CoverStory

03/06/2026

𝗟𝗢𝗢𝗞: On Day 3 of the Senate impasse, the sudden appearance Sen. Francis Escudero has tilted the chamber’s leadership toward the "Solid Bloc 11" of the minority. With this development, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian was elected as the new Senate President Pro Tempore and presiding officer. Meanwhile, the majority bloc's boycott continues through Wednesday, June 3, as Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano refuses to relinquish his seat. | 📷: Bullit Marquez

03/06/2026

Members of the civil society group Tindig Pilipinas, led by Francis “Kiko” Aquino Dee, file a complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman on Wednesday, June 3. The group is seeking an impartial investigation into Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano, Sen. Robinhood Padilla, and suspended Senate sergeant at arms Mao Aplasca for their alleged roles in obstructing the arrest of Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa. | 📷: Bullit Marquez

03/06/2026

𝗢𝗣𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗢𝗡 | History offers many examples of leaders who enhanced their legacy not by accumulating power but by surrendering it voluntarily. Some of the most admired statesmen are remembered not for what they gained but for what they were willing to sacrifice. Their willingness to place institutions above themselves strengthened public confidence and elevated democratic norms.

If Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano were to voluntarily relinquish his leadership position, he would not necessarily be admitting wrongdoing or defeat. Rather, he could frame such a decision as an act of institutional stewardship—a recognition that the Senate’s credibility is ultimately more important than any individual office. Such a move would likely defuse tensions, allow for a leadership reset, and create space for the chamber to refocus on governance. | 𝐵𝑦 𝑅𝑎𝑓𝑎𝑒𝑙 𝑅. 𝐶𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑜

Sometimes the greatest service a leader can render is not to hold on to power but to strengthen the institution that will endure long after any individual has left the stage. That is the essence of statesmanship.

02/06/2026

𝗪𝗔𝗧𝗖𝗛: Senate minority bloc issues collective statement following majority senators' no-show during June 2 session. | 📷: Bullit Marquez

02/06/2026

𝗪𝗔𝗧𝗖𝗛: The Senate session stalls again on Tuesday as the majority bloc’s "boycott of duty" drags on. | 📷: Bullit Marquez

02/06/2026

𝗢𝗣𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗢𝗡 | The majority senators led by Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano were nowhere to be seen at the scheduled start of the 5 p.m. session on Monday and well into the evening. There was neither word nor explanation to the minority bloc (all 11 present and accounted for). Shortly the man posted online that the minority should join a “deliberate act”: to “go quiet” and “stand for the Senate’s independence.”

A ridiculous stance, and, to those appalled by the goings-on in the chamber since Cayetano and his allies seized power on May 11, an apparent offshoot of the afternoon arrest of Sen. Jinggoy Estrada on a plunder charge connected to the flood control corruption scandal, as well as—the troll farms’ current tack of tit for tat—of the minority’s Friday walkout that put the damper on the majority’s patent rush to amend the rules on senators’ remote participation in the chamber’s proceedings.

The minority senators were quick to call the majority’s no-show for what it is: a “boycott of duty” arising primarily from the arrest of one of their own in the Senate premises on suspicion of the nonbailable crime.

𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗 𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗘: https://coverstory.ph/2026/06/02/when-the-senate-majority-senators-stage-a-boycott/

02/06/2026

𝗟𝗢𝗢𝗞: The Senate session on Monday came to a halt following the serving of an arrest warrant to Sen. Jinggoy Estrada of the majority bloc. While minority senators were present and waiting, the majority failed to appear, leaving the chamber without a quorum. The session was scheduled to discuss the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte, represented by her legal team led by Atty. Michael Poa. With proceedings stalled, minority senators were seen greeting guests as they leave the plenary hall. | 📷: Bullit Marquez

01/06/2026

𝗦𝗘𝗡. 𝗝𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗚𝗢𝗬 𝗜𝗦 𝗔𝗥𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗗

Sen. Jinggoy Estrada is escorted out of the Senate building by the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group on Monday, June 1, after being served an arrest warrant for graft and plunder charges. | 📷: Bullit Marquez

01/06/2026

The House of Representatives has approved on second reading an antidynasty bill that critics say will end up legalizing—rather than penalizing—political dynasties. It was silent on the party-list issue, meaning that political-clan members can continue to be elected to party-list seats, taking their place alongside their relatives serving in Congress and local government posts.

The Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism examined the backgrounds, legislative records, campaign finance reports, corporate filings, government procurement records, and other public documents linked to 32 party-list representatives with dynastic ties.

The House of Representatives has approved on second reading an antidynasty bill that critics say will end up legalizing—rather than penalizing—political dynasties.

30/05/2026

We did not reach Pulag’s summit, which is 2,296 meters above sea level. But we came darn close, enjoyed great company, and took home beautiful memories to last us a lifetime. Or, at least, until we get the itch to conquer the next mountain.

Read: https://coverstory.ph/2026/05/30/not-quite-up-mount-pulag-but-blessed-still-by-gods-work/