Windows26: Weekend Roundup: Sara Duterte impeached, Barbie Hsu’s passing, NBA trades, and more

Hello, reader!

This week, we covered the growing opposition to the Edsa busway closure, the historic impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte, and the delay of her Senate trial — plus shocking NBA trades and the death of a "Meteor Garden" lead star.

This is your Weekend Roundup, your weekly fix for everything you need to catch up.

HISTORIC MOVE

Sara impeached

In a historic move, the House of Representatives impeached Vice President Sara Duterte, the first time that the second highest official of the Philippines was formally charged with a serious breach of the Constitution that could lead to her removal from office following her break with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Crossing party lines, 215 House members backed the fourth impeachment complaint against Duterte on the last session day before Congress adjourned for the midterm elections. Of these, 39 votes came from Mindanao, representing 64 percent of the region's 61 House members.

It took a fourth complaint to galvanize the major blocs — mainly the Lakas-CMD, Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, National Unity Party, Nationalist People's Coalition, Nacionalista Party, among others — into finally setting the impeachment of the vice president in motion.

But the Senate trial isn't happening anytime soon. According to Senate President Chiz Escudero, the next Congress after the midterm elections will decide her fate in a trial, as the chamber adjourned without convening as an impeachment court.

Responding to her impeachment, Duterte kept her response simple, leaving it to a higher being. "Sa kabila ng aking mga pahayag, ukol sa planong impeachment sa mga nakaraan na buwan, ang tanging masasabi ko na lamang sa puntong ito ay God save the Philippines," she said.

The vice president also said she is still "seriously considering" running in the 2028 elections despite her impeachment at the House. However, Duterte said she will also still have to assess her odds of winning the race before actually taking part in it.

EXPLAINER

Impeachment 101

Impeachment, a constitutional tool of last resort, ensures that high-ranking officials who commit grave offenses are held accountable. In the Philippines, it serves as a powerful reminder that no public official is above the law, emphasizing that power comes with responsibility — and consequences. Here's an explainer on what happens when the VP is impeached.

FOOD SECURITY EMERGENCY

Price of rice

With over 17 million poor households in the Philippines, an economist pointed out that the price of rice has to be brought down after increasing from P38 per kilo in the first months of 2022. Understand the real issues behind the food security emergency for rice here.

FROM THE NEWS DESK

Editors' Picks

Inflation steady at 2.9% in January

Inflation was steady at 2.9 percent in January as a decline in rice prices—a first in more than three years—and slower increase in utility costs curbed typhoon-induced jump in food prices.

BSP eyes shift away from OTPs to fight fraud

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) wants financial firms to eventually move away from one-time passwords (OTP) and instead adopt a more secure and sophisticated method of authenticating transactions to combat fraud and other financial cybercrime.

NBA: Luka Doncic shocked by Lakers trade, excited for new journey

Luka Doncic said he was as shocked as anyone by the blockbuster trade over the weekend that brought him to the Los Angeles Lakers but is excited to join forces with LeBron James in a move that could shape the franchise for years to come.

NBA: Jimmy Butler joins Warriors, says he is ready for title shot

Moments before Jimmy Butler was handed a Golden State Warriors jersey for the first time, he made clear what his motivation is going forward. He wants his first championship.

Barbie Hsu, Taiwanese actress and 'Meteor Garden' lead star, dies at 48

Barbie Hsu, a Taiwanese actress best known for her lead role in "Meteor Garden," has died due to pneumonia caused by influenza complications. She was 48 years old.

Gloria Romero's family gets apology from maker of false last will and testament

Gloria Romero's daughter and grandson, Maritess Gutierrez and Chris Balbin, received an apology from the owner of the Facebook page that released false information on the late veteran actress' supposed last will and testament.

Kris nawalan ng balance sa CR, tumama siko, tuhod; Bimby nagpaka-action star

Nawalan ng balanse ang Queen of All Media na si Kris Aquino habang sa loob ng bathroom dahil bigla raw nanghina ang kanyang tuhod.

Wowie sa pagpanaw ng UMD member na si Norman Santos: Pasensya ka na…

Nagluluksa ngayon ang actor-dancer na si Wowie de Guzman sa pagkamatay ng kanyang kaibigan at dating kasamahan sa Universal Motion Dancers (UMD) na si Norman Santos.

ON MY RADAR

Must-reads