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EDITORIAL - AUGUST '26

Bongbong, PNoy: Prosecution and impeachment

By Joel Ruiz Butuyan

Inquirer News Services

THERE are many issues that can be raised against President (Bongbong) Marcos and his administration. Many, if not all of them, are valid grievances. These include issues of corruption, political persecution, human rights violations, and the like. It’s also a legitimate complaint that many of the applauded actions of the Marcos administration are probably motivated by personal and political interests, even if they’re the correct moves that should be taken for our country’s good.

Our country is currently not in an ideal place, and any wrong turn could make us end up in a place far worse than where we already are. It’s an opportune time to make a list of the proper actions taken by the Marcos administration, even if they may have been motivated by not-so-proper reasons.

Big Fish

The Marcos administration muscled its way into obtaining the prosecution of politically powerful leaders. First, in September 2024, Apollo Quiboloy of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) was arrested, detained, and charged with human trafficking, child abuse, and sexual abuse. Second, in March 2025, former President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested and surrendered to the International Criminal Court (ICC), where he is charged with crimes against humanity. Third, in January 2026, former Sen. Bong Revilla was arrested and charged with having taken tens of millions in kickbacks from ghost flood control projects. Fourth, in June 2026, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada was arrested for plunder similarly tied to the anomalous flood control projects. Fifth, this July 2026, Sen. Rodante Marcoleta was arrested on plunder charges in connection with his admission that he received P75 million in donations while he was a sitting congressperson. (When Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa is arrested and surrendered to the ICC, he will be the sixth on the list.)

Apart from the fact that they involve big fish accused of serious crimes, the current spate of arrests and prosecutions of immensely influential leaders is significant for several reasons. Two of those arrested belong to politically powerful religious groups: Quiboloy of the KOJC and Marcoleta of the Iglesia Ni Cristo. Thousands of the two religious groups’ members rallied to prevent the arrests, but the Marcos administration defied them by enforcing the apprehension. Almost all of the past presidents had either actively solicited the political support of these religious sects, or they looked the other way when scandals were linked to the two groups.

Prone to Suspicions

The arrest and prosecution of five powerful political leaders under the Marcos administration is comparable to, and even exceeds the prosecution and detention of four powerful political leaders during the Benigno Aquino administration. Prosecuted and charged during the (PNoy) Aquino administration included former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, the late Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile, Estrada, and Revilla. Again, the motives of the Marcos administration may be prone to suspicions because of its open war with the Dutertes (the five are allied with the Dutertes). There were also suspicions of politics in the prosecution of Arroyo and her allies during the Aquino administration, but there was a lesser basis. The accused politicians under both administrations justifiably deserve(d) to be prosecuted. Regardless of motives, the prosecution under both administrations has partially quenched our country’s long-unsatisfied thirst to “clean the house” of our political leaders.

It’s also true that, so far, only politicians allied with the Dutertes have been prosecuted and charged under the Marcos administration. However, partially cleaning the pigsty is better than not cleaning it at all, and the Duterte administration is guilty of the latter because it did not lift a finger against corruption. The next administration can take up the pace by continuing and completing the cleaning with the prosecution of those whom the Marcos administration has skipped and exempted. We live in a dysfunctional country where we constantly dream of moving forward by leaps and bounds, but, given our reality, we can only manage to advance one stride at a time.

Do an Aquino?

Another similarity between the two administrations—led by families that had been erstwhile enemies in our political history—is their initiation of impeachment complaints against leaders of the opposite side. The Aquino administration impeached then Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona for betrayal of public trust because of the latter’s blatant partiality on multiple crucial issues favoring Arroyo. Initially, Aquino didn’t have the numbers to obtain Corona’s conviction, but, in the end, the chief justice was convicted and removed from office.

The Marcos administration now has the ongoing impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte on multiple charges that are far more serious and with evidence far more glaring than those against Corona. From the initial numbers, it looks like the 16 votes required to convict VP Sara, as claimed by impeachment presiding officer Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero, are very difficult to obtain given the current political alignments among senator-judges.

Will Mr. Marcos manage to do an Aquino? If there’s any indication as to how this question will be answered eventually, the clue lies in the fact that what is at stake in the current impeachment are the very lives of Mr. Marcos and his family if the Dutertes gain back Malacañang.

Comments to fleamarketofideas@gmail.com

Mailbag

Disasters, vulnerability,

and resilience

Dear Editor,

I read Anna Cristina Tuazon’s article titled “Disasters expose our vulnerability,” (PDI, 6/11/26), where she highlights vulnerabilities that must be addressed during disasters—physical, psychological, and structural. Her line that “disasters expose not just the cracks in the building but the cracks in our resilience,” captures how disasters reveal weaknesses not only in infrastructure but also in our capacity to cope, adapt, and recover.

While these vulnerabilities can either strengthen our resilience or break our spirit, disasters remind us of how fragile we truly are. Ignoring these realities is tantamount to disregarding the lessons of our collective experience as a nation constantly confronted by disasters.

The Philippines lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire, making it highly prone to earthquakes and other geological hazards. Just recently, a strong earthquake struck Mindanao. The event again exposed safety protocols that are often overlooked until tragedy occurs. Although years of experience have catalyzed improvements in disaster preparedness, no society is immune to the devastating effects of natural hazards. In fact, complacency remains the greatest danger, as it creates the false belief that disasters will not happen again.

As we reflect on these recurring events, we may lament the loss and destruction they bring. However, these experiences also teach us valuable lessons about preparedness, solidarity, and resilience. More importantly, they remind us that building safer communities requires commitment, vigilance, and longevity in our macro efforts to cement preparedness, reduce vulnerabilities, and protect future generations, as corroborated by our collective experiences with disasters.

Jhon Steven C. Espenido,

Surigao City

COMMUNITY NEWS - AUGUST 2026

For Peace in the Commemoration of Three Historical Events, Aug. 1st

124th Year Anniversary Celebration of the Ph. Independent Church, Aug. 2

PEACE, Remembrance and Our Shared Future, the motto of the event on Saturday, Aug. 1st, 11 am-1 pm, at the Trickster Cultural Center, 190 S. Roselle Rd., Schaumburg, IL. 60193, sponsored by the Chicago Nightingales, an organization of FilAm nurses supporting First Responders/EMTs, and in cooperation with local veteran groups.

Three events will be commemorated namely, the 81st year of Remembrance of the Hiroshima-Nagasaki Atomic bombing, the 73rd Commemoration of the July 1953 Armistice that ended only the Korean Conflict, but not the war and the 59th Anniversary of the founding of the ASEAN organization on Aug. 8, 1967. (The original five charter nations were: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. The Philippines is this years 2026 Chair-ship, and their theme is “Navigating Our Future, Together.”)

Massages and cultural presentation from the Japanese, Korean, Filipino and other communities will be featured to be followed by a reception. Register to attend, call Rose San Diego (708) 843-1750 or email: rsunrise2@aol.com.

124th Year Anniversary Celebration of the Ph. Independent Church, Aug. 2

THE 124th Year Anniversary celebration of the Proclamation of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente or the Philippine Independent Church (PIC) will be held at the Good Shepherd Congregation PIC at 4707 W. Pratt Blvd., Lincolnwood, Illinois 60712 on Sunday, Aug. 2nd, 5 pm with Bishop Roberto Pamatmat as the main celebrant and preacher. For details, call the church resident pastor, Bishop Valentín Lorejo at (773) 780-7111.

Often known as the Aglipayan Church after its co-founder Gregorio Aglipay, the PIC grew out from the struggle for Philippine struggle for independence in the late 1800s and it was an offshoot from the Roman Catholic Church.

Prominent historian, Teodoro Agoncillo considered the PIC as the only surviving proof of that revolutionary period in Philippine History. The PIC at its outset counted in its membership the who’s who in the leadership of the country at the turn of the last century.

This year’s celebration is marked in major cities in the Philippines as well as here in the United States.

“Heal the World” Concert, Aug. 4 to benefit Iligan Diocese projects

A CONCERT for ecological solidarity called “Heal the World” is scheduled on Tuesday, Aug. 4 at 6 p.m. at the Optima Bldg. Party Room, 9643 Woods Drive, Skokie 60077 is brought to you by the Iligan Lanao Assn. of the Midwest, Inc.

Bishop Jose R. Rapadas of the Ilingan Diocese wrote in his letter of appeal, the fundraiser featuring the sacred songs from five priests will benefit the health program and the construction of the retirement home of his diocese in Lanao.

Tickets for 35/person are available from Mar Tocaldo (847) 414-6585 and from Lodi Po (630) 248-3480.

Padre Pio Church Outdoor Market, Aug. 8

“Heal the World” Concert, Aug. 4 to benefit Iligan Diocese projects

THE Feast of Our Lady of Piat was celebrated July 11 by the FilAm parishioners at St. Padre Pio Church in Chicago with Most Rev. Ricardo L. Baccay, Archbishop of Tuguegarao, as main celebrant.The annual celebration brought together members of the Filipino community coming from all over Chicago and its surrounding suburbs, particularly those with roots in the Cagayan Valley, for a Eucharistic Mass in honor of said Marian devotion.

Our Lady of Piat, whose image was brought to the PHL by Dominican missionaries in the early 17th century, is widely venerated as the Patroness of Cagayan Valley. A replica of the image was brought to Chicago in 1986.

Meanwhile, household items and other essential merchandise at bargain prices will be available at the annual outdoor on Saturday, Aug. 8, 10 am-3 pm at the church parking lot, 5615 N. California St., Chicago 60659.

For more info: call (773) 561-3474

COMMUNITY NEWS - AUGUST 2026

Filipino Summer Fest: Taste and Culture of the Philippines, Aug. 15-16

AUTHENTIC Filipino cuisine, live entertainment, arts and culture from local business and community is presented by PNOISE Production on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 15-16, 12 noon—6 pm at the Brother’s Field, 340 Old McHenry Rd., Longrove, IL.

For details, email: info@pnoiseproductions.com or call (773) 799-1543.

30th Sto. Nino Fiesta, Aug. 22

THE 30th Sto. Nino de Agosto Fiesta celebration of St. Brebeuf Church, 8370 Harlem Ave., Niles, Illinois 60714 is on Saturday, Aug. 22, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. with the blessing of the Sto. Nino images set at 10 a.m. to be followed by the Holy Mass at 11 a.m.

Lunch will be served at 1 p.m. and fellowship and cultural program including the Sinulog Dance will follow at 2 p.m. Raffle and entertainment are also featured.

For more information, call: Romy (847) 651-0395, Gloria (773) 968-7549, Lu Alog (224) 622-3184.

Also, a Mass in honor of the Filipino saint San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila will be celebrated on Saturday, Sept.26 at 8:30 am at this same church, St John Brebeuf to be followed with breakfast fellowship at the church Ministry Center. Attendees are invited to bring their images of San Lorenzo for the procession before the Mass.

Sama-Sama Project, Aug. 29

The SamaSama Project, Chicago's premier Filipino Folk Fusion band on Saturday, Aug. 29 at Eugene Field Park, 5100 N. Ridgeway Avenue, Chicago, IL 60625. An afternoon of Philippine favorites and other songs. Free Admission.

Undas Is a Family Reunion. Maybe This Year, You're There.

Ask anyone who grew up in the Philippines what Undas feels like, and they won't describe something sad. They'll describe the whole family arriving at the cemetery with folding chairs and baon, candles flickering as far as you can see, kids weaving between relatives, and hours of stories. About lolo's jokes, about the aunt everyone was a little afraid of, about the people whose names your children carry. Every November 1, the family gathers. All of it. For many Filipinos in the U.S., it's the homecoming that has waited the longest.

If your kids have never experienced Undas, it's hard to explain what they're missing. It's the one tradition where children don't just meet their relatives, they meet their family's story. They light a candle next to their cousins. They learn that being Filipino isn't just a language or a dish; it's belonging to something that stretches back generations. No video call can pass that on.

If Undas is calling you home, August is the time to book it. Fares climb as All Saints' Day approaches (it's one of the year's busiest homecoming periods) so booking now means better prices, better departure times, and seats together for the whole family. For families with younger children, a fall trip has another advantage: you avoid the December peak entirely.

ASAP Tickets has been helping Filipino families make exactly this trip for over 22 years. Their agents work directly with carriers like Philippine Airlines, EVA Air, Cathay Pacific, and Korean Air, with access to unpublished fares and seat allocations you won't find on booking websites. You may want a nonstop from Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, or New York, or a well-timed one-stop at a better price. ASAP can compare every option and handle the details that matter when three generations travel together, from seats side by side to baggage allowances.

With agents who speak Tagalog and Cebuano, available 24/7, planning the trip is simple: one call, and someone who understands exactly why you're going takes it from there.

Some trips can wait for the right year. This one has a date: November 1. The candles will be lit, the stories will be told, and the family will be together. The only question is whether you'll be there, and whether your children will finally see it for themselves.

Call +1 888-535-5979 today and mention promo code ASAP50 for your exclusive $50 Pinoy Newsmagazine discount.

Book now, travel in October, and this Undas, be home.

AUGUST 2026

Notice of Class Action Settlement