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A landmark partnership among Congress, government agencies, the city government of Muntinlupa and the private sector formally launched the country’s first Women and Children’s Crisis Center on Aug. 3 at The Haven for Women Compound in Alabang, Muntinlupa.

The pioneering initiative underscores President Marcos’ priority to strengthen mental health services, as highlighted in his State of the Nation Address, while expanding protection and holistic support for vulnerable sector members.

The center is spearheaded by Pangasinan 4th District Rep. Gina de Venecia and Bulacan 4th District Rep. Linabelle Villarica, co-presidents of the Association of Women Legislators Foundation, Inc., together with project chairperson Bukidnon 3rd District Rep. Audrey Zubiri and the Lady Legislators of the House of Representatives of the 20th Congress, in partnership with the Senate.

Joining the collaboration are the Department of Social Welfare and Development led by Secretary Rex Gatchalian, the Department of Health under Secretary Brix Pujalte, the Department of Public Works and Highways led by Secretary Vince Dizon, the Congressional Spouses Foundation Inc. headed by Ann Dy and the local government of Muntinlupa under Mayor Ruffy Biazon.

Once operational, the center will provide integrated psychiatric and psychological care, crisis intervention, trauma-informed treatment, rehabilitation and recovery programs in a safe, healing and dignified environment.

The facility was designed by Archion Architects, led by renowned architect Dan Lichauco, whose portfolio includes major health care projects such as the Philippine General Hospital Felicidad Sy Multi-Specialty Building, the Asian Hospital and Medical Center Tower 2 Expansion, the National Children’s Hospital and the Overseas Filipino Workers’ Hospital in Pampanga.

De Venecia underscored the importance of the project, saying, ‘Mental health is a fundamental human right, and every Filipina deserves access to compassionate, dignified and world-class care during her most vulnerable moments.’

She added, ‘This Women and Children’s Crisis Center embodies our collective commitment to protect women, restore hope, strengthen families and ensure that no woman faces mental health challenges or crisis alone.’

Emphasizing the long-term impact of the initiative, Villarica stated, ‘Beyond providing immediate refuge, our goal is to offer a comprehensive sanctuary where survivors receive the full spectrum of care they need to heal and rebuild their lives.’

‘Through this multi-sectoral endeavor, we are setting a new benchmark for public care and legislative action in defense of women and children,’ she added.

Construction will proceed at The Haven for Women compound in Alabang, with targeted completion in 2027.

Beyond serving Metro Manila, the project is envisioned as a national model for similar centers to be replicated across the regions, expanding access to specialized mental health and rehabilitation services nationwide.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has approved the inclusion of a sworn declaration of conflict of interest in the certificate of candidacy (COC), requiring candidates to comply with existing laws that prohibit financial interests that may affect the performance of their public duties.

In a memorandum dated Aug. 4, the Comelec approved the recommendation of its Law Department during its July 24 referendum to include the declaration in the COC.

The new undertaking states that candidates, once elected, should comply with the provisions under Republic Acts 3019, the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and 6713, the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

Candidates should declare that they will observe the prohibition against having direct or indirect financial or pecuniary interests in any business, contract or transaction that may be affected by the performance of their official duties.

‘These are not new conditions imposed for purposes of candidacy,’ the poll body’s Law Department said.

The department said the declaration aims to promote transparency and ensure that candidates are placed on record regarding financial interests that may affect the discharge of their responsibilities if elected.

The Comelec cited its authority under Section 52(g) of the Omnibus Election Code, which allows the commission to prescribe election forms, as the basis for adding the declaration in the COC.

Filipino boutique airline Sunlight Air is celebrating its seventh anniversary by opening a new route to Tablas, Romblon later this month.

Beginning August 11, the airline will fly to Tablas from Clark International Airport every Tuesday and Saturday with an introductory one-way base fare of P1,899.

The aircraft assigned to this route will be Sunlight’s ATR 72-500 and ATR 72-600s given the small runways in Romblon.

Tablas is the largest of the province’s three main islands after the islands of Romblon and Sibuyan. It is an ideal alternative to nearby Boracay, which the airline also flies to from Clark and Cebu.

Romblon is popularly known as the country’s Marble Capital because of its rich marble deposits and artisans skilled in carving them.

The province is also famous for its beaches like Binucot Beach on Tablas Island and Bon Bon Beach in Romblon Island, the latter which figured on last year’s “World’s 50 Best Beaches” list.

Bon Bon Beach is described as a “laid-back paradise… admired for its unique natural sandbar that stretches out to Bangug Island.”

“The sand is fine and white, while the water is incredibly clear, providing lovely swimming conditions without big waves,” a write-up said. “As a lesser-known destination, Bon Bon Beach offers a quiet retreat compared to more tourist-heavy spots, so much so that often you could have this beach all to yourself.”

Romblon is a growing snorkeling and dive sites with spots like Three P House Reef, Bonbon Sea Grass Valley, and White Rock Reef.

Other locations to visit are unique rock formations in Lapus-Lapus Beach and Cove Aurelio Beach, as well as saltwater lagoon Tinagong Dagat, all found on Calatrava Island.

No, the Bank Secrecy Law does not cover impeachment proceedings. Impeachment cases are an explicit, direct exception where financial records can be examined. In other words, a respondent in an impeachment proceeding cannot invoke the Bank Secrecy Law as a justification for refusal to divulge bank transactions. The precedents in the Estrada and Corona proceedings are apropos and controlling.

It is true that Republic Act 1405, otherwise known as the Bank Secrecy Law, generally provides that all bank deposits are confidential. But Section 2 of the law states that bank deposits can be looked into “in cases of impeachment” without violating the rule on bank secrecy. The impeachment court has the plenary power to issue subpoena duces tecum to compel the production of bank deposits records. The impeachment court can also issue subpoena ad testificandum to compel bank officials and personnel to testify on said documents.

Under Republic Act 6426, however, unlike peso accounts, foreign currency deposits do not carry an automatic impeachment exception. And so, to clarify, the general rule is: bank deposits are confidential. Exception to the rule is when the impeachment court issues a subpoena. Exception to the exception is any record pertaining to dollar accounts. Thus, the option for dishonest public officials is to keep dollars instead of peso accounts

Section 2 of the Bank Secrecy Law provides: “All deposits of whatever nature with banks or banking institutions in the Philippines including investments in bonds issued by the Government of the Philippines, its political subdivisions and instrumentalities are hereby considered as absolutely confidential and may not be examined, inquired or looked into by any person, government official, bureau or office.’ That is the general rule.

But take note that the same section provides for a very specific exception: “except upon written permission of the depositor or in cases of impeachment, or upon order of a competent court, in cases of bribery or dereliction of duty of public officials, or in cases where the money deposited or invested is subject matter of the litigation.’ That is why the lawyers for the defense, including the pro-defense senators, cannot shield the vice president from the compulsory powers of the impeachment court.

The Supreme Court ruled in the case of Philippine National Bank vs Gancayco that anti-graft laws (R.A. No. 3019) allow looking into bank accounts for unexplained wealth, treating it similarly to bribery or dereliction of duty. The Anti Money Laundering Council by virtue R A 9160,, can check accounts with a court order upon finding probable cause, or without a court order for specific crimes like kidnapping or terrorism

The Office of the Ombudsman also holds statutory and court-affirmed powers to issue subpoenas and look at bank records when investigating pending multi-agency or public corruption cases. All these were enunciated in the case of People of the Philippines vs Lt Col George A. Rabusa: As the present proceedings on unexplained wealth are now encompassed within the exceptions of R.A. No. 1405, the court orders subject of this case clearly fall within the orders that would enable the examination of the respondents’ bank accounts as contemplated in the first exception

The High Court concluded in Rabusa: As a final point, this Court recognizes the difficulty in prosecuting a case for corruption, especially when it involves recovering what rightfully belongs to the government and the Republic from the hands of no less than a public official. While petitioner must be commended for its efforts to hold Rabusa accountable for his alleged unexplained wealth and unlawfully acquired properties, it must concede to the judiciary to make a just and complete disposition of the case by adhering to the standards of evidence carved out especially for cases under R.A. No. 1379.

Therefore, the vice president’s area of maneuver has been limited by the forces of these laws. Let the bank records be opened and let the truth unmask all those who seek to hide under the mantle of secrecy, especially those who took solemn oaths of full accountability.