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LATEST COMMENTARY

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FIVE THINGS TO KNOW

3-minute read

WHY WINNING DOES NOT END A VOTE-BUYING CASE

If a candidate has already won and been proclaimed, can a vote-buying case still cost them the position? The Supreme Court’s latest announcement on two Candijay, Bohol candidates shows why the election result does not settle everything.

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5-minute read

HOW THE NEXT CHIEF JUSTICE IS CHOSEN

The Judicial and Bar Council has finished interviewing candidates to succeed Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo, who is due to retire on November 6. GMA News reported the completed interviews on October 27. The interviews are one stage of a process that gives the President a choice, but also sets limits on who can be chosen and how the appointment is made.

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4-minute read

ABOUT COMPENSATION FOR WORK-RELATED HEAT ILLNESS

If someone becomes ill while working in extreme heat, the problem can continue after the shift ends: medical bills, missed work and uncertainty about where to ask for help. The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) announced guidelines on October 23 for heat-illness claims under the existing Employees' Compensation Program (ECP).

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5-minute read

ABOUT BATO DELA ROSA’S ₱50-MILLION BOUNTY

The DILG announced a ₱50-million bounty for Senator Bato dela Rosa’s capture on October 23. The announcement came after months of talk about a possible reward—and days after Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said authorities knew dela Rosa was in Mindanao and were negotiating for his turnover.

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Afternoon6-minute read

ABOUT THE OVP’S 2027 BUDGET AFTER A 16-MINUTE SENATE HEARING

The Office of the Vice President’s proposed budget moved through a Senate panel today in 16 minutes. Vice President Sara Duterte was absent; her chief of staff answered for the office. Yesterday’s MCT explainer looked at parliamentary courtesy. Today’s question is what that short hearing actually did to the spending plan, and what it left for the Senate to examine.

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Afternoon6-minute read

ABOUT THE EDSA BUSWAY’S 2027 BUDGET GAP

The Department of Transportation is again asking Congress to fund the EDSA Busway. Its original ₱1.756 billion request received zero in the administration’s proposed 2027 National Expenditure Program. A House budget panel later inserted ₱75 million. Those two statements describe different stages of the same budget process. Neither tells us yet what Congress will finally approve.

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Afternoon7-minute read

ABOUT DECLARING AN AMBASSADOR PERSONA NON GRATA

Several lawmakers want Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan sent home. The Chinese Embassy has challenged them to follow through. That exchange leaves an ordinary reader with a reasonable question: if our own officials say an ambassador should leave, why is he still here?

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7:23 AM5-minute read

ABOUT LINO CAYETANO AND THE CHANGE AT THE PCO

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced on October 11 that Lino Cayetano would replace Dave Gomez at the Presidential Communications Office. He said Gomez had been bypassed by the Commission on Appointments and that the change would be formalized when they returned from Singapore.

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6:10 PM4-minute read

ABOUT THE DISPUTE OVER CHANGING THE ORDER OF IMPEACHMENT WITNESSES

The argument at Thursday’s impeachment hearing was about which witness the prosecution could present next. It began with an absent lawyer and became a dispute over preparation and notice. Understanding the exchange helps explain why a courtroom can pause even when the parties, documents and another potential witness are already in the building.

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3:01 PM3-minute read

ABOUT MARK VILLAR’S MOVE TO THE SENATE MAJORITY

Senator Mark Villar has formally left the Senate minority and joined the majority. The October 8 move strengthens the bloc supporting the chamber’s leadership and gives Villar two significant positions. Its implications for Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial, however, require more than counting political allies.

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9:56 AM4-minute read

ABOUT THE MANAGER’S CHECKS AND THE QUESTIONS OVER SARA DUTERTE’S SALN

A bank balance can fall even when the value represented by the money has not disappeared. That distinction sits behind the prosecution’s questions about manager’s checks in Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial. To understand the October 7 testimony, we need to follow the instrument, the person entitled to its value and the declaration of assets for the relevant year.

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9:08 PM3-minute read

ABOUT WHAT COA’S REJECTION OF THE OVP APPEAL MEANS

COA has rejected the request to reconsider the ₱73.287-million disallowance involving the Office of the Vice President’s December 2022 confidential expenses. The October 5 resolution became public on October 7. Its significance is easier to understand when the amount, the audit finding and the available legal remedies are kept separate.

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7:47 AM3-minute read

ABOUT WHAT BANK SECRECY PROTECTS IN AN IMPEACHMENT TRIAL

The arguments over bank records in Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial involve several protections. The privacy of a peso deposit, the protection of a foreign-currency deposit, and the confidentiality of a report sent to the AMLC come from different rules. Understanding those differences helps explain what the court has allowed and what remains in dispute.

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8:43 AM8-minute read

ABOUT THE AMLC RECORDS IN SARA DUTERTE’S IMPEACHMENT TRIAL

₱4.4 billion is a figure that can dominate a conversation before anyone asks what it counts. AMLC Executive Director Ronel Buenaventura presented that approximate total in the Senate impeachment court on October 5, covering reported transactions involving Vice President Sara Duterte and her husband, Manases Carpio. He also explained that a bank correction had reduced the earlier figure of ₱6.7 billion.

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6:44 PM5-minute read

ABOUT THE COINS.PH CASH-IN RESTRICTION AND WHAT USERS SHOULD CHECK

If you use Coins.ph to receive money or pay bills, a failed cash-in can disrupt plans for the day. Coins.ph has announced that some incoming peso services are temporarily unavailable following a BSP directive to improve its internal controls. Its advisory also identifies services that existing customers can still use.

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12:00 PM5-minute read

ABOUT THE PROPOSED RULES ON SECONDHAND PHONES

A secondhand phone can put a useful device within reach of someone who cannot afford a new one. The problem comes when the buyer has no clear information about where it came from, what condition it is in, or who will fix it if it fails.

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8:35 PM6-minute read

ABOUT THE SUPREME COURT’S DECISION ON THE IMPEACHMENT VOTE THRESHOLD

The Supreme Court dismissed three petitions on September 30 challenging how the Senate impeachment court would count the votes needed to convict Vice President Sara Duterte. The dismissal leaves the Senate’s September 23 ruling in place, but it needs to be read carefully. A case can be dismissed because it does not meet the requirements for the Court to hear it, without settling whether the challenged action is constitutional.

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6:12 AM6-minute read

ABOUT WHAT BASTE DUTERTE SHOULD HAVE CHECKED AS MAYOR

Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte told the Senate impeachment court on September 29 that he had been unfamiliar with GenCorp Industries Inc. before it came up in the proceedings. He also said he did not know about Vice President Sara Duterte’s declared business interest in the company.

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10:45 PM7-minute read

ABOUT THE OCTOBER WATER-RATE INCREASES

Metro Manila households served by Maynilad and Manila Water will see slightly higher water charges beginning October 1. The announced increases are small for many residential customers, but the figures vary by concessionaire and consumption level. That makes it easy to misunderstand a notice expressed only in centavos per cubic meter.

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7:21 AM6-minute read

ABOUT THE NOTE HANDED TO GIBO TEODORO IN SEOUL

Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. was answering questions at the Seoul Defense Dialogue on September 8 when a man handed him a note. He read it aloud, challenged its rejection of the 2016 South China Sea ruling and objected to being interrupted that way.

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9:55 AM8-minute read

ABOUT EL NIÑO AND PREPARING FOR LESS RAIN

It can be raining outside while PAGASA warns about El Niño. That can sound confusing when the immediate problem is a wet road or a flooded field. The two warnings describe different periods: the weather happening now and the rainfall conditions that may develop over the coming months.

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5:30 AM8-minute read

ABOUT THE NEW ARREST WARRANTS AGAINST ZALDY CO, MARTIN ROMUALDEZ AND TWO OTHERS

The Sandiganbayan has ordered the arrest of Zaldy Co, Martin Romualdez and two other accused in the plunder case filed on September 7. By Monday evening, authorities had served Romualdez's warrant and carried out booking procedures at Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan. His arrest is a confirmed development; it does not establish that his three co-accused are also in custody.

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3:15 PM8-minute read

ABOUT THE PLUNDER CASE AGAINST MARTIN ROMUALDEZ

The Office of the Ombudsman filed a plunder case against former House Speaker Martin Romualdez at the Sandiganbayan on September 7 over his alleged involvement in flood-control kickbacks. The accusations have now reached the court that will handle the criminal case. Romualdez denies wrongdoing and remains presumed innocent.

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1:18 PM7-minute read

ABOUT THE NEW SWS POVERTY NUMBERS

Self-rated poverty and food poverty declined in June, but the figures also show how many Filipino families remain under pressure and why lower household budgets do not necessarily mean life became cheaper.

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2:02 PM11-minute read

ABOUT THE CHILDREN'S SOCIAL MEDIA SAFETY ACT

House Bill No. 9965 would bar children below 13 from having social media accounts, require parental consent for users aged 13 to 17, regulate platform algorithms, and impose fines reaching P50 million. It is still being deliberated in the House.

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12:02 PM7-minute read

ABOUT THE SEALED BIR BOX

Marcos authorized the BIR to comply with the Senate subpoena. That did not open the records to the public or prove the unexplained-wealth allegation.

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MCT READER PULSE · MCT-PULSE-2026-017

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MCT Daily Brief

PAGASA satellite image dated November 7, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. PHT, with Cempaka east of the PAR.

Tonight’s brief covers local weather risks, Philippine Arena traffic, the TNVS application extension, the BIR’s investigation into an alleged data leak, and DepEd’s proposals for stronger online protection of children.

1

CEMPAKA REMAINS OUTSIDE PAR; LOCAL RAIN RISKS CONTINUE

Tropical Storm Cempaka was about 2,175 kilometers east of Extreme Northern Luzon at 3 p.m. Saturday, according to PAGASA’s 4 p.m. forecast. It had sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour, gusts up to 80, and was moving west-northwest at 30 kilometers per hour.

Closer to home, a shear line is bringing rain to Aurora, Quezon and Camarines Norte. Easterlies are bringing scattered rain and thunderstorms to Eastern and Central Visayas and several Mindanao regions. Moderate to heavy rain may cause flash floods or landslides.

Amihan is affecting Northern and Central Luzon. Northern Luzon’s coastal waters are forecast to be moderate to rough, with waves of 1.5 to 4 meters. These conditions are separate from the distant storm.

WHAT TO WATCH

Check PAGASA’s next update for changes in Cempaka’s track and strength. For travel tonight, follow local rainfall, thunderstorm and sea-condition advisories.

2

TNVS APPLICANTS GET ANOTHER 30 DAYS

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board has extended the application period for “tempo” ride-hailing vehicles by 30 days. The extension was announced on November 6 following a directive from Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon.

“Tempo” refers to vehicles accepted onto ride-hailing platforms before their owners obtained the required LTFRB authority. Availability through an app does not itself mean a vehicle is authorized to operate.

The online regularization process began on October 8. By November 6, LTFRB had received 13,216 applications and issued 5,091 provisional authorities.

Acting LTFRB Chair Greg Pua Jr. urged applicants to submit complete, properly uploaded documents, particularly vehicle ownership records. The agency has adjusted its portal and advised applicants who cannot complete the online process to seek assistance at its headquarters.

WHAT TO WATCH

Confirm the revised deadline with LTFRB and check for missing documents. An application remains distinct from an issued provisional authority.

3

NLEX WARNS OF PHILIPPINE ARENA CONCERT TRAFFIC

NLEX has warned motorists of heavier traffic around the Philippine Arena during LANY’s concerts on November 7 and 8. Live Nation lists doors opening at 5 p.m. and performances starting at 7 p.m. on both days.

Concertgoers are directed to the Ciudad de Victoria exit. Motorists bound for Bocaue or Santa Maria may consider the Marilao, Bocaue or Tambubong exits, depending on their destination.

NLEX says traffic personnel will assist motorists within its coverage areas. It advises drivers to load their RFID accounts and allow extra travel time.

WHAT TO WATCH

Check the latest NLEX advisories before choosing an exit. Plan for departure traffic as well as arrivals; the published event schedule does not specify a concert end time.

4

BIR INVESTIGATES CLAIMS OF A DATA LEAK

The Bureau of Internal Revenue says it is investigating online claims that data associated with the agency have been leaked. It is working with the DICT, the National Computer Emergency Response Team, the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center, and the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group.

The BIR has promised updates after verification. Its reported statements do not establish whether taxpayer records were exposed, what information might be involved, or how many people could be affected.

Separately, the National Privacy Commission said on November 6 that it would verify alleged leaks involving government agencies. That statement did not name the BIR or confirm a breach of its systems.

The commission also explained that, when mandatory notification conditions are met, an agency must notify it and affected people within 72 hours of knowing or reasonably believing that a qualifying breach occurred. An online allegation alone does not establish that those conditions have been met.

WHAT TO WATCH

Look for verified findings on the data’s authenticity, its connection to BIR systems, and any affected taxpayer records. If exposure is confirmed, the agency should identify who needs notice and what protective steps to take.

5

DEPED SEEKS STRONGER ONLINE PROTECTION FOR LEARNERS

Education Secretary Sonny Angara has asked technology companies to strengthen age checks and remove content that glorifies violence or targets young learners for radicalization. He also warned about online grooming during a November 6 forum at the University of Asia and the Pacific in Pasig.

Angara criticized systems that allow children access simply by declaring they are 18. DepEd says it has formed a task force with the DICT and the CICC’s child-protection units to monitor emerging risks.

The department also points to its expanded Kaagapay Program, which helps parents recognize online threats, bullying and mental-health concerns.

According to Angara, some social-media companies have contacted DepEd about stronger safeguards. The reports reviewed do not name those companies or identify agreed changes. His proposals do not themselves establish a new social-media age limit or platform ban.

WHAT TO WATCH

Look for specific platform commitments and implementation dates, alongside clear instructions on how families and schools can report threats and obtain help.

BOTTOM LINE

For tonight’s travel, check local weather warnings and NLEX traffic updates. The TNVS extension gives applicants more time, but operating authority still requires approval. The BIR investigation and DepEd proposals need further announcements before readers can know who is affected or what will change.

SOURCES

  1. Weather: PAGASA’s November 7, 4 p.m. forecasthttps://bagong.pagasa.dost.gov.ph/index.php/weather
  2. TNVS: DZRHhttps://www.dzrh.com.ph/post/ltfrb-gives-tempo-tnvs-applicants-additional-30-days-to-secure-regularization
  3. Daily Tribunehttps://tribune.net.ph/2026/11/06/ltfrb-accelerates-tnvs-regularization-process
  4. Radyo Pilipinashttps://radyopilipinas.ph/2026/11/06/deadline-ng-aplikasyon-para-sa-regularisasyon-ng-tempo-tnvs-pinalawig-ng-ltfrb/
  5. NLEX: GMA Newshttps://www.gmanetwork.com/news/serbisyopubliko/transportation/1008609/nlex-issues-traffic-advisory-for-lany-concert-on-nov-7-and-8/story/
  6. Live Nation Philippineshttps://www.livenation.ph/lany-tickets-adp771408
  7. BIR: GMA Newshttps://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/1008620/bir-data-leak-under-gov-t-probe/story/
  8. Bombo Radyohttps://www.bomboradyo.com/umanoy-data-leak-sa-bir-iniimbestigahan-na
  9. National Privacy Commissionhttps://privacy.gov.ph/statement-of-the-national-privacy-commission-on-reported-data-leaks-involving-government-agencies/
  10. DepEd: GMA Newshttps://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/1008624/angara-calls-for-stricter-digital-protection-for-students/story/
  11. Newsbyteshttps://newsbytes.ph/2026/11/07/deped-calls-on-tech-firms-to-remove-content-glorifying-violence/

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