Latest news with #Villanueva
GMA Network
20 hours ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
Escudero denies alleged insertions in 2025 budget
Senate President Francis 'Chiz' Escudero on Tuesday denied claims that there are billions of pesos worth of insertions in the 2025 national budget. At a press conference, Escudero called the reports a 'demolition job' in connection to his earlier bid to retain his Senate presidency post. 'Sabi nilang noong una P9 billion daw 'yung sa Sorsogon, P12 billion daw 'yung Bulacan. Sunod sinabi na P142 billion, sunod binura nila 'yun, ginawang P150 billion. Alin ba talaga ang sasagutin ko roon? Pangalawa, noong una ang sinabi ako lang, sunod sinama si Senator Villanueva, sunod buong Senado na raw 'yun,' he said. (They first said that it was P9 billion in Sorsogon, P12 billion in Bulacan. Next they said it was P142 billion, then they deleted it, making it P150 billion. Which one do I really have to answer? Secondly, they said it was only me at first, then Senator Villanueva was included, then the entire Senate.) 'Bibigyan ko kayo ng kabuuang sagot. Ang kabuuang panukala amendment kaugnay sa 2025 budget ay umaabot sa humigit kumulang P600 bilyon. Nilipat- lipat, tinanggal, dinagdag. So, kung totoo man 'yung sinasabi nila na P150 billion ang binago ng Senado, nasaan 'yung P500 bilyon 'yung magbabagong 'yun saan nanggaling?' (I will give you a complete answer. The total proposed amendment on the 2025 budget amounted to approximately P600 billion. It was later on revised. If their allegation that the Senate changed P150 billion, where's the remaining P500 billion?) In December last year, signed into law the P6.326-trillion national budget for 2025 and vetoed over P194 billion worth of line items that are not consistent with his administration's priorities. Former executive secretary Vic Rodriguez, Davao City 3rd District Representative Isidro Ungab, and others have asked the Supreme Court (SC) to declare the 2025 national budget as unconstitutional amid alleged irregularities and supposed blank items in the bicameral conference committee report. Marcos, meanwhile, maintained that there were no blank pages in the bicameral conference committee report on the 2025 national budget. Escudero further denied that there was a P150 billion insertion to the 2025 General Appropriations Act. He also said that there were 'changes' in the budget for the province of Sorsogon, but it did not amount to P9 billion, as speculated. 'Para sa'kin, hindi parang makalipas ang 27 taon, ngayon lamang yata ako maaakusahan ng isang bagay na ganyan. Ang masakit dinamay pa si Senator Joel,' he expressed. (After 27 years, It's only now that I'm being accused of something like this. What hurts more is that Senator Joel is being included.) To avoid similar insinuations, Escudero said he will suggest that Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, who is set to lead the Senate committee on finance, to release a list of each senator's proposed amendments in the national budget. The Senate President further asked the government agencies not to request for a budget higher than what was submitted by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM). This, as President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. said in his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) that the government would operate under a reenacted budget in 2026, warning that he will veto a proposed budget bill that will not be in harmony with his administration's programs and priorities. The President also said he will return any proposed Generation Appropriations bill that is not fully aligned with the National Expenditure Program (NEP). 'Ang panukalang budget ay nanggagaling hindi lamang sa executive pero pati sa Kongreso. Hindi naman porket binalangkas ng executive lahat 'yun ay tama na. Hindi naman porket binalangkas ng executive lahat 'yun ay hindi na pwedeng baguhin at tila nakaukit na sa bato,' Escudero said. (The proposed budget comes not only from the executive but also from Congress. Just because it was the executive that outlined everything, all of those are already right and cannot be changed.) 'Ang marapat na dapat baguhin, dapat baguhin dahil 'yung mga kalihim mismo ng Pangulo ay humihiling sa Kongreso ng dagdag o pagbabago sa kani-kanilang budget. So siguro kung may ganyang uri ng kautusan ang Pangulo dapat pagsabihan din niya ang kanyang mga kalihim na kapag may sinumite ng budget ang DBM para sa kanilang departamento, 'wag na silang humirit pa dahil bago sila makahirit ang pagkukunan ay ibang departamento rin,' he added. (What should be changed, must be changed because the President's cabinet secretaries themselves are asking the Congress for an increase or change in their respective budgets. So maybe the President should also tell his secretaries that when the DBM submits a budget for their department, they should stop asking for an increase because the source for that increase will be gotten from the budget of another agency.) The DBM defines a reenacted budget as a situation where the previous year's GAA is extended and remains in effect for a preceding year until such time the Congress passes a budget bill into law. Marcos approved earlier this month the P6.793-trillion NEP for Fiscal Year 2026. — BAP, GMA Integrated News
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
