Sandiganbayan Orders Senator Jinggoy Estrada to Submit Travel Documents Amid Pending Charges

The Sandiganbayan's Fifth Division has mandated Senator Jinggoy Estrada to submit all necessary documentation within five days to support his request for international travel during the upcoming holiday season and early next year. This directive follows Estrada’s filing of a motion seeking approval for two separate trips: first, to Japan from December 26 to 31, and second, to Norway, Iceland, and Austria between January 5 and 15. Presiding Associate Justice Gener Gito emphasized the importance of providing a comprehensive travel itinerary, confirmed hotel reservations, authorization to travel, and an affidavit of undertaking. Estrada participated in the hearing through video conference. However, the prosecution voiced objections during the proceedings, noting that Estrada remains subject to an Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order (ILBO) connected to an ongoing investigation regarding a flood control anomaly. Senator Estrada is currently facing plunder and graft charges before the court related to the alleged misuse of his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF). He has previously denounced allegations linking him to the flood control scandal as "malicious" and "outright lies."

Social News Blog Highlights Political Figures and Their Networks

A prominent social news blog has established itself as a hub focusing on politicians, their families, associates, and supporters. The platform delves into the actions, beliefs, preferences, and concerns of these individuals, seeking to both entertain and engage its audience while providing informative content. The blog emphasizes its role in exploring the multifaceted lives of political figures, presenting narratives that reflect their personal and public dimensions. It states: "We write about their words and deeds, likes and dislikes, dreams and fears," underscoring its commitment to capturing a broad spectrum of human experience within the political arena. Importantly, the site clarifies that the opinions expressed are solely those of its contributors and do not represent the official stance of MCD Multimedia Corporation, the parent company. It further assures that no content is intended to disparage any religion, ethnic group, organization, or individual. This declaration reinforces the blog's objective of fostering open dialogue without prejudice or bias.

Senate Absences Spark Debate on Accountability and "No Work, No Pay" Policy

A contentious issue has emerged within the Senate concerning the extended absences of some lawmakers, notably Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa. The debate centers on whether a "no work, no pay" policy should be enforced to compel attendance and accountability. Senator Sherwin Gatchalian clarified that no such rule currently exists in the Senate, allowing members to continue receiving salaries regardless of session attendance. However, he emphasized that senators must submit formal excuse letters for any absences, which are then reviewed by Senate leadership. Gatchalian highlighted that his finance committee has not received any official correspondence from dela Rosa following his absence since November 10, which coincided with reports about a purported International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant linked to drug war cases. While dela Rosa's staff informed Gatchalian of the senator's inability to attend the budget deliberations, the proper procedural protocol was not followed. The former police chief was expected to present the Department of National Defense's budget, a responsibility that Gatchalian ultimately assumed. Despite ongoing scrutiny, dela Rosa remains out of the public eye. His legal counsel acknowledged awareness of the ICC warrant reports but stated they could not independently verify the information. This situation has left the Senate grappling with pressing questions regarding dela Rosa's whereabouts and whether lawmakers should be held accountable for extended absences during critical legislative sessions.

Edu Manzano Sparks Online Buzz by Sharing Article on Ralph Recto’s Possible Legal Troubles

Actor Edu Manzano has sparked significant social media interest after sharing an article concerning Executive Secretary Ralph Recto’s potential plunder and technical malversation charges linked to a controversial flood control fund diversion. Manzano, who has openly criticized corruption tied to flood control projects, shared the piece without adding any personal commentary. Nevertheless, the post quickly drew attention, partly due to his past relationship with Recto’s wife, actress and politician Vilma Santos. Edu Manzano was married to Vilma Santos for two years; together, they have a son, television host Luis Manzano. Their marriage took place in 1980 during the filming of "Gusto Kita, Mahal Ko Siya" but ended in separation by 1982. Vilma Santos later married Ralph Recto in 1992 in a widely publicized wedding famously called the "Wedding of the Century." Manzano’s post went viral, amassing over 1,600 reactions, more than 330 comments, and 155 shares. Social media users responded with remarks highlighting the ironic connections, including comments such as: > "Husband ni ex-wifey" > "How ironic?" > "Ka-love triangle mo 'yan idol" > "Hahaha sige, awayin mo 'yang husband ng ex mo, boss, haha" The shared article outlines the possibility of Ralph Recto facing charges if the Supreme Court rules that the Bureau of the Treasury’s P167 billion diversion of trust funds to support flood control projects was illegal. Retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio explained that P60 billion from the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) and P107 billion from the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) were diverted under a directive from the Department of Finance, then led by Recto as finance secretary. These funds were meant to remain within their legally mandated uses. Carpio labeled the transfer as "unconstitutional," emphasizing that trust funds cannot be repurposed beyond their prescribed legal boundaries, thus underpinning the potential legal liabilities faced by Recto. This development brings renewed scrutiny to the administration of public funds and raises questions regarding accountability at the highest levels of government.

Supreme Court Honors Late Retired Justice Bernardo Pardo

The Supreme Court expressed deep sorrow on Thursday, December 11, following the death of retired Associate Justice Bernardo Pardo, highlighting his exemplary integrity, wisdom, and compassion throughout his career. In a statement, the Court lauded Justice Pardo's unwavering commitment to excellence in his roles as a jurist, lawyer, and law professor. "Justice Pardo will always be remembered for his honesty, integrity, wisdom, zeal and commitment to service and excellence as a jurist, lawyer, and law professor, admired and treasured by his colleagues in the Judiciary and the legal profession," the statement read. Additionally, the Court praised his personal qualities, noting his warmth and generosity towards those who worked alongside him. Justice Pardo passed away on December 10 at the age of 93. He was appointed to the Supreme Court on October 7, 1998, by then-President Joseph Ejercito Estrada. Before his appointment to the Supreme Court, Pardo served as chairman of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) from 1995 to 1998, as a Justice of the Court of Appeals between 1993 and 1995, and as a judge in the Regional Trial Court and Court of First Instance from 1974 to 1983. His remains are currently lying in state at the Minor Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Quezon City. The burial is scheduled for December 14 at Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque City.

House Speaker Denies Allegations of Budget Insertions During Bicameral Deliberations

House Speaker Faustino Dy III dismissed on Wednesday accusations that unauthorized budget insertions are occurring amid the ongoing bicameral conference committee (BICAM) talks on the 2026 Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) budget. He described such claims as "inaccurate and misleading." In a statement, Dy clarified that no secret additions of funds or provisions are being made during the bicameral process. "I just want to correct the speculations: There is no insertion or covert addition of funds or provisions in the bicameral conference committee," he stated. The Speaker emphasized that all components in the House-approved budget have undergone the appropriate procedures and were endorsed by the House of Representatives before the bicameral discussions even began. "Everything in our bill—including funds, provisions, and programs—passed through the proper process. The entire House approved it on third reading before BICAM started," Dy noted. He elaborated that the BICAM's role is to harmonize the versions passed by both the House and the Senate. It is not authorized to introduce new provisions or approve items not previously agreed upon. "BICAM’s function is to unify the Senate and House versions—not to insert or bypass any unapproved items. Therefore, claims of insertions during BICAM are false and baseless," Dy explained. The Speaker underscored that the House's budget process remains transparent and lawful, with no hidden or illicit maneuvers. "The truth is, nothing illegal, clandestine, or deceptive is happening on our side," he affirmed. Concluding his statement, Dy reaffirmed his commitment to a transparent and principled legislative system. He reiterated that the budget is designed to benefit the Filipino people rather than serve individual or political interests. "As Speaker, I stand for a clean, orderly, and honest budget-making process. We do this for the welfare of every Filipino, not for personal gain," he said.

New DOJ Documents Reveal Multiple Flights of Trump on Epstein's Jet Amidst Ongoing Controversy

WASHINGTON — Newly released documents from the U.S. Department of Justice reveal that former President Donald Trump flew on convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein’s private jet at least eight times during the 1990s, significantly more than earlier reports indicated. A January 2020 email from a New York prosecutor, included among approximately 30,000 pages of Epstein-related files published on Tuesday, details flight logs showing Trump’s presence on Epstein’s plane, including on multiple occasions when Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell was also aboard. Maxwell, currently serving a 20-year sentence for her role in aiding Epstein’s abuse of underage girls, was present for at least four of the documented flights. One particular flight listed only Epstein, Trump, and a 20-year-old woman whose identity has been redacted. The documents also mention other flights involving potential witnesses connected to Maxwell’s case. President Trump categorically denied these claims in a 2024 social media post, stating he "was never on Epstein’s Plane, or at his ‘stupid’ Island." Importantly, the prosecutor’s communication does not allege any criminal conduct by Trump, and the White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The Department of Justice emphasized in a statement on X (previously Twitter) that some claims against Trump included in the documents are "untrue and sensationalist" and were submitted to the FBI shortly before the 2020 election. The DOJ stressed that if the allegations held merit, they would have been exploited politically already. Nonetheless, the department upheld its commitment to transparency and legal requirements to release the documents while protecting Epstein’s victims. Among the materials made public were dozens of videos, including footage purportedly from inside a federal detention center. One video presented as showing Epstein kneeling in his jail cell was determined to be computer-generated, originating on social media in 2020, after Epstein’s 2019 death by suicide. Additional files include a 2021 email referencing an image of Trump with Maxwell, discovered on data extracted from former Trump advisor Steve Bannon’s cellphone. The government also released a grainy photograph of Trump seated beside Maxwell, consistent with images taken at a New York fashion event in 2000. This disclosure follows last week’s substantial release of Epstein-related files by the Trump administration, undertaken to comply with a new transparency law passed by Congress. However, widespread redactions in those earlier releases provoked criticism from Republicans and failed to quell the political controversy ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Addressing the Epstein file revelations, Trump dismissed their significance, telling reporters they were "just used to deflect against tremendous success" achieved by himself and Republicans. Representative Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican and key proponent of the transparency legislation, responded to Trump’s remarks by accusing the former president of attempting to blame him for the bill Trump signed. Massie also criticized Attorney General Pam Bondi for efforts to extensively redact the files despite legal obligations to fully disclose them under the new law. The unfolding release of Epstein-related documents continues to ignite political tensions, underscoring the complexities surrounding the cases and their implications for public figures involved in Epstein’s orbit.

Batangas Lawmaker Calls for Removal of Bicol Saro Rep. from House Committee Chairmanship Amid Budget Insertion Probe

Batangas 1st District Representative Leandro Legarda Leviste has called on the leadership of the House of Representatives to relieve Bicol Saro Party-list Representative Terry Ridon from his position as chairman of the House Committee on Public Accounts. The request was made on Tuesday, December 23, as Leviste announced his intention to file a resolution seeking a congressional inquiry into alleged budget insertions concerning Camarines Sur’s leading contractor and Bicol Saro Party-list’s involvement. The proposed investigation targets projects under the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) linked to Bicol Goldrock Construction and GCI Construction, companies owned by Steve and Gigi Ibasco. Leviste stated, \"Cong. Ridon should not conceal Bicol Saro Party-list’s budget insertions for 2025 or 2026 if his party truly has no connection to the Ibasco family, owners of Bicol Goldrock, which secured the projects they proposed.\" He further emphasized that Ridon’s leadership role must be reconsidered to ensure an unbiased investigation. \"For the inquiry into the Ibasco companies and the alleged insertions in the 2025 DPWH budget to be impartial, I urge our colleagues to remove Cong. Ridon as chair of the House Committee on Public Accounts,\" Leviste added. Ridon’s committee plays a crucial role as a legislative body overseeing government accountability and anti-corruption measures. Ridon also serves as one of the four co-chairmen of the quad-comm version 2.0 in the 20th Congress. Leviste referenced documents from the late DPWH Undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral, which purportedly list insertion proponents in the 2025 national budget. According to these files, projects linked to the Ibasco family companies appeared in the so-called \"CENTI2025\" list — projects suspected as \"parked funds\" or pre-arranged contract awards. The Batangas lawmaker revealed that Bicol Saro Party-list allegedly proposed ₱150 million worth of projects in the 2025 DPWH budget, including two road projects in Camarines Sur worth ₱75 million each, connecting Veneracion, Pamplona to Odicon, Pasacao. Both contracts were reportedly awarded to Bicol Goldrock at ₱73.5 million each, roughly 2 percent below the approved budget. Ridon has denied involvement in the budget insertions, noting that he only assumed office on June 30, 2022, during the 20th Congress. \"How could I have made insertions to the 2025 budget if I was not yet a congressman when it was finalized in 2024 under the 19th Congress?\" he questioned. Leviste clarified that his accusations were directed toward the Bicol Saro Party-list collectively, not Ridon personally. In response, Ridon, a lawyer, labeled Leviste’s claims as falsehoods and accused him of spreading misinformation.

Akbayan Calls for Broader Accountability Following Supreme Court Upholding of Kian delos Santos' Killers' Convictions

The Akbayan party-list has appealed to the government to intensify efforts to hold perpetrators accountable in the ongoing drug war crackdown, following a Supreme Court decision affirming the murder convictions of three police officers implicated in the 2017 killing of teenager Kian delos Santos. Welcoming the ruling as a significant, albeit rare, measure against impunity, Akbayan president Rafaela David emphasized that this legal milestone must serve as a catalyst for a comprehensive reform of the "Tokhang" campaign rather than remain an isolated instance of justice. "Justice is not truly served unless those who designed, financed, and authorized the extrajudicial killings—including high-ranking officials—face accountability alongside the operatives responsible for carrying out the violence," David stated. In light of this, Akbayan is advocating for the prompt enactment of the Truth and Reparations Commission Bill. The proposed legislation aims to thoroughly investigate the broader context of the drug war and provide judicial recognition and reparations to the countless families affected by state-sponsored violence. The Supreme Court's Second Division recently upheld the conviction and 40-year imprisonment sentences of police officers Arnel Oares, Jeremias Pereda, and Jerwin Cruz. The court ruled that the fatal shooting of Delos Santos was a deliberate execution rather than a legitimate police operation. Forensic analysis presented during the trial revealed that Delos Santos was shot five times while he was defenseless and kneeling, directly contradicting police claims that the teenager engaged in a shootout with authorities.

House Speaker Dy Calls for Unity and Compassion in Christmas Message to Lawmakers

House Speaker Faustino "Bojie" Dy III expressed his wish that every day could embody the spirit of Christmas, highlighting the unique sense of wonder the holiday brings to Filipinos. He shared these reflections during a pre-Christmas plenary address to his fellow lawmakers. "As I visit various departments within Congress, I often say I wish every day were Christmas because it carries a special magic," Dy remarked. He noted that during this season, people tend to be more receptive, conflicts quiet down, and understanding grows clearer among all. "Christmas reminds us that love, compassion, and shared responsibility are not just seasonal values; they should inform all our actions, especially in public service," he explained. In his Christmas Eve statement on December 24, Dy urged the nation to pause, reflect, and renew hope. "In every sparkling light and every smile shared, let us remember the true essence of Christmas: love, care for one another, and the belief that everything becomes more meaningful when we stand united," he said. Acknowledging the recent controversies plaguing the House, Dy emphasized the collective choice to uphold honesty, respect for the law, and measured responses. "Through our joint efforts, we are slowly rebuilding trust and paving the way toward a brighter future. This is the steadfast resolve of Bagong Pilipinas—a government with clear direction and accountability to its citizens," he added. He concluded by expressing hope that the "wonder of Christmas" will strengthen unity and invigorate service to the community, encouraging lawmakers and citizens alike to carry the holiday's goodwill throughout the year.