stemming from alleged conflicts of interest involving government infrastructure contracts. Ang entered his plea before the Sandiganbayan Sixth Division, which is handling two of the 14 cases filed against him under Republic Act No. 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. The cases

September 1, 2026

Philippines

AFP Colonel Says DepEd Sent No Money for Army Youth Summits — So Where Did the ₱15 Million Go?

MANILA, Philippines — A military officer’s testimony has opened another crucial front in Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial after he told the Senate impeachment court that his Army division received no funding from the Department of Education for youth leadership activities in 2023 — despite military certifications later becoming part of the documentation connected to DepEd’s confidential-fund spending. Retired Army Col. Manaros Boransing II took the witness stand on Tuesday, Septe

September 1, 2026

Philippines

House Ends P10.15-B Office of the President Budget Hearing in Under an Hour—But 5 Lawmakers Refused to Stay Silent

MANILA, Philippines — The House Committee on Appropriations abruptly ended its briefing on the proposed ₱10.156-billion 2027 budget of the Office of the President (OP) on Tuesday, September 1, after lawmakers voted to extend parliamentary courtesy and terminate the interpellation. The hearing lasted less than an hour, despite objections from five minority lawmakers who argued that the President’s proposed budget should undergo closer scrutiny. Executive Secretary Ralph Recto presented the OP’s

September 1, 2026

Philippines

Viral ‘Earpiece’ Photo Rocked Sara Duterte Trial — Then Escudero Revealed What Was Really on Ortonio’s Ear

MANILA, Philippines — A viral image that fueled online speculation that an Office of the Vice President official was secretly receiving instructions while testifying in Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial has been publicly debunked by the Senate impeachment court’s presiding officer. Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero said Tuesday, September 1, that OVP Assistant Chief of Staff Lemuel Ortonio was not wearing an electronic earpiece when he appeared before the impeachment court. What could

September 1, 2026

Philippines

PNP Deploys More Cops as Flooded NLEX Leaves Motorists Stranded—But the Traffic Crisis Isn’t Over Yet

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) is intensifying its deployment along flood-prone roads and expressways after severe flooding stranded motorists for hours and triggered massive traffic congestion in parts of Central Luzon. PNP chief Gen. Melencio Nartatez Jr. ordered police units to strengthen road monitoring, maintain visible personnel in vulnerable areas and preposition police vehicles where they can respond quickly to emergencies. The move comes as floodwaters cont

September 1, 2026

Philippines

Meet Lindon Bacquel, Sara Duterte’s Young Defense Lawyer — But His Biggest Test May Be Unfolding in the ₱112.5-M DepEd Fund Case

MANILA, Philippines — As Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial moves deeper into questions surrounding confidential funds, one of the younger lawyers on her defense team is increasingly stepping into the spotlight: Atty. Lindon Miguel C. Bacquel. Bacquel, a senior associate at Fortun, Narvasa and Salazar Law, is among the lawyers defending Duterte before the Senate sitting as an impeachment court. Although he was admitted to the Philippine Bar only in 2022, Bacquel has already taken a

September 1, 2026

Philippines

Who Is Reynaldo Robles? The Lawyer Now Taking Center Stage in Sara Duterte’s Impeachment Trial

MANILA, Philippines — As Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial enters a critical phase, one lawyer is increasingly drawing attention inside the Senate impeachment court: Atty. Reynaldo B. Robles, a veteran litigator now serving as one of the private prosecutors assisting the House prosecution panel. Robles is set to lead the prosecution’s examination of witnesses on Day 20 of the impeachment trial on September 1, as the proceedings focus on allegations involving the use of confidentia

September 1, 2026

Philippines

Marcos Tells 21 New PCG Flag Officers to Lead With Integrity — But Their Biggest Test May Be Waiting in the West Philippine Sea

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has handed 21 newly promoted Philippine Coast Guard flag officers more than new stars and greater authority: he has given them a direct reminder that every promotion carries a heavier obligation to the Filipino public. During their oath-taking ceremony at Malacañang on Tuesday, September 1, Marcos urged the senior Coast Guard officers to lead by example, protect the institution's integrity and prepare the next generation of PCG leaders at a t

September 1, 2026

Philippines

Tarlac Rep. Noel Rivera’s Graft Arraignment Pushed to Oct. 7 — But the Bigger Fight Over His 9 Cases Isn’t Over

MANILA, Philippines — Tarlac 3rd District Rep. Noel Rivera will have to wait longer before entering a plea in graft cases filed against him, after the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division moved his scheduled arraignment to October 7, 2026 while the court considers pending motions challenging how the cases should proceed. Rivera is facing nine counts of alleged violations of Section 3(h) of Republic Act No. 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. Two of those cases are currently before the Sa

September 1, 2026