Around 6,000 traditional jeepneys are being eyed for conversion to electric vehicles by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board by the end of 2026. https://t.co/68blrbflgv
Marcoleta apologizing to the media as if it’s a slip of the tongue when he called them “paid hacks” tells something about his faction. It’s the same culture of impunity that undermines and diminishes the legitimacy and credibility of the press.
'PASENSIYA NA PO KUNG AKO’Y NAKAPAGSALITA NG GANO’N'
Senator Rodante Marcoleta apologized on Thursday after drawing criticism for describing members of the Senate media as “bayaran,” clarifying that he did not intend to insult journalists and saying the remark was made out of frustration over recent developments in the chamber.
During his opening statement at a hearing on the alleged flood control scandal today, June 4, 2026, Marcoleta made a remark against the media, claiming that they failed to question other senators on why they remained silent on the controversy.
“Pasensya na po kung ako’y nakapagsalita nang gano’n. I did not mean it. Ito po ay dahil sa frustration ko sa nangyari at nangyayari,” he said during a press conference with Senator Alan Peter Cayetano.
READ MORE: https://t.co/cdtjZGpZIp
The “performative centrist” Chiz Escudero appeared on the plenary hall today, constituting a quorum in the Senate. Escudero stressed his allegiance is “not to any faction, personality, group or alliance.”
Is this another tactic for political survival? 🤔💭
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ORDER FILED BY STUDENTS, ADVOCATES VS SAN MIGUEL CORP.
Students and environmental advocates attended a hearing before the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 41 on Monday regarding their petition for a temporary environmental protection order against San Miguel Corp. (SMC) over the massive tree cutting along Quirino Avenue in Manila.
“We are prompted to file this action in representation of the youth and those yet unborn because we also want to send a message to these corporations that are actively destroying our environment,” petitioner Joaquin Bautista said.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said there are 523 trees subject to tree-cutting and another 94 trees for earth-balling, totaling 617 trees affected to yield construction for the Southern Access Link Expressway (SALEX).
Bautista said the citizen action suit aims to pursue ecological justice and accountability, stressing that SMC should rehabilitate the trees cut in Manila.
The irreparable damage from this ecological violence will be inherited by succeeding generations, sustainability and environment student Elisha Zantua said.
“It can cause catastrophic effects such as eliminating the structure of preventing soil erosion, lessening the capabilities to absorb the floodwater, and affecting the air quality around the space,” she said.
“What we really need right now is more green spaces. We shouldn’t just prioritize urban development over what the people actually need,” Zantua added.
University student and petitioner Paul Benedict Callorina lamented how decades-old trees, which have stood long before he was born, were brazenly cut for an expressway project.
“Our policies and laws should be pro-people and pro-nature,” Callorina said.
The DENR said last week that SMC has voluntarily suspended further tree-cutting activities along Quirino Avenue following the public outrage. | @andronquillo
Ramon Ang denied the earlier announcement of Aklan Governor Miraflores on withdrawing the project. So, as it stands, it seems like the Boracay Bridge construction is still in the works 🙃