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The Star
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Detained ex-Philippine rep Arnolfo Teves in hospital with stomach pain
Former lawmaker Arnolfo Teves Jr.'s mugshot taken during processing at the National Bureau of Investigation headquarters in Pasay City on May 30, 2025. — NBI MANILA: Detained former Negros Oriental 3rd District Rep Arnolfo Teves was hospitalised on (June 17) morning after experiencing stomach pains, his lawyer Ferdinand Topacio confirmed to 'Yes, confirmed,' Topacio said in a Viber message. When asked about Teves' condition, Topacio described the expelled lawmaker as looking 'like crap right now, with severe stomach pains.' In another message to reporters, Topacio said that no medical intervention worked for Teves as he started showing symptoms of stomach pain. 'Our client was buckling over due to pain, and according to him, he was practically on his knees, requesting to be brought to a hospital for treatment, but BJMP (Bureau of Jail Management and Penology) personnel could not grant said request due to protocol,' he added. In a separate statement, the BJMP stated that Teves was brought to a public hospital around 6am at the advice of the BJMP's roving physician. The BJMP also said that Teves' symptoms started on Monday at 7pm, and he was given the necessary medications and treatment. 'Symptoms worsened until early the morning the following day, and the BJMP Physician advised the Warden of Metro Manila District Jail-Annex 2 to bring the said PDL [person deprived of liberty] to the nearest government hospital,' the BJMP said. Teves returned to the Philippines on May 29 after being deported from Timor-Leste. He had been hiding for two years after being tagged as the alleged mastermind behind the Pamplona massacre. He is currently detained at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
GMA Network
4 days ago
- GMA Network
Bullying in schools may be reported to PNP's 911 hotline, says Torre
"We are coordinating with the schools. Sisiguraduhin natin na walang bullying," Torre told reporters. Cases of bullying in schools may be reported via the Philippine National Police's 911 hotline, PNP chief Police General Nicolas Torre III said on Monday. According to Mark Makalalad's report on Super Radyo dzBB, Torre ordered police commanders to be on the lookout for street crimes and bullying as classes resumed across the country. Torre said incidents of bullying may be reported to the 911 hotline, and the local police station with jurisdiction shall get in touch with school authorities. "We are coordinating with the schools. Sisiguraduhin natin na walang bullying," Torre told reporters. Torre said police units have also been ordered to look after school children, who may fall victim to robbers or con artists who might take their valuables, such as cellphones. Schools across the country reopened on Monday, June 16, marking the official start of School Year 2025–2026 with the Department of Education (DepEd) expecting around 27 million enrollees from preschool to senior high school. "All systems go po ang lahat sa pagbubukas ng ating klase," DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara said in a Viber message. (All systems are go for the opening of classes.) As millions of students trooped back to classrooms, the country's education system continues to grapple with long-standing challenges, including learning gaps, infrastructure backlogs, and overcrowded facilities. One of the most urgent problems remains the massive shortage of classrooms, with the backlog now at 165,000 nationwide. Education officials earlier admitted that, at the current rate of construction, it could take up to 55 years to eliminate the backlog. –NB, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
5 days ago
- GMA Network
Classes open for SY 2025–2026 as DepEd braces for 27 million enrollees
Pupils line up as they are excited to return to school for the School Year 2025-2026 at Aurora Quezon Elementary School in San Andres, Manila, on Monday, June 16, 2025. DANNY PATA Schools across the country reopened on Monday, June 16, marking the official start of School Year 2025–2026 with the Department of Education (DepEd) expecting around 27 million enrollees from preschool to senior high school. "All systems go po ang lahat sa pagbubukas ng ating klase," DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara said in a Viber message. (All systems are go for the opening of classes.) As millions of students trooped back to classrooms, the country's education system continues to grapple with long-standing challenges—including learning gaps, infrastructure backlogs, and overcrowded facilities. One of the most urgent problems remains the massive shortage of classrooms, which currently stands at 165,000 nationwide. Education officials earlier admitted that, at the current rate of construction, it could take up to 55 years to completely eliminate the backlog. To help decongest packed schools, DepEd is exploring limited hybrid learning arrangements, particularly for senior high school students in overcrowded or high-density locations. The department also continues to modernize classrooms through the delivery of smart TVs, laptops, and updated textbooks, in line with the government's push for digital education. Meanwhile, DepEd clarified its policy on cellphones in the classroom ahead of the school opening. While the general rule discourages phone use during class hours, exceptions are made when gadgets are used under teacher supervision for learning-enhancing activities. DepEd officials said that despite the challenges, the department remains focused on improving learning outcomes and ensuring safe and inclusive education for all. — BM, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
12-06-2025
- GMA Network
DepEd on cellphones in classrooms: Allowed if for learning
With millions of Filipino students returning to schools on June 16, debates have surfaced over the use of cellphones and tablets in classrooms—particularly in schools that continue to enforce strict 'no gadget' policies. Education Secretary Juan Edgardo 'Sonny' Angara clarified that while the general rule discourages cellphone use during class hours, the Department of Education (DepEd) supports the use of electronic devices when integrated into learning. 'It's the general rule but if for learning, it's allowed,' Angara told GMA News Online via Viber message. He pointed to educational initiatives such as Khan Academy, which some public schools already use, with students accessing the platform via smartphones. Classroom essential In reality, digital gadgets have become essential classroom tools in many public schools—especially when there is a lack of physical textbooks, workbooks and reference materials. 'For many teachers, using cellphones or tablets is no longer optional—it's necessary,' said Ruby Bernardo, president of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) in the National Capital Region, during a press conference on Tuesday. 'Sa actual na situation sa classroom, dahil kulang ng learning material... ginagamit ang cellphone, tablet sa ilang references—paggamit ng modules online, PDFs, at iba pa,' Bernardo explained. (In an actual classroom situation, the lack of learning materials means cell phones and tablets are used as references—accessing online modules, PDFs and so on.) For example, teachers and students have been turning to resources such as YouTube videos, DepEd TV and free educational websites to fill gaps in necessary content. Many learners also download learning modules, read e-books, and join class group chats where assignments and reminders are posted. Bernardo stressed that the issue isn't about banning cell phones outright but guiding students in their responsible and effective use. 'Ginagawa naming pamamaraan din 'yan para dagdagan ang resources,' she said. (We use [gadgets] as a way to supplement our limited resources.) AI The same logic also applies to emerging tools such as artificial intelligence (AI), which are increasingly accessible to students—even at the basic education level. 'May mga pagkakataon na nakakatulong din talaga siya… halimbawa in terms of research sa kultura,' Bernardo noted. (There are times when it's really helpful—for example, in cultural research.) Incoming ACT party-list Representative Antonio Tinio echoed similar sentiment when it comes to using technology in classrooms. 'Tinitingnan natin paano talaga siya makakatulong sa mga estudyante in further learning and advancement sa knowledge production,' he said. (We're looking at how [AI] can really help students in further learning and advancing knowledge production.) DepEd has already started incorporating AI into its teacher training and educational tools. Angara noted the department launched the Education Center for AI Research (E-CAIR) earlier this year to explore the ethical and effective uses of AI in public education. Among the said tools is Khanmigo, an AI-powered learning assistant developed by Khan Academy and made freely available to public school teachers and learners nationwide. Launched in the Philippines in December 2024, Khanmigo is helping students with math, reading comprehension and even personalized learning pathways. With the 2025–2026 school year about to begin, teachers face a delicate balancing act: ensuring classroom discipline while embracing the potential of technology for educational purposes. Many schools continue to enforce no-gadget rules to prevent distractions, cheating, and cyberbullying. However, education advocates are urging administrators to revisit these policies and consider more nuanced approaches. —RF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
11-06-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
Remanding VP Sara's impeachment case to House 'unnecessary' — Tito Sotto
Vice President Sara Duterte attends a legislative inquiry into her office's use of public funds at the House of Representatives in Quezon City on November 25, 2024. REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez Senator-elect Vicente "Tito" Sotto III questioned Wednesday the move of the Senate to return to the House of Representatives the articles of impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte. Sotto, a former Senate president, said remanding the case to the House of Representatives of the 19th Congress was "unnecessary" as the latter was the one which filed the impeachment. "The HOR of the 20th Congress is the proper body to be asked by the Senate Impeachment Court of the 20th Congress if they so desire," Sotto told reporters in a Viber message. "The better term is ratification of the articles of impeachment filed by the HOR (House of Representatives) of the 19th Congress. It can be by simple resolution," Sotto added. Sotto also pointed out that there is a presumption of regularity in the performance of official functions. "The plenary is not supreme, the Constitution is; and ultimately, the sovereign is—the People," Sotto stressed. He also said the declaration of unconstitutionality "is the exclusive domain of the Supreme Court, not the Senate or the impeachment court." During a plenary session on Tuesday, Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa made a motion seeking that the verified impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte be dismissed "in view of its constitutional infirmities and questions on the jurisdiction and authority of the 20th Congress." Escudero then ruled that the impeachment court should first be convened first before acting on any motion to dismiss the impeachment complaint. When the impeachment court was convened, senators debated on Dela Rosa's motion for hours. Senator-judge Alan Peter Cayetano then moved to amend Dela Rosa's motion that the articles of impeachment be returned to the House of Representatives instead without dismissing or terminating the case until such time that: The House of Representatives certify to the non violation of Article XI, Section 3, paragraph 5 of the Constitution, which provides that "No impeachment proceedings shall be initiated against the same official more than once within one year; include the circumstances on the filing of the first three impeachment complaints"; and The House of Representatives of the 20th Congress communicates to the Senate that it is willing and ready to pursue the impeachment complaint against the Vice President. The Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, eventually voted to remand to the House of Representatives the articles of impeachment, with a vote of 18 affirmative, five negative, and no abstentions. Escudero, as the presiding officer of the impeachment court, also issued a writ of summons to Duterte, giving her a non-extendible period of 10 days from receipt of the summons to answer. The Office of the Vice President confirmed receipt of the writ of summons issued by the Senate impeachment court at 11:05 a.m. Wednesday. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
