Good morning. It’s Wednesday, June 11.
Today we’ve got: impeachment drama heating up, a state of calamity over a crumbling bridge, and a look at global tension from US–China trade talks to a tragic school shooting in Austria.

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Who Can Be Impeached?

Only a few officials fall under this rule:

Other government employees can be removed, but through different legal means — not impeachment.

What Are the Grounds?

Impeachment applies to grave offenses like:

These aren’t just administrative mistakes — they’re serious violations of public duty.

The Process in a Nutshell

Officials can’t be impeached more than once per year.

A Timely Reminder: The VP Sara Duterte Case

In June 2025, the Senate convened for an impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, based on charges including alleged misuse of confidential funds. But rather than proceeding to trial, the Senate voted to return the case to the House — citing constitutional concerns.

This move drew strong public reaction. Critics called it a delay tactic. Supporters said it was about proper procedure.

Here’s what’s important to understand:

Why Impeachment Matters

It’s a rare but powerful tool — meant to check abuse of power at the highest levels. But its effectiveness depends on whether it’s used fairly, not as a political weapon or shield.

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The region is now officially under a year-long state of calamity. On June 5, President Marcos signed Proclamation 920 to fast-track repairs on the San Juanico Bridge — the iconic 2.16-kilometer link between Samar and Leyte — after it was found to be in “critical condition.” The bridge is now under a 3-ton weight limit, grounding most trucks and crippling regional supply routes.

The proclamation unlocks emergency funds and mobilizes national and local agencies (plus the AFP) to speed up repairs. DPWH has orders to move fast; Budget gets the bill.

Senate hits pause on Duterte impeachment drama—sends it back to sender. Just hours into the historic impeachment trial of VP Sara Duterte, the Philippine Senate hit the brakes. On June 10, senators voted to toss the complaint back to the House of Representatives, asking for clarity on whether it’s even constitutional—and whether the Lower House is actually prepared to go all in on the case. Until then, trial adjourned.

Duterte, accused of everything from shady budgets to threatening the First Couple, denies all charges and claims the whole thing is a political hit job. If convicted, she’s banned from ever running again—bye-bye, 2028.

Marcos taps his first Supreme Court justice — an Ilocano insider. After three years in office, President Bongbong Marcos finally got to make his first mark on the Supreme Court. His pick? Court Administrator Raul Villanueva, a veteran judiciary insider and fellow Ilocano, now officially Associate Justice of the Supreme Court as of June 9. Villanueva replaces Justice Mario Lopez, who hit the SC’s retirement age last week.

This appointment breaks a 12–3 court dominated by Duterte picks. Marcos’ real reshaping power comes in 2026 when he gets to name the next chief justice.

Trade negotiators from the US and China resumed high-stakes talks in London Tuesday, aiming to stabilize a fragile tariff truce. While both sides praised Monday’s progress, rare earth exports remain the flashpoint. The US accuses Beijing of dragging its feet on releasing critical minerals despite prior commitments. In exchange, China wants tech export curbs eased and better access for Chinese firms. Trump says he’s getting “good reports,” but analysts warn: without real concessions, this trade “handshake” may end in a finger wag.

Meanwhile, ​​China’s exports to US nosedive 35%, but Southeast Asia picks up the slack.

China’s exports to the US fell 35% in May—just $28.8B vs. $44B a year ago—dragging overall export growth down to 4.8% (from 8.1% in April). Imports also shrank 3.4%, and domestic demand looks weak: consumer prices dipped 0.1%, and producer prices dropped 3.3%. But exports to Southeast Asia and the EU surged double digits, cushioning the blow. A fresh round of US-China trade talks kicks off in London this week—outcomes TBD.

Austria school shooting death toll now 11 after another victim dies.

Austria is mourning its deadliest school shooting after another victim died in hospital Tuesday, bringing the death toll to 11. The 21-year-old gunman — a former student — opened fire at a school in Graz before taking his own life. Most of the victims were students. Police say he acted alone, using legally owned firearms.Three days of mourning have been declared. Flags are at half-mast, and a minute of silence is set for Wednesday.

Japan’s economy teeters on recession edge as trade and spending stall.

Japan’s Q1 GDP shrank a revised 0.2% annualized—less than the earlier 0.7% drop, but still flat. Weak exports wiped out gains from a slight rise in consumer spending (+0.1%) and capital expenditure (+1.1%). With trade tensions lingering and household spending still limp, economists now see a real risk of technical recession in Q2. That could delay any Bank of Japan rate hike to early 2026.

At WWDC25, Apple gave the iPad its biggest glow-up in years. iPadOS 26 is sleek, powerful, and finally feels like it’s auditioning for a full-time desktop job.

From “overgrown iPhone” to multitasking monster
The iPad's had a long identity crisis—too powerful for Netflix, too awkward for Excel. But iPadOS 26 might finally settle the debate.

Here’s what made the cut:

Zoom out: Why now?
iPad sales have stalled. Apple needs the iPad to be more than a media couch buddy. With this update, it’s making a stronger case to professionals, students, and creatives.

But... where’s the AI fireworks?
Despite the Apple Intelligence push, there’s still no ChatGPT-level assistant in sight. Siri’s big upgrade is still missing in action, and Apple’s AI race with Google, Meta, and Microsoft looks more like a light jog.

Quick take: iPadOS 26 is the iPad’s coming-of-age movie. Finally smart, stylish, and ready to work. Siri, though? Still in summer school.

Tiny Pacemaker Melts Away After Healing Your Heart

Imagine a pacemaker so small it could sit on your fingernail—and then disappear. That’s exactly what John Rogers, PhD, and his team at Northwestern University are building: a bioresorbable, wireless pacemaker the size of a grain of rice.

Traditional pacemakers require wires and removal surgery. This one dissolves in the body after use, slashing complication risks. Made for post-surgery pacing, especially in kids, it’s being designed to sync multiple heart points for more natural rhythms.

Tinder’s New Height Filter Sparks Tall Drama

Tinder is testing a premium “height preference” feature, letting paid users subtly nudge the algorithm toward matches of a specific stature. It’s not a hard block, but short men on social media are already declaring defeat: “It’s over for short kings.”

Others see it as harmless efficiency. Still, critics argue it reinforces superficial dating norms.Reminder: Hinge already does this.

E-cigarette or Vaping Product Use-Associated Lung Injury (EVALI):

This is a severe, acute or subacute respiratory illness that was first identified in 2019. It can be fatal and has led to thousands of hospitalizations. While the exact cause can vary, vitamin E acetate, a thickening agent found in some THC-containing vaping products, has been strongly linked to many EVALI cases. Symptoms often include shortness of breath, fever, cough, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, and chest pain.

MWS is prepping for what could be the Philippines’ biggest IPO ever, aiming to raise up to $880.1M. The Metro Manila utility is currently testing investor appetite in pre-marketing talks, with a formal offer period set for June 25 to July 2. Proceeds will bankroll a government-approved capex plan focused on water and sewage upgrades. If successful, Maynilad could beat Monde Nissin’s 2021 IPO record of $870M.

BPI’s SINAG Bonds Raise ₱40B — and a Few Eyebrows (in a good way)

BPI just closed its biggest peso bond sale ever, raising ₱40B from its SINAG (Supporting Inclusion, Nature, and Growth) Bonds. The 1.5-year sustainability-linked notes pay 5.85% annually and sold out fast — demand outpaced supply, but BPI capped it to avoid greenwashing. Proceeds will fund clean energy, MSMEs, and housing projects. Next up: a ₱33.7B SEED Bond refinance in 2026.

RCBC to raise ₱3B in sustainability bonds — again

RCBC is back with another sustainability bond offer — its 8th from a ₱200B program. This time, the bank’s eyeing at least ₱3B through peso-denominated bonds maturing in 2.5 years. The funds will go to green and social projects under its Sustainable Finance Framework. So far, RCBC has funded over 18,000 projects, from renewable power (944 MW) to electric trains. Offer runs June 25 to July 9, with listing set for July 17.

Don't Just Work Abroad — Build Your Life Plan

Most OFWs dream of giving their families a better life. But too often, that dream stops at sending money home and working until retirement. What if you could do more — starting now?

Thanks to the internet, OFWs today have more options than ever. You can start a side hustle or even run a small business remotely. From dropshipping to digital services, many income streams don’t need your physical presence. And if you’re not the business type, you can still invest — but only if you understand what you're putting your money into.

Scams are everywhere, and many prey on OFWs looking for high returns. Here’s the golden rule: never invest in something you don’t understand. If the only thing you know about an investment is the promised return, that’s not investing — that’s gambling.

Of course, there’s nothing wrong with loving your job abroad. But even if you plan to stay employed long-term, building an additional income stream is your safety net. Jobs can end. Emergencies happen. A small side income can make a big difference in bad times — and help you build wealth in good times.

Yes, life as an OFW is demanding. There’s barely time to rest, let alone plan a second career. But this is doable. Some of our own PesoWeekly team members, who were once full-time freelancers or OFWs, now work part-time thanks to a few smart investments they made. It didn’t happen overnight — but it started with a plan.

Here are 5 steps to get started:

At PesoWeekly, we’re here to help you stay sharp and make informed choices — so you can stop just working abroad and start building something that lasts.

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