The City Post

12/06/2026

WATCH: Ateneo Blue Eagles head coach Tab Baldwin breaks his silence on the death of student athletes Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili.



https://www.facebook.com/share/v/194vLeYcB8/

12/06/2026

Dipaculao LGU orders closure of resort after Ateneo players’ deaths

The municipal government has served a Temporary Closure Order on Hermanos Leisure and Farm Resort following the June 8 drowning deaths of Ateneo Blue Eagles players Rene Clert N. Baterbonia and Divine Adili during a team-building activity.

Mayor Danilo A. Tolentino directed a composite team from the Business Permits and Licensing Office, Municipal Tourism Office, Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, and Philippine Coast Guard to conduct a review.

The inspection found violations of provisions under Sangguniang Bayan Ordinance No. 2025-12, which mandates safety standards for seashores and water-based tourist destinations.

Authorities said the closure aims to enforce compliance with safety regulations and prevent similar incidents.

The LGU extended condolences to the families of the victims and vowed coordination with national agencies to strengthen oversight.

On Thursday, resort owners and staff appeared before the National Bureau of Investigation to provide information.

Aurora police earlier noted the team-building was held about 300 meters from the dry beach, despite advice to stay in shallower waters. A post-mortem certificate listed Baterbonia’s cause of death as asphyxia by drowning. # (ZIA LUNA)

https://thecitypost.net/dipaculao-lgu-orders-closure-of-resort-after-ateneo-players-deaths/

📷: LGU Dipaculao / FB

12/06/2026

12/06/2026

‘False independence’ as long as US dictates PH policies-Tinio

“Nakikita natin ang pattern: ang bawat desisyon ng gobyerno Marcos man ngayon o Duterte noon ay sumusunod sa interes ng Washington o Beijing, hindi sa interes ng Pilipino,” Tinio said. “Ang tunay na kalayaan ay nangangahulugan ng kapangyarihang magdesisyon para sa ating sarili—sa ating teritoryo, sa ating ekonomiya, sa ating kinabukasan.”

“Hindi natin epektibong maitatguyod ang ating soberanong karapatan sa WPS kontra sa panghihimasok ng China habang sunod-sunuran ang Marcos Jr admin sa US,” he added.

https://thecitypost.net/false-independence-as-long-as-us-dictates-ph-policies-tinio/

12/06/2026

WATCH: Loud cheers erupted at the Quirino Grandstand when President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. acknowledged Senate President Pro Tempore Sherwin Gatchalian during his Independence Day address.

Marcos, speaking before government officials, diplomats, and the public at the 128th Independence Day celebration, hailed Gatchalian by his official title, drawing a clear show of support from the crowd.

🎥: Presidential Communications Office / FB

12/06/2026

UST activists face complaints over campus advocacy — Kabataan Partylist

Three Thomasian activists are under fire as complaints mount against their campus advocacy, KABATAAN PARTYLIST said Friday.

Kerby Calizar, Ray Manuel, and Raven Racelis, all from UST’s Faculty of Arts and Letters, allegedly face harassment tied to their organizing for academic freedom, the right to education, and resistance to state fascism and campus militarization.

Kabataan denounced the crackdown as an attempt by state forces and school officials to muzzle dissent, stressing that the students embody UST’s values of competence, commitment, and compassion while standing for democratic rights.

“The youth’s actualization of their role as hope of the nation lies in their critical analysis of Philippine society, and their decisiveness to struggle for justice, accountability, and genuine democracy,” the group declared.

With the school year closing, Kabataan warned that instead of respite, student leaders continue to face reprisals — underscoring what it called the urgent need to amplify their voices. # (RRN)

📷: KABATAAN PARTYLIST / FB

11/06/2026

Chavit Singson Arrested for Cyberlibel

Former Ilocos Sur governor Chavit Singson was arrested by police at his residence in Quezon City on Thursday, June 11, following an arrest warrant issued by the Vigan City Regional Trial Court Branch 21 in connection with a cyberlibel case.

Singson was brought to Police Station 12, and subsequently released after he posted bail amounting to ₱60,000.

11/06/2026

House names private lawyers for VP Sara impeachment trial

The House prosecution panel on Thursday released the first batch of private lawyers tapped to assist in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

Among those named were attorneys from PECABAR Law — Marforth Pua, James Bryan Ibrahim Alih, Erwin Matib, and Justine Anne Lamarca; Kapunanan and Castillo Law — Lorna Kapunan, Sonya Margarita Benemerito-Castillo, Deanna Melissa Lorenzo-Singian, Lino Chris Kapunan, and Bettina Zamora; and SALiGAL Law — Amando Virgil Ligutan.

Lead prosecutor and House Committee on Justice chair Gerville Luistro said the lawyers volunteered their services pro bono.

They will assist in preparing witnesses, evidence, pleadings, and trial strategy.

11/06/2026

WATCH: DOLE orders Baldwin to explain Alien Employment Permit

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has directed Ateneo de Manila University men’s basketball head coach Tab Baldwin to clarify the status of his Alien Employment Permit (AEP) following the June 8 drowning deaths of players Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili in Aurora province.

Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino said Baldwin must appear before the agency on Monday to present proof of a valid AEP. “We want him to show whether that AEP was extended or whether that AEP has already expired,” Tolentino said Thursday.

Tolentino added that new rules requiring technical expertise for AEP holders were signed on June 9, a day after the incident.

He also ordered Baldwin to submit a written explanation on the team-building activity, including supervision and safety protocols, as part of DOLE’s investigation.

🎥: DOLE / FB

11/06/2026

(OPINION) THE LAST COLONY OF THE CROSS

The Church’s theological opposition to divorce, in practice, functions as a class-based restriction on personal freedom: ang mayayaman, makakakuha ng labasan. Ang mahihirap, hindi. The rich get out. The poor stay trapped. In what universe is this the protection of the Filipino family?

https://thecitypost.net/the-last-colony-of-the-cross/