Despite Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III 's intention to convene the impeachment court at once, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo "Ping" Lacson said on Saturday, May 2, that the trial proper for respondent Vice President Sara Duterte may not begin until June. Lacson said that it...
OF TREES AND FOREST I have seen the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) Social Weather Survey of March 24-31, 2026 which found that 50 percent of adult Filipinos felt that their lives got worse, 26 percent said it was the same, and 23 percent saying it got better, compared to twelve months ago....
OF TREES AND FOREST Going to the movies is no longer the automatic weekend ritual it once was, even though cinemas have never looked—or sounded—better. Box office revenues remain disappointing, not just in the country but globally, as more and more audiences turn to streaming screens at home. A...
DAVAO CITY – Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte on Tuesday, April 7, questioned Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto 's sudden support for a proposed joint oil exploration between the Philippines and China. In a statement, Duterte said he respects Sotto "as a fraternal brother" and urged him...
Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III said on Wednesday, March 25, that all senators are expected to respond to any special session that President Marcos may call amid the oil crisis caused by the Middle East conflict. "I will if needed. Not at the moment but I’m sure they are aware of...
OF TREES AND FOREST Just like everyone else, I 've been watching how the Middle East conflict is unfolding and praying that somehow all the parties involved realize that peace is better than war. The economic ripples of the conflict are already showing up at sari-sari stores, tricycle drivers,...
Senate leaders have expressed support for studying the possible postponement of the Philippines’ hosting of this year’s ASEAN Summit as part of efforts to cut government spending and redirect funds to address the impact of rising oil prices. Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III said that...
Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III signed on Monday night, March 23, the enrolled bill on the proposed measure allowing the President to suspend and reduce excise taxes on petroleum products. The bill was adopted by the House of Representatives last week. In a Viber message to reporters,...
OF TREES AND FOREST I write these words not just as a former colleague, but as one who had the privilege of sharing with Speaker Joe de Venecia the burden—and the joy—of shaping our nation’s path. When I served as Senate President while he led the House, we stood on opposite ends of the same...
Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III, on Saturday, Feb. 14, called the indirect contempt case filed against him by several lawyers, including Ferdinand Topacio, before the Supreme Court (SC) a "nuisance suit" and a "mere publicity stunt". On Friday, several lawyers urged the high court to...
Filipinos’ satisfaction with Vice President Sara Duterte rose by six points in the fourth quarter of 2025, according to a Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey conducted from Nov. 24 to 30. The survey, released on Feb. 10, interviewed 1,200 adults nationwide and found that 54 percent of...
Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III said on Friday, February 6, that the Senate is always prepared to convene as an impeachment court following the transmittal of impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte. Sotto made the statement after House Secretary General Cheloy...
