Filipinos for Democratic Socialism (FiDeS)

Philippine social democrats & democratic socialists who commit to freedom, equality, solidarity, socialism, & democracy

[Philstar.com @PhilstarNews]

14 COUNTRIES RELEASE JOINT STATEMENT AFFIRMING 2016 ARBITRAL AWARD

The Department of Foreign Affairs and 13 other foreign governments issued a joint statement on July 12, the anniversary of the arbitral award which recognized the Philippines’ claim over disputed parts of the South China Sea.

“We reaffirm the Arbitral Tribunal’s decision that there is no legal basis for China’s expansive maritime claims in the South China Sea including those based on ‘historic rights,’ the statement read.

According to the DFA, the governments of Australia, Canada, Estonia, Germany, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, New Zealand, Romania, Slovenia, United Kingdom, and the United States of America have likewise released the same statement.

📷 DFA via Facebook

[Philstar.com @PhilstarNews]

LOOK: Catholic bishops from across the country celebrate Holy Mass at the Saint John the Baptist Parish in Jimenez town, Misamis Occidental on July 7, 2026, a day before they convene for the 132nd CBCP Plenary Assembly on July 8-10.

📷 Nikko Balbedina / Contributed photo

[Bilyonaryo News Channel @bncdotph]

WHEN FUNDS FOR THE POOR ARE TAKEN AWAY

On #ABOGADO, Atty. Sonny Matula raises serious concerns over the PhilHealth fund transfer.

He says billions meant for social services and those “who have less in life” were diverted elsewhere, calling it a clear issue of social justice under Article XIII of the Constitution.

He also points out that if conspiracy is proven and those involved are identified, the case could potentially rise to plunder, depending on the amount and evidence.

For him, taking funds meant for vulnerable sectors is not just a legal issue—but a moral and constitutional one.

FULL DISCUSSION: https://t.co/SccZjdbWvh

[Interaksyon @interaksyon]

QUESTIONS RAISED OVER NAME DROPS BY EX-MARINES

“Hindi tugma ang script.”

Such were the comments from some Filipinos after Sen. Vicente “Tito” Sotto III denied claims that a former Marine had delivered money to him during a supposed Senate hearing on the flood control scandal.

Read: https://t.co/mj5eyimuEs

[Philstar.com @PhilstarNews]

'THE HIGHEST DUTY OF A SENATE PRESIDENT IS NOT TO CLING TO OFFICE'

Former Senate Presidents issued a joint statement on Friday regarding the recent events in the legislative upper chamber, calling on incumbent members to "de-escalate public rhetoric that demeans the Senate and weakens confidence in it."

"The country cannot afford an unstable Senate at a time of mounting economic pressures, security threats, and growing public distrust in institutions," former senators Koko Pimentel and Frank Drilon, as well as incumbent senators Migz Zubiri and Tito Sotto wrote.

The statement followed as Senate is presently divided between the leadership of Senate President Pro Tempore and Acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian, and Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano.

📷 Kiko Pangilinan via Facebook

[News5 @News5PH]

'YOU ARE A DISGRACE TO THE SENATE'

Hinikayat ni 1st District Negros Occidental Rep. Jules Ledesma ang local government units sa kaniyang distrito na ideklarang persona non grata si Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano.

Kasunod ito ng mga pangyayari sa Senado sa ilalim ng liderato ni Cayetano.

Dati na ring namuno si Cayetano bilang House speaker.

"You've done this twice... trivializing your duty as a legislator," pahayag ng kongresista.

Kabilang sa 1st District ng Negros Occidental ang lungsod ng Escalante at San Carlos, at munisipalidad ng Calatrava, Don Salvador Benedicto, at Toboso.

[ABS-CBN News @ABSCBNNews]

BREAKING: Pinaaaresto ng korte ang kontratistang si Curlee Discaya na nahaharap sa kasong malversation na inihain ng Ombudsman kaugnay ng umano'y maanomalyang flood control projects sa Bulacan.

Kasalukuyang nakadetene sa Senado si Discaya dahil sa contempt.

Kasama rin sa pinatawan ng warrant of arrest ang kaniyang asawang si Sarah, dating DPWH engineers Brice Hernandez, Jaypee Mendoza, at pitong iba pa kaugnay ng kasong malversation of public funds.

No bail o walang piyansa ang nasabing kaso. | via @_KarenDeGuzman

[The Philippine Star @PhilippineStar]

NOT FROM MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA

Contrary to Senator Alan Peter Cayetano's claim, it was not members of the media who applauded and cheered for him during his press conference at the Senate on Thursday, but rather his own staff and several guests in attendance.

"First time akong napalakpakan ng media, walang bayad 'yon," he said after claiming that he had managed to unite various political groups, which he alleged are now aligned with the administration.

Cayetano also maintained that he remains Senate president, despite the recognition by Malacañang and the House of Representatives of Senator Win Gatchalian’s leadership as acting Senate president. | via Malou Escudero/Pilipino Star Ngayon

[Philstar.com @PhilstarNews]

HINDI MEDIA ANG PUMALAKPAK

#PhilstarFactCheck: Mali ang sinabi ni Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano na pinalakpakan daw siya ng media sa kanyang press briefing sa Senado nitong Huwebes, June 4.

PANOORIN: https://t.co/AyL2LAKNZx

[Filipinos for Democratic Socialism (FiDeS) @FilipinosFides]

Nakakagalit na ang pulitika ng mga burgesya at mga naghaharing-uri!

[Filipinos for Democratic Socialism (FiDeS) @FilipinosFides]

Palayasin!

[Bilyonaryo @bilyonaryo_ph]

A controversial report has surfaced claiming that around 400 Chinese nationals working at Dito Telecommunications of Duterte crony Dennis Uy may pose a serious threat to Philippine national security.
https://t.co/02Ykj7pJHs

[Filipinos for Democratic Socialism (FiDeS) @FilipinosFides]

Yung katatapos lang mag-misa pero gustong pumatay ng tao!

Convict Sara!

[News5 @News5PH]

'I WANT A BLOODBATH'

Nanindigan si Vice Pres. Sara Duterte na gusto niyang matuloy ang impeachment trial sa kaniya dahil aniya gusto niyang magkaroon ng "bloodbath" rito. #News5

[Atty. Sonny Matula @AttyMatula]

Hindi po. I am not a communist to be clear. But under our existing legal framework, communist ideology is not illegal.

Republic Act No. 1700, which once criminalized communist advocacy, was repealed by Republic Act No. 7636 during the Ramos administration.

In addition, red-tagging is also prohibited. As Justice Marvic Leonen emphasized in Deduro v. Vinoya (2024), red-tagging “creates a chilling effect on freedoms of expression and association, and exposes individuals to threats, harassment, or even death.”

The Supreme Court ruled it as a serious threat to life, liberty, and security—grounds for the issuance of a writ of amparo.

[Filipinos for Democratic Socialism (FiDeS) @FilipinosFides]

Mismong galing sa kampon ng kasamaan! Si Harry Roque ay Pogo Lawyer! Arestohin na yan!

[Inquirer @inquirerdotnet]

Panelo: Roque appears to be a Pogo lawyer https://t.co/MfSJ9y3p0K

[Filipinos for Democratic Socialism (FiDeS) @FilipinosFides]

The murderous rhetoric of VP Sara Duterte speaks volumes of her state of mind!

Criminal!

[News5 @News5PH]

'I WANT A BLOODBATH'

Nanindigan si Vice Pres. Sara Duterte na gusto niyang matuloy ang impeachment trial sa kaniya dahil aniya gusto niyang magkaroon ng "bloodbath" rito. #News5

[Filipinos for Democratic Socialism (FiDeS) @FilipinosFides]

Pwedeng madala ni Vico ang isang demokrata-sosyalistang linya at plataporma!

[ABS-CBN News @ABSCBNNews]

VICO SOTTO FOR PRESIDENT?

The Pasig City mayor says he'd rather focus on what he's doing now, and hopes that the changes he and the LGU has made will become long-term and institutionalized. #ANCHeadstart

[Project Gunita @ProjectGunitaPH]

"But after a rally is over, you see smiles on their faces, a new hope, an enthusiastic response. Then you feel that you were somehow on the right track and what you've been doing was not in vain."

— Sen. Agapito "Butz" Aquino
(May 20, 1939 - Aug 17, 2015)

#DefendHistoricalTruth

[Filipinos for Democratic Socialism (FiDeS) @FilipinosFides]

Huwag nyong pauupuin yan! Huwad na partylist yan!

Cardema! Tumigil ka!

[Philstar.com @PhilstarNews]

JUST IN: Comelec is holding off the proclamation of Duterte Youth, Bagong Henerasyon over DQ cases.

https://t.co/q5LWF3tUbu

[Filipinos for Democratic Socialism (FiDeS) @FilipinosFides]

San po napunta ang pera?

Bantayan!

[ABS-CBN News @ABSCBNNews]

Nine foreigners caught carrying P400 million in undeclared cash at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport days before the May 12 midterm polls are now facing deportation.

Full story: https://t.co/LbArhGiPbN

[Filipinos for Democratic Socialism (FiDeS) @FilipinosFides]

Convict Sara! She does not know how to govern!

[ABS-CBN News @ABSCBNNews]

De Lima, Diokno on Sara Duterte's 'bloodbath' remark: Impeachment a civilized legal process https://t.co/b9AP1665mg