Editor's Pick

Beyond the sound bites: The impeachment court faces its first real test

Editor's Pick

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By Tita C. Valderama

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Jul 17, 2026

National Bureau of Investigation Regional Director Jeremy Lotoc emerged as the prosecution's most consequential witness so far, not because he presented a proverbial smoking gun, but because he became the vehicle through which prosecutors sought to transform Duterte's controversial public statements into evidence of an impeachable offense.

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Batanes: A decisive point in an avoidable conflict

Editor's Pick

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By Rommel Jude G Ong*

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Jul 15, 2026

COMMENTARY: The public should not be too alarmed of the Chinese claims over the northern part of the country. Unlike the government’s incoherent posture in the West Philippine Sea, the Armed Forces of the Philippines has a more structured and disciplined approach to countering Chinese moves in the Batanes Group of Islands and with elements of a viable “denial strategy” in play.

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Manila’s push for a new rulebook in the South China Sea peters out

Commentary

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By Derek Grossman

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Jul 11, 2026

COMMENTARY:The Philippines has long sought a Code of Conduct for the South China Sea, with the aim of averting conflict in these waters. But as tensions with China rise, it looks unlikely to succeed. Manila is shifting toward other means of defending its maritime interests.

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Competing legal claims fuel disinformation as Sara trial opens

Editor's Pick

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By Tita C. Valderama

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Jul 8, 2026

Even before House prosecutors presented their first witness, the opening day of Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial on Monday became a battle over competing interpretations of the Constitution and other laws, with rival political camps offering conflicting claims that quickly spread on social media.

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Historic Senate trial begins for impeached VP Sara Duterte

Editor's Pick

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By Tita C. Valderama

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Jul 5, 2026

The Senate impeachment court is set to formally begin the historic trial of Vice President Sara Duterte on Monday, July 6, marking the start of what is expected to be a lengthy and politically charged proceeding that could determine the future of the country's second-highest elected official.

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FACT CHECK Online Posts

FACT CHECK: Sen. Erwin Tulfo did NOT call for a stop to flood control probe, posts are MISLEADING

Several netizens are circulating a video of Sen. Erwin Tulfo where he said that flood control projects should not be interfered with. The video lacks context.

Report South China Sea

Teodoro marks 10th year of Arbitral Court win on Pag-asa island

PAG-ASA ISLAND — Residents of this brave, little island welcomed the visit of Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and top officials from the military's Western Command Sunday to join them in celebrating the 10th anniversary of a landmark ruling that invalidated China’s sweeping claims in the South China Sea.

Commentary Impeachment

The unbreakable shield of John Mark Calilung

COMMENTARY:The Sara defense team was on a rampage to destroy John Mark S. Calilung, Investigation Agent III of the National Bureau of Investigation… But why must Calilung's testimony be destroyed? It is not only because it is an expert testimony. If it stands the test of truth, it has the potential of opening the floodgates to a Sara Duterte conviction.