House solons blast VP Duterte’s SC petition as bid to evade accountability

MANILA -- Lawmakers sharply criticized Vice President Sara Duterte after she elevated her impeachment fight to the Supreme Court, with several House members calling the move a “desperate attempt” to derail proceedings and avoid accountability. Among the most vocal critics was Mamamayang Liberal Rep. Leila de Lima, who questioned Duterte’s decision to seek relief from the high court. “Akala siguro nila yung SC ay ‘Sara’s Court’ na pwede nila laging takbuhan para pagtakpan ang kaduwagan at pagtakas sa pananagutan,” De Lima said in a post. Akbayan Rep. Percival Cendaña echoed the criticism, accusing Duterte of attempting to stall the process out of fear that evidence would surface. “This petition reeks of desperation. At alam natin kapag desperado, talagang gagawin ang lahat para ma-delay, ma-derail ‘yung process. And we hope that the Supreme Court will see that we are fully compliant with not just the constitution, but even with their own ruling,” said Cendaña. “Alam natin na talagang desperado na sila, natatakot na lumabas ang ebidensya, natatakot na lumabas ang katotohanan. Kasi alam ni VP Sara, paglabas ng ebidensya, wala na siyang takas,” he added. Adding to the criticism, ACT Teachers Party-list and Makabayan Bloc member Antonio Tinio dismissed the petition outright. “Kabalbalan ang petisyon ng kampo ni VP Sara,” Tinio said, describing the move as a clear tactic to evade accountability, particularly in relation to confidential funds and unexplained wealth of VP Duterte. Meanwhile, Rep. Terry Ridon of Bicol Saro went further, urging the dismissal of Duterte’s petition outright. He alleged that her legal team included “fraudulent claims,” particularly in arguing that prosecutors are barred from strengthening a case with additional evidence—an assertion he rejected. “No TRO vs Duterte impeachment proceedings. See you on April 14,” Ridon said on X. Despite the petition from Duterte’s group, the Supreme Court declined to issue a temporary restraining order (TRO), allowing the impeachment process to proceed. For House leadership, the decision affirmed institutional balance. Speaker Faustino Dy III welcomed the move, saying it reflects “proper balance” among branches of government. “In the absence of any legal restraint, the House of Representatives will continue to discharge its constitutional mandate,” Dy said, adding that proceedings would move forward in a “fair, orderly, and evidence-based process.” Duterte filed a petition for certiorari and prohibition dated April 1, asking the Supreme Court to issue both a TRO and a final injunction to nullify the impeachment complaints and halt the proceedings of the House Committee on Justice. Her legal team argued that the impeachment process is constitutionally flawed, citing what they described as “fatal defects” in how the complaints were referred and handled. Among the key points raised were alleged overreach by House leadership, possible violation of the one-year bar rule on impeachment, and claims that committee hearings resemble a “trial in disguise,” a role reserved for the Senate. Defense spokesperson Michael Poa maintained that the move was grounded in constitutional principles. “This is about ensuring that the process itself complies with the Constitution. The House has the power to initiate impeachment, but that power is not without limits,” he said. Nevertheless, the solons reiterated that the impeachment process is part of constitutional accountability mechanisms, guided by evidence and the rule of law, even as political tensions continue to mount. 📷 Inday Sara Duterte FB

Hontiveros warns farmers’ income may fall below half of minimum wage, renews call for supplemental aid

MANILA -- Senator Risa Hontiveros on Wednesday warned that soaring fertilizer prices could slash farmers’ earnings to nearly half the minimum wage in some provinces. She pressed once again for a supplemental aid package to support agricultural workers and other vulnerable sectors. Her office’s projections indicate that farmers in areas such as Central Luzon — where urea fertilizer is widely used — could see their monthly earnings fall to just ₱7,275, barely half of the region’s approximate ₱16,200 minimum wage (₱540 daily) for agricultural workers. “Rising costs and limited fertilizer supply threaten lower yields, higher food prices, and rock-bottom earnings for our farmers. I urge Malacañang and our colleagues in Congress to support our proposed ₱52.8 billion supplemental budget, which includes an initial ₱2.8 billion agricultural subsidy to help farmers buy fertilizer supplies,” Hontiveros said. She pointed out that the conflict in the Middle East has sharply increased fertilizer prices, driving farmers’ production costs up by 30 to 40 percent. At the same time, the influx of rice imports has pushed farmgate prices downward, leaving local farmers vulnerable to selling their harvests at unfairly low rates. “This means a farmer producing 120 cavans of hybrid rice per hectare may earn only ₱7,275 to ₱11,775 a month, should farmgate prices drop to ₱19 or even ₱16 per kilo. Kulang na kulang iyan, lalo na kung may utang pa sila sa trader at lender. Sa mahal ng bilihin ngayon, talagang lugi na ang ating magsasaka at ang kanilang pamilya,” she said. “Kung hindi man lang aabot sa kalahati ng minimum wage ang kita ng mga magsasaka sa loob ng isang buwan, baka marami sa kanila ang mapilitang tumigil na sa pagsasaka. The government must step in and support our farmers before our nation's food security is put at risk,” she added. Hontiveros stressed that while her supplemental budget bill sets aside an initial ₱2.8 billion for agricultural subsidies, the actual support farmers may require could climb to between ₱100 and ₱189 billion if the Middle East conflict drags on through the May to August planting season. “Kailangan nating palawakin ang tulong sa ating magsasaka para makaraos sila at ang buong sektor ng agrikultura mula sa oil crisis. While the Department of Agriculture has begun assistance programs, its budget for the rice industry in 2026 is only above ₱50 billion. And we can't expect Department of Social Welfare and Development crisis funds to be spent on farm production inputs,” she said. “We must prepare to help our farmers and other struggling Filipinos not just in the next few weeks, but in the many months ahead. That is why Congress and Malacañang must work together to pass the supplemental budget bill,” she concluded. 📷 Sen. Risa Hontiveros FB

Sara Duterte seeks Supreme Court intervention to halt impeachment proceedings

MANILA — Vice President Sara Duterte is asking the Supreme Court to stop the impeachment case filed against her in the House of Representatives. Duterte filed a petition requesting the high court to issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) to pause the impeachment hearings. She claims the process is unfair, violates the Constitution, and constitutes an abuse of power. This follows the House Committee on Justice’s declaration that the complaints against her are “enough in grounds” to proceed to trial. Duterte’s legal team argues that the hearings skipped proper procedures, infringing on her right to due process. Her petition also points out alleged errors in the handling of the impeachment process, including double standards and procedural lapses. This is not Duterte’s first time seeking Supreme Court intervention. In 2025, the Court dismissed earlier impeachment complaints against her due to technical defects. Some lawmakers warned that Duterte’s petition could be a tactic to delay the process, emphasizing that the House Committee on Justice is fulfilling its constitutional role. Mamamayang Liberal Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima criticized Duterte’s move, saying that the Vice President seems to treat the Supreme Court as her personal court, suggesting she runs to the high tribunal whenever facing accountability. “Akala siguro nila yung SC ay ‘Sara’s Court’ na puwede nilang takbuhan para pagtakpan ang kaduwagan at pagtakas sa pananagutan,” de Lima said. 📷 Inday Sara FB

Marcos signs law allowing fuel tax cuts amid rising oil prices

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has signed into law Republic Act No. 12316, granting the executive branch the authority to suspend or reduce excise taxes on fuel when global oil prices surge. Signed on March 25, 2026, the measure allows the President to act once the one-month average price of Dubai crude oil reaches at least $80 per barrel—a benchmark commonly used to track global oil trends affecting the Philippines. The law, endorsed by Senator Pia S. Cayetano, aims to cushion the impact of rising fuel costs on consumers, particularly transport workers and households already grappling with inflation. Under the new policy, any suspension or reduction of excise taxes will be temporary and subject to strict safeguards. These include defined time limits, automatic reversion to previous tax rates once oil prices stabilize, and mandatory reporting to Congress to ensure transparency and accountability in implementation. Lawmakers said the measure provides the government with a “targeted and responsive tool” to address volatile fuel prices without permanently altering the country’s tax structure. The enactment comes as global oil markets remain unpredictable, with price fluctuations driven by geopolitical tensions and supply constraints, raising concerns over their impact on domestic fuel prices and the broader economy. 📷 Presidential Communications Office FB