Latest Trends and Issues Flashcards (September 2026)

Vocabulary flashcards covering major current events, legal definitions, military exercises, and international updates as of September 2026.

Sara Duterte Impeachment Trial

The legal proceeding following the impeachment of VP Sara Duterte by the House of Representatives on May 11, 2026, over alleged misuse of ₱612.5M in confidential and intelligence funds at the Office of the VP and DepEd.

Francis "Chiz" Escudero

The Senate President serving as the presiding officer of the Senate impeachment court during the trial of VP Sara Duterte.

Gina Acosta

Ex-OVP disbursing officer who testified that VP Sara Duterte ordered the release of ₱500M in confidential funds (2022–23) to Col. Raymund Lachica.

Raymund Lachica

The Colonel to whom ex-OVP disbursing officer Gina Acosta testified VP Sara Duterte ordered the release of ₱500M in confidential funds.

Ghost Project

A project that was paid for but never actually built.

Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI)

A body created by Pres. Marcos to investigate DPWH and members of Congress implicated for kickbacks in the ₱545B flood-control projects scandal.

Zaldy Co

Former Representative and key suspect in the flood control projects scandal who fled abroad.

Martin Romualdez

Former Speaker of the House facing a non-bailable plunder case linked to the flood control projects scandal.

Jinggoy Estrada

Senator facing plunder/graft cases in connection with the massive flood control projects scandal.

Balikatan

The largest annual Philippines–U.S. military exercise, translated as "shoulder-to-shoulder".

41st Balikatan Exercises

The largest iteration of Balikatan (April 20 – May 8, 2026) involving 17,000–18,000 troops across 7 nations (PH, US, Australia, Japan, Canada, France, New Zealand).

Samuel Paparo

US Indo-Pacom Admiral who characterized Balikatan 2026 as a "full-scale multinational mission rehearsal for the defense of the Philippines."

1951 Mutual Defense Treaty

The long-standing treaty between the Philippines and the U.S. that serves as the basis for their annual military training exercises.

RA 9344

The Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006 (amended by RA 10630 in 2013), which establishes that children 15 years old and below hold no criminal liability.

Child in Conflict with the Law (CICL)

A child who is alleged, accused, or adjudged to have committed an offense under Philippine juvenile justice laws.

Bahay Pag-asa

A 24-hour child-caring institution established, funded, and managed by LGUs and licensed/accredited NGOs providing short-term residential care for Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL).

Pax Silica

A U.S.-led economic-security coalition for the AI era focused on securing "trusted" supply chains for semiconductors, AI compute, and critical minerals.

Economic Security Zone

A 4,000-acre zone in the Luzon Economic Corridor announced by the US and PH under Pax Silica, criticized by local farmers and green groups over land use and sovereignty.

Langtang Lirung

The mountain where an Aug. 26, 2026 glacier collapse triggered devastating flash floods and debris flows down the Trishuli River.

Trishuli River

The river along which catastrophic flash floods and debris flows traveled after the Langtang Lirung glacier collapse in 2026.

Correct the Map Resolution

A UN General Assembly resolution adopted on Sept. 4, 2026, endorsing the Equal Earth projection over the Mercator projection.

Mercator Projection

A flat rectangular map projection created by Gerardus Mercator in 1569 that exaggerates the size of areas near the poles while shrinking areas near the equator like Africa.

Equal Earth Projection

A world map projection endorsed by the UN General Assembly in 2026 to accurately depict the true relative sizes of continents, including Africa.