“Lately, our team is having a hard time getting the SALNs of congressmen we are investigating, because the secretary-general’s office is saying, or I’ve been told, that it has to pass the plenary before they release a SALN,” Remulla said yesterday at a forum organized by the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines.

“I don’t buy this excuse. Actually, I am about to sign a letter to the Speaker protesting the manner by which the secretary general’s office is conducting its affairs,” he added.

Remulla emphasized that there is no rule requiring plenary approval for the release of SALNs.

“They said the permission still has to go through the plenary. That’s not how it works. I used to be in Congress. I know the plenary inside and out. We don’t do that,” he said.

The ombudsman said obtaining the SALNs is crucial to resolving the so-called “cong-tractor” controversy, which involves potential conflicts of interest under the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

“We need their SALNs, because we must resolve this controversy, which is primarily an issue of conflict of interest. It’s under the Code of Ethical Standards in the government. You should not have any conflict of interest (if you are a public official),” Remulla said.

He also confirmed the investigation into former House speaker Rep. Martin Romualdez is ongoing.

“We are doing everything. We are already advanced in that sense. We are just quiet with what we do, we cannot broadcast everything we do, because, as I have said before, we are going against well-paid lawyers,” he said.

Remulla previously confirmed that his office is probing alleged links between Romualdez and contractor spouses Curlee and Sarah Discaya, who reportedly acted as fronts in the purchase of a Makati City property by the former House speaker.

Sotto dismissed talk of dissatisfaction as well as possible change in leadership within the chamber, saying he has neither seen nor heard of any active effort to have him ousted.

“I’m not seeing, I’m not hearing anything about dissatisfaction. And if you’ll ask me what I think can make my colleagues dissatisfied, well maybe it’s my being strict, strict about insertion in the budget,” Sotto said in Filipino when asked about possible discontent among senators.

He said no colleague of his has personally conveyed unhappiness over his leadership, noting that Senate leaders have always depended on the support of fellow senators.

“I doubt it,” he said, referring to possible disenchantment with his leadership.

“But, you know, I’m used to it. I serve at the pleasure of my colleagues since the 8th Congress up to now. The Senate leadership has always been that way. Depende sa mga kasama (Depends on your colleagues),” he said, adding that loyalty checks were unnecessary at this point.

Sotto’s remarks came after social media posts over the weekend suggested an impending leadership shift, allegedly driven by dissatisfaction with Sotto and a supposed move by some majority members to switch sides.

This is not the first time that rumors of a Senate leadership shakeup have surfaced.

In October last year, Senate President Pro-Tempore Panfilo Lacson dismissed similar claims as “old rehashed psywar tactic” meant to “confuse and sow intrigue” within the majority bloc.

The Senate presidency is determined by a vote of the chamber’s members.

While leadership changes are possible at any time with sufficient support, no formal move to challenge the current leadership has been announced.

Sotto also downplayed coup rumors circulating online, saying senators have assured him that the majority remains intact.

Lacson described such threats as a recurring feature of politics in the chamber.

“An emerging threat to the Senate leadership? Let’s put it this way – like rebellion, the threat against the Senate presidency is a ‘continuing crime’ since time immemorial,” Lacson said on X.

Several members of the majority including Loren Legarda and Erwin Tulfo likewise dismissed the rumors.

For his part, Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano said there are “always discussions” on possible leadership change as there are members of the minority bloc who are not happy with the direction of the Senate.

“So it’s really, do you get 13 people of like minds? But as of today, (none),” he told reporters, referring to the 13 votes needed for a change in leadership.

Meanwhile, the Senate yesterday swore in a new secretary and sergeant-at-arms, replacing two key officials appointed during the previous leadership.

Mark Llandro Mendoza formally took his oath as Senate secretary, succeeding Renato Bantug, who assumed the post during the presidency of Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri.

Retired Maj. Gen. Edgardo Rene Samonte was sworn in as sergeant-at-arms, replacing Mao Aplasca, who had been appointed at the opening of the 20th Congress last year. Majority Leader Zubiri nominated both officials on the floor.

From 3,236 focus crime incidents in January 2025, PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, Jr. said the figure went down to 2,449 cases of murder, homicide, physical injuries, rape, theft, robbery, carnapping and motorcycle theft.

He attributed the decline to increased police visibility, more community engagements and strategic deployment of personnel, especially in crime prone areas.

“And we are continuously auditing, reviewing each and every unit. It is not enough that our policemen are there on the ground, our focus agenda is to ensure the active participation of our community,” said Nartatez.

Based on the PNP data, murder cases went down to 284 from 316 last year, homicide from 104 last year to 83 last month, physical injury cases dropped from 409 to 283, nd rape cases was down to 331 from 848.

Theft slightly decreased from 1,020 to 981; carnapping of motor vehicles dropped from 25 to 17, and motorcycle theft from 189 to 144.

“These figures tell us one thing, that our communities are becoming safer. This is not an overnight result, this is the result of the continuous work of our police officers,” said Nartatez.

He then tasked all police commanders and personnel to intensify patrols, strengthen community coordination, and strictly monitor police performance to sustain the decline of focus crimes.

Forty-five members of militant groups and former Makabayan bloc solons filed the first complaint against Vice President Duterte before House Secretary General Cheloy Garafil at 8:40 a.m. Monday, while 17 civil society and religious group members filed the second complaint at 10:12 a.m.

Incumbent Makabayan bloc solons ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio, Gabriela Party-list Rep. Sarah Elago, and Kabataan Party-list Rep. Renee Co endorsed the first complaint, while Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima and Akbayan Party-list Rep. Perci Cendaña endorsed the second complaint.

The back-to-back filing of complaints against the second highest official of the land took place even as the House Committee on Justice began public hearings that same morning on two previously filed and referred complaints against President Marcos.

Makabayan was also behind the filing of one of the two complaints against Marcos last week.

Monday’s filers basically comprised the core groups that filed two separate impeachment raps against Vice President Duterte on Dec. 4 and 2, 2024, respectively. However, these complaints were cast aside in favor of the Feb. 5, 2025 impeachment complaint that was signed by 215 House members and sent directly to the Senate.

This particular complaint against Duterte ended up getting struck down by the Supreme Court (SC) on July 25, 2025 due to unconstitutionality, mainly due to the process by which if was pursued.

The high court–responding to a motion for reconsideration (MR) from the House leadership in the previous 19th Congress–upheld this ruling last Jan. 28.

In pursuing the fresh impeachment complaints against the Vice President, the complainants underscored on Monday that the allegations agasint the respondent that were raised during the19th Congress have never been tested in terms of merits.

“Ngayong araw, ang Makabayan bloc ay nag-submit ng impeachment complaint–round two–laban kay VP Sara Duterte. Yung complaint natin ay basically on betrayal of public trust (Today, the Makabayan bloc submitted an impeachment complaint—round two—against Vice President Sara Duterte. The basis of our complaint is essentially betrayal of public trust),” former ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro, one of the filers of the first complaint, said.

“Sobrang tagal nang hinihintay ito ng taumbayan. Nanghimasok ang Pangulo, nanghimasok ang [SC]–this has been long delayed. So what do we want to happen? Gusto lang po natin mangyari, na-file na po natin ang impeachment complaint nitong araw, bola ito ng House ngayon. Kung gusto nating mapabilis ang prosesong ito, one-third vote lang ang kailangan. Yung mga bumoto na pabor sa impeachment noong19th Congress, hinahamon namin na bumoto ng pabor,” said Bayan President Renato Reyes, Castro’s fellow complainant.

(The people have been waiting for this for a very long time. The President intervened, the SC intervened—this has been long delayed. So what do we want to happen? We simply want this: we have filed the impeachment complaint today, and now the ball is in the House’s court. If we want this process expedited, only a one‑third vote is needed. Those who voted in favor of impeachment in the 19th Congress—we challenge them to vote in favor again.)

I kept the phrasing clear and faithful while smoothing transitions for readability. Do you want me to polish this further into a formal press statement style (more authoritative and structured) or keep it in a direct advocacy tone (closer to the original cadence and urgency)?

Cendaña, one of the endorsers of the second complaint, said: “May mga nagsasabi, recycled daw yung complaint. Gusto natin i-address yan. Hindi ito recycled complaint kasi hanggang ngayon hindi pa sumasagot ng personal si VP Sara Duterte sa mga kaso ng katiwalian, pang-aabuso sa kapangyarihan, at pagnanakaw sa kaban ng bayan.

(Some are saying the complaint is recycled. We want to address that. This is not a recycled complaint because up to now, Vice President Sara Duterte has not personally answered the cases of corruption, abuse of power, and plunder of public funds.)

“Hanggang ngayon yung original complaint na finile natin, hindi pa siya nagkaroon ng day in court…Baka akala ni VP Sara Duterte ay lusot na siya dahil doon sa teknikalidad sa naging desisyon ng [SC],” he added.

(Up to now, the original complaint we filed has not had its day in court… Perhaps VP Sara Duterte thinks she has already gotten away with it because of the technicality in the SC’s decision.)

Speaking at the ceremonial handover of the ASEAN-BAC chairship in Malacañan on Thursday, Jan. 29, Marcos said the Philippines’ leadership will focus on expanding trade and investment opportunities across the region.

“Under the Philippine Chairship, we place strong emphasis on building economic corridors that expand trade and investment, strengthen regional supply chains, and open doors of opportunity for businesses and communities across ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations),” the President said.

Marcos said regional economies are undergoing rapid transformation, requiring closer coordination between governments and the private sector to sustain inclusive growth.

‘Navigating Our Future, Together’

Marcos said the Philippines’ approach to leading ASEAN-BAC will be guided by its broader ASEAN chair theme, “Navigating Our Future, Together.”

“This theme speaks clearly to our emerging needs and challenges,” he said.

The President said ASEAN’s strength lies in its ability to turn uncertainty into opportunity through cooperation, trust, and shared accountability.

“ASEAN ensures that progress is guided by cooperation, strengthened by mutual trust, and anchored in common accountability,” Marcos said.

Backing ASEAN-BAC’s four pillars

President Marcos said the priorities identified by ASEAN-BAC for 2026 align closely with the Philippines’ regional development goals.

He noted that the council’s four pillars—people, planet, platform, and productivity—support initiatives aimed at inclusive and sustainable growth.

“These initiatives include empowering micro, small, and medium enterprises, workers, youth, and women; strengthening food security and agricultural productivity; advancing a digital and AI-enabled ASEAN; and boosting industry growth and regional integration,” Marcos said.

Private sector seen as key partner

Marcos underscored the importance of the private sector in translating ASEAN’s economic goals into concrete outcomes.

“The vision and leadership of the private sector remain indispensable,” he said.

The President said the government will continue to provide platforms for dialogue among policymakers, business leaders, investors, and innovators to deepen regional cooperation.

ASEAN-BAC silver anniversary

President Marcos also recognized ASEAN-BAC’s 25th year, describing the council as a trusted partner in advancing regional integration.

“As ASEAN-BAC marks its Silver Anniversary, we recognize its contribution as a trusted partner in translating regional aspirations into concrete action,” he said.

The Philippines formally received the ASEAN-BAC chairship from Malaysia during the ceremony, with businessman and GoNegosyo founder Joey Concepcion leading the Philippine council for 2026.

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said on Friday, January 30 that the  Supreme Court’s ruling on the unconstitutionality of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment case must be accepted and respected.

“Agree or disagree, right or wrong, just or unjust, faultless or defective – we must accept and respect the SC ruling on the unconstitutionality of VP Sara Duterte’s impeachment case,” Lacson said on his X account.

“They are not called the ‘gods of Padre Faura’ for nothing,” he said.

Lacson insisted it is a matter of respecting the rule of law, saying his sentiment would have been the same even if the high court ruled otherwise.

“This is not about politics or who gains or loses. If the SC ruling went the other way, my sentiment would be the same. Simply put, it is about respecting the rule of law,” he added.

Lacson pointed this out a day after the SC denied with finality the House of Representatives’ appeal to reverse its ruling last July 25, which declared unconstitutional the Articles of Impeachment against the vice president.

SC spokesperson Camille Sue Mae Ting was quoted as saying that the High Court voted to uphold that the fourth impeachment complaint against the Vice President was covered by the one-year bar rule where impeachment proceedings cannot be initiated against the same official more than once within one year.

Earlier, Lacson pointed out that the rule of law may end up as the biggest loser if the High Court’s decision on the impeachment case is not followed.

“My view is that the High Court is the final arbiter and interpreter of the Constitution. We can expect no interpretation of the law other than the Supreme Court,” he said.

Following the SC’s decision, Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III lamented the SC decision saying the ruling is “a sad day for Constitutional Law students and professors.

“The Constitution had just been amended unconstitutionally through Supreme Court overreach. It will take decades of retirements to correct this misinterpretation. When the law is clear, there is nothing to interpret, as any first year law student knows,” Sotto had said.

For Sotto, the decision is a clear judicial legislation and that the SC clearly encroached on the power of the legislative branch, as provided by the Constitution.

“There is impunity in the entry of illegal cigarettes into the country,” Quimbo, chair of the House ways and means committee, told the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum.

“We should not forget that 50 percent of the total sin tax that the government is collecting is going to the health care program, particularly to PhilHealth. Because of cigarette smuggling, the government is losing money,” Quimbo added.

Aside from tax-evading smugglers, the youth are getting easy access to cigarettes, he said.

Quimbo said the resolution he filed seeking the probe would be referred to the plenary.

After that, he said it would be referred to the House committee on rules, then the majority leader will forward it to the ways and means panel.

“Within the next two weeks, we will have an investigation into this matter. We should not forget that smuggling tobacco is now part of the anti-agriculture smuggling (law),” Quimbo said.

Smuggling of cigarettes made in Thailand and Malaysia is being facilitated through transshipment, he noted.

In a statement, Recto said the meeting was in line with President Marcos’ directive to treat local government units not merely as recipients of national funds but as active partners in development.

The consultation comes as the General Appropriations Act for 2026 sets aside about P1.4 trillion in downloadable funds for provinces, cities, municipalities, and barangays.

Recto underscored the need to align national priorities with local needs through a rules-based approach that ensures public funds translate into measurable social benefits.

Congress also increased allocations for the Local Government Support Fund, which now stands at P57.87 billion under the 2026 spending program.

Recto said discussions focused on improving fund utilization and ensuring that projects supported by the LGSF deliver verifiable outcomes on the ground.

Present at the meeting were Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines national president and League of Provinces of the Philippines chairman Gov. Dakila Carlo Cua, LPP president Gov. Reynaldo Tamayo Jr., League of Cities of the Philippines president Mayor Francis Zamora, League of Municipalities of the Philippines president Mayor Faustino Dy V, and Liga ng mga Barangay sa Pilipinas president Maria Katrina Jessica Dy.

Department of Budget and Management Secretary Rolando Toledo, along with assistant secretaries Ryan Lita and Angel Magtalas, also attended the consultation.

House Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos was likewise present during the meeting.

China’s new ambassador to the Philippines, Jing Quan, made the remark on Tuesday, Jan. 20, in a media debut that came at a time the embassy, under his leadership, had become more assertive in its claim over the entire South China Sea by engaging in word wars with Philippine government officials.

The envoy said both countries “have the ability and wisdom to properly manage our differences,” and “the best option” for the maritime disputes between the countries that he observed to have become “more pronounced” in recent years, “is to sit down for talks and solutions in a diplomatic way.”

Just like with the Philippines, China has border disputes with India, Vietnam, and Japan. But Jing said they found solutions, or we managed the tensions through dialogue.

Jing bared that diplomats of both sides “are working toward this goal, and have already reached a preliminary consensus on a roadmap for the next stage of dialogue and negotiation.”

“This year, the Philippines is chairing the ASEAN. Both sides hope to accelerate negotiations on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea,” he said.

Members of ASEAN and China have been negotiating for years on a future COC in a desire to enhance conditions for a peaceful and durable solution of differences and disputes among the countries concerned.

“To this end, consultations are becoming more frequent and more intensive,” he added.

But even if China and the Philippines will not be able to reach solutions quickly, he said, it is essential for both to keep communication channels open, refrain from provocative or confrontational actions, and prevent tensions from escalating.

“The South China Sea issue is only one portion of China–Philippines relations. We still need to have the bigger picture in mind,” he said.

“As President Marcos said, ‘let us not allow these differences to define our relationship.’ ‘Our differences should be the exception in our ties rather than the norm,'” he added.

Chinese investments lag behind other ASEAN members

Meanwhile, Jing also highlighted China’s trade relations with the Philippines. In fact, over the past decade, he added, China is the Philippines’ “largest trading partner and largest source of imports.”

“China never seeks a trade imbalance. Instead, we welcome the Philippines exporting more to China, especially high-quality agricultural goods such as durian, mangoes, and bananas,” he said.

Jing particularly cited the growing number of Chinese hybrid vehicles in the country, the presence of many Chinese phones and other electronic devices, and other Chinese high-technologies, such as solar, new energy, environmental protection, and the digital economy.

“Recently, we have been discussing garbage-to-energy cooperation with local business community and governments… Last month, the China-aided Bucana Bridge over the Davao River was successfully completed and opened to traffic… In addition, Chinese companies are currently building one bridge in Manila and another in Davao,” he said.

“There are many such kind examples, and the potential for China-Philippines cooperation is enormous,” he added.

Despite this, Jing said, Chinese investment in the Philippines still lagged far behind that in other ASEAN countries, exceeding only that in Brunei.

“I hope as our political relations improve, trade and investment will also see substantial growth,” he added, noting that “sound economic and trade relations require stable political relations and a more favorable business environment.”

Jing said that China regards the Philippines as a friend and a neighbor, and it offers sincere assistance without seeking anything in return.

“China’s development is not a threat to the Philippines; it is an opportunity,” he added.

During the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on Monday, Jan. 19, Marcoleta said that the neophyte lawmaker is “not competent” because he’s not part of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

According to Marcoleta, Leviste can only testify on how he obtained the files from the late former DPWH Undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral.

“I don’t think he is competent because he is not part of [the] DPWH, he is not even a staff of DPWH. He has nothing to do with the preparation of the entries, the consolidation of the reports; he has no personality to testify,” Marcoleta said.

“I think what he can testify is limited to only how he was able to obtain the files from DPWH, particularly from the office of USec. Cabral,” he added.

Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto also suggested requesting the Office of the Ombudsman to first verify the list’s authenticity.

With different versions of the so-called Cabral list in circulation, Sotto said it would be best to have a copy of Leviste’s list authenticated before any further discussion could take place.

“The Ombudsman has the computer and the contents of what is really inside that and it can be compared to the list that Cong. Leviste had, Senator Lacson had and what is in the portals of these departments,” Sotto said.

“In other words, the Executive department has a copy. It will be a welcome for the committee to have the files by Cong. Leviste submitted to the Blue Ribbon Committee,” he added.

Leviste was earlier accused of harassing Cabral in an incident said to have occurred inside her office, according to a post circulating on social media.

He has given a categorical denial to reports that he obtained the so-called “Cabral files” through illegal or underhanded means.