Vice President Leni Robredo believes that a low member of the opposition in the Congress would make the impeachment of President Rodrigo Duterte impossible.

In his radio program, Robredo said that the Congress should still study the possible impeachment case against Duterte primarily that his critics are already pointing out that the Chief Executive seems to ignore China’s action in the West Philippine Sea.

According to her, it’s more important that you members of the opposition in the Congress are still fighting for their beliefs instead of joining the supermajority who sided with the President.

She added that the people should also decide to the impeachment of the President instead of the lawmakers only.

“Kahit napakakaunti ng numero, ‘yong pinakamahalaga doon, hindi ka napapagod ipaglaban ‘yong tama,” Robredo said.

However, she was saddened by the reality that the impeachment can only succeed if most of the lawmakers support it, that’s why she believes that the President is confident that he would still keep his position.

“Iyong impeachment case kasi, political act iyan. May grounds para ma-impeach ang mga impeachable officials. Pero ang reyalidad noon, political act siya,” she said.

“Ito ang nakakalungkot kasi kahit sana political act, iyong panakot dapat sa mga impeachable officials na kapag nag-violate, ang essence ng pinaka-violation at saka iyong essence ng Saligang Batas ang magpe-prevail. Pero alam natin sa experience hindi iyon ganoon,” she added.

Robredo is still hoping that someday the people would pressure the lawmakers to do what is right.

“The senators and congressmen are only their representatives. We should be the ones putting pressure on them so that they would really represent our beliefs,” she said.

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“University of the East, wag matigas ulo niyo ah. Nagdeklara na kami ng suspensyon ng klase. Ngayon, kung ayaw niyong sumusod, umalis kayo sa lungsod ng Maynila. We will withdraw your permit to operate in the City of Manila,”

This is what Mayor Isko Moreno warned to the University of the East (UE) Manila Campus to follow the class suspension order of the City government or else he would not allow the school to operate anymore.

In a live Facebook video, Moreno in the first day of his work as Mayor of Manila told UE that all the students, including college level, are not “frogman” who could bear the strong rains and swim into the flood.

According to Moreno, UE only suspended the classes of Elementary and Senior High School level while they still insisted that the College students are exempted in the suspension.

“Ngayon mga kababayan, mga taga pamahalaan ng UE… hindi frogman ang mga estudyante sa kolehiyo… kung ano po ang pagpapahalaga ko sa mga maliliit na bata na estudyante ng elementarya, ng high school… ganun din po ang  equal na pagpapahalaga natin sa mga college students,” Moreno said.

Moreno heard that UE is always not following the orders of the City Government of Manila many times.

He expressed his disappointment to the management of UE, saying that he’s prioritizing the welfare of Manilenos especially students, while the said University is just trying to ignore the orders of class suspension.

“Wag niyong sasabihin sa akin na kayo ay under CHED… responsibilidad po ng alkalde ng lungsod na mapangalagaan ang kaligtasan ng kanyang nasasakupan at nasasakupan nitong mamamayan,” Isko said.

“I hope you’d learn your lesson, never do that again to us, we only care, but if you don’t care for your students. I think if I’m a parent I will not ask my son or daughter to enroll in your institution,” he added.

Moreno insisted that while education is important, the safety of the students should be prioritized.

He said that he would not punish UE today, however, he warned the school and other universities to follow the orders of the government next time or they should look for another City to operate.

“Ayoko na pong mauulit yan, kung hindi rin kayo susunod.. kayong mga eskwelahan sa tagubilin ng pamahalaan ng lungsod ng Maynila, ayon sa pag sasaayos, ayon sa pangangalaga ng kaligtasan, you are not welcome to the City of Manila. Mag sara na po kayo,”  he said.

“Wag po kayong masanay na walang gobyerno ang lungsod ng Maynila, masanay na po kayo simula today, mayroon na pong gobyerno ang lungsod ng Maynila,” he added.

Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa is all smile during his first day in office, he was accompanied by his wife and children who also didn’t leave him during his campaign several months ago.

In the photos posted by his Facebook page, Dela Rosa was seen walking along the hallways in the Senate, inspecting his new workplace for the next six years.

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He was also welcomed by his supporters presenting a tarpaulin who includes him, President Rodrigo Duterte and Senator Christopher “Bong” Go.

He also inspected his office which formerly used as extension office by Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri.

They also didn’t forgot to do the photo session.

According to Bato on June 25 surprised the media when he said that he was a believer of Feng Shui and he will let an expert arrange his room.

“Ipa-feng shui kung saan ka uupo, wala namang mawawala sa atin kung maniwala tayo,” he told reporters.

He said that during his time as the leader of PNP, he also consulted a Feng Shui expert saying that it helped him to survive hardships.

“Oo (pina-feng shui ko) kaya tignan niyo kahit gaano ako ginigiba, hindi ako nag-resign kasi maganda pagka-feng shui. Wala namang mawala kung maniwala tayo,” he said.

He also feels the good aura of his new office, saying that it would give positivity in his life.

Davao City Representative Paolo “Pulong” Duterte reminded his friends in the House of Representatives to avoid using his name if they’re trying to gain an advantage in the Speakership race.

In a statement released on June 30, Pulong wanted to be out in dirty politics, saying that he would not tolerate any use of black propaganda even if they’re friends or political ally.

“Pakiusap lang po. Kung sino man ang gusto na idamay ako sa usapin ng speakership sa House of Representatives — huwag po ninyo akong gamitin. Huwag po ang pangalan ko. Ilabas po ninyo ako sa inyong marumi, mapanghamak, bastos, at nakakawala ng respeto na uri ng pulitika.” Duterte said.

“Magkaibigan tayo, pero ang pagkakaibigan na ito ay may limitasyon. Ang pagkakaibigan natin ay hindi lisensya para gamitin ninyo ako upang sirain ang inyong kalaban, bastusin ang kanyang asawa o ang kanyang pamilya.” he added.

Pulong also urged the Congressmen to choose a leader that knows how to respect women even if she’s the wife of his number one enemy in the speakership race.

“Sa mga kapwa ko mambabatas, ako po ay baguhan lamang, pero sa tingin ko, ang nangyayari ngayon ay dapat na magsilbing paalaala sa atin sa ating pagpili ng ating lider sa Kongreso.” he said

“Piliin po natin ang lider na may respeto sa kawpa, lalo na sa babae — kahit na asawa pa man ito ng kanyang kalaban.” he also said.

“Piliin po natin ang lider na ang interes ay hindi pansarili, tiyak na maninindigan at tunay na aalalay kay Pangulong Duterte at sa kanyang administasyon para isulong ang tunay at positibong pagbabago sa ating bansa.”

Duterte made the statement after Taguig Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano claimed that Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco’s wife Wen proposed the term-sharing in the House Speakership.

In his latest interview, the partner of the President in the 2016 elections accused Velasco of lying after they claimed that the term-sharing is not going to happen.

“Sinabi ni Cong. Velasco, there was no such agreement. Alam naman niyang kasinungalingan iyon because sila nag-propose nun e,” Cayetano told ANC.

“Okay lang sa kin magsinungaling s’ya because politicians lie. But to call the President a liar by saying na there’s no such agreement, I’ll not take that sitting down. Congressman Velasco owes the President an apology and he owes the people na maging mas honest s’ya,” he added.

Cayetano said that during the presidential elections, his two opponents in the speakership race, Velasco and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez only joined the side of President Duterte in the last period of the campaign.

“Si Cong Velasco and his wife, last three weeks na ng eleksyon sumama sa amin yan, before that na kay Grace Poe sila, Martin’s wife is with us since day one, pero Martin joins us nung huli na,” he said.

He also insisted that he’s only a victim of the people who are trying to destroy his reputation to the first family by telling them that he has no loyalty to the President

The controversial outgoing Cebu Mayor Tommy Osmeña finally explained why he removed everything in his office located on the 8th floor of the City’s Executive Building.

In an interview with DZMM, Osmeña started to fix the Mayor’s office using his own money in 2010 after the council which the majority has consisted of politicians who opposed him, rejected his request for a budget amounting of P2-M.

He also did the same thing in 2016 after the council headed during that time by incoming Mayor Edgar Labella rejected his request again without any explanation.

Osmeña said that he removed all the things he bought in his office so his successor could experience the problems he encountered before.

“Ako ang naggastos sa mayor’s office. I had to spend for everything… I decided to remove everything so he would know what it feels like,” Osmeña said.

He said that it’s very unusual that a City council is not supporting its Mayor and not giving any funds to fix the office of their leader.

“I know sa mga tao it’s very unusual for the mayor to strip his office… But on the other hand, it’s also very rare na that the city council will not allow the mayor to fix his office,” Osmena told the radio hosts.

According to him, the Mayor’s office renovation costs P2-M, he spent P1-M of his personal money, while the remaining one million pesos came from the contribution of his friends.

Osmeña also said that he already expected that he would face charges even in the Office of the Ombudsman.

On Friday, Osmeña has gone viral on the internet after the photos of the almost destroyed Mayor’s office circulated on social media.

“The cabinets/shelves/claddings, light and plumbing fixtures, partitions and doors, ceiling and floor works located at the 8th floor of Cebu Mayor’s Office are not Cebu City Government Owned Properties but are personal properties of former Cebu City Mayor Tomas R. Osmena,” the Department of General Services of Cebu City said.

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Defeated opposition senatorial candidate Chel Diokno criticized President Rodrigo Duterte for his statements saying that the constitution is only a piece of toilet paper.

In a series of tweet, Diokno said that Duterte is being called the President of the Philippines of because of the 1987 constitution that he mocked in his statement while defending his decision to allow the Chinese to fish around West Philippine Sea.

He also reminded that the 16-M people who supported the President is enjoying their right to vote because of the current constitution.

“Di na dapat tawaging Pangulo si Duterte sapagka’t ang pwestong iyan ay galing sa 1987 Constitution na sabi niya’y pampahid lang ng pw*t,” Diokno said.

Di na dapat tawaging Pangulo si Duterte sapagka’t ang pwestong iyan ay galing sa 1987 Constitution na sabi niya’y pampahid lang ng pwet.

— Chel Diokno (@ChelDiokno) June 29, 2019

“Di rin niya pwedeng sabihin na siya’y binoto ng 16 milyon na Pilipino sapagka’t ang karapatang bumoto ay nanggagaling din sa 1987 Constitution na kanya’y binabasura.” he added.

Di rin niya pwedeng sabihin na siya’y binoto ng 16 milyon na Pilipino sapagka’t ang karapatang bumoto ay nanggagaling din sa 1987 Constitution na kanya’y binabasura.

— Chel Diokno (@ChelDiokno) June 29, 2019

Diokno also made another harsh statement against the President, saying that the chief executive doesn’t respect the law of the man and God. He even called the President the Emperor with no clothes.

The defeated senatorial candidate is referring to a famous tale “The Emperor’s New Clothes” about a narcissistic emperor who believed that he’s wearing a special type of cloth that no one could see because it was claimed to be made of special fabric.

Because of being narcissistic, the Emperor boasted his new clothes while parading the streets without realizing that he’s actually not wearing any clothes.

“Sabihin na natin ang katotohanan: walang iginagalang na batas si Duterte kundi yung nanggagaling sa kanyang bibig. Kahit mga utos ng Diyos ay walang kwenta sa kanya. Imbis na pangulo, tawagin na lang natin siyang emperador — emperador na hubad at huwad.” he said.

Sabihin na natin ang katotohanan: walang iginagalang na batas si Duterte kundi yung nanggagaling sa kanyang bibig. Kahit mga utos ng Diyos ay walang kwenta sa kanya.

Imbis na pangulo, tawagin na lang natin siyang emperador — emperador na hubad at huwad.

— Chel Diokno (@ChelDiokno) June 29, 2019

On June 28, Duterte defended his decision to keep having peace with China, saying that there might be bigger consequences if the Philippines try to fight his giant neighbor.

He also said that China would not respect the constitution of the Philippines even if he shows it personally to them.

“Pupunta ako (sa Spartlys) sabihin ko get out, this is the Constitution. Sabihin sayo’ naubusan ka na ng toilet paper, gamitin mo yan,” Duterte said.

“Ako kung sabihin you present to me a constitution like that and we have this ruckus claiming the same place in our jurisdiction. Sabihin ko, kung wala kang pang-ilo gamitin mo yang constitution mo. Because that means war. And that piece of paper, the Constitution, will become meaningless with no spirit except desperation, agony, and suffering,” he added.

As of writing, Malacanang is not yet giving any statement on Diokno’s statement.

President Rodrigo Duterte criticized detained Senator Leila De Lima after the latter commented again over the Chief Executive’s decision to allow Chinese fishermen to roam around West Philippine Sea.

In a chance interview, President Duterte said that if De Lima really wanted to defend the country from China, he would make way for the lady Senator to travel there as quickly as possible by tying his critic to a rocket.

“Kung ano-anong pinag-isip… nandoon sa presohan si De Lima. Kung ano na lang ang sinasabi, attack, ganon. Ikaw, itali kita ng kwitis na malaki, ikaw ang pa… pasiritin ko doon sa Spratlys,” Duterte said.

“I will order in Bulacan the greatest… the biggest kwitis that we can ever make. Itali kita, sindihan ko. Mauna ka na doon,” he added.

He would also glad to tie her former boyfriend and driver-bodyguard Ronnie Dayan in a smaller rocket so they could be together again.

The President became more serious as he talked about De Lima, urging the lady Senator to keep silence.

He even mentioned again the alleged leaked private video of the lady Senator together with another man.

“No, you do not have the moral right. Not even… Kaya kung ayaw mo pag-usapan ‘yan kasi sabi mo may mga anak ka, eh ‘yung… Do not tempt too much na ‘pag marunong ka. You keep quiet,” Duterte said.

“You clear yourself, prove to us that hindi ikaw, si ano ‘yon, kung sino ‘yon kamukha mo lang. O baka ayaw mo lang sabihin may twin sister ka, or you just don’t want to say you have a twin sister,” he added.

De Lima’s camp repeatedly denied that the lady senator has a record of her private times.

On Friday, De Lima criticized Duterte for his recent statements, saying that he cannot escape the bad acts he committed forever.

“Sa halip na ilabas ang tapang niya para ipagtanggol ang mga Pilipinong mangingisda at ang dignidad ng ating bansa mula sa Tsina, nanakot pa itong si Duterte na ipakukulong ang sinumang magsasampa ng kasong impeachment laban sa kanya,” De Lima said in a statement.

“Nasa tuktok ka man ngayon, hindi mo pa rin kayang takutin ang lahat ng tao, Ginoong Duterte. Higit sa lahat, hinding-hindi mo matatakasan ang panahon ng paniningil para sa mga kasalanan at pagtataksil mo sa bayan.” she added.

Despite receiving help from the government, the wife of the captain of GEM-VER-1 is still angry with President Rodrigo Duterte and even wished for the ouster of the chief executive.

In an interview with ABS-CBN News, Mrs. Insigne expressed her disappointment over the recent statement of President Duterte that he would allow the Chinese fishermen to sail in the West Philippine Sea.

“Parang wala ng karapatan ang Pilipinas.. parang Chinese na lang yung sinusunod niya (Duterte)” Insigne said.

“Naiinis ako kanina, nanunuod ako ng TV. Naiinis ako. Sabi ko, ‘Maigi pa ngang ma-impeach siya,'” Insigne said while laughing.

Malacanang is not yet giving any statement over Mrs. Insigne’s statement.

Last week, Lani’s wife, Junel Insigne received fiberglass boat from the government and other equipment that they could use to earn a living.

Mrs. Insigne is known for being harsh to President Duterte and even challenged the Chief Executive to visit them personally in Mindoro if he really wanted to talk to them.

She even urged her husband, Junel not to meet with President Duterte when it was reported that the boat captain was invited to Malacanang.

Meanwhile, critics of the government also got the same opinion as Mrs. Insigne, saying that Duterte’s recent statement is a basis for him to be impeached.

“Yes, most definitely, absolutely that is the case because the Constitution is very clear on it. Not just territorial waters, but also the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines, the resources there are exclusively for Filipinos,” ACT-Partylist Rep. Antonio Tinio said.

However, several political allies of Duterte said that impeachment against the President is doomed to fail.

Outgoing Cebu City Mayor Tommy Osmeña couldn’t leave his office without carrying his stuff back to his home.

In several photos, employees of Cebu City Executive building were surprised after they saw the Mayor’s office literally empty after Osmena ordered to remove every stuff in his workplace that came from his personal funds.

According to a staff of Osmena, the outgoing Cebu City Mayor personally owned the glass dividers, ceiling, ceramic tiles, dividers, kitchen tiles, bathroom tiles, and furniture, so he ordered his men to remove it, which resulted to the awful look of the Mayor’s office.

Osmena only kept airconditioners and several chairs after the cleanup.

Mayor-elect of Cebu Edgar Labella said that they’re preparing to file charges for Osmena for destroying the Office of the Mayor which according to them is owned by the government.

The camp of Osmena also explained that the outgoing leader of Cebu City spent his own money to decorate the Mayor’s office after the City Council denied his P2-M budget request.

Labella is a bet of the Duterte administration while Osmena represented Liberal Party in the Mayoral election in Cebu City.

The two politicians are known for exchanging tirades during the last election.

The new Cebu City Mayor was supposed to occupy Osmena’s office on Monday. The camp of Labella is not yet giving any updates if they’re still going to use the former office of Osmena after they saw the current condition of the said workplace.

As of writing, Osmena is not yet releasing a statement on the said issue.

President Rodrigo Duterte said that he would detain the critics that would attempt to file an impeachment case against him over his alleged failure to protect the sovereignty of the Philippines from China.

In an interview with the media, Duterte said that he would not hesitate to fight back if someone wanted him to be out of office.

“I-impeach ako? Kulungin ko silang lahat. Subukan niyo. Try to take it, do it, and I will do it,” Duterte said.

He also argued with Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio who mentioned that the constitution mandates the President to protect the country’s marine wealth, territorial sea and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) against any foreign power.

According to Duterte, he’s only protecting the lives of the Filipino, saying that the Chinese would not allow itself to be shamed by following the Philippine Constitution.

“That is a provision for the thoughtless and the senseless. The protection of our economic rights about the economic zone resolves this? I am protecting the country and 110 million Filipinos,” Duterte said.

“Ang China, ganito yan parang Filipino hindi mo puede hiyain. Magwawala yan at magpuputak, puputaktihin kayong lahat.” he said.

The President also said that if the situation worsened, China’s missile could reach Manila in seven minutes.

“Ang gusto ng mga u*** na ito hiyain ako. Pagdating ko doon, sabihan ko yung (Chinese) commander doon na umalis kayo. Ay sabihin sa akin, p***** i**, sino ka ba mag-utos sa akin? Gusto mo upakan?” Duterte referring to Carpio who’s urging him to stand against China.

Meanwhile, Senator Panfilo Lacson said that President Duterte knows that he’s not allowed to detain any of his critics.

“The President knows he can’t do it and he won’t do it,” Lacson said.

“His problem is when one-third of the members of the HOR (House of Representatives) feel more challenged than afraid of his threat. A bigger problem is when 16 senators are convinced by the evidence presented during the trial,” he added.

Senator Kiko Pangilinan, a member of the opposition said that filing an impeachment against a President is not illegal.

Senator Ralph Recto, downplayed the possible impeachment against the President, saying that the current administration enjoyed mass support from both lower and upper house.

“The reality is the President has a super majority at the House of Representatives. Any impeachment complaint is doomed to fail,”  he said.