Latest news with #Villanueva
Filipino Times
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Filipino Times
VP Sara Duterte's Impeachment Trial May Begin August 4 — Villanueva
The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte could commence as early as August 4, 2025, just a week after President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. delivers his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA), according to Senator Joel Villanueva. Speaking at the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum, Villanueva said both chambers of Congress are expected to spend the first week after SONA organizing themselves before the Senate impeachment court formally convenes. 'It looks like we're going to wait for one week to organize ourselves… then we can convene the impeachment court,' Villanueva explained. He also defended the Senate's earlier move to return the articles of impeachment to the House without dismissing them, emphasizing that such moves typically precede long debates on jurisdiction. Villanueva added that he hopes the Supreme Court would soon resolve pending petitions regarding the constitutionality of the complaint filed against Duterte, so the trial can proceed smoothly. The Office of the Vice President, through spokesperson Ruth Castelo, reiterated that Duterte is prepared for the trial. 'She's eager to present her case in the impeachment court so that all doubts cast on her will go away,' Castelo said. However, Castelo also pointed out that if the Supreme Court dismisses the complaint, it could save the government millions in public funds. The Vice President is accused of betrayal of public trust, graft, and culpable violation of the Constitution over the alleged misuse of ₱612.5 million in confidential funds and alleged threats to kill President Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
GMA Network
16-07-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
Day 1 of VP Sara impeachment trial eyed on Aug. 4 —Villanueva
The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte may begin on August 4, 2025 or a week after the First Regular Session of the 20th Congress opens, according to Senator Joel Villanueva. 'If SONA (State of the Nation Address) is (July) 28, so you're looking at the week after, August 4. We're looking at August 4 to convene,' Villanueva said at the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum on Wednesday. Villanueva was referring to the fourth SONA of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., which will happen after the House and the Senate open their First Regular Session at 10 am on July 28. "It looks like we are going to wait for one week to organize ourselves... at ang House ganun din po, and then a week after we can convene the impeachment court and have the defense and the prosecution present their cases," added Villanueva. Villanueva, meanwhile, also defended the Senate's move to return to the House of Representatives the articles of impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte without dismissing or terminating them back in June. 'If you look at the history of impeachment proceedings, the first few days, 10 to 12 days, lagi po yan about jurisdiction. Laging yan ang debate. With this, we'll be able to shorten the time na tanungin ng prosecution," explained Villanueva. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
USA Today
15-07-2025
- USA Today
A teddy bear appeared to be wrapped in human flesh. Turns out it was a prank.
'They're Selling a 'Human Skin' Teddy Bear on Etsy… And You're Still Calling Us Crazy?' In what police called 'a very bizarre incident,' officers arrested a man after what appeared to be a teddy bear wrapped in human flesh was left outside a Southern California convenience store. Hector Corona Villanueva, 23, of Victorville was arrested in connection to the macabre prank on charges of reporting an emergency knowing it to be false and intentionally and wrongfully planting evidence to falsely present as real, the San Bernadino Sheriff's Department reported. Just after noon local time on Sunday, July 13, the sheriff's department said, Victorville Police Department officers responded to a suspicious circumstances call at the AMPM gas station on Bear Valley Road. "Callers indicated a teddy bear made of what looked like human flesh was left in front of the business," the sheriff's office wrote in a news release. An investigator with the San Bernardino County Coroner office responded and collected the teddy bear, officials said. Gas leak disaster: House explodes during New Jersey flooding, nearby homes damaged Teddy bear found with 'human flesh' examined by coroner After further examination, officials said, the sheriff-coroner department's office determined the teddy bear "is not made of any type of human remains or skin." A motive in the case was not immediately known. As of July 15, Villanueva was not listed as an inmate in the local jail. It was not immediatly known whether he had obtained legal counsel in the case. "Incidents such as this take up valuable emergency resources and put the public at risk, possibly delaying response time to legitimate calls for service," the department wrote. "We would like to thank those that reported information that was helpful during the investigation of this case." Anyone with information about the case is asked to call Victorville police at 760-241-2911 or sheriff's office dispatch at 760-956-5001. Callers wishing to remain anonymous are urged to call the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78CRIME or visit website at Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@ and follow her on X @nataliealund.
GMA Network
15-07-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
Digital finance companies call for stricter e-gambling regulations
Digital finance companies association FinTech Alliance PH is pushing for stricter regulations and enhance regulatory measures for licensed online gaming platforms and their users. According to a statement on Tuesday, founder Lito Villanueva said that FinTech Alliance has recognized the risks of e-gambling and sought for protections for Filipino consumers. 'We are united in our commitment to be part of the solution by working closely with regulators, elevating safeguards, and protecting the welfare of Filipino consumers,' said Villanueva. FinTech Alliance recommended Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) for all merchant accounts for online platforms, continuous monitoring and blacklisting of illegal sites, and strict compliance with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas' (BSP) regulations on payment channels. The Alliance also recommended reasonable restrictions be implemented on e-gambling platforms. 'We remain aligned with the BSP in ensuring that access to payment channels for online licensed gaming is strictly controlled, and that all FinTech Alliance members adopt robust due diligence measures,' Villanueva added. The Alliance was also backed by Senator Win Gatchalian, who echoed their sentiments for stricter e-gambling regulations. 'I welcome the stance of fintech companies to tighten the safeguards of online gambling that has now become a scourge for many individuals, including young people,' Gatchalian said. The statement falls in line with Senator Risa Hontiveros' statement on the accountability of casino operators and digital platforms. FinTech Alliance said that they will continue public awareness efforts to curb the risks of e-gambling. 'Financial literacy and responsible use are essential pillars of inclusive digital finance. As an industry, we are committed to upholding these values,' Villanueva said. — Jiselle Anne C. Casucian/BM, GMA Integrated News
ARN News Center
10-07-2025
- Climate
- ARN News Center
All 31 workers escape uninjured after tunnel collapse in Los Angeles, officials say
All 31 workers escaped without injuries from a collapsed industrial tunnel in Los Angeles' Wilmington area, after scrambling over a tall pile of loose underground soil, city officials said late on Wednesday. The trapped workers were shuttled back to the tunnel's entry point, more than 8 km away from the affected area, after they escaped the collapsed section and met several coworkers in the unaffected part of the tunnel, the Los Angeles Fire Department said in a statement. The tunnel, which had a diameter of 5.5 m, trapped 27 individuals, while four workers entered the damaged section to assist with rescue, LA Fire Chief Ronnie Villanueva told reporters in a media briefing. "The workers had to climb through debris. They had to make themselves out through," before they were assisted out, Villanueva said. Robert Ferrante, chief engineer and general manager of Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts, told the briefing that a section of the already built part of the tunnel experienced squeezing ground conditions and partially collapsed. "LAFD has just reported that all workers who were trapped in the tunnel in Wilmington are now out and accounted for. I just spoke with many of the workers who were trapped. Thank you to all of our brave first responders who acted immediately," Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said in a post on X. The collapsed section was a part of the Los Angeles County's Clearwater Project, where the new 7-mile tunnel is being built to upgrade the region's sewer system, officials added.
