Rally Held at Liwasang Bonifacio to Oppose Impeachment Move Against Vice President Sara Duterte

 Hundreds of supporters gathered at Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila today for a peaceful rally expressing strong opposition to the rumored impeachment plans against Vice President Sara Duterte. Organized by various civic groups, sectoral leaders, and political supporters, the event aimed to send a clear message to Congress: “Hands off Inday Sara.”

Banners reading “Cancel the Impeachment, Respect the Mandate” and “Support Good Governance” were seen all around the venue. The crowd included members of women's groups, youth organizations, transport sector leaders, OFW advocates, and even religious representatives, reflecting broad-based support for the Vice President.

Leaders from the “Kongreso ng Bayan,” a newly-formed alliance of civic and grassroots groups, spearheaded the event. In their statements, they emphasized that the impeachment threats are politically motivated and serve only to destabilize the current government. They stressed that the Vice President has not committed any impeachable offense, and such moves waste public resources and divide the nation.

“The Filipino people overwhelmingly voted for Vice President Sara Duterte in 2022. Any attempt to remove her from office through baseless accusations is a betrayal of that mandate,” said retired Gen. Alberto Reyes, one of the rally organizers.

The protesters also called on Congress to focus on more urgent national issues such as inflation, education, public health, and disaster response, instead of engaging in what they called “political harassment.”

In response to media queries, several speakers denied any links to partisan or destabilizing forces, saying that their only agenda is to protect democracy and uphold the rule of law.

Meanwhile, Vice President Duterte has yet to issue a formal statement regarding the rally or the impeachment rumors. However, her allies in the House of Representatives have expressed confidence that any impeachment complaint will fail due to lack of legal and factual basis.

As the sun set over Liwasang Bonifacio, rally-goers peacefully dispersed after a short prayer and the singing of the national anthem. Organizers vowed to hold more events nationwide if impeachment talks continue.

The rally served as a reminder that, for many Filipinos, Sara Duterte remains a strong and unifying figure. Whether or not the impeachment rumors materialize into formal charges, today’s protest clearly showed that she still enjoys solid grassroots support.

Solar Energy: Powering the Philippines’ Future

The Philippines is fast emerging as one of the most dynamic and promising solar energy markets globally. Under the National Renewable Energy Program (NREP) 2020–2040, the government has set ambitious targets—aiming to generate 35% of energy from renewables by 2030, and 50% by 2040. As part of this commitment, the country plans to double its solar output by 2030 and host the world’s largest solar installation by early 2026, featuring 3.5 GW of solar capacity and 4 GWh of battery storage.

In alignment with these goals, the Philippine Solar, Power and Energy Expo will serve as a vital platform for stakeholders across the energy ecosystem—including manufacturers, exporters, distributors, importers, contractors, engineers, and new entrants—to explore collaboration and investment opportunities. The expo expects over 110 exhibitors from India, the Philippines, Malaysia, Hong Kong, South Korea, Egypt, and other countries, with more than 3,000 professional visitors anticipated from across the ASEAN region.

Building the Future: Construction and Ceramics Expo

The Philippine Construction and Ceramics Expo, running concurrently from July 29–31, 2025, is the country’s premier exhibition focused on construction, ceramic, interior, and building materials. It will bring together key players from the construction, housing, infrastructure, and ceramic sectors, offering unmatched opportunities for networking and business development. This event is poised to become a strategic gateway to the Southeast Asian business community and contribute significantly to infrastructure growth in the Philippines and the region.

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Genesis Global Exhibitions and ACE Group, with the support of the ASEAN India Economic Council, Philippine India Business Council, and Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, is pleased to announce the upcoming Philippine Solar, Power and Energy Expo, co-located with the Philippine Construction and Ceramics Expo, scheduled to take place from July 29–31, 2025, at Function Room 5, SMX Convention Centre, Manila, Philippines.

These exhibitions are proudly supported by the Philippines Solar and Storage Energy Alliance (PSSEA), Society of Philippine Electrotechnical Constructors and Suppliers (SPECS), PHILRECA, Power Professionals Association of the Philippines (PPAP), among others, with additional associations expected to join.

PBEd Announce for reinforcing not Blot Out of K to 12, bares 2025 State of PHL Education.

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       PASAY CITY — The Philippine Business for Education (PBEd) on Monday (July 7) called for the strengthening of K to 12 as it revealed the 2025 State of Philippine Education with the theme: “Charting a New Course: Reforms and Renewed Hope in Philippine Education”.

In a press conference at Milagritos, Tryp Hotel, noting that “Education is everybody’s business”,
PBEd President Dr. Chito Salazar said that PBEd has been doing this for the last 10 years and every school opening.
“We are still with the EdCom, TESDA, and ChEd and we still believe that there is still hope for the country’s education,” Dr. Salazar said.
However, he said “We really need to focus on the problems. This is the right time for the right leadership.”
“The problems of education are large and huge and they are continuing,” he added.
“Hindi po tama na 20% of our school children are stunted,” Dr. Salazar said.
He believes that ahead of any infrastructure projects in the country, the most important thing is education.

“We must make education everyone’s business,” Dr. Salazar said.
He stressed that with the decrease in budget in education in the 1960s, it started the decline in education.
Dr. Salazar noted that K to 12 need not be criticized as it needs more time to nurture.
“Huwag nating sisihin ang mga teacher because they are also part of the system,” he said.
He added that the teachers have many problems and they need career progression and not to remain as Teacher 1 until their retirement.
“Removing K to 12 is even more anti-poor because they are even the loser if they would not be given the chance to study for 12 years,” Dr. Salazar said.
“Tripocalization is not even perfect,” he added.
Dr Salazar pointed out that K to 12 need not be phased out, but rather, it should be fixed such that a Grade 4 who could not read can still be remedied in 2 years.
The PBEd is calling on decentralization in such a way that to focus on strengthening the course skills, flexibility to work and they are ready to work and let them decide and work for themselves.
AI (Artificial Intelligence) can help the students and make them catch up. AI is not a threat,” Dr. Salazar said.
PBEd was established in 2006-2007 and they were among the first who urged for the implementation of K to 12.
The Mother Tongue Law, which is just months ahead of the K to 12, where the students must study in the language they know and understand.
On the DepEd order on the Mother Tongue Law, Dr. Salazar said “I think the locality must be given the opportunity to decide.”
PBEd Executive Director Hanibal Camua said “Our learners are raising for time. We need to put focus on education.”
The Mother Tongue Law is just months ahead of the K to 12.
The problem starts from 0 to 5 years old or Kindergarten or Grades 1 to 4.
He cited the EdCom 1 in 1990, K to 12 passage in 2013 and the 2nd Congressional Education Commission.
Over the past decades and concerted efforts are ongoing. However, our learners’ performance continue to decline.
“Our teachers are not capacitated to. Our graduates cannot find jobs, while industries can’t find the right talent,” Camua said.
“The future of our country hinges on how we prepare our education,” he added.
“More than the budget for education, it is better to know where it is allocated,” Camua said.
The common goal of going to school is to have a bright future or a good job and it needs a whole of society approach where private and public complementary can address the backlog of classrooms.
Camua added that the learners should be taught on the proper use of the social media platforms.
Decongesting the senior high schools has been undertaken on more than 800 schools by DeEd where there is an immersion of 600 hours supervised by industry leaders.
Reading, comprehension and mathematics have to be strengthened.
Samantha Uichico, PBEd Senior Program Manager, said that the country needs to have 47,000 assessors to address the “backlog”.
“The education crisis is the result of our decades of neglect,” Gomez said.
9 out of 10 learners can’t understand simple text. 62% of teachers teach outside specialization.
Clarisse Gomez, PBEd Senior Program Manager, cited the cases of Myra Dagdagen, a Grade 11 STEM, Justine Agustin, a senior high school principal, and Winniefreta Domenez.
Likewise, Jonald Macrohon, from Zamboanga City.
“Learning from high school to college is rushed and pressured,” Gomez said.
“With EdCom 2 ending soon, we may lose the momentum,” Camua said, adding that “national policy must set the direction.”
We need to invest in education. EdCom2 will soon end.
We need to institutionalize the Local School Board
We need to realign TVET and High Educational Institute.
PBEd Chairman Ramon del Rosario, Jr. said that
“Never let a good crisis go to waste,” he quoted the late British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. ###

Kamanggagawa Files Bill to Abolish Provincial Wage Rate System, Pushes 10 Landmark Labor Measures on First Day of 20th Congress

     

QUEZON CITY - On the opening day of the 20th Congress, Kamanggagawa Partylist, led by labor leader and first-time lawmaker Rep. Eli San Fernando, filed eight landmark bills and two major house resolutions to kick off an aggressive legislative campaign for labor justice, wage equality, and dignified work for all.

"These bills are more than ink on paper. They represent the decades-long struggle of workers to be seen, heard, and protected. Today, we take our fight from the picket line to the halls of Congress," said Rep. Eli.

At the forefront of Kamanggagawa's agenda is the National Minimum Wage Act, which seeks to abolish the provincial wage system and establish a single, unified minimum wage nationwide. Anchored on "equal pay for equal work," the bill includes a five-year transition to align regional wages and abolish Regional Wage Boards, with their functions absorbed by a strengthened National Wages and Productivity Commission.

"No worker should earn less simply because they were born or live in a different region. Wage justice cannot wait any longer," Rep. Eli San Fernando said.

In addition to the National Minimum Wage Act, Kamanggagawa also filed the following pro-worker bills and resolutions:

• Expanded Sick and Vacation Leave Act - Grants all workers, regardless of employment status, a minimum of 10 paid sick days and 10 paid vacation days per year.

Abolition of Labor-Only Contracting - Repeals Articles 106-109 of the Labor Code to end labor-only contracting schemes that strip workers of job security and benefits.

Repeal of Assumption of Jurisdiction (AJ) - Eliminates the AJ power of the Labor Secretary, which has been used to suppress strikes and union actions.

• Micro and Small Enterprise (MSES) Subsidy Program - Creates a permanent subsidy program offering wage support, rent aid, and tax incentives to help small businesses retain workers without resorting to unfair practices.

• Resignation Pay Act - Provides fair resignation pay to private sector employees who voluntarily resign under justifiable conditions.

Strike Rights for Government Workers - Repeals Section 28(c) of the Civil Service Law to lift the blanket ban on strikes by public sector employees.

• Magna Carta of Barangay Health Workers - Refiles a comprehensive bill ensuring fair compensation, security of tenure, legal protection, and career support for over 250,000 BHWs nationwide.

House Resolution on Contract of Service (COS) and Job Order (JO) Workers in Government - Calls for a congressional inquiry into the widespread and exploitative use of JO/COS work arrangements that deny government workers regular status and benefits.

House Resolution on Gig Workers' Rights - Seeks an investigation into the illegal dismissal and non-regularization of gig economy workers, including riders and delivery workers, despite Supreme Court rulings recognizing them as regular employees.

Rep. Eli also clarified that the ten measures filed today are just the beginning. Kamanggagawa Partylist is drafting additional legislation targeting the needs of seafarers, private hospital workers, farmers, fisherfolks, construction workers, security guards, and others who remain at the margins of labor protection.

"The 20th Congress marks the start of a relentless fight to secure dignity, protection, and justice for all Filipino workers. Manggagawa sa ospital, sa barangay, sa palengke, sa pabrika, sa probinsya-we will ensure that this Congress works for you," declared Rep. Eli.

For questions and clarifications, kindly coordinate with Yves Garcia at 0917 135 9203.