TODAY’S TOP STORIES - Wednesday, 17 June 2026

TODAY’S TOP STORIES (from online monitoring)

17 June 2026, Wednesday, 5:00 p.m.

1.   Gatchalian is new Senate president

-Palace acknowledges Gatchalian election as Senate chief

-House leaders hail Gatchalian's election as Senate President

-Sotto elected as Senate president pro tempore; committee heads named

-Lacson gives up blue ribbon post: Tired of losing friends, creating foes

-Villanueva says joining new Senate majority was 'for work'

-Raffy Tulfo extends hand of reconciliation to Senate minority

-900 policemen deployed around Senate for special session

[ABS-CBN News, BusinessMirror, BusinessWorld, Daily Tribune, DZRH, GMA News, Inquirer, Malaya, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, Manila Times, Mindanao Times, News5PH, NewsWatchPlus, Panay News, Philstar, Rappler, Sunstar, Watchmen Daily Journal]

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2247753/fwd-gatchalian-now-senate-president

 

2. Cayetano concedes Senate leadership after weeks of deadlock

[ABS-CBN News, BusinessWorld, Daily Tribune, DZRH, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, News5PH, NewsWatchPlus, Panay News, Philstar, Rappler, Sunstar, Watchmen Daily Journal]

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2026/06/17/2535852/cayetano-concedes-senate-leadership-after-weeks-deadlock

 

3. Marcos arrives in Kazan for meeting with Putin ahead of ASEAN-Russia Summit; Recto, Estrella, Tolentino named govt caretakers

[ABS-CBN News, BusinessWorld, Daily Tribune, DZRH, GMA News, Inquirer, Malaya, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, Manila Times, Mindanao Times, News5PH, NewsWatchPlus, Panay News, Philstar, Sunstar, Watchmen Daily Journal]

https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/17/marcos-arrives-in-kazan-for-meeting-with-putin-ahead-of-asean-russia-summit-1339

 

4. ‘All BS’: Rep. Sandro refutes suitcase delivery to Marcos residence

[ABS-CBN News, DZRH, GMA News, Manila Bulletin, News5PH, Philstar, Sunstar]

https://news.tv5.com.ph/breaking/read/all-bs-rep-sandro-refutes-suitcase-delivery-to-marcos-residence

5. Senate majority picks Escudero to preside over Sara Duterte trial

[ABS-CBN News, Daily Tribune, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, News5PH, NewsWatchPlus, Watchmen Daily Journal]

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2247971/senate-majority-picks-escudero-to-preside-over-sara-duterte-trial

6. 20th Congress reorganizes Commission on Appointments; Senate appointments body acts on delayed military, DFA promotions

[ABS-CBN News, Daily Tribune, DZRH, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Standard, News5PH, NewsWatchPlus, Philstar]

https://manilastandard.net/news/314754189/20th-congress-reorganizes-commission-on-appointments.html

7. PH says Chinese floating structure removed from Panatag Shoal

[ABS-CBN News, Daily Tribune, DZRH, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, Manila Times, Mindanao Times, Panay News, Philstar]

https://www.inquirer.net/477953/ph-says-chinese-floating-structure-removed-from-panatag-shoal/

 

8. Senators back resolution funding Mindanao quake recovery

[ABS-CBN News, BusinessWorld, Daily Tribune, GMA News, Inquirer, NewsWatchPlus, Panay News, Philstar, Watchmen Daily Journal]

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2248044/senate-oks-reso-urging-govt-to-ensure-fund-for-mindanao-recovery

9. Mark, Camille Villar deny alleged interference in LRT-1 Cavite extension project

[BusinessWorld, Daily Tribune, DZRH, GMA News, Manila Standard, Rappler]

https://www.rappler.com/philippines/luzon/mark-camille-villar-deny-lrt1-cavite-extension-interference/

 

10. ATENEO DROWNING INCIDENT:

-Ateneo basketball players face CIDG, NBI probe on teammates’ drowning

-PNP CIDG to Tab Baldwin: Man up, face Ateneo drowning probe

-Tab Baldwin to appear before NBI in Ateneo players' death probe

-CIDG: Ateneo drowning not an accident

-Immigration Lookout Bulletin issued vs Ateneo basketball coach, asst coaches, team manager

[ABS-CBN News, Daily Tribune, DZRH, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, Mindanao Times, News5PH, Philstar, Rappler, Sunstar]

https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/17/ateneo-basketball-players-face-cidg-nbi-probe-on-teammates-drowning-1027

11. Owner, contractor of collapsed Pampanga building face P11M in fines

[ABS-CBN News, DZRH, GMA News, Inquirer, News5PH, Philstar, Watchmen Daily Journal]

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2247951/owner-contractor-of-collapsed-pampanga-building-faces-p11m-in-fines

© Philippine Information Agency Monitoring Unit