Citizen’s groups launch ‘Bantay Impeachment’ House prosecutors want Sen. Jinggoy out of impeach trial
BANTAY IMPEACHMENT.
FREEDOM TOAST.
A citizenbacked “Bantay Impeachment” campaign was launched at the Claret School in Quezon City yesterday as the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte in the Senate go into high gear. Members of the House prosecution panel – Bicol Saro Party-List Rep. Terry Ridon, Manila Rep. Joel Chua, and Kabataan Party-List Rep. Renee Co — were present at the launch. Joan Bondoc
President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. leads the toast to freedom during the Vin d’Honneur at the Ceremonial Hall in Malacañan Palace on 12 June 2026, bringing together government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, and distinguished guests in celebration of the 128th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence. PCO
Gov’t expands anti-espionage drive as tension in Panatag boils
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VOL. XL • NO. 120 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES JUNE 14, 2026
By Maricel Cruz
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IVIL society, academic, and church groups launched their citizen watch campaign “Bantay Impeachment” yesterday to promote public vigilance in the ongoing impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte. Members of the House prosecution team — Bicol Saro Party-List Rep. Terry Ridon, Manila Rep. Joel Chua, and Kabataan Party-List Rep. Renee Co — attended the launch at Claret School in Quezon City to express their support for the civic initiative.
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The initiative will include forums, watch parties, rallies and other activities to monitor developments in the impeachment proceedings, expose attempts to suppress evidence or obstruct the process, and help mobilize citizens, according to organizers. Meanwhile, the House impeachment panel is
set to submit its pre-trial brief to the Senate impeachment court on Monday as it ramps up preparations for the June 18 pre-trial conference in the impeachment case against the Vice President. Chua said the proceedings mark the next major step before the Senate impeachment court begins the trial proper on July 6. He explained that the pre-trial
conference will be conducted at the Senate and will not be open to the public or covered live by the media. “We understand that some of us here may have started out as proDuterte. But with the amount of evidence, are we not convinced yet? And isn’t it that the first thing to do when there is an accusation and the process is ongoing, is to weigh Turn to A4
THE Philippines’ anti-espionage program, initially limited to tracing “insider threats” within the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Department of National Defense (DND), is expanding to cover other government departments. The military-led Insider Threat Program (ITP) is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to secure sensitive information against possible espionage. The move comes as China begins to deploy structures inside Scarborough Shoal, which officials said could lead to a more permanent presence in the contested territory. Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Admiral Jay Tarriela the Philippine government continues to conduct maritime domain awareness flights and has deployed Coast Guard vessels to monitor and challenge tthe two Chinese research vessels operating within the shoal that are believed to have deployed the floating platform. The floating platform has become a source of concern for defense and security officials, who earlier called on China to remove the structure and formally protested its presence. Turn to A4
US, Iran say deal closer than ever even as tit-for-tat battles still on THE United States and Iran said a deal to end the Middle East war was closer than ever even as Washington said it downed multiple Iranian drones targeting commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz early Saturday. The development came after weeks of halting talks between Tehran and Washington, mediated by Pakistan, that have been marked by threats and exchanges of fire despite a fragile truce agreed in April. Disagreements between the two
sides have persisted, with Iranian state media publishing a breakdown of what was purportedly on the table that was at odds with Washington’s account. “The Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding has never been closer,” Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, wrote in a social media post, referring to the Pakistani capital that hosted previous US-Iran talks. Trump — who on Friday morning accused the Iranians of negotiating
in bad faith and misrepresenting the terms that had been agreed — posted a screenshot of Araghchi’s message on his own feed just hours later. But state broadcaster IRIB reported Araghchi as saying that until a complete agreement was reached on all issues, “it cannot be said with certainty that an understanding has been achieved with the United States.” Turn to A4
A Historic Run. Thousands
of runners in the Galaxy Manila Marathon by RunRio, co-presented by SM Supermalls, from across the country and abroad, take to the road at the start of the race, reinforcing Manila’s growing reputation as a destination for world-class marathon events and sports tourism.
RESTORED. The Marikina city government unveils its restored “World Largest Shoes” yesterday at City Hall reviving the Guinness World Record-holding landmark that has long symbolized the city’s shoemaking heritage. The pair of shoes was originally crafted by a nine-member team from Colossal Footwear in October 2002. Manny Palmero
5.7 aftershock shakes Sarangani; death toll in temblor rises to 61 By Rex Espiritu A MAGNITUDE 5.7 earthquake struck off the coast of Sarangani, Davao Occidental, at around 10:05 a.m yesterday even as the death toll in the June 8 temblor rose to 61. According to the state seismology bureau, damage is expected in the aftershock’s aftermath. The quake was recorded 21 kilometers northwest of Balut Island, with a depth of 10 kilometers. “This is an aftershock of the 2026 June 8 Mw7.8 Offshore Sarangani earthquake,” Phivolcs said. Intensity V (strong) was reported in General Santos City. Meanwhile, OCD Assistant Sec-
retary and Deputy Administrator Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV said the reported death toll has reached 61, with all bodies already accounted for. The OCD, however, is still validating the names of the casualties. “As of 6:00 this morning, the repor ted dead casualties have reached 61. The validation is ongoing,” Alejandro said in mixed English and Filipino during an interview on Dobol B TV. The number of injured has likewise reached 1,221, with the Department of Health (DOH) including those who sought consultation and reported dizziness.
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ICC orders fresh medical checkup for Rody before trial By Charles Dantes THE International Criminal Court (ICC) ordered a fresh medical examination of former President Rodrigo Duterte to determine his fitness to stand trial on charges of crimes against humanity, citing the need for an updated assessment before proceedings begin in November. The ICC Trial Chamber III ruled that a multidisciplinary panel of experts, including specialists in forensic psychiatry, neurology, and neuropsychology,
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will reexamine Duterte under Rule 135 of the court’s procedures. The same panel had previously found him fit for pretrial hearings in 2025, despite defense claims of cognitive decline. The order comes after Duterte’s defense argued he suffers from cognitive impairments that could hinder his ability to participate in the trial, with both prosecutors and defense lawyers supporting the chamber’s move to seek an independent evaluation.
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According to the ICC, experts are tasked with determining whether the former chief executive can understand the charges, follow courtroom proceedings, enter a plea knowingly, testify or make statements, and instruct his counsel effectively. They must also compare their findings with earlier reports, assess whether any impairments are reversible, and recommend measures to ensure his participation.
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