Tuesday, June 30, 2026


Your Daily News Update About CALABARZON and Beyond.
ISSN 2799-1911

Home Blog Page 168

Bagong majority at minority leaders, pormal nang itinalaga sa 20th Congress

MAYNILA. Pormal nang inihalal ng mga mambabatas mula sa Senado at Kamara ang mga bagong lider ng majority at minority bloc para sa Ika-20 Kongreso, kasabay ng pagbubukas ng unang regular na sesyon nitong Lunes.

Ayon sa mga opisyal, magpapatuloy ang mga halal na lider sa pagsusulong ng mga panukalang batas na nakaayon sa natitirang termino ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Sa Senado, ito ang mga itinalagang opisyal:

  • Senate President: Francis “Chiz” Escudero
  • Senate President Pro-Tempore: Jinggoy Estrada
  • Majority Leader: Joel Villanueva
  • Minority Leader: Vicente “Tito” Sotto III

Sa Kamara naman ay ang mga sumusunod:

  • House Speaker: Martin Romualdez (Leyte, 1st District)
  • Majority Leader: Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos (Ilocos Norte, 1st District)
  • Senior Deputy Speaker: David “Jay-Jay” Suarez (Quezon, 2nd District)

Mga Deputy Speaker:
Janette Garin (Iloilo, 1st District), Yasser Balindong (Lanao Del Sur, 2nd District), Paolo Ortega V (La Union, 1st District), Jefferson Khonghun (Zambales, 1st District), Kristine Singson-Meehan (Ilocos Sur, 2nd District), Ronaldo Puno (Antipolo, 1st District), Faustino Dy III (Isabela, 5th District), Ferjenel Biron (Iloilo, 4th District), at Raymond Democrito Mendoza (TUCP party-list)

  • Minority Leader: Marcelino “Nonoy” Libanan (4Ps party-list)

Trump sets 10-day deadline for Russia to act on Ukraine or face sanctions

TURNBERRY, Scotland. U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a new ultimatum to Russia, giving it 10 to 12 days to make progress toward ending the war in Ukraine or face consequences, including sanctions and tariffs.

Speaking from Scotland during meetings with European leaders and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Trump expressed frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin and shortened a previous 50-day deadline he had announced earlier this month.

“I’m going to make a new deadline of about… 10 or 12 days from today,” Trump said. “There’s no reason in waiting… We just don’t see any progress being made.”

Trump warned that failure to meet the new timeline would prompt sanctions, possibly including secondary tariffs. “If you know what the answer is going to be, why wait?” he added. “I don’t want to do that to Russia. I love the Russian people.”

There was no immediate response from the Kremlin. However, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev posted on X (formerly Twitter) that Trump’s ultimatum risked escalating the conflict. “Each new ultimatum is a threat and a step towards war. Not between Russia and Ukraine, but with (Trump’s) own country,” Medvedev wrote.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy welcomed Trump’s statement, calling it a “particularly significant” and timely move toward peace. In his nightly address, Zelenskiy stressed that stronger sanctions remain a “key element” in ending the conflict. “Russia pays attention to sanctions, pays attention to such losses,” he said.

Trump has long touted his previous “good relationship” with Putin, but indicated Monday that he is no longer interested in further talks. The former president also expressed disappointment with Putin’s ongoing aggression in Ukraine.

“We thought we had that settled numerous times, and then President Putin goes out and starts launching rockets into some city like Kyiv and kills a lot of people in a nursing home or whatever,” Trump said. “And I say that’s not the way to do it.”

Trump, who previously campaigned on a promise to end the war in Ukraine in a single day, is also facing challenges in securing peace in other regions, including Gaza. Nonetheless, he continues to cite his role in helping de-escalate tensions between other nations such as India and Pakistan and Rwanda and Congo.

10 preso tumakas sa Batangas, 8 naaresto

0

BATANGAS CITY. Nagsagawa ng malawakang hot pursuit operation ang mga awtoridad matapos makatakas ang 10 Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) mula sa Batangas Provincial Rehabilitation Center sa Brgy. Malainin, Ibaan, kahapon ng umaga.

Ayon sa ulat ng Batangas Police, bandang alas-9:30 ng umaga, ineeskortan ni PG1 Jhamil Ramirez Alcantara ang mga PDLs patungo sa public utility room nang tutukan siya ng icepick ng isa sa mga bilanggo. Inagaw nito ang kanyang baril at itinutok sa kanya, dahilan upang magsitakas ang iba pang preso patungong Brgy. Quilo, Ibaan.

Dakong alas-10:00 ng umaga, agad na naabisuhan ang Ibaan Municipal Police tungkol sa insidente.

Pagsapit ng ala-1:30 ng hapon, nakatanggap ang mga pulis ng impormasyon na limang preso ang sumakay sa isang ALPS bus patungong norte sa pamamagitan ng Star Tollway. Agad silang hinarang ng mga tauhan ng Sto. Tomas Component City Police Station sa pangunguna ni PLt. Col. Marlon C. Cabataña malapit sa boundary ng Tanauan at Sto. Tomas. Mapayapa namang sumuko ang lima, na kinilalang sina Armando Mangabat, Jr., Norman Antonio, Dennis Esmeralda, Michael Malasique, at Lester Bengoa.

Tatlo pang preso ang nahuli ng mga rumespondeng pulis sa Ibaan. Nakuha sa kanila ang isang 9mm Llama pistol na may 16 na bala at dalawang magazine, isang balisong, halagang P59,673 na cash, at ilang susi.

Sa ngayon, nasa kustodiya na ng Sto. Tomas Police Station ang limang presong nahuli sa bus, habang ang tatlo pa ay nakakulong sa Ibaan Police Station bago muling ibalik sa Batangas Provincial Jail.

Nilinaw ni Lt. Col. Marlon Cabataña na walang nangyaring hostage-taking sa bus. “Wala pong nangyaring hostage taking dahil mapayapa naman pong sumuko sa mga pulis ang limang suspek na sakay ng bus,” aniya.

Patuloy pa rin ang isinasagawang operasyon ng pulisya upang mahanap ang natitirang dalawang pugante.

Thailand and Cambodia agree to ceasefire after five days of border clashes

PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia. Thailand and Cambodia agreed on Monday to an unconditional ceasefire, putting an end to five days of deadly border clashes that killed at least 35 people and displaced over 260,000 others on both sides.

The ceasefire was announced during a meeting in Putrajaya, Malaysia, led by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and attended by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thai Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai. The leaders agreed to halt fighting, effective at midnight, and shook hands after a brief joint press conference.

An Associated Press journalist stationed near the Cambodian side of the border reported that shelling ceased roughly 10 minutes before the ceasefire took effect. Reports from other affected areas were not immediately available.

The fighting broke out last Thursday after a landmine explosion along the border injured five Thai soldiers. Both nations accused each other of initiating the clashes.

ASEAN chair Malaysia hosted the emergency talks amid pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, who had warned that ongoing hostilities could impact trade negotiations between the two nations. Trump later posted on social media: “They have reached a CEASEFIRE and PEACE… I am proud to be the President of PEACE!”

As part of the ceasefire agreement, military commanders from Thailand and Cambodia will meet on Tuesday to de-escalate tensions. Cambodia will also host a border committee meeting on August 4. Anwar said that the foreign and defense ministers of all three countries, Malaysia, Thailand, and Cambodia, have been tasked to create a detailed mechanism to implement and monitor the ceasefire to ensure long-term peace.

Hun Manet expressed hope that bilateral ties would return to normal soon, so nearly 300,000 evacuees could return home. “It’s time to rebuild trust, confidence, and cooperation between Thailand and Cambodia,” he said.

Phumtham said the agreement reflects “Thailand’s desire for a peaceful resolution.”

The joint statement also noted that the United States co-organized the talks, with participation from China. Both Chinese and U.S. ambassadors to Malaysia were present during the two-hour meeting.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who helped coordinate the meeting, praised the ceasefire declaration and reiterated that he and Trump expect both countries to fully uphold their commitment to peace.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt posted on X: “President Trump made this happen. Give him the Nobel Peace Prize!”

After returning to Bangkok, Phumtham said President Trump personally called to congratulate him on moving toward peace. Trump also reportedly told him that U.S.-Thailand trade negotiations could now move forward and would be made as favorable as possible.

The recent clashes marked a rare case of open military conflict between member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), a bloc known for its commitment to peaceful dialogue and economic cooperation. In response to the violence, both countries had recalled their ambassadors, and Thailand temporarily shut down its borders with Cambodia, except for returning migrant workers.

The ceasefire brought relief to thousands of evacuees. At an evacuation shelter in Surin, Thailand, some women shouted for joy. “I’m happy and relieved,” said Usa Dasri, a vendor and farmer. “We miss our home. I worry about my livestock and crops. I want to go home. I also think of our soldiers at the frontlines. I want them to be safe, too.”

Cambodian evacuees echoed the sentiment, though some expressed caution. Chhuot Nhav, 42, from Oddar Meanchey province, said, “I’m happy because I can go back and take care of my animals and my children can go to school again. But I’ll wait until I’m sure the fighting has really stopped.”

Another farmer, Kong Sin, said he planned to return home on Tuesday if the ceasefire held.

The 800-kilometer (500-mile) Thailand-Cambodia border has long been disputed, but most past confrontations were brief. The latest escalation followed the fatal shooting of a Cambodian soldier in May, which strained diplomatic ties and stirred political tensions within Thailand.

Marcos sa mga nagnakaw ng flood control funds: “Mahiya naman kayo!”

MAYNILA. Matapang na kinondena ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ang mga opisyal at kawani ng gobyerno na umano’y nagnakaw ng pondo para sa mga flood control projects, sa kanyang ika-apat na State of the Nation Address (SONA) na ginanap kahapon sa Batasan Complex.

“Mahiya naman kayo!” ani Marcos, kaugnay sa umano’y mga katiwaliang nagdulot ng palpak na mga proyekto. Ayon sa Pangulo, nakita niya mismo ang mga epekto ng Habagat at ng mga bagyong Crising, Dante, at Emong, at napansin na maraming proyekto ang gumuho, hindi natapos, o tila hindi man lang nagsimula.

“Huwag na po tayong magkunwari, alam naman ng buong madla na nagkakaraket sa mga proyekto tulad ng mga kickback, initiative, errata, SOP, at ‘for the boys’,” ani Marcos.

Dagdag pa niya, “Mahiya naman kayo sa mga kabahayan nating naanod o nalubog sa baha. Mahiya naman kayo lalo sa mga anak natin na magmamana sa mga utang na ginawa ninyo, na binulsa niyo lang ang pera.”

Bilang tugon, inatasan ni Marcos ang Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) na magsumite ng listahan ng lahat ng flood control projects sa bawat rehiyon na sinimulan o natapos sa nakalipas na tatlong taon.

Ang mga regional project monitoring committee ay mag-eeksamin ng mga listahang ito at mag-uulat hinggil sa mga hindi natapos o hindi sinimulang proyekto, pati na rin sa mga alegasyon ng ghost projects.

Ipapa-publish din ang mga listahan upang masuri ng publiko at makapagbigay ng impormasyon na makatutulong sa imbestigasyon.

Magkakaroon din ng audit performance review upang malaman kung paano ginamit ang pondo sa bawat proyekto.

Tiniyak ng Pangulo na sa mga susunod na buwan, makakasuhan ang mga opisyal at kontratistang mapapatunayang sangkot sa katiwalian upang malaman ng taumbayan ang katotohanan at mapanagot ang mga responsable.

WHO warns of alarming malnutrition in Gaza as Israel opens aid corridors

The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised concerns over escalating malnutrition in Gaza, warning that rates are on a “dangerous trajectory” as international aid efforts resume.

On Sunday, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates dropped 25 tonnes of aid into Gaza, following Israel’s declaration of a daily “tactical pause” in military operations in certain areas. The Israeli government said it would halt fighting for 10 hours a day in parts of Gaza and open secure routes for United Nations aid convoys, aiming to “refute the false claim of intentional starvation.” Hamas, however, accused Israel of trying to “whitewash its image.”

UN aid chief Tom Fletcher confirmed a partial easing of movement restrictions, stating that over 100 truckloads of aid were collected from crossings into Gaza. “This is progress,” Fletcher said, “but vast amounts of aid are needed to stave off famine and a catastrophic health crisis.”

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) also reported dropping seven aid packages containing flour, sugar, and canned goods. Despite these efforts, violence continued. Medics reported nine people killed and 54 injured by Israeli fire near an aid convoy route in central Gaza. The incident occurred along Salah al-Din Street in the Netzarim Corridor, where civilians had gathered in anticipation of UN aid. The IDF claimed it had fired warning shots at a “gathering of suspects” but was unaware of any casualties.

An airstrike also struck a residential block in the Al-Rimal district of western Gaza City shortly after the pause took effect. BBC Verify geolocated the incident using videos and witness reports. The IDF said it had no knowledge of a strike at those coordinates.

According to the UN’s World Food Programme, one in four people in Gaza is enduring famine-like conditions, and a third of the population goes several days without eating. The Hamas-run health ministry reported over 100 recent deaths due to malnutrition and hundreds more killed while trying to access food aid.

U.S. President Donald Trump pledged additional aid but emphasized that the situation is “an international problem – it’s not a U.S. problem.” UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy also voiced support for air drops but stressed that land routes remain the only sustainable solution.

Residents of Gaza expressed cautious hope about the humanitarian pause. “Of course I feel a bit of hope again, but also worried that starvation would continue once the pause is over,” said Rasha Al-Sheikh Khalil, a mother of four. Another resident, Neveen Saleh, a mother of six, said her family had not eaten fresh fruit or vegetables in four months.

Imad Kudaya, a journalist from southern Gaza, said many air-dropped aid packages had landed in demilitarized zones under Israeli control, making access extremely dangerous.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated that Israel would continue its military campaign, stating, “We will continue to act until we achieve all of our war goals – until complete victory.” Meanwhile, Khalil al-Hayya, the exiled head of Hamas in Gaza, dismissed ceasefire negotiations as “meaningless under continued blockade and starvation.”

The war began on October 7, 2023, following a Hamas-led attack that killed 1,200 people and took 251 hostages in southern Israel. According to the Hamas-run health ministry, over 59,000 people have been killed in Gaza since the start of Israel’s military campaign.

The World Health Organization has warned malnutrition has reached “alarming levels” in Gaza with rates on a “dangerous trajectory”, as aid airdrops resumed in the Strip. BBC

Habagat magdadala ng ulan sa araw ng SONA — PAGASA

MAYNILA. Magpapatuloy ang pag-iral ng Southwest Monsoon o Habagat sa bansa ngayong Lunes, na magdadala ng pag-ulan sa araw ng ikatlong State of the Nation Address (SONA) ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr., ayon sa PAGASA.

Sa ulat na inilabas alas-5 ng umaga, sinabi ng PAGASA na makararanas ng paminsan-minsang pag-ulan ang mga rehiyon ng Ilocos, Abra, Benguet, Zambales, at Bataan. Inaasahang magdudulot ito ng katamtaman hanggang malalakas na pag-ulan na maaaring magresulta sa pagbaha o pagguho ng lupa.

Tinatayang 50 hanggang 100 milimetro ng ulan ang maaaring bumagsak sa mga lalawigan ng Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Abra, Benguet, Zambales, at Bataan.

Samantala, inaasahan namang maulap ang kalangitan na may kalat-kalat na pag-ulan at pagkidlat-pagkulog sa Metro Manila, Cagayan Valley, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, nalalabing bahagi ng Cordillera Administrative Region, at iba pang bahagi ng Central Luzon. Posible ring magdulot ng flash floods o landslide ang mga pag-ulang ito.

Ang nalalabing bahagi ng bansa ay makakaranas ng bahagyang maulap hanggang maulap na kalangitan na may pulu-pulong ulan o thunderstorm. Maaaring magkaroon ng flash flood o landslide sa oras ng matitinding thunderstorm.

Maalon ang mga baybaying-dagat sa Extreme Northern Luzon, habang katamtaman hanggang maalon naman sa kanlurang bahagi ng Luzon. Bahagya hanggang katamtaman ang pag-alon sa natitirang bahagi ng bansa.

Walang inaasahang pagtaas sa presyo ng bigas sa kabila ng mga bagyo at Habagat, ayon sa DA

MAYNILA. Tiniyak ng Department of Agriculture (DA) na walang inaasahang pagtaas sa presyo ng bigas sa kabila ng mga pinsalang dulot ng mga bagyong Crising, Dante, at Emong, gayundin ng epekto ng Habagat o Southwest Monsoon.

“Sa bigas, hindi natin nakikita na magkakaroon ng pagtaas dahil hindi naman ganoon karami ang nasira at marami tayong stocks sa ngayon,” pahayag ni Assistant Secretary at DA spokesperson Arnel de Mesa sa isang panayam sa radyo nitong Sabado, Hulyo 26.

Aniya, karamihan sa mga taniman ng palay ay nasa early vegetative stage at bahagya lamang ang naging pinsala, kaya’t inaasahang madali itong makakarekober.

Batay sa ulat ng DA-Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Operations Center, umabot na sa P1.12 bilyon ang kabuuang pinsala sa sektor ng agrikultura. Sakop nito ang 26,566 metriko tonelada ng production loss sa bigas, mais, cassava, high-value crops, pangisdaan, livestock and poultry, at imprastrukturang pang-agrikultura.

Tinatayang 45,408 na magsasaka at mangingisda ang apektado, pati na rin ang 43,741 ektarya ng agricultural areas sa mga rehiyong Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, at Soccsksargen.

Pinakamalaking pinsala ay sa sektor ng palay na may halagang P664.36 milyon, sinundan ng pangisdaan sa P202.35 milyon, high-value crops sa P162.16 milyon, mais sa P55.70 milyon, livestock and poultry sa P8.37 milyon, at cassava sa P1.98 milyon.

Gayunpaman, sinabi ni De Mesa na maaaring tumaas ng 10% hanggang 15% ang presyo ng ilang gulay at isda, partikular sa Metro Manila, na inaasahang pinakaapektado kung mangyari man ang paggalaw ng presyo.

Thai, Cambodian leaders to hold peace talks in Malaysia

BANGKOK, Thailand. Thai and Cambodian leaders are set to meet in Kuala Lumpur on Monday to discuss an end to the ongoing border conflict that has killed at least 35 people and displaced more than 218,000, Thai officials confirmed Sunday.

The meeting, hosted by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in his capacity as this year’s ASEAN chair, comes after U.S. President Donald Trump pressured both sides to pursue a ceasefire. Trump warned he would halt trade deals if hostilities continued and announced via Truth Social that both sides had agreed to negotiate.

Acting Thai Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai will lead the Thai delegation, while Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet confirmed his participation on social media. Hun Manet also revealed that the meeting will be co-organized by the United States and attended by China, a close ally of Cambodia.

Earlier Sunday, Hun Manet stated that Cambodia was ready for an “immediate and unconditional ceasefire.” Trump reportedly told him that Thailand had also agreed to halt attacks. However, Phumtham clarified that while Thailand agreed in principle, it demanded “sincere intention” from Cambodia.

Despite diplomatic efforts, fighting continued Sunday along disputed parts of the border. Thai officials accused Cambodian forces of heavy artillery attacks in Surin province, including civilian areas and the ancient Ta Muen Thom temple. In response, Thai troops launched counterattacks using long-range artillery.

Col. Richa Suksowanont, a Thai military spokesperson, said a ceasefire would only be possible if Cambodia formally initiates negotiations. The Thai military warned that Cambodia might be preparing for a larger military offensive.

Meanwhile, Cambodia accused Thai forces of launching large-scale ground incursions with tanks and intensifying bombardment of its territory. Defense Ministry spokesperson Lt. Gen. Maly Socheata claimed the Thai government was undermining peace efforts.

Thailand reported one new military fatality on Sunday, bringing its total to 22, mostly civilians. Cambodia reported 13 deaths, including Lt. Gen. Duong Samnieng.

More than 139,000 Thais and 79,000 Cambodians have been forced to flee their homes. Border villages remain largely deserted, with schools and hospitals closed. Many evacuees are sheltering in makeshift camps.

“I couldn’t focus on work when I heard the news,” said Pichayut Surasit, a Thai air-conditioning technician who returned from Bangkok to protect his family. He now resides in a Surin shelter housing about 6,000 evacuees.

Bualee Chanduang, a local vendor displaced with her family and pet rabbit, is praying for peace. “I pray for God to help so that both sides can agree to talk and end this war,” she said.

At the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV said he was praying for all victims of war, including those affected by the Thailand-Cambodia conflict, especially children and displaced families.

The border between Thailand and Cambodia has long been disputed, but past clashes were typically brief. Tensions flared again in May when a Cambodian soldier was killed, triggering a diplomatic fallout that has since escalated.

Torre, panalo sa walkover matapos hindi dumating si Baste Duterte sa charity match

MAYNILA. Dinagsa ng mga manonood ang inaabangang laban sa boksing sa pagitan nina Philippine National Police chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III at Davao City acting Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte nitong Linggo, ngunit nauwi ang event sa pagkadismaya matapos hindi sumipot si Duterte.

Maagang dumating si Torre sa Rizal Memorial Stadium sa Maynila kung saan dagsa rin ang mga tagasuporta at nanood ng “Boxing for Charity,” isang 12-round exhibition match na layong makalikom ng pondo para sa mga komunidad na sinalanta ng mga nagdaang bagyo.

Dahil hindi dumalo si Duterte, idineklara si Torre na panalo sa pamamagitan ng default.

Matatandaang nag-ugat ang laban sa hamon ni Duterte ng suntukan kay Torre, na tinanggap naman ng heneral at sinabing magandang pagkakataon ito upang makatulong sa mga nasalanta ng kalamidad.

Pumayag si Duterte ngunit naglatag ng mga kondisyon, kabilang ang pagsasailalim ng lahat ng kawani ng gobyerno sa hair follicle drug test. Gayunpaman, ang kanyang hindi pagdalo sa araw ng laban ay ikinabigo ng maraming tagasuportang umaasang masisilayan ang sagupaan.