The International Criminal Court prosecution has welcomed the unsealing of the arrest warrant against Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, marking a major new turn in the long-running drug war case watched closely in the Philippines.

According to GMA News, the ICC Office of the Prosecutor said the warrant is an important step in its pursuit of accountability for alleged crimes committed during the Duterte administration’s so-called war on drugs. The prosecution said the warrant was issued secretly on November 6, 2025 and was later conveyed to relevant Philippine authorities.

The ICC prosecution said the Pre-Trial Chamber found reasonable grounds to believe that Dela Rosa, together with former President Rodrigo Duterte and other alleged co-perpetrators, was responsible for murders in the Philippines from July 2016 to April 2018. It also cited his roles as former Davao City police director and later Philippine National Police chief.

The prosecution said the alleged murders form part of a sample that may represent a broader pattern. It also called on direct witnesses, especially former and current members of the PNP, to come forward and provide information related to alleged crimes during the anti-drug campaign.

Dela Rosa was placed under Senate protective custody after National Bureau of Investigation agents, reportedly carrying a copy of the ICC warrant, pursued him inside Senate premises. The senator’s case is now likely to draw intense public attention as questions over enforcement, jurisdiction, and accountability continue to unfold. Source: GMA News Online

The Philippine National Police has been ordered to go all-out in a nationwide search for several high-profile fugitives, including businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang, former Bureau of Corrections chief Gerald Bantag, former police officer Rafael Dumlao III, and former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co.

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said he challenged PNP commanders to use the full strength of the force, telling them that a 200,000-plus police organization should be able to locate a small number of wanted personalities. The directive was issued as authorities intensify operations tied to major criminal and corruption cases.

According to the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the police campaign now includes stronger coordination strategies and efforts that may extend beyond Philippine borders. Remulla also confirmed that Interpol Red Notices have been issued against Bantag, Ang, and Dumlao.

Ang is wanted in connection with the missing sabungeros case after a Laguna court issued a non-bailable warrant for kidnapping with homicide. Bantag is wanted over the killing of broadcaster Percival “Percy Lapid” Mabasa and the death of alleged middleman Jun Villamor, while Dumlao has been linked to the 2016 kidnapping and killing of South Korean businessman Jee Ick Joo.

Co, meanwhile, faces graft and malversation charges tied to a flood control project in Oriental Mindoro, and officials said a Red Notice request against him has not yet been granted. Interpol Red Notices ask law enforcement agencies worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person, but they are not the same as international arrest warrants. Source: The Philippine Star

Butuan City in Agusan del Norte recorded the country’s highest heat index on Tuesday, May 12, hitting a scorching 48°C, according to PAGASA.

The heat index measures how hot it feels to the human body when air temperature and humidity are combined. PAGASA classifies readings from 42°C to 51°C as “danger” level because they raise the risk of heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and possible heat stroke.

Inquirer reported that 44 areas nationwide reached danger-level heat index readings on May 12. Aside from Butuan, Tuguegarao City in Cagayan and Coron in Palawan also posted extreme readings at 46°C.

Metro Manila was not spared, with NAIA in Pasay City recording 42°C. Other danger-level areas included Dagupan, Iba, Clark, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Cavite, Batangas, several Palawan stations, parts of Bicol, Iloilo, Cebu, Samar, Leyte, Zamboanga, Davao, and Surigao.

For Pinoys working outdoors, commuting, or caring for children and seniors, the warning is simple: hydrate, avoid long exposure during peak heat, and watch for signs of heat stress. Source: Inquirer News

A 12-year-old girl from Antique is being hailed for extraordinary courage after swimming for about five hours to find help for her family when their motorbanca capsized at sea.

The Philippine Coast Guard identified the girl as Cherry Ann Mateo, a resident of Sitio Tigbao on Batbatan Island in Culasi, Antique. According to the PCG, Mateo swam nearly six kilometers after the accident, pushing through open water just to seek rescue.

Coast Guard District Western Visayas Commodore Ludovico Librilla Jr. led a tribute for Mateo on Monday, May 11, 2026, at the CGDWV headquarters in Lapuz, Iloilo City. The PCG said her actions showed remarkable courage during a frightening emergency.

Two other rescuers, Edgar Antonio and Johnny Patricio, were also recognized for their role in the successful rescue operation. The Coast Guard praised the heroism, selflessness, and bayanihan spirit shown by everyone involved.

Mateo’s story stands out as a real-life survival moment many Filipinos will search for and share: a young girl, a capsized boat, and a desperate swim that helped bring her family to safety.

Source: GMA News

A surprise Senate leadership shakeup hit Manila on Monday as Senate President Tito Sotto was ousted and Alan Peter Cayetano was elected to take over the chamber.

According to Philstar.com, 13 senators backed the move to install Cayetano, while nine voted for Sotto and two senators abstained. Senator Imee Marcos nominated Cayetano, and Senator Camille Villar administered his oath.

The switch happened as the House of Representatives was moving toward a critical vote on the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte, making the Senate change instantly political kahit sinabi ni Cayetano na hindi impeachment ang dahilan.

Cayetano said in his first remarks that impeachment is protected under the Constitution, but warned against using it as a shortcut to remove political rivals. He also said the Senate itself is “on trial” as it faces major national issues.

The leadership coup also marked the return of Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa to the Senate after months away from public view. The timing matters because the Senate is expected to handle any impeachment trial against Duterte, and Cayetano will now lead the chamber as the process moves forward. Source: Philstar.com

Vice President Sara Duterte is facing another impeachment battle after the House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly to send a new case against her to the Senate for trial.

According to Al Jazeera, 257 of 318 House members voted to impeach Duterte, easily clearing the one-third threshold needed to transmit the complaint. Twenty-six lawmakers voted against it, while nine abstained.

The complaint accuses Duterte of constitutional violations and betrayal of public trust, with allegations tied to confidential funds, wealth disclosure, bribery, and threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

The case now shifts to the Senate, where a two-thirds vote is needed to remove Duterte from office and bar her from holding government posts. But the trial’s path became less certain after senators elected Alan Peter Cayetano as Senate President, replacing Vicente “Tito” Sotto III shortly before the House vote.

Duterte and Marcos ran together in 2022 before their alliance collapsed into a bitter political feud. With Duterte already positioning herself for the 2028 presidential race, the Senate trial could become one of the biggest political tests in the country this year.

Feature image: Vice President Sara Duterte in her official portrait. Image: Office of the Vice President / Wikimedia Commons

Source: Al Jazeera

Authorities are watching communities around Mayon Volcano as Tropical Storm Caloy raises the risk of lahar flows in parts of Bicol, especially in areas near river channels and volcanic slopes.

Philippine National Police chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. ordered police units in the region to coordinate closely with local government units for a unified disaster response. The preparations may include preemptive evacuation, road clearing, and rapid deployment of vehicles and equipment.

The Office of Civil Defense earlier warned that continuous heavy rain over Mayon’s slopes could loosen and move volcanic debris toward low-lying communities. The concern comes after Caloy entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Saturday night.

Phivolcs also recorded short-lived lava fountaining at Mayon’s summit crater on Saturday evening. Alert Level 3 remains in effect, which means entry into the six-kilometer permanent danger zone is prohibited and aircraft are not allowed to fly close to the volcano.

The Department of Agriculture said initial assessments showed 102 hectares of crops damaged within the six-kilometer zone, affecting 228 farmers and causing an estimated P13.02 million in losses. Residents near Mayon are being urged to follow official advisories and evacuation instructions as conditions develop. Source: The Philippine Star

Jessica Sanchez is back in the Philippines, and she gave It’s Showtime viewers a live taste of the song that powered one of her biggest recent TV moments.

The Filipino-American singer performed “Beautiful Things” by Benson Boone on the noontime show, the same song that earned her the Golden Buzzer on America’s Got Talent in July 2025, according to GMA News Online.

Her Philippine appearance comes after another high-profile performance at the 48th ASEAN Summit Gala Dinner, where she sang alongside Sofronio Vasquez, the 2024 winner of The Voice USA.

Sanchez has also teamed up with Morissette for the track “Stronger Than Before,” a collaboration dedicated to mothers and mother figures whose stories reflect resilience, doubt, and overcoming adversity.

Fans will get another chance to see her live soon, as Jessica Sanchez is scheduled to hold a concert on May 16 at the Araneta Coliseum. Source: GMA News Online

Motorists may see a mixed fuel price adjustment next week, with diesel and kerosene headed for major rollbacks while gasoline could get more expensive again.

Based on Department of Energy estimates cited by The Philippine Star, gasoline prices may rise by P1.60 to P1.70 per liter after four trading days in the international oil market. Diesel, however, could drop by around P9 per liter, while kerosene may fall by around P12 per liter.

DOE director Rino Abad said gasoline is facing upward pressure partly because of supply and demand, while diesel prices are returning closer to market-based levels as speculation eases. The movement comes as global markets watch developments tied to possible United States-Iran peace talks despite renewed tensions.

The final price adjustments are still subject to one remaining trading day and are expected to be announced on Monday before taking effect the following day. The estimates are based on the Mean of Platts Singapore, a key benchmark used for refined petroleum products in the Asia-Pacific region.

If the projected changes push through, gasoline would again become more expensive than diesel, a shift that matters for drivers, commuters, and delivery costs. DOE data cited in the report showed gasoline selling for as low as P73.21 per liter in Metro Manila, while diesel ranged from P79.62 to P102.16 per liter. Source: The Philippine Star

Bagyong Caloy remained a tropical storm early Sunday as it moved west-northwestward east of northeastern Mindanao, according to PAGASA’s 4 a.m. weather bulletin cited by GMA News.

PAGASA estimated Caloy’s center at about 925 kilometers east of northeastern Mindanao as of 3 a.m. The storm had maximum sustained winds of 65 kph near the center and gusts of up to 80 kph, while moving west-northwestward at 15 kph.

For now, easterlies are still affecting most parts of the country. Metro Manila and the rest of the Philippines may see partly to mostly cloudy skies, with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.

PAGASA warned that severe thunderstorms may still trigger flash floods or landslides in affected areas. Extreme northern Luzon may also experience moderate to strong winds and moderate to rough coastal waters, with waves from 1.2 to 2.8 meters.

In Quezon City, PAGASA’s Science Garden station recorded a high of 35.6°C on Saturday afternoon and a low of 26.4°C in the morning. Sunrise on Sunday is at 5:30 a.m., while sunset is expected at 6:15 p.m.

Feature image: Tropical Storm Caloy was tracked east of northeastern Mindanao in PAGASA’s early Sunday bulletin. Image: GMA News / PAGASA bulletin screenshot

Source: GMA News Online

The International Criminal Court has clarified that it has not publicly issued any arrest warrants tied to the Philippine situation, following online speculation about an alleged case involving Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa.

According to Philstar.com, an ICC spokesperson told reporters on Saturday that “no public arrest warrants” had been issued in relation to developments in the Philippines. The statement came as reports circulated claiming that a warrant had already been issued against Dela Rosa, who once served as Philippine National Police chief during the Duterte administration.

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla also said there was no confirmed information on the supposed warrant, calling it hearsay unless an official copy is seen. He said the Department of the Interior and Local Government has prepared contingency measures, including a possible 10,000-person task force, but stressed that the plan is only for preparedness if a warrant is formally issued.

The Philippine National Police said it would act only on lawful orders from competent authorities and in line with existing rules and procedures. The PNP added that any police action, if needed, would be carried out with respect for due process, the rule of law, and human rights.

The buzz comes as the ICC continues looking into alleged crimes against humanity linked to the Duterte administration’s drug war. Dela Rosa, now a senator, served as PNP chief during that campaign and had earlier been named in connection with the probe into alleged co-perpetrators, while authorities urged the public not to spread unverified information. Source: Philstar.com

Dani Barretto and Dennis Padilla are back in the showbiz spotlight after a heated online exchange over allegations of abuse during Dennis’ past marriage to Marjorie Barretto, according to a Philstar.com report.

The issue started after Dani appeared on Kylie Verzosa’s “Almost Honest” podcast, where she talked about growing up hearing her mother being yelled at and praised Marjorie for leaving a painful relationship. Dani said people are allowed to leave situations where they are abused, hurt, or no longer valued.

Dennis later responded in a now-deleted comment, saying he would address Dani’s remarks point by point. He claimed he was the one who felt abused during his relationship with Marjorie and told Dani that she only knew “half” of the story.

Dani fired back and made clear that Dennis was the person she was referring to. She alleged that he used social media to defend himself, spread lies, and gaslight his children, and also claimed that his children knew who he was because he had burned bridges with them.

The exchange has drawn attention because it again puts one of Philippine showbiz’s most talked-about families in the middle of a very public conflict. Dennis has children with Marjorie, including Julia, Claudia, and Leon Padilla, while Dani is Marjorie’s daughter with actor Kier Legaspi. Source: Philstar.com

Rodrigo Duterte’s ICC case entered another key turn after Nicholas Kaufman asked the International Criminal Court to let him withdraw as the former president’s legal counsel before the trial phase begins.

In a May 8 filing, Kaufman said his engagement as Duterte’s lead counsel ended on March 31, 2026. He asked the court for permission to formally step back from the case under ICC rules.

The request still needs approval from ICC Trial Chamber III, which is handling Duterte’s case involving three counts of crimes against humanity of murder linked to the anti-drug campaign during his administration.

Kaufman said the defense team visited Duterte on May 7, when the former president expressed his desire to hire replacement counsel. A new lawyer, whose name was redacted in the public filing, has reportedly agreed to immediately take over representation and attend the May 27 status conference.

The legal reshuffle also includes associate counsel Dov Jacobs, whose withdrawal was approved by the ICC in a separate May 8 ruling. The chamber said the move would not prejudice Duterte’s representation, while noting that the former president was reorganizing his defense team ahead of trial proceedings.

Source: Philstar.com

The Philippines’ national government debt climbed to a new record high of P18.49 trillion as of end-March 2026, according to Bureau of the Treasury data reported by GMA News. The total rose from P18.16 trillion at the end of February, adding pressure to a public already watching prices, fuel costs, and the peso.

The Treasury said the increase was driven mainly by the peso’s weakness against the US dollar, which made foreign-currency debt more expensive when converted back into pesos. Net issuance of domestic government securities also added to the total debt balance.

Domestic debt reached P12.53 trillion, slightly higher than the previous month’s P12.48 trillion. The increase came after the government issued a net P46.72 billion in securities, while peso depreciation added P8.68 billion to the peso value of foreign-currency-denominated domestic securities.

External debt rose faster, hitting P5.95 trillion from P5.68 trillion in February. The Bureau of the Treasury said a P3.039 weakening in the peso-dollar exchange rate raised the peso value of foreign obligations by P299.50 billion, though this was partly offset by P2.55 billion in net repayments and P23.92 billion in downward revaluation of other currency debt.

The government has said it will keep prioritizing local borrowing to reduce exposure to international financial risks, with domestic borrowing still making up the bulk of sovereign debt. Source: GMA News

The Philippine Coast Guard said more than 40 Chinese vessels, including an oceanographic research ship, were spotted around the Kalayaan Island Group, raising fresh concerns over activity inside waters claimed by the Philippines.

According to the PCG, an air patrol detected the research vessel Xiang Yang Hong 33 about 7.34 nautical miles west of Rozul Reef, where it was observed deploying a service boat. The vessel was also tracked through Canada’s dark vessel detection system.

The PCG said Xiang Yang Hong 33 had been conducting survey activities across multiple features within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. It was monitored near Ayungin Shoal from April 20 to 22, Escoda Shoal from April 22 to 28, areas near Arellano Reef and Bulig Shoal from April 28 to May 1, Panganiban Reef from May 1 to 3, and Quirino Atoll and Rozul Reef from May 3 to 6.

Aside from the research vessel, the PCG reported seeing China Coast Guard vessel BN 5309 west of Rozul Reef, along with 13 Chinese maritime militia vessels nearby. Around Pag-asa Island, 28 more maritime militia vessels were seen near Cay 1 and Cay 2, while China Coast Guard vessel 5101 was positioned about two nautical miles west of the island.

PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan said the activity violated the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, stressing that the Philippines had not granted China consent for marine scientific research in those waters. The PCG said it would continue lawful maritime domain awareness operations and challenge unauthorized activity. Source: Philstar