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Today is July 6th.
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On the first day of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, Senator-Judge Francis Escudero was elected as the presiding officer. Twelve voted in favor, eight were against.
However, Senator-Judge Alan Peter Cayetano raised a point of order. Citing the Constitution, Cayetano said the presiding officer should be the Senate president – a position currently held by Senator-Judge Sherwin Gatchalian. He noted that the chief justice presides only when the president is on trial. For all other impeachment proceedings, Cayetano argued that the Constitution's intent is equally clear – that the presiding officer should be the Senate president. On the first day of the trial, the prosecution and defense panels gave their respective opening statements before the impeachment court.
President Marcos will not be watching the impeachment trial, at least the start of it. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the chief executive has official matters to attend to following his recent official visit to Canada. She said the president does not need to monitor the trial. The president, she said, will eventually be informed of any trial developments.
Senator Rodante Marcoleta might need two days for a complete medical assessment at the Philippine National Police General Hospital. This was disclosed by Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla. He pleaded with the public not to rush authorities. He stressed they need a complete picture of Marcoleta's health before he can be cleared to stand trial. Marcoleta has been ordered arrested by the Sandiganbayan over a plunder case. This is in connection with Marcoleta's acceptance of a 75-million peso campaign donation from former lawmaker Mike Defensor, and two private citizens. Along with Marcoleta, the three were also ordered arrested by the anti-graft court.
The battle for Dasmariñas City's lone congressional seat kicked into high gear. This after the Comelec approved the election timetable and cleared former Congressman Kiko Barzaga to seek a political comeback. The special election is scheduled on August 29. It will fill the post vacated by Barzaga himself following his expulsion from the House of Representatives early last month. Barzaga was expelled for disorderly behavior and conduct unbecoming of a House member.
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