ISKUP

09/09/2026

08/09/2026

Merry Christmas, Christmas 2026 in iskup news-on-line daily
9 September 2026, Miyerkules
iskup supports literacy day September 8,2026
Congratulations to launching of “magandang balita biblia” three designs of cover of Philippine Bible Society

those who are interested to work for Philippine National Railways (PNR), both skilled and unskilled (labor) in Bocaue, Marilao workplaces, send your resume at [email protected], call or text 09916444376.
Congratulations to 70 participants of "Together in His Word", a fellowship for pastors sponsored by Philippine Bible Society
Congratulations and more power to P/B.Gen. Joyce Patrick Sangalang for appointment as PNP Highway Patrol Group Director
Analyn Mahinay-Furigay in behalf of the family of the late Aniano Mahinay of Bacolod City appreciates friends and relatives joined in their bereavement.
iskup supports September Teacher's Month,"Teacher,ikaw naman"
Cardinal Santos doctors summoned

By J.Lo

“That will be our initial step under formal custody…we will give him visitation and practicing rights, including his doctors,” Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said at news briefing Sandiganbayan Third Division has ordered four doctors of former House speaker Martin Romualdez to testify on his medical condition as it studies whether to let him remain in hospital confinement under custody.

Anti-graft court ordered doctors Rody Dy, Rogelio Libarnes, Kurt Allen Sibayan and Rosalio Torres to testify at hearing set on Sept. 10,2026.

Romualdez was also directed to appear before court “should his condition permit.”

Romualdez and his doctors were ordered to present results of all medical examinations Leyte representative took during his hospital stay.

Court will hear motion filed by Romualdez seeking continued hospital confinement at Cardinal Santos Medical Center (CSMC) in San Juan where he checked in on Monday, about an hour after warrant for his arrest was issued, after supposedly suffering “cardiovascular event” and “anxiety attack.”

His medical certificate says Romualdez suffers from hypertensive atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, unstable angina, coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular ischemic disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia and primary hypothyroidism.

Romualdez also reportedly underwent angioplasty surgery in October 2024 due to coronary artery disease and has since required continuing cardiac monitoring and treatment.

Romualdez claimed was confined at the same hospital in July this year 2026 as irregularities were found in his MRI scan examination.

Sandiganbayan emphasized that custody of Romualdez belongs to anti-graft court.

Saying they oppose Romualdez’s continued stay at San Juan hospital, Remulla pushed for transfer of the 62-year-old lawmaker to Philippine National Police General Hospital.

Remulla said Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), has custody of Romualdez, will file motion to Sandiganbayan Third Division to allow them to move Romualdez to PNPGH at Camp Crame in Quezon City.

Members of Romualdez’s immediate family and his lawyers are also allowed access to the former speaker, who was placed under arrest on Monday night after anti-graft court ordered his arrest.

Remulla said PNPGH is more capable to handle condition of Romualdez, who suffered transient ischemic attack in July 2026. He also has unstable blood pressure, with his latest BP at 148/82.

Remulla has ordered officials of the New Quezon City Jail along Payatas Road to prepare for Romualdez’s arrival when news broke that he was at the hospital.

Police have tightened security at the hospital as Remulla described Romualdez as flight risk due to resources at his disposal to evade arrest, such as two private jets, three helicopters and three yachts.

Remulla has yet to talk with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.about Romualdez, Chief Executive’s cousin.

Remulla said he and his brother, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla, are close friends with Romualdez.

CIDG has returned to Sandiganbayan warrant of arrest against Romualdez, along with his medical evaluation from CSMC.

CIDG National Capital Region chief Col. John Guiagui brought documents to the anti-graft court’s Third Division, which is handling the plunder case.

Romualdez completed booking procedures, including fingerprint scanning and mugshot taking. He was already at the hospital before the warrant of arrest was issued by the court.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr said Romualdez was not accorded special treatment when it was placed under arrest on Monday night,.

Nartatez said they followed legal procedures in enforcing arrest warrant issued by Sandiganbayan against Romualdez.

National Bureau of Investigation has formed special action unit to serve arrest warrants against Romualdez’s co-accused in the plunder case, according to NBI Director Melvin Matibag.
Matibag said NBI received copies of warrants on Monday night and immediately tasked its special action unit and Special Task Group with enforcing them.
The warrants cover three other respondents, including former lawmaker Zaldy Co, Joselyn Serenio and Felicito Guevarra.

NBI has coordinated with Bureau of Immigration to determine whether Serenio and Guevarra have left the country.

In seeking hospital arrest, Romualdez filed nine-page “manifestation of hospital confinement and urgent motion ad cautelam for continued hospital confinement under custody” before Sandiganbayan.

“Certificate explains why required care cannot, at this time, be safely delivered at detention facility hospital, much less detention facility, and identifies clinical milestones or conditions upon which accused Romualdez may be medically cleared for transfers,” said Romualdez in the pleading obtained by reporters.

Hospital records also indicated that Romualdez had previously undergone percutaneous coronary intervention, procedure used to restore blood flow through blocked coronary artery.

08/09/2026

Merry Christmas, Christmas 2026 in iskup news-on-line daily
9 September 2026, Miyerkules
iskup supports literacy day September 8,2026
Congratulations to launching of “magandang balita biblia” three designs of cover of Philippine Bible Society

those who are interested to work for Philippine National Railways (PNR), both skilled and unskilled (labor) in Bocaue, Marilao workplaces, send your resume at [email protected], call or text 09916444376.
Congratulations to 70 participants of "Together in His Word", a fellowship for pastors sponsored by Philippine Bible Society
Congratulations and more power to P/B.Gen. Joyce Patrick Sangalang for appointment as PNP Highway Patrol Group Director
Analyn Mahinay-Furigay in behalf of the family of the late Aniano Mahinay of Bacolod City appreciates friends and relatives joined in their bereavement.
iskup supports September Teacher's Month,"Teacher,ikaw naman"
Headlines

Ch fighter jets intercept Ph patrol aircraft

By Nidz Godino

“Regular maritime air patrol domain awareness flights were conducted over Bajo de Masinloc…they were intercepted by fighter aircraft from PLA Air Force or PLA Navy,” Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman for West Philippine Sea, retired rear admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, told reporters at press briefing in yet another display of “coercive and aggressive actions,” Chinese fighter jets intercepted Philippine aircraft patrolling Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc last week.

AFP said action by People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force aims to weaken Philippines’ resolve in patrolling and protecting its territorial waters and exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

Trinidad, said J-10 trainer aircraft intercepted Philippine maritime domain awareness (MDA) flight over Panatag Shoal on Sept. 2.

Trinidad added “in one instance, crosshairs ,gunsights of fighter aircraft had our aircraft on it and this was released in both South China Morning Post and Global Times addressing internal audience, coercive and aggressive actions designed to show that they have control over situation over the area… designed to weaken our resolve to keep performing our mandate… to show that they have escalation dynamics on their side.,”

Despite such actions by China, Trinidad added said Philippines will not back down and will continue to patrol and assert its sovereign rights over WPS.

Trinidad added “rather than weaken our resolve, such actions will only further strengthen it…our resolve to keep performing our mandate has never been stronger. ..they have not even succeeded in preventing us from performing our patrols…not only will we keep performing our mandate, we will keep working with our treaty ally and other like-minded nations who have been very supportive of our stand of supporting international law, especially Japan and Australia.”

As to what actions or adjustments AFP will take, Trinidad explained that details on how MDA flights are conducted are left to commanders of military’s unified commands.

Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. lashed out at China after he was handed note stating former’s position on WPS issue while he was answering questions at 2026 Seoul Defense Dialogue (SDD) in South Korea.

“Please show some decency…shame on you,” said Teodoro, who drew applause for answering China’s note point by point during international forum.

“I think this is from China,” Teodoro read the note and answered each of China’s arguments, saying move showed “disrespect” of defense dialogue and host country.

Trinidad said “China’s position on South China Sea arbitration is clear, consistent and firm…they have no position… arbitration violates fundamental principles of international law…so, what you signed, UNCLOS ,United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, you mean violates international law…that’s what you mean.”.

Trinidad continued “so-called award is illegal, null and void…so say you…and has no binding force…because you don’t want to be subjected to UNCLOS.”

“China neither accepts nor recognizes award…of course, because you lost…and oppose it and we’ll never accept any claim or action arising from it,”Teodoro finished.

“These are words that were slipped to me…and there is legal principle called res ipsa loquitur ,– the thing speaks for itself…how can you deal with country in international forum beyond question asked to me,” Teodoro added noted, referring to how he was seemingly ambushed by the note.

In his plenary remarks at the two-day event attended by international defense leaders across regions, Teodoro talked about how main purpose United Nations was created several years ago to world war has “succeeded in that sense.”

Without specifically mentioning any country, Teodoro said threat of conflict and actual conflict remains “but threat of war becomes more imminent because of unconstrained and uncontrolled use of might versus right, as adage goes.”

Teodoro said Philippines will likewise “advocate for international security architecture which has for its fundamental value human security, survival of human being, care for human being, care for human rights, care for health, care for freedom from dangers of natural calamities, educational opportunities for mutual understanding under regime of freedom of thought, freedom of speech and not state-sponsored lies and state-sponsored brainwashing.”

Teodoro underscored need to build international security architecture with human security at its core as he discussed Philippines’ perspective on building “Collaborative Architecture for International Stability.”

Joined by South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back and Czech Republic Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Jaromír Z?na, Teodoro echoed their observations on “whole gamut of conflicts facing the world at present, which is exacerbated by existence of devastating natural calamities.”

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.called on Filipinos to promote awareness on Philippines’ rights and entitlements to its waters as nation observes Maritime and Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month.

September has been declared Maritime and Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month through Proclamation 316 issued in 2017.

Marcos said this year’s observance, held alongside 10th anniversary of 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award, “offers timely occasion to uphold, affirm and reiterate country’s lawful rights and entitlements… defending what is ours demands our solidarity as people and firm national resolve…to every Filipino, rest assured that we will remain resolute in protecting our waters and safeguarding future of our Bagong Pilipinas.”

Philippines underscored its keen interest to work closely with Pacific nations on critical maritime issues, sea-level rise response, promotion and adherence to UNCLOS.

Country reaffirmed its Pacific affinity and kinship while highlighting closer collaboration with fellow Pacific nations during 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting (55PIFLM) held in Koror, Palau from Aug. 30 to Sept. 4.2026.

Philippine delegation emphasized mutual commitment to strong maritime governance in adherence to international law, particularly UNCLOS.

Marcos designated Undersecretary Leo Herrera-Lim of Department of Foreign Affairs as special envoy to the forum, which gathered leaders of 18 Pacific nations, Australia, Cook Islands, Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, Naoero, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu as well as PIF Secretariat.

Defense officials of Philippines and Canada met to explore ways to advance their bilateral defense cooperation.

Department of National Defense (DND) Undersecretary for Information Systems and Cybersecurity Fabian Pedregosa met with Senior Associate Deputy Minister of National Defense Kevin Brosseau on the sidelines of the Seoul Defense Dialogue.

Following Senate concurrence on Philippine-Canada Status of Visiting Forces Agreement this year 2026, two sides expressed their optimism for Canada’s participation in bilateral exercises, as well as multilateral engagements with other SOVFA partners like United States, Japan and Australia.

07/09/2026

Merry Christmas, Christmas 2026 in iskup news-on-line daily
7 September 2026, Lunes
To God be the glory for 32 souls added to His kingdom during one day evangelism of Marked Men for Christ in Christian Baptist Tabernacle, Bulacan Mission, Bgy. Cacarong Bata, Pandi, Bulacan, thanks to Engr. Reynaldo Descatamiento, Ptr. Joel Furigay, Bishop Artemio Bernil,
Congratulations and more power to 60 participants of Philippine Cohen College 146th Lectureship Seminar, Hotel Seoul Clark, Angeles City, Pampanga "Ruth".
those who are interested to work for Philippine National Railways (PNR), both skilled and unskilled (labor) in Bocaue, Marilao workplaces, send your resume at [email protected], call or text 09916444376.
Congratulations to 70 participants of "Together in His Word", a fellowship for pastors sponsored by Philippine Bible Society
Congratulations and more power to P/B.Gen. Joyce Patrick Sangalang for appointment as PNP Highway Patrol Group Director
Analyn Mahinay-Furigay in behalf of the family of the late Aniano Mahinay of Bacolod City appreciates friends and relatives joined in their bereavement.
iskup supports September Teacher's Month,"Teacher,ikaw naman"

SC must act on complaint vs CA justices

By J.Lo

To date, there appears to be no record of Judicial Integrity Board or Supreme Court having acted on or resolved that complaint,” Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla following his call for Supreme Court (SC) to do some “soul-searching,” is seeking update on administrative case filed last year by his predecessor against seven incumbent justices of Court of Appeals (CA).

During “Executive Session” program shared report by media about former ombudsman Samuel Martires who filed administrative complaint against seven CA associate justices.

They were all facing complaints “for gross ignorance of the law and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service arising from their TRO ,temporary restraining order and rulings against ombudsman’s preventive suspension orders on Antique officials.”

Martires allegedly pressed complaints for gross ignorance of the law and conduct prejudicial to the interest of public against CA Associate Justices Louis Acosta, Marlene Gonzales-Sison, Rex Bernardo Pascual, Mary Charlene Hernandez-Azura, Roberto Quiroz, Rafael Antonio Santos and Ferdinand Baylon. Names of Sison and Santos no longer appear on the list of incumbent justices in CA website.

Martires alleged justices issued TRO against ombudsman’s decision to preventively suspend local officials of Antique, even if only photocopies of suspension order were presented when these should have been certified true copies, and that TRO was enforced even if suspension had already lapsed. Also, petitioner was given TRO despite not having yet asked ombudsman to reconsider its decision.

Remulla argued ombudsman has been “tallying everything,” particularly “cases dismissed by ombudsman, but were overturned by Court of Appeals.”

“We already have findings of fact…now, when they dismiss that and reverse us, does that mean they have new finding of fact…it is question of law,” he maintained.

Remulla’s remarks came after SC called on him or other parties to file complaints against erring judges and justices and submit supporting evidence. He maintained it “takes seriously” accusations against members of judiciary, but “cannot act on broad allegations against entire appellate court based on public statements.”

Remulla, urged judiciary to “do some soul-searching” during Senate budget deliberations for Office of the Ombudsman, emphasized ombudsman would “inform public” about alleged institutional issues that disturb credibility of judiciary.

07/09/2026

Merry Christmas, Christmas 2026 in iskup news-on-line daily
7 September 2026, Lunes
To God be the glory for 32 souls added to His kingdom during one day evangelism of Marked Men for Christ in Christian Baptist Tabernacle, Bulacan Mission, Bgy. Cacarong Bata, Pandi, Bulacan, thanks to Engr. Reynaldo Descatamiento, Ptr. Joel Furigay, Bishop Artemio Bernil,
Congratulations and more power to 60 participants of Philippine Cohen College 146th Lectureship Seminar, Hotel Seoul Clark, Angeles City, Pampanga "Ruth".
those who are interested to work for Philippine National Railways (PNR), both skilled and unskilled (labor) in Bocaue, Marilao workplaces, send your resume at [email protected], call or text 09916444376.
Congratulations to 70 participants of "Together in His Word", a fellowship for pastors sponsored by Philippine Bible Society
Congratulations and more power to P/B.Gen. Joyce Patrick Sangalang for appointment as PNP Highway Patrol Group Director
Analyn Mahinay-Furigay in behalf of the family of the late Aniano Mahinay of Bacolod City appreciates friends and relatives joined in their bereavement.
iskup supports September Teacher's Month,"Teacher,ikaw naman"

Congtractor bid to quash flood control cases denied

By J.Lo

Bids of alleged “congtractor” Uswag Ilonggo party-list Rep. James Ang to dismiss graft case against him and consolidate 14 others was scrapped by two divisions of Sandiganbayan.

In 17-page resolution issued on Sept. 2,2026 anti-graft court’s Third Division ruled to deny for lack of merit Ang’s motion for consolidation and motion to quash information.

Prosecution had argued consolidating cases would prolong litigation for each case, “because prosecution will have to present witnesses and pieces of evidence for all counts, insignificant for other charges.”

Ang is facing 14 counts of violation of Section 3 (h) of Republic Act 3019 or Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act over contracts for road projects in parts of Panay island worth millions of pesos, all filed by the ombudsman.

Two were filed before Second Division, one before Seventh Division, three before First Division, three before Fifth, two before Fourth Division, two before Sixth Division and one before Third Division, particularly case involving P5.9 million contract for project involving Iloilo-Antique Road in March 2023.

Third Division also decided to junk Ang’s motion to quash by declaring it “cannot subscribe to Ang’s argument that Information lacks factual averment that project was not completed, or was substandard or was ghost project to damage of government” since charge against him indicated he had interest in road project while being government official.

In nine-page resolution on Sept. 3, Sandiganbayan Seventh Division also ruled to deny for lack of merit Ang’s motions for consolidation and to quash information.

It added there was no need to merge cases against him, ruling that these must be tried individually.

Late last month August, Sandiganbayan Sixth Division also denied Ang’s motion to quash graft case over P8.1-million contract for road projects in Iloilo and Antique.

DPWH flood projects for 2027 properly vetted

Meanwhile, former Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) undersecretary Carlos Primo David said that flood control projects designed and planned by Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for funding and implementation under its 2027 budget had gone through proper science-based vetting process.

David said three-member independent advisory committee formed by DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon last year had slashed approved flood control projects from over 600 down to 250 high-priority infrastructure works for upcoming budget year.

David said independent committee shielded agency leaders from political pressure when rejecting substandard or redundant proposals.

He noted that initiative marked first time in public works history that local district engineers were stripped of ultimate authority in deciding which flood control projects received funding.