Batasang Pambansa bombing On the evening of November 13, 2007, an explosion at the South Wing of the
Batasang Pambansa Complex killed six people, including Rep.
Wahab Akbar (
Lakas-CMD,
Basilan). The other fatalities included an aide of Akbar, a driver of Gabriela Rep.
Luzviminda Ilagan, and three aides of Rep.
Pryde Henry Teves (
Lakas-CMD,
Negros Oriental–3rd). Ten others were injured in the blast, including Reps. Ilagan and Teves.
Arroyo impeachment On October 5, 2007, Lawyer Robert Pulido filed a three-page impeachment complaint against President
Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. This complaint was considered as a ploy by Malacañang according to the opposition. It was only supported by Rep. Edgar S. San Luis (
independent,
4th District Laguna). On November 4, the House Committee on Justice, dominated by pro-
Arroyo lawmakers, declared as "sufficient in form" the three-page impeachment complaint against President Arroyo. On November 6, the committee then deliberated whether the complaint (due to the
National Broadband Network controversy) is "sufficient in substance." If the complaint was declared "sufficient in form", it would be considered as an impeachment proceeding; only one impeachment proceeding is allowed by the
constitution, if the committee declares the complaint "insufficient in substance", it would give Arroyo an immunity from impeachment for a year. The committee ultimately voted to trash the complaint, with minority members boycotting the hearing.
Bribery scandal investigation On November 13, 2007, there was also the
Senate's hearing on the bribery scandal that occurred in
the presidential palace.
The Manila Peninsula Rebellion The Manila Peninsula rebellion occurred in the
Philippines on November 29, 2007. Detained Senator
Antonio Trillanes IV, General Lim and other
Magdalo (mutineers) officials walked out of their trial and marched through the streets of
Makati, calling for the ouster of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, and seizing the second floor of
The Peninsula Manila Hotel along
Ayala Avenue. Former Vice-president
Teofisto Guingona also joined the march to the hotel. Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV and Brigadier Gen. Danilo Lim surrendered to authorities after an armored personnel carrier rammed into the lobby of the hotel. Director Geary Barias declared that the standoff at the Manila Peninsula Hotel is over as Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim along with other junior officers agreed to leave the hotel and surrender to Barias after the 6 hour siege. There was difficulty getting out for a while due to the tear gas that was covering the area where they were hiding. Days after the mutiny, the Makati Regional Trial Court dismissed the rebellion charges against all 14 civilians involved in the siege, and ordered their release.
National Broadband Network Scandal The
Philippine National Broadband Network controversy is a political affair that centers upon allegations of corruption primarily involving Former
Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Chairman
Benjamin Abalos, First Gentleman
Mike Arroyo and President
Gloria Macapagal Arroyo regarding the proposed government-managed National Broadband Network (NBN) for the Philippines and the awarding of its construction to the Chinese firm
Zhong Xing Telecommunication Equipment Company Limited (ZTE), a telecommunications and networking equipment provider. The issue has captivated Filipino politics since it erupted in Philippine media around August 2007, largely through the articles of newspaper columnist
Jarius Bondoc of the
Philippine Star. It has also taken an interesting turn of events, including the resignation of Abalos as COMELEC chairman, the alleged bribery of congressmen and provincial governors (dubbed as "Bribery in the Palace"), the unseating of
Jose de Venecia, Jr. as House Speaker, and the alleged "kidnapping" of designated National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) consultant-turned-NBN/ZTE witness
Rodolfo Noel "Jun" Lozada, Jr.
The Spratly Islands Joint Exploration Agreement In connection to the
Philippine National Broadband Network controversy, The
Joint Marine Seismic Undertaking (
JMSU) is a tripartite agreement between the Philippines, China and Vietnam to conduct seismic exploration in an area spanning 142,886 square kilometers west of
Palawan. More specifically, it is an agreement between
Philippine National Oil Company -Exploration Corporation (PNOC-EC),
China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) and
Vietnam Oil and Gas Corporation (PetroVietnam), that was signed in September 2004 and took effect in July 2005. JMSU has already finished the first phase of the seismic exploration which lasted from September 1 to November 16, 2006, covering 11,000 line kilometers. A Chinese vessel conducted the survey, Vietnam processed the data gathered and this was interpreted by PNOC-EC in
Manila. The second phase started in October 2007, covering 11,800 line kilometers. It was supposed to end January 2008.
Charter Change Early in 2008, a
proposal towards
federalism was raised from both members of the Senate and the House of Representatives led by Senator
Aquilino Pimentel, Jr. This however was later not pushed through due to
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo personally backing the proposal. Later on, allies of President Arroyo successfully passed
House Resolution 1109 on June 2, 2009, by
viva voce in a move to shift the government from the current
presidential to
parliamentary. All amendments would have needed the approval of three-fourths approval of Congress. The resolution was later shelved by the Senate as it has objected it being passed and due to public outcry towards it. ==Sessions==