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JUNE 2026
EDITORIAL - JUNE '26
VP Sara Duterte’s trial: Send out the clowns
Guest Editorial
INQUIRER.net
THE House of Representatives has performed its constitutional duty; the Senate is performing an institutional farce.
By a resounding 257-25 vote, the House transmitted the articles of impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte to the Senate last Wednesday, placing the accountability process in the hands of the so-called upper chamber, now bound by the 1987 Constitution to convene as an impeachment court.
But as the doors of the Senate swing open for this historic trial today, May 18, the air within its august halls remains thick with tension and accidental hilarity, brought to you by the clowns in residence. Before the first gavel has even fallen and the judges have donned their robes, the Senate has descended into a theater of the absurd.
The sudden ouster of Senate President Sen. Vicente Sotto III, replaced by Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano in a strategic coup, casts a surreal shadow over the proceedings. This leadership change, orchestrated by the Vice President’s allies, reeks of a preemptive strike to shield a principal from the dispensation of justice.
Or more likely, to save their own necks.
Bastion of democracy
Compounding the fallout is the volatile situation of Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa. His resurfacing on the Senate plenary floor, after six months in hiding to evade the service of a warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC), led to a night of terror where shots were fired, only for the fugitive senator to disappear again hours later, with the help of the former action star and convict, Sen. Robinhood Padilla.
Whether these dramatics are a genuine security breach or a choreographed play, the result is the same: the Senate’s reputation as a bastion of democracy is going up in flames.
There’s a fine line between impeachment as a political process and as a tool for politics, and it seems our senators have crossed it. Never mind that the chamber cannot function as an impartial jury and a sanctuary for wanted men at the same time.
Yet even this brouhaha must not stop the Senate from forming an impeachment court, for any delay would be a dereliction of duty, and the Constitution does not wait for political colors to turn favorable.
Legal luminaries have issued such a reminder. “We … wish to remind the Senators that refusing to sit as a Court of Impeachment is not a constitutional option,” according to a statement signed by retired Associate Justice Adolfo Azcuna, San Beda University Graduate School of Law dean Ranhilio Aquino, and San Beda law professor Antonio La Viña, among others.
Prospect of their own trial
And there’s the rub. Some senators are facing the prospect of their own trial, having been implicated in the flood control scandal. It’s no surprise or coincidence the same people are now in control of the chamber.
But first things first. The trial of Duterte must start forthwith and focus on nothing but the cold, hard evidence. The articles detail a systematic betrayal of public trust: the suspicious liquidation of P500 million in confidential funds from the Office of the Vice President and P112.5 million from the Department of Education; the amassing of unexplained wealth that dwarfs her declared net worth; and allegedly seditious threats against President Marcos and his family.
As her allies scramble to protect her in Manila, Duterte travels the world, most recently seen in the Netherlands, visiting her father in ICC custody. Interviewed in The Hague, she washed her hands off the actions of her Senate allies and pinned the blame on the President: “What you’re witnessing in our country is grave abuse of power,” she said.
But Duterte’s words in Europe carry no weight back home.
Recent polls suggest that the gravity of the allegations against Duterte is chipping away at her popularity. As the 2028 elections approach, she must recognize that the notoriety of being the first VP in history to be impeached twice is a stain that won’t be washed away easily.
An unforgiving judge
It is time for Duterte to return and defend herself in the most appropriate forum–an impeachment court. She must take this trial seriously, however friendly or unfriendly the senator-judges turn out to be.
The people are due long-sought answers to questions regarding her use of public funds, those “bagman” testimonies and reports of her bank transactions. To shirk from facing this public inquiry is to confirm the House’s indictment: that she has rendered herself an outcast to the Constitution.
The Senate stands at a crossroads: It may choose to be a fair-minded arbiter or a biased tribunal. But its members will do well to remember that history is an unforgiving judge.
Any senator who cowers from their obligation to hold public officials to account would be foolish to ignore Jose Rizal’s warning in Noli Me Tangere: “Cowardice rightly understood begins with selfishness and ends with shame.”
It’s not too late for the Senate to redeem its honor, or what precious little remains of it.
Mailbag
The need for integrity
in electing leaders
Dear Editor,
Where is this country going? We have just been crushed to impoverishment with trillions of pesos stolen by our leaders in high places. And now, we have a battle royale for the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte, who will eventually escape the noose and disappoint many. Not only are there not enough numbers to successfully pursue the truth in the Senate, but Congress as a whole has forgotten its constitutional mandate as the nation’s purse, and we are critically on a downward slope in gross domestic product (GDP).
The Philippine Statistics Authority has reported that the Philippine GDP posted a year-on-year growth of 3.0 percent in the fourth quarter of 2025, which brought the 2025 full-year GDP growth to 4.4 percent. From a lofty 6-7 percent, it is gradually predicted to be lower than 4 percent or worse in 2026. Must the country of 117 million bear all this, and must Congress not lose sleep over it?
Is integrity now negotiable for our leaders, even in the highest positions in the land? It is disturbing to hear that the VP will back all means to stop the impeachment proceedings in their tracks. She has been quoted as warning all and sundry, banks—Anti-Money Laundering Act, Department of Justice, and the Ombudsman—against poking into P6.7 billion transactions allegedly in her and her family’s various bank accounts, and assailing the bank transactions as malicious concoctions.
One former president I recall under the two major party system of the Nacionalista and Liberal parties, before the party list era, who had unsullied personal integrity was Ramon Magsaysay, who opened Malacañang for the first time to the public. Small and ordinary things meant a lot to him if they reflected on his personal integrity. He reportedly had instructions to the kitchen staff to bill him personally for food served to his visiting family members.
We can also recall other outstanding public servants leaving office with their personal integrity intact. Former Senate President Jovito Salonga, a preacher’s son from Pasig, who taught Sunday school in his local church. The good senator some years ago died in a local hospital. We were shocked to hear when people very close to him appealed to us in a church event to pass the hat around for him, for some P200,000, to pay for unpaid hospital bills.
Unless, we, as guardians of our votes use our God-given instrument for change and make the yardstick of personal integrity a must for electing our leaders, we will be recklessly losing what is left of our future.
MARVEL K. TAN, CPA.,
COMMUNITY NEWS - JUNE 2026
Philippine Independence Week 2026 Events
June 7, Sunday, 9 am-5 pm, PIWC Picnic/Health-O-Rama, Bunker Hill Forest Preserve, W. Harts Road, South of Touhy Ave., Niles, IL., FREE, call Robert Chavez or Dr. Daisy Andaleon for details, 312-835-5061
June 10, Wednesday, Independence Day Flag Ceremony/Cultural Show, Daley Center, 50 W. Washington (Corner Dearborn and Clark Streets), Chicago, FREE, call Brenda Stevens for details, 630-728-7533
June 12, Friday, 6 pm, Independence Day Reception of the Philippine Consulate General of Chicago, to mark the 128th year of the the Proclamation of the PH Independence and the 80th Year of Ph-USA Friendship Day, Red Lacquer Room, Palmer House, Chicago. By Invitation Only.
June 13, Saturday, 11 am-7 pm, PIYESTA PINOY, Roger C. Claar Performing Arts Center. 375 W. Briarcliff Rd, Bolingbrook, IL., FREE, festival of art, fashion, food, culture, music, dance and live performances. Features 30 food and non-food vendors and 30 non-profit exhibitors. Call Cindy Lopez 630-336-0511/ Ruben Salazar, 630-379-9636, visit www.piyestapinoy.com
June 19, Friday, 9:15 am, Tribute to PH National Hero, Jose Rizal’s 165th Birthday, Rizal Monument, Margate Park, 4600 N. Clarendon (Between Wilson & Lawrence Avenues), Chicago, FREE, Coordinated by the Chicago area Knights of and Ladies for Rizal and PH Consulate General. For details, call Mariano A. Santos 847-528-4991/ Amando Boncales 773-225-9460.
June 20, Saturday, 5 pm-12 mn, PIWC Gala Night, Grand Ballroom, Hyatt Regency O’Hare Rosemont, 9300 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., & River Rd., Beauty Queens Coronation, celebration of the 128th Year PH Proclamation of Independence, $95 prepaid/person. Lodi Po, Event Chair, to reserve, call 630-248-3480. Reynel Espiritu, Overall Chair.
COMMUNITY NEWS - JUNE 2026
COMMUNITY NEWS - JUNE 2026
GENEVIEVE Galang (R), master gardener for Northern Cook County, joins Nancy Kim Phillips of the Skokie Public Library and other volunteers in the plant swap event at Lee Wright Park, May 23, and also to showcase the new bookmobile in time for the village Summer Reading 2026 beginning June 1st when readers of all ages and all reading counts to win prizes. You are invited to pick up a booklet at the Library or on the bookmobile.
Summer hours: 10am-6pm Sun & Sat; 9am-9pm Mon-Fri thru Oct 25.
Learn more: www.Skokielibrary.info/summer-reading
SKOKIE Mayor Anne Tennes (L) hails the FilAm group in the May 16 opening ceremonies of the Festival of Cultures at village’s Oakton Park as the biggest contingent in the parade of colors led by Consular Cultural attache, MJ Duran. The two-day annual event features100+ booths of different ethnic groups, cultural presentation, commercial exhibit, food and various entertainment including that from the local Filipino community headed by Jelly Carandang. (PINOY Photo by Anong)
PIWC SENIORS annual Appreciation Day, May 16 at the Jose Rizal Center in Chicago pictured with attendees, volunteers and organizers after the day’s activities that included wellness checkup, giveaways, entertainment including Lions Club nurses vs, diabetes, Rhey Adriano, Myrna Cordero, Ann Teano, Ginelene Lopez, Malou Tabo, Hermie Espiritu, Mar Crome and Lindy Tan.
FILIPINO Nurses in America exhibit co-curator, Angel Abcede of the Filipino American National Historical Society of Greater Chicago is shown May 15 with portion of the current “Unheard Voices of Care” exhibit exploring the largest migration story never told at the International Museum of Srgical Science, 1524 N. Lakeshore Drive, Chicago 60610 that runs through Aug. 2, 2026. (For schedule and details, call Angel at (773) 459-6775/ Ruben Salazar (630) 379-9636 email at angelchgo@gmail.com (Pinoy photo by Anong)
How Filipino Families Are Traveling Home This Summer
SUMMER travel season is on, and for many Filipinos living in the U.S., that means finally making the trip home. It’s the season of family reunions, long-awaited visits, and kids meeting relatives they may only know through video calls. When you’re traveling with children, seniors, or balikbayan boxes, convenience starts to matter just as much as price. That’s one reason many travelers are paying closer attention to convenience and routing when booking summer flights.
Today, travelers can fly nonstop to Manila from major U.S. gateways including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, New York, and Honolulu through airlines like Philippine Airlines and United Airlines. These routes cut down travel time, eliminate stressful layovers, and simplify the journey during busy summer months. Philippine Airlines is even expanding its U.S. network with a new nonstop Chicago-to-Manila route launching later this year, showing how strong demand for smoother travel options has become.
Travelers planning summer flights can call ASAP Tickets at +1 888-535-5979 to compare direct and one-stop options. Pinoy Newsmagazine readers can also receive an extra $50 off by mentioning promo code ASAP50 when booking.
For many families, reducing travel stress matters just as much as the ticket price. A direct flight means fewer chances of delayed baggage, missed connections, or long waits with tired kids. You board once, settle in, and before you know it, you’re back in Manila.
That doesn’t mean one-stop flights are a bad option. Airlines like Qatar, EVA Air, Cathay Pacific, and Korean still offer excellent service to the Philippines with comfortable layovers and flexible routing. Some travelers choose them for better schedules or lower fares depending on departure city and travel dates.
Choosing the right flight often comes down to your priorities. Some travelers want the fastest trip possible. Others are willing to make one stop if it means better pricing or more convenient departure times.
For years, ASAP Tickets has helped Filipino travelers compare routes, airlines, baggage allowances, and schedules to find the best flights for their trip. Their agents can access discounted fares and flight combinations that may not appear on booking websites.
So, if you’re still planning your summer trip, now is a good time to check availability. The most convenient nonstop flights tend to fill first during school break season. Call +1 888-535-5979 today and mention ASAP50 to receive your exclusive $50 Pinoy Newsmagazine discount.
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