House Speaker Calls for Empathy-Driven Legislation to Improve Filipino Lives

House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez has called on legislators to go beyond technical lawmaking and focus on enacting laws that genuinely improve the well-being of Filipinos. In a statement, Romualdez emphasized the need for legislation that resonates with the struggles of everyday citizens. \"Let the 20th Congress be a turning point, not just in laws we pass but in the lives that we change,\" Romualdez said during a recent session. He added that laws must carry sincerity and real meaning, stressing, \"Hindi sapat ang mga batas na mahusay, kailangan nito ay may puso. Hindi sapat ang batas na maganda sa papel, dapat ito ay may saysay sa buhay.\" Romualdez underscored that empathy and relevance should guide all legislative deliberations, particularly in light of ongoing challenges faced by many Filipinos. \"Let us make every debate meaningful, let every law reflect compassion, let every session honor the dreams of our people,\" he stated. He also reminded House members of their responsibility, declaring, \"We are the House of the People. Let us be remembered for being worthy of that name.\" Among the priorities outlined by Romualdez are the passage of the proposed Rice Industry Consumer Empowerment Act (RICE Act), institutionalizing the \"Walang Gutom Program\" to provide monthly food credits, supporting digital skills training and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and advancing reforms in public education. Key educational measures include the Last Mile Schools Act and amendments to the Expanded Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (E-GASTPE). Through this approach, Romualdez envisions a legislative agenda that not only addresses policy but also directly improves the day-to-day lives of Filipinos facing economic and social challenges.

Legal Counsel Denies Blocking Honeylet Avanceña’s Visits to Duterte at ICC Detention Center

The lead legal representative for former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has publicly refuted claims that he obstructed visits to Duterte at the International Criminal Court (ICC) detention center in The Hague. This statement follows a heartfelt video plea from Duterte’s longtime partner, Honeylet Avanceña, who expressed frustration over her perceived inability to visit the former leader. In a video interview released by a local vlogger, Avanceña directly addressed Duterte’s counsel, Nicholas Kaufman, asserting, \"Mr. Kaufman, I’m not asking for any favors. I’m not discussing the case. I rarely get to speak with any of your associates, so I am addressing you directly.\" She described Duterte’s emotional state since leaving office, emphasizing his ongoing struggle with depression. \"Even after his presidency, he developed depression,\" Avanceña said emotionally. \"Please have mercy on him. You’re only able to talk to him for one hour a day, but you don’t see him the other 23 hours. I am certain he is suffering from depression, and now you’re preventing me from visiting him.\" Responding to these allegations, Kaufman issued a statement clarifying his role in the visitation process. He said, \"For judicial reasons and out of respect for family privacy, I am neither able nor required to comment on the accuracy of Honeylet Avanceña’s claims regarding denied access to the ICC detention center.\" He further explained that visitation rights fall under the jurisdiction of the detention center authorities, with judges intervening only when necessary. \"Contrary to Ms. Avanceña’s assertions, these rights are not determined by counsel, but by the ICC officials.\" Kaufman also assured the public that the former President’s health is being properly monitored and managed by those who are in daily contact with him. As of now, the ICC has yet to release any official statement addressing Avanceña’s concerns. Duterte remains under investigation at the ICC for alleged crimes against humanity linked to his controversial anti-drug campaign.

POLITIKO: Delivering In-Depth Coverage of Philippine Political Affairs

Established in 2014, POLITIKO has consistently provided in-depth and dynamic reporting on the complex realm of Philippine politics. Committed to journalistic integrity, the platform serves as a reliable guide, offering insightful analysis and timely information that captures the nation's political pulse. Through its unwavering dedication, POLITIKO ensures that readers remain well-informed and engaged as political developments unfold across the country.

POLITIKO: Guiding Filipinos Through the Dynamic Political Landscape

"POLITIKO: Navigating the Pulse of Philippine Politics" embodies a steadfast dedication to delivering in-depth and dynamic reportage on the country\'s political developments. Established in 2014, POLITIKO has become a trusted platform, consistently offering insightful commentary and up-to-date information that reflect the nation\'s political climate. Emphasizing journalistic integrity, the publication strives to act as a guiding beacon, helping readers remain well-informed and actively engaged with ongoing political affairs across the Philippines.

Harry Roque Challenges Duterte Lawyer’s Remarks Amid Legal Disputes

Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque has publicly dismissed recent comments by Nicholas Kaufman, the legal adviser to former President Rodrigo Duterte, who labeled Roque as "irrelevant" in connection to Duterte’s ongoing legal battles. In a Facebook post on Saturday, Roque questioned Kaufman’s focus on him, stating, "What? Why me? Why am I the subject—again—of Mr. Nicholas Kaufman’s latest rant?" Kaufman, in an interview released Friday, emphasized that there are no personal conflicts among those important to Duterte and described Roque as a non-factor, criticizing him for what he called "comical intrigues." Roque challenged Kaufman to instead address concerns raised by Honeylet Avanceña, Duterte’s common-law wife, regarding her alleged suspension from visiting Duterte at the International Criminal Court (ICC) detention facility in The Hague. "Why is he so bothered by my 'irrelevant' existence and connect me with Ms. Avanceña’s suspension of visitation rights?" Roque remarked, calling the allegations a "Kaufman-style blame game." He urged Kaufman to focus on securing Duterte’s release, stating, "Again, Mr. Kaufman, I pray for the success of your Legal Team. Please bring former President Rodrigo Duterte home alive. Focus. The Filipino people are watching and waiting." The tension between Roque and Kaufman intensified after reports surfaced that Roque sought legal aid from a Dutch lawyer to sue the Dutch government over its role in Duterte’s transfer to the ICC detention center. Kaufman dismissed this as a "crazy scheme" and warned Roque against interfering in Duterte’s case, urging him instead to resolve his own legal issues in the Philippines. Roque, however, reaffirmed his commitment, stating, "My support to the Duterte Legal Defense continues. There is no truth that I have interfered in the case or that I have given statements that might affect the Defense legal strategy in the ICC." Duterte was detained at the ICC headquarters last March following his arrest on charges related to alleged crimes against humanity linked to his administration’s war on drugs. Official government reports indicate the drug war resulted in at least 6,000 deaths, while human rights organizations and the ICC prosecutor estimate the toll to be between 12,000 and 30,000 from 2016 to 2019, highlighting concerns over extrajudicial killings.

Pope Leo XIV Declares John Henry Newman a Doctor of the Church

VATICAN CITY – Pope Leo XIV will officially declare John Henry Newman, the 19th-century English priest and convert to Catholicism, as a Doctor of the Church, a rare honor bestowed on only 38 individuals to date, the Vatican announced Thursday. Newman, originally from London, was canonized in 2019 by the late Pope Francis. The title of Doctor of the Church is reserved exclusively for saints recognized for their significant theological contributions. In a formal statement, the Vatican confirmed that Pope Leo XIV had "affirmed the positive assessment" from bishops regarding Newman receiving this distinguished title. During Newman’s canonization ceremony in 2019, then-Prince Charles, now King Charles III, led the British delegation in paying tribute to the newly declared saint. Born in 1801, Newman initially sought to reform the Anglican Church but ultimately concluded that Catholicism represented the true faith, leading to his conversion at age 44. He was a key figure in founding the Oxford Movement, aimed at renewing the Church of England. John Henry Newman passed away in 1890, leaving a lasting impact on religious thought and ecumenical dialogue.

Social News Blog Focuses on Politicians and Their Networks

A social news blog has established itself as a dedicated space where politicians, along with their families, friends, and supporters, are at the core of its coverage. The platform chronicles their statements, actions, preferences, aspirations, and concerns. Emphasizing both entertainment and information, the blog seeks to engage readers by providing insightful content that sparks conversation. It clarifies that the opinions expressed by its contributors are solely those of the individual writers and do not necessarily represent the stance of MCD Multimedia Corporation. Additionally, the site stresses that none of its content aims to disparage any religion, ethnic group, organization, company, individual, or other entities, maintaining respect and impartiality in its reporting. This approach positions the blog as a unique source for those interested in the personal and political dimensions of public figures.

Senator Tulfo Urges Accountability After Lawmakers Caught Gambling During Sessions

Senator Erwin Tulfo on Wednesday reminded government officials that participating in any form of gambling is strictly prohibited, following incidents where two members of the House of Representatives were seen engaging in online gambling activities during congressional sessions. During a plenary meeting, one representative was observed watching e-sabong, a form of electronic cockfighting, on his mobile phone. Another member was also spotted playing an online billiards game during the opening session of the 20th Congress. Expressing his disappointment, Tulfo said, \"It was very frustrating to witness this kind of behavior. We are here at Congress, and this should not be happening.\" He questioned the lawmakers’ priorities, stating, \"I don’t understand why they feel the need to do this. They should be focusing on their duties.\" Having served as a party-list representative in the previous 19th Congress, Tulfo emphasized that disciplining these members falls under the jurisdiction of the House ethics committee. He suggested that the involved representatives should explain their actions and offer an apology. \"Even if voting for the speakership can be tedious, you are expected to perform your job diligently. You are being paid by the people; therefore, gambling during sessions is unacceptable,\" Tulfo asserted. Reiterating the rules, the senator underscored that gambling is forbidden for all government officials and employees, adding, \"My point is, it is prohibited, and public servants should prioritize their duties over such activities.\"

Sarangani Lawmaker Denies Involvement in Online Sabong Incident During House Session

Sarangani Representative Steve Chiongbian Solon has firmly denied being the individual caught on camera engaging in online sabong during the House of Representatives session last Monday. The lawmaker addressed the issue after his name was repeatedly mentioned in social media posts alleging his involvement in the incident. "It has come to my attention that people are tagging my name to a viral post. So let me clarify this once and for all — I don\'t gamble nor do I approve of online gambling," Solon stated. Solon explained that the term \"solon\" is a general synonym for lawmaker or legislator, noting that not every reference to \"solon\" in media reports pertains specifically to him. He urged the public to distinguish between the term and individual identities, saying, "Pag may nagheadline ng ganito \"Solon, naispatang nanood ng online sabong...\" ang ibig sabihin ng SOLON ay LAWMAKER in English. Hindi lahat ng nakasulat na Solon ay ako. Let\'s be functional readers not instant reactors." The online controversy originated from photos and videos circulated on social media, which showed a legislator either playing or observing online sabong during the opening of the first regular session. However, Solon has categorically stated that he is not involved in the incident under scrutiny.

Senate Majority Leader Calls for Stricter Regulation of Online Lending and Gambling

Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva has called on the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to adopt more stringent measures aimed at curbing the misuse of online lending platforms, which he associates with a surge in cybercrime and the expansion of online gambling. Villanueva highlighted the necessity for BSP's regulations governing online lending apps, electronic wallets, and digital banking services to be closely coordinated with law enforcement agencies in order to effectively address the adverse effects of online gambling. The senator further urged the government to implement a "total, unconditional ban" on all forms of online gambling within the country. He underscored the risks posed by the intersection of illegal online betting activities and predatory lending practices, warning that these combined pressures could drive many Filipinos into severe financial distress. "The intertwining of unlawful online gambling and exploitative loan schemes from digital lending applications creates a dangerous financial trap for numerous citizens," Villanueva said. His appeal reflects growing concerns about the social and economic impact of unregulated digital financial services and gambling operations in the Philippines.