ISKUP

10 Mayo, 2026 Linggo

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ASEAN calls ME conflict restraint

By Nidz Godino

“We urged all parties involved to maintain conducive conditions for full and effective implementation of ceasefire, by exercising utmost restraint, ceasing all hostilities and avoiding any acts that may aggravate situation,” leaders of Association of Southeast Asian Nations urged parties involved in Middle East conflict to fully implement ceasefire and uphold peace, stability and prosperity worldwide.

In statement issued after summit, ASEAN leaders expressed “serious concern” over rapidly evolving situation in Middle East, warning that it poses “grave threat” to lives and safety of civilians and to regional and global peace and stability.

“We underscore importance of maintaining regional peace, stability and prosperity, upholding international law and promoting genuine dialogue and diplomacy in addressing conflicts and tensions, including need for complete and immediate cessation of hostilities across all fronts in Middle East,” they added.

Leaders likewise called for respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations, protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure in armed conflicts and safety of United Nations peacekeepers and humanitarian personnel.

“We stressed need to preserve unimpeded flow of energy and essential goods, including food, agricultural inputs, pharmaceutical products and transport fuels, in order to safeguard economic stability and strengthen resilience across ASEAN,” they added.

At press conference President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.said ASEAN leaders united to call for peace and issued document urging all parties to cease hostilities, reopen Strait of Hormuz and pursue lasting peace.

“Peace is something…fundamental to any discussion about war in Middle East… first step, because we will achieve absolutely nothing until there is peace,we, now, are in this limbo situation where we don’t know how long it’s going to last. ..we don’t know when the next encounter is going to be…is ceasefire on… is it not on... it’s very difficult situation…until fighting ends, until bombings end, then it’s very difficult to put together any kind of solution,”FMJ said.

Apart from discussions on Middle East, ASEAN leaders likewise tackled political crisis in Myanmar, with Marcos acknowledging frustration among member-states over lack of progress in efforts to normalize situation there.

“I believe many of members aired their frustration about lack of progress in the process of normalizing situation in Myanmar and trying to find way forward, trying to find some kind of agreement amongst member states,” the President told reporters after summit.

“We have to do something because Myanmar is not merely trade partner… Myanmar is not merely friend to ASEAN… Myanmar is part of ASEAN family and it is tragedy when family member is left out of family for whatever reason... we need to find other ways to move the process forward…what those other ways are is something that we now will have to go away and think about.”

Myanmar was supposed to chair this year’s ASEAN Summit, but it was replaced by Philippines because of political crisis stemmed from 2021 coup ousted democratically elected government.

Min Aung Hlaing, leader of military junta launched coup, won Myanmar presidency during election held last month.

ASEAN has yet to reach consensus on whether to recognize results of election.

As summit came to close, Marcos thanked fellow ASEAN leaders and partners for their cooperation and emphasized importance of unity amid global uncertainty.

“As we close 48th ASEAN Summit in Cebu, First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos and I extend our deepest gratitude to our fellow ASEAN leaders and partners for trust, friendship and meaningful discussions we shared over past few days, at time when world faces uncertainty, ASEAN once again showed that we move forward best when we listen to one another, work together and keep our peoples at the center of every decision,” the Chief Executive said in separate Facebook post.

Under Philippines’ chairship, ASEAN leaders adopted several key documents aimed at strengthening regional cooperation on climate action, disaster response and maritime concerns.

Among those were ASEAN Leaders’ Declaration on Maritime Cooperation; ASEAN Declaration on Empowerment of Youth in Climate Action and Disaster Resilience, recognizes role of young people in climate-risk reduction and disaster preparedness, and ASEAN Leaders’ Statement on ASEAN Convergence on Disaster Response.

10 Mayo, 2026 Linggo

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Headlines

Duterte replaced defense team ahead of ICC trial

By Nidz Godino

“This Request is submitted at request of Lead Counsel who has informed me that Mr. Duterte has expressed interest in reorganizing his defense team for trial phase,” former president Rodrigo Duterte has tapped new defense lawyer as part of move to reorganize his defense team ahead of his crimes against humanity trial at International Criminal Court (ICC).

Both of his primary defense lawyers lead defense counsel Nicholas Kaufman and associate counsel Dov Jacobs have filed their respective requests to withdraw as counsel before ICC Trial Chamber III, filings released on Friday night showed.

Jacobs, French lawyer, was first to submit his request on Thursday.

“My withdrawal will not affect continuity of Mr. Duterte’s representation, which remains assured through Lead Counsel and existing defense team,” he added.

Trial chamber approved Jacobs’ request on Friday.

On the same day, Kaufman, British-Israeli, filed similar request, saying he was originally engaged to represent Duterte only for period of one year.

“This engagement terminated on 31 March 2026,” he told judges.

Kaufman said former president expressed his desire to hire replacement counsel, whose identity was redacted in three-page filing.

“Counsel has spoken to REDACTED who has indeed confirmed that he is ready, willing and able to assume immediate representation and that his terms of engagement have been agreed…counsel informed REDACTED of pending deadlines and REDACTED assured him that he will be able to attend status conference set for 27 May 2026,” read defense lawyer’s filing.

“I am convinced that continuity and efficacy of Mr. Duterte’s representation will remain assured through REDACTED, who has wealth of experience at International Criminal Court, and existing defense team…counsel thanks REDACTED for his extremely graceful, supportive and collegial approach,” he added.

Trial Chamber III has yet to act on Kaufman’s request. No filing has been made public regarding new counsel for Duterte.

Kaufman, in message to reporters, said he was sad to leave the former president.

“It has been privilege for me to represent the former president… I thank both him and the many thousands of supporters who have shown their appreciation for my efforts on his behalf,if my withdrawal is approved, I am convinced that I will be leaving Tatay Digong in safe hands…may God bless the former president, Duterte family and Filipino nation. Daghang salamat,” added Kaufman.

Kristina Conti, represents some of the drug war victims, will take Kaufman’s commitment that there will be no delay in trial despite changes in defense team.

“Accused Rodrigo Duterte does have the right to counsel of choice…but victims want to be assured that change will not result in any delay… new lawyer does not automatically reset time or give rise to new remedies available to the accused,victims will course their views and concerns, as before, through common legal representatives who will stand for them in court on May 27th… general sentiment here is that victims prefer trial begin soonest possible,” Conti added.

For Panagutin Network in Netherlands, Kaufman’s withdrawal indicates case against Duterte is practically indefensible.

“Kaufman’s tactics to file several appeals questioning ICC’s jurisdiction and, most recently, his critique of various technicalities involved in handling of case have all fallen flat following unanimous decision of ICC judges to set aside his arguments, demonstrates that all of legal maneuvers of Duterte’s defense team thus far have all been mere delay tactics, and that there is no real defense to argue,” it said.

NICHOLAS KAUFMAN

10 Mayo, 2026 Linggo

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'Hagupit' nears Ph' vicinity, Caloy when in PAR

By J.Lo

Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said tropical storm, with international name "Hagupit," may enter Philippine area of responsibility this weekend once inside country's monitoring area.

PAGASA's advisory on Friday, May 8 placed Hagupit at 1,615 kilometers east of northeastern Mindanao as of 3 in the morning.

Between 11 in the evening Thursday and early Friday, storm gained power and speed. It was recorded with maximum winds of 75 kph and gusts of up to 90 kph near center. It was moving westward at 20 kph.

PAGASA said Hagupit is forecast to move west-northwestward for most of the forecast period and may enter PAR between Saturday evening, May 9, and Sunday morning, May 10,2026.

Once inside PAR, storm will be given local name "Caloy."

"In the next 24 hours, HAGUPIT will further intensify and may reach its peak intensity as tropical storm," PAGASA said in its tropical cyclone advisory.

PAGASA said easterlies are still prevailing weather system and Hagupit is less likely to directly affect the country within next three days.

However, PAGASA advised public and disaster risk reduction and management offices to continue monitoring updates.

Hagupit may begin weakening after reaching peak tropical storm intensity due to unfavorable environmental conditions, PAGASA said.

It may be downgraded to tropical depression by Monday evening, May 11,2026 while over Philippine Sea.

09 Mayo, 2026 Sabado

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P400k income tax exemption sought to raise take-home pay

By Nidz Godino

“Middle class has been lifeblood of local economy, driving domestic consumption and contributing significantly to government revenue,” Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said in statement pushing for urgent passage of tax relief bill that seeks to raise workers’ take-home pay as middle-income Filipinos grapple with rising prices.

Proposed Granting Increase in Take-Home Pay for All Working Filipinos Act, or GINHAWA, seeks to amend National Internal Revenue Code by raising income tax exemption threshold from P250,000 to P400,000 a year.

Bill's goal is to provide “equitable relief to greater number of taxpayers and their families” by improving disposable income and increasing economic activity.

He said middle class has been “lifeblood” of local economy, driving consumption and contributing significantly to government revenue.

Gatchalian made call as government reported that national headline inflation accelerated to 7.2% in April, fastest rise in prices in the country since March 2023. Shock has been effect of oil supply disruptions after United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran.

Under the bill, individuals earning up to P400,000 a year would pay no income tax. Those earning above P400,000 would be taxed under revised graduated schedule.

Measure also seeks to raise tax-exempt cap for 13th month pay and other benefits to P150,000 from the current P90,000.

It would also exclude from gross income several forms of additional compensation required under Labor Code, including holiday pay, overtime pay, night shift differential, hazard pay and service charges.

Bill, however, specifies that overtime pay exceeding P100,000 would still be included in gross income.

For service workers, bill would remove taxes on service charges distributed to employees.

For poll workers, it would exempt honoraria, allowances, service credits and other election-related benefits granted by Commission on Elections.

Bill also proposes to shift fringe benefits for some employees away from current 35% final tax treatment and include them instead in employee’s gross income subject to graduated income tax rates.

It would exempt life, health and other non-life insurance premiums paid by employers from fringe benefits tax.

For small businesses, measure would allow micro taxpayers to claim additional 50% deduction on salaries, wages and other compensation paid to employees. It would also exempt micro taxpayers from withholding tax requirements.

Bill also seeks to raise VAT-exempt threshold for businesses from P3 million to P4 million in gross annual sales, with future adjustments tied to consumer price index beginning Jan. 1, 2029.

Gatchalian said measure is meant to give workers “financial space” as households absorb higher costs.

Bill’s explanatory note says working Filipinos are facing “rising prices of essential commodities” and market uncertainty, making it harder for families to adjust their finances.