Maria Camara

Educator

[Kiko Pangilinan @kikopangilinan]

SOLID BLOC 11: THIS IS NOT SENATE INDEPENDENCE BUT A BOYCOTT OF DUTY

The Solid Bloc 11 minority senators were present today for the 5 p.m. resumption of session, ready to work, ready to vote on pending bills and ready to keep the Senate running, but the majority led by SP Cayetano chose not to show up.

They did not even have the courtesy to inform us when they ignored the rules, and could not extend the basic decency of telling the minority that they had no intention of convening.

Let us focus on the work, because the Senate has serious business before it, and if the majority wants to protest, deliver privilege speeches or defend its position, the proper place to do that is on the floor, not by making the chamber stand still.

Ang Senado ay hindi pag-aari ng iisang may hawak ng gavel. Institusyon ito ng taumbayan at napakadaming mahalagang panukala ang nabibinbin dahil sa drama ng mayorya.

Important measures were left hanging because of the majority’s boycott, including the Magna Carta of Barangay Health Workers, the Anti-Hospital Detention Bill, the confirmation of generals before the Commission on Appointments and the bills granting Philippine citizenship to Bennie Boatwright III and Matthew James Ramos.

Let us call this for what it is: the claim that this is about Senate independence is false, because what happened today was about the rule of law, public accountability and a lawful process before the Ombudsman and the Sandiganbayan that no senator, no bloc and no presiding officer controls.

This is a boycott because of the arrest of Senator Jinggoy Estrada, and the public should not be asked to believe another convenient line from a leadership that has repeatedly twisted the truth.

Today was a step toward accountability in a controversy that the public has long demanded action on, and after years of people asking why nothing was happening in flood control investigations, it is unacceptable to suddenly call the rule of law an attack on the Senate.

Is Senate President Alan Cayetano now questioning the rule of law?

Sa totoo lang, ang gusto nila ay kampihan, hindi prinsipyo. Gusto nila sumama kami sa boycott, patahimikin ang Senado at gamitin ang minority para manatili ang Senate President sa puwesto habang iniiwasan ang tunay na test of numbers sa floor.

This may be the first time in decades that Senate work stopped because the presiding officer himself refused to work, because even during typhoons and the height of the pandemic, work was suspended only because of necessity or because systems still had to be set up, not because the leadership chose a boycott of duty.

The public has every right to ask whether SP Cayetano is repeating what he did in the House of Representatives, when questions were raised about a leader refusing to step aside, refusing to convene and holding up proceedings when the numbers were no longer certain.

The question now is just as serious: will they do this again for the next two session days, and will they keep the Senate idle simply to avoid facing the numbers on the floor?

The Senate should open its doors, call the session to order and return to work, because no Facebook post, no appeal to institutional pride and no political drama can erase the basic duty of senators to show up, follow the law and serve the people.

And lastly, we call on the Filipino people to watch the Senate closely, because when an institution refuses to work, public vigilance becomes the people’s first line of defense.

[Inquirer @inquirerdotnet]

LOOK: Various organizations gather outside the Senate of the Philippines in Pasay City on June 2, calling for Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano to step down amid growing concerns over Senate leadership and the continued no-show of majority bloc senators during plenary proceedings. | 📸: Niño Jesus Orbeta, Philippine Daily Inquirer

[Kiko Pangilinan @kikopangilinan]

Ang nangyari ngayon ay malinaw na pag-abandona sa tungkulin, pagpapabaya sa responsibilidad, at tahasang pagsasawalang-bahala sa mga alituntunin ng institusyong ito.

Dapat magbitiw si Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano. Ipinakita niyang hindi niya kayang gampanan ang tungkulin bilang pinuno ng Senado.

[Bilyonaryo News Channel @bncdotph]

'SAYANG ANG BAYAD NG TAUMBAYAN'

Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri appealed to members of the majority bloc to end their boycott and return to the plenary, stressing that senators are obligated to perform their duties and serve the public.

"And we appeal to all our colleagues, they should attend session. It is their duty. Binabayaran tayo ng taong bayan para mag-trabaho, para mag-legislate, hindi para mag-absent-absent naman at magbulakbol," Zubiri said.

Sens. Sherwin Gatchalian and Raffy Tulfo also criticized the majority bloc for skipping plenary sessions for the second consecutive day.

"Every day, ang Senate gumagastos ng P25 million sa kuryente, sa utilities, sa sweldo, pero walang session na nangyayari... sayang ang bayad ng taumbayan sa atin," Gatchalian said.

"At lahat ito dahil ang kasamahan nila ay nakakulong, dinampot ng PNP kahapon," he said.

[Dino Singson de Leon @iamdinodeleon]

I have to say: upon deeper reflection, Kiko Pangilinan is the best choice for SP during the time na may impeachment trial. Bukod sa abogado, seasoned sa Senado as a a 4th termer, and untainted Ng korapsyon.

[ABS-CBN News @ABSCBNNews]

Former Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio said senators who allegedly prevent authorities from enforcing a warrant or summons could face criminal liability for obstruction of justice. | via @jeffcaparas

[Inquirer @inquirerdotnet]

WATCH: Ahead of their protest in front of the Senate gate tomorrow, Tindig Pilipinas calls on the Senate to start the impeachment trial against VP Sara Duterte and to surrender Sen. Bato Dela Rosa to the International Criminal Court. | @DSampangINQ

[ABS-CBN News @ABSCBNNews]

Former Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio says the convening of the Senate as an impeachment court cannot be blocked once the articles of impeachment are transmitted.

“Ang nakalagay sa Saligang Batas…trial shall proceed forthwith…Hindi puwedeng i-dismiss on a motion to dismiss.” | via @victoriatulad

[Chel Diokno @ChelDiokno]

Klaro sa batas: ang Impeachment ay exception sa Bank Secrecy Law. Hindi puwedeng gawing taguan ito kung pananagutan sa bayan ang usapan.

Yan ang dahilan kung bakit nailabas ng Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) ang reports ng bilyong-bilyong covered and suspicious transactions sa accounts ni VP Sara Duterte.

Balikan ang naging usapan sa hearing ng House Commitee on Justice noong Miyerkules—at mag-comment kung sa palagay mong may "probable cause" o sapat na batayan para umusad ang kaso.

[ABS-CBN News @ABSCBNNews]

BREAKING: The Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Court upheld the decision of Pre-Trial Chamber I that the court has jurisdiction over former president Rodrigo Duterte's crimes against humanity case.

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

[NewsWatch Plus PH @newswatchplusph]

AQUINO PUSHES VAT CUT TO HELP MIDDLE CLASS

READ: Senator Bam Aquino has filed a bill seeking to reduce the value-added tax (VAT) on goods and services from 12% to 10%, to provide relief to consumers, including the middle class, which has largely been excluded from ayuda or aid programs amid rising prices.

“Habang tumatagal ang krisis na ito, hindi lang mahirap ang tinatamaan kundi ang ating middle class, kung saan kabilang ang ating mga kababayang naghahanapbuhay ngunit hindi nakakakuha ng direktang tulong mula sa ating pamahalaan,” Aquino said. | @eimorpsantos

[Chel Diokno @ChelDiokno]

Joint exploration ba ito o secret deal?

Ngayong Araw ng Kagitingan, sa press conference ng Atin Ito Coalition, malinaw ang panawagan: kung may kasunduan sa China na may kinalaman sa ating likas na yaman at sa West Philippine Sea, dapat alam ito ng Kongreso at ng taumbayan.

I-share ito kung naniniwala kang walang lihim-lihim sa usapin ng soberanya!

[Leila de Lima @manayleila]

Ngayong nagdeklara na ang Pangulo ng State of National Energy Emergency at napirmahan na ang batas na nagbibigay sa kanya ng awtoridad para suspendehin o bawasan ang excise tax, hindi pwedeng kukupad-kupad ang gobyerno sa pagpapatupad nito.

Hindi mapapanatag ang ating mga kababayan kung sasabihan lang sila na “normal pa ang lahat” o “wala pang krisis”, lalo na kung halos wala nang natitira sa kanilang kita at kulang na kulang na ang panggastos para sa pamilya dahil sa mahal na gasolina.

And if oil prices have already doubled and are expected to rise further as the conflict in the Middle East continues, the government should seriously consider suspending VAT on fuel products, revising the oil deregulation law, and institutionalizing regular subsidies for our farmers, fisherfolk, PUV drivers, and other low-income sectors.

[Pilipinas Today @PilipinasToday_]

‘HINDI NA SILA PINAABOT SA KORTE’

Nanindigan si Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan sa kanyang “no” vote para sa Senate Resolution No. 307 na may layuning protektahan ang mga Pilipinong akusado ng “even the gravest crimes under international law” na dumaan sa lokal na prosesong legal.

Inihain ang SRN 307 noong Pebrero 18, matapos pangalanan ng International Criminal Court (ICC) sina Senators Bong Go at Bato dela Rosa bilang mga “co-perpetrator” ni dating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte sa kasong crimes against humanity para sa ‘drvg war’ campaign.

“Noong panahon ng mga sponsorship speeches ng nasabing resolusyon, pinakinggan ko po ang ating mga kasamahan. Maraming mga legal na argumento ang isinusulong… ang kapansin-pansin nga lang… walang nabanggit sa usaping hustisya para sa mga biktima ng extrajudicial k!llings,” ani Pangilinan sa ginanap na Senate session nitong Martes, Marso 17.

Samantala, matatandaang inaresto si Digong noong Marso 2025 sa bisa ng arrest warrant ng ICC kaugnay sa umano'y crimes against humanity dahil sa kanyang ‘war on drvgs’ campaign. (via Jilliane Libunao)

#PilipinasToday
#KikoPangilinan
#SenatePH #20thCongress
#SenateResolutionNo307 #ICC
#DueProcess

[Chel Diokno @ChelDiokno]

Ikaw ba ay OFW o may kaanak na OFW sa Middle East na gusto nang umuwi ng Pilipinas? Mahalagang alam mo ang proseso para sa repatriation. Narito ang steps!

I-share ang #LegalLifehack na ito sa mga kakilala ninyong OFW na kailangan ng tulong!

OWWA
Overseas Workers Welfare Administration
Department of Migrant Workers

[ABS-CBN News @ABSCBNNews]

Ipinaliwanag nina Senador Risa Hontiveros at Francis Pangilinan ang hindi pagsuporta sa resolusyon ng Senado tungkol sa "extrajudicial rendition" ng mga Pilipino sa ibang bansa.

Ikinonekta ni Hontiveros ang resolusyon sa ginawang pagpapadala kay dating pangulong Rodrigo Duterte sa The Hague.

Bumoto rin ng "no" si Senador Bam Aquino.

Buong ulat: https://t.co/SastFvCpRV

[Leila de Lima @manayleila]

Freedom of Information (FOI) Act na kontra katiwalian, fake news at kawalang pananagutan sa pamahalaan, pasado na sa Komite ng Kamara!

Sa ilalim ng panukalang batas na ito na isinusulong ng Liberal Party of the Philippines (LP) bloc sa Kamara ang hindi na pahirapang pagsasapubliko ng mga dokumento tulad ng Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) ng Pangulo, Pangalawang Pangulo, at iba pang matataas na opistal ng gobyerno.

FOI bill, isabatas! ✊

[Maria Camara @malenn]

RT @ChelDiokno: ✅ SUSPEND EXCISE TAX ON FUEL NOW!

Dahil sa patuloy na pagtaas ng presyo ng langis dulot ng krisis sa Middle East, bumoto n…

[Leila de Lima @manayleila]

Sa hinaba-haba ng prusisyon, sa dinami-dami ng pasakalye, sa pagsasara rin ang tuloy.

Nilatag pa bilang Independent Commission “for Infrastructure”, pero hanggang flood control lang pala ang titingnan — iilan pa nga lang ang naimbestigahan. Wala ring silbi ang ginawang livestreaming.

Having a lot on its plate, President Marcos Jr. just let ICI shut down instead of acting to certify as urgent our proposed ICAIC law, which would create a more independent, more fully equipped and empowered body to take over ICI.

Pinasara na itong ICI, tapos di na rin pinausad yung ICAIC bill. Ginawang priority raw, pero wala namang nangyayari.

Hinding-hindi natin ito dapat tantanan. Kasama ito sa sinisigaw ng taumbayan. Pagalawin nyo ang baso.

Otherwise, it is becoming clearer by the day that the public is just being taken for a ride, na paasa lang ang administrasyon sa pangako ng seryosong imbestigasyon at paanu-anunsyo pang may mga big fish na makukulong sa biggest corruption scam in our history. Hay naku, to say that we're disappointed is an understatement.

Mahiya naman ang administrasyong ito.

[Leila de Lima @manayleila]

Right to Care Act, isabatas! 🏥✅

Kung dumating sa sitwasyon na hindi natin kayang magpasya para sa ating kalusugan dahil sa ating kalagayang medikal, hindi dapat ipagkait ang karapatang ito sa pinagkatiwalaan nating magdesisyon para sa atin.

Ang Right to Care card system na ipinatutupad na sa Quezon City at San Juan City, dapat na ring ipatupad sa buong bansa! ✊🏼💙