BREAKING

Tuesday, June 17, 2025

A Lawyer, Yes. But the Law Should Be a Shield for the People—Not for Pride.


Wazzup Pilipinas!?



Sara, you are a lawyer. But a diploma means nothing when the law is used to shield arrogance instead of uphold justice.


₱125 million. Spent in just 11 days as “confidential funds.”

According to the Commission on Audit, ₱73.9 million of that is flagged with a Notice of Disallowance—no clear purpose, incomplete documentation, and reportedly spent on office supplies.

All while teachers scramble for chalk.

Students crowd into classrooms like sardines.

And tricycle drivers suffer through soaring fuel prices.


But instead of explaining, you hid behind your Senate allies—who forced the case back to the House. A move that directly contradicts our Constitution, which mandates the Senate to try impeachment cases, not to dismiss or remand them. There is no such thing as a “remand” in the Constitution. This is not a neighborhood dispute. This is impeachment. And impeachment is sacred.


You face seven articles of impeachment:


Unexplained confidential fund spending


Statements perceived as threats to Marcos and others


Unexplained wealth


Violations of anti-graft laws


Links to the drug war and extrajudicial killings


Acts of destabilization and sedition


Gross betrayal of public trust


This is not petty political drama.

This is the people's demand for truth.


Don’t say this is just “politically motivated.” Because let’s be honest—everything in politics is politically motivated. That’s not the point.

The real question is: Are you guilty or not?


You can’t point to other people’s faults to erase your own. If others are also guilty, investigate them too. But today, you are the one being questioned.

You are the one who must answer.


And if your hands are truly clean—why run from trial?

Why not respect the constitutional process?


Proverbs 28:1 says, “The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.”

If you have nothing to hide, then stand up.

Prove you serve the people, not just your own name.


The impeachment trial is the path to truth.

Let it proceed. Let the evidence speak.

Let justice, not politics, prevail.


Because in the end, politicians come and go.

But our democratic institutions—the Senate, the Constitution, the process of accountability—must endure.

They are what we must protect. For today. For tomorrow.


Fellow Filipinos, this government does not belong to any politician or dynasty.

And if the powerful protect each other—who will protect us?


We will.


We, the people, are the true sovereign.

And anyone unwilling to be held accountable does not deserve the public’s trust.


We cannot stay silent while our democratic institutions are trampled.

We cannot sit idle while the Constitution is defiled.


So today, we rise.


For the dignity of our government.

For the rule of law.

For the future of our children.


The Philippines belongs to its people—not to lawyers who twist the truth, not to leaders who fear investigation.


Hold the guilty accountable.

Defend our institutions.

Awaken the nation.

EcoWaste Coalition Issues Urgent Warning: Dangerous Toys Lurking Outside School Gates


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As students return to classrooms for the School Year 2025–2026, the EcoWaste Coalition is once again sounding the alarm—this time louder than ever. Their message: Your child’s safety could be at risk with every P5 toy bought outside the school fence.


In a disturbing twist from their usual inspections of roadside vendors and neighborhood sari-sari stores, the Coalition traced the root of the problem directly to the source—wholesale toy suppliers in Binondo, Manila. What they uncovered is an unsettling truth: a flood of cheap, colorful, and often unlabeled toys are making their way into the hands of children, bypassing health regulations and basic safety standards.


On June 15, EcoWaste Coalition operatives conducted a stealth test buy at the basement of Divisoria Mall, purchasing bundles of miniature toys sold for as little as ₱65 to ₱220 per set, with individual pieces being resold to children for just ₱5 each. But these bargain-bin delights come at a hidden cost.






“These toys are not just unsafe—they’re ticking time bombs for our children’s health,” warned Aileen Lucero, the Coalition’s National Coordinator. “Despite existing regulations, our markets remain saturated with toys that expose children to toxic chemicals, physical harm, and choking hazards.”


A Silent Threat in Plain Sight

Here’s a glimpse into some of the most alarming finds:


Plastic balloon-blowing kits: Fun to use, but they emit benzene—a chemical known to cause cancer and harm the nervous system.


Labubu keychains: Cute and collectible, yet contain 1,856 parts per million of lead—a neurotoxin that can permanently damage a child’s brain development.


Transparent toy guns: These light-up playthings contain button cell batteries that, if swallowed, can burn through a child’s throat or intestines.


Artificial nail sets: Harmless-looking but infused with dibutyl phthalate (DBP)—a chemical banned in toys and cosmetics due to its reproductive and developmental toxicity.


Small magnets: When swallowed, multiple magnets can attract each other inside the body, tearing internal organs and requiring emergency surgery.


Fidget spinners with small bearings: A trend among kids that can turn deadly when the parts detach and become choking hazards.


Toy balisongs (butterfly knives): Dangerous replicas with sharp points that can cause serious cuts and injuries.


Parents: Your Vigilance Is Their Lifeline

The EcoWaste Coalition is calling on parents, guardians, and all consumers to take a stand against the spread of toxic toys. The group urges the public to buy only authorized, properly labeled toys that have been certified safe by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).


They also released a 7-point toy safety guide to help parents make safer choices:


1. Choose age-appropriate toys.

Always check the recommended age on the label. A toy meant for a 10-year-old could be a danger to a toddler.


2. Look for quality.

Well-made toys last longer and are less likely to break into dangerous pieces.


3. Avoid small parts.

If it’s smaller than your child’s mouth, don’t buy it. Steer clear of toys with marbles, tiny batteries, and detachable parts.


4. No long cords.

Toys with strings longer than 12 inches can strangle a child if they get tangled during play.


5. Injuries are not fun.

Skip toys with sharp points, loud sounds, or projectile features that can harm a child’s body, especially eyes and ears.


6. Say NO to lead paint.

If the paint isn’t certified lead-free, it’s not worth the risk. Lead poisoning can cause lasting brain damage.


7. Reject PVC plastic toys.

Toys made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) often contain toxic additives like phthalates that leach out when chewed or sucked.


“This isn’t just a matter of cheap versus expensive,” Lucero said. “It’s a matter of life and death, of lifelong health versus preventable harm. Before you hand your child that next toy, ask yourself: Is it worth the risk?”


As the back-to-school frenzy continues, the EcoWaste Coalition hopes that this wake-up call will compel both authorities and parents to act swiftly. Because every child deserves safe play—not a toy store trap disguised as a reward.

PBBM Kicks Off School Year 2025–2026 with Bold Education Reforms: A New Era for Learners and Teachers Begins


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In a compelling show of commitment to educational transformation, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. led the official opening of School Year 2025–2026 at Epifanio Delos Santos Elementary School (EDSES) in Malate, Manila. The return to a June school opening—after years of disruption and adjustment due to the COVID-19 pandemic—signals more than just a shift in the calendar. It marks the beginning of a new chapter in Philippine education.


Addressing the nation during a live virtual interaction with principals from across the archipelago, President Marcos declared, “Ang buong pamahalaan, lalo na basta sa edukasyon… ay nakabantay sa inyong lahat para tiyakin na lahat ng mga pangangailangan, lalong-lalo na ng mga kabataan, ay mapaabot namin.”


His message was clear: no Filipino learner should be left behind. The entire government machinery—from health to social welfare, transport to technology—is mobilized in support of students and teachers.


A System Reimagined: Education Reforms Take Center Stage

Under the President’s directive, the Department of Education (DepEd) has launched sweeping reforms aimed at easing the burdens of both learners and educators:


Simplified, cost-efficient enrollment processes


Health checkups for students


Early delivery of digital learning tools such as laptops and smart TVs


Increased allowances for teachers—both medical and instructional


Mass hiring of teaching and non-teaching personnel


Workload rationalization to reduce bureaucratic tasks for educators


Pilot launch of an enhanced Senior High School curriculum to improve college and job readiness


“These are not just band-aid solutions,” said Education Secretary Sonny Angara. “These are systemic interventions. Malaking pasasalamat natin kay Pangulong Marcos sa mga repormang agad niyang itinulak para sa edukasyon. Ramdam ito ng mga guro at mag-aaral.”


A Symbolic Visit, A Nationwide Movement

The President’s symbolic visit to EDSES—a historic institution and one of Manila’s oldest public elementary schools—was filled with meaningful interactions: observing a Grade 1 class, evaluating school safety protocols, and virtually engaging with schools from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.


It was a unified national moment, mirroring the government’s push to make every school safe, functional, and inspiring for over 27 million learners returning to roughly 60,000 public and private institutions nationwide.


Back to June: A Return to Academic Normalcy

This school year also marks the long-awaited return to the traditional June school opening—a move supported by teachers, parents, and students alike to avoid learning disruptions caused by heatwaves and typhoons. The transition was no small feat. It followed an intensive nationwide preparation effort under Brigada Eskwela and Oplan Balik Eskwela, which rallied local communities, teachers, parents, and agencies in a massive campaign to fix, clean, and equip campuses.


Secretary Angara praised the effort:

"Alam nating mahirap ang paghahanda, pero mas maayos ang pasukan ngayong taon dahil sa tulong-tulong na kilos ng lahat—ni Pangulong Marcos, guro, magulang, LGU, at mga ahensya.”


All Hands on Deck: A Government-Wide Push for Learning

The opening’s success is also thanks to the inter-agency collaboration of nearly every major department: DILG, DOH, PNP, NDRRMC, PAGASA, DICT, Meralco, MWSS, DOE, NTC, DOTr, MMDA, PCO, DTI, DSWD, DPWH, and more.


From traffic decongestion to power and water connections, school safety to psychological support—the opening of classes was a national undertaking, with every hand reaching toward one goal: a better future for the Filipino child.


As of June 14, the Oplan Balik Eskwela Public Assistance Command Center had received 1,690 queries and concerns. Impressively, 1,406 of these were resolved immediately, thanks to DepEd’s coordinated rapid-response efforts.


Looking Ahead: Education with Renewed Purpose

While the first day proceeded smoothly, the mission continues. DepEd will maintain active monitoring via command centers and field offices to ensure timely resolution of school-level issues. The momentum, officials say, must not stop at opening day.


“Now more than ever,” Secretary Angara emphasized, “we must deliver not only access to education, but quality education that prepares every learner for the real world.”


With renewed energy, greater resources, and the full force of the government behind it, School Year 2025–2026 is not just another academic year—it is a national renewal, driven by collective action and bold leadership. Under the Marcos administration, the promise of education as the great equalizer is once again within reach.


Because when the nation builds its classrooms with purpose, it builds a future with hope.

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