Lacson confirms OVP catering request; Poa says Senate isn’t paying

Philippine Daily InquirerIndependentCenterFactual 90Objective 8515 hr. ago

Senator Panfilo Lacson confirmed that the Office of the Vice President (OVP) requested Senate funding for catering during Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial. However, the defense team's spokesperson, Michael Poa, stated that the request does not seem to have been approved. Poa declined to comment further on the July 7 letter, which reportedly asked the Senate to cover the costs of food and beverages for the defense team, support staff, and witnesses. Lacson noted that while the initial letter was authentic, a follow-up communication appeared to modify its content. He expressed concerns that the request might violate government procurement laws, as the Senate already has its own caterer selected through a competitive bidding process. The OVP argued that using its accredited caterer was necessary for security reasons.

Bias read (Center): The article presents both sides of the issue: Senator Lacson confirming the OVP's request and Michael Poa stating the request was not granted. It includes quotes from both parties and provides context regarding the potential legal implications of the request. There is no evident bias toward either政治

Why factuality (90): The article accurately reports on the dispute regarding Senate funding for catering during the impeachment trial, citing statements from both the defense counsel and Senator Lacson. It provides clear sourcing and maintains alignment with the primary source document's context.

Why objectivity (85): The article presents both sides of the argument fairly, quoting defense counsel and Senator Lacson. While there is some tension in the discussion, the tone remains balanced and objective.

RapplerIndependentCenterFactual 90Objective 853 days ago

Former Senate president Franklin Drilon expressed concerns during a town hall event about the slow pace of the impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte, warning of 'impeachment fatigue' just two weeks into the proceedings. He criticized legal teams for treating the trial like an ordinary court case, leading to excessive time spent on procedural matters such as authenticating videos. Drilon called for stronger leadership from Senate President Win Gatchalian and impeachment court presiding officer Chiz Escudero to improve efficiency and maintain public engagement. He emphasized the importance of keeping the public informed and suggested potential reforms based on the trial's progress. The trial, which began on July 6, has already lasted over 26 hours and is projected to extend into early 2027.

Bias read (Center): While the article discusses a politically sensitive impeachment trial, the framing remains neutral. Drilon criticizes procedural delays without taking sides on the merits of the case. The focus is on improving efficiency rather than advancing a particular political agenda. The article presents his呼吁

Why factuality (90): The article accurately describes the expectation of the subpoena vote and references past cases like the Renato Corona impeachment, aligning with the primary source. It provides context for the significance of the documents.

Why objectivity (85): The tone is generally neutral, but it emphasizes the prosecution's confidence and legal arguments, giving more weight to their perspective compared to the defense.

Philippine Daily InquirerIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 8013 hr. ago

Senator JV Ejercito stated that the Senate will continue pursuing accountability for individuals involved in the flood control project scandals, despite the ongoing impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte. The Ombudsman is preparing to charge eight 'cong-tractors'—individuals allegedly involved in securing government contracts through conflicts of interest. Ejercito emphasized that the investigation into the flood control issues will not be delayed or overshadowed by the impeachment trial. He also noted that the Senate will maintain its legislative duties, including budget discussions, alongside the impeachment process. Ejercito reiterated the importance of transparency and ensuring public funds allocated for flood control are properly utilized.

Bias read (Center): The article presents statements from Senator JV Ejercito regarding the Senate's commitment to holding individuals accountable for the flood control project anomalies. It does not exhibit overtly biased language, one-sided sourcing, or omission of context. The content remains focused on the Senate's

Why factuality (85): The article reports on the Senate's continued focus on flood control project anomalies while the impeachment trial proceeds. It cites statements from Senator JV Ejercito and mentions the Ombudsman's actions. These details align with the primary source document's context of ongoing investigations and

Why objectivity (80): The tone remains neutral, reporting facts without overt bias. However, it subtly frames the impeachment as part of broader governmental accountability efforts, which may slightly influence perception.

RapplerIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 806 days ago

A claim circulating on social media alleging that a new impeachment complaint had been sent to the Senate against Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has been fact-checked and rated as false. The most recent impeachment complaints against Marcos were dismissed in February 2026, triggering a one-year immunity period from further impeachment proceedings. Social media posts falsely claimed that an impeachment complaint was filed and discussed during a Senate session, including fabricated images and references to First Lady Liza Marcos. However, no credible media or government sources have reported such a filing, and the Senate has not acted on any new complaints since the dismissal. The misinformation appears to have gained traction online, with users believing the claim despite lacking evidence.

Bias read (Center): The article presents a balanced fact-check of a claim related to the Philippines' political landscape, providing both the false claim and the verified facts without taking a stance. It does not favor any side and relies on official dismissals of previous complaints and lack of new filings as the key

Why factuality (85): The article accurately reports on the DOJ and Palace's support for the NBI's investigation into the SEA Games, aligning with the primary source document's context. It provides clear information on the legal and political dimensions of the situation.

Why objectivity (80): The article maintains a balanced tone, presenting the perspectives of both the DOJ and the senators without showing preference. It avoids biased language and stays factual.

Philippine Daily InquirerIndependentCenterFactual 80Objective 852 days ago

Senator Rodante Marcoleta has requested that the Senate impeachment court recognize his vote in the ongoing impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. This request comes amid a discussion of procedural rules established during the previous impeachment trial of former President Joseph Estrada, which reportedly allowed senators unable to attend in person to submit their votes. Senator-Judge Chiz Escudero confirmed receiving Marcoleta's letter but noted that the issue involves amending the rules of the impeachment court, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Senate as a legislative body. Escudero stated that the Senate would need to decide on the matter, and the court would follow the Senate's ruling. Meanwhile, Marcoleta is currently incarcerated due to non-bailable plunder charges.

Bias read (Center): The article presents the situation objectively, focusing on procedural discussions within the impeachment process without overtly favoring either side. It includes quotes from both Marcoleta and Escudero, providing balanced perspectives on the legal and procedural aspects of the case.

Why factuality (80): The article discusses Senator Marcoleta's attempt to have his vote recognized in the impeachment court, referencing past procedures. It aligns with the primary source document's context of procedural debates within the impeachment trial, though it lacks specific details on the current ruling.

Why objectivity (85): The article presents the situation neutrally, explaining Marcoleta's position and the court's response without apparent bias. It focuses on the procedural aspects rather than taking sides.

Philippine Daily InquirerIndependentCenterFactual 75Objective 807 days ago

On July 14, 2026, the Senate impeachment court ruled that all parties involved in Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial must cease providing detailed explanations for the withdrawal of witnesses. This decision came after defense counsel Sheila Sison argued that the prosecution's lengthy legal arguments accompanying witness withdrawals skewed the proceedings and undermined fairness. Sison emphasized that the sole intent should be to inform the court of the withdrawal, without additional legal interpretations or conclusions. Presiding Senator-judge Francis Escudero acknowledged the prosecution's arguments as 'tender offers of excluded evidence' and allowed the defense to request similar restraint. The ruling aims to streamline the process while maintaining transparency and public accountability.

Bias read (Center): The article presents a procedural ruling without overt ideological slant. While the impeachment trial itself is politically charged, the focus is on legal procedure rather than advocacy for any particular political stance. The framing remains neutral, focusing on the legal implications of witness-wr

Why factuality (75): The article mentions the relevance of VP Duterte's financial records to the unexplained wealth charge, referencing the AMLC report. However, it omits some details from the primary sources, such as the specific dates and the debate over the subpoena ruling.

Why objectivity (80): The article presents information objectively, discussing the prosecution's arguments without overt bias, though it leans slightly towards the prosecution's perspective by emphasizing the significance of the financial data.