AUGUST 1 - 7, 2026
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Volume 37 - No. 31 • 14 Pages
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Marcos vows no family favors in floodForeclosure filings control cases, seeks tax and power relief rise as officials warn DATELINE USA FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
homeowners about deceptive rescue offers First-half activity increased 21 percent nationwide as agencies urged distressed borrowers to verify anyone promising mortgage relief
Fifth State of the Nation Address outlines proposed income-tax changes, lower electricity charges and expanded public services
by AJPress MANILA – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said
relatives and political allies would receive no special treatment in investigations of questioned flood-control projects as he used his fifth State of the Nation Address to seek tax relief, lower elec-
tricity charges and expanded public services. Speaking before a joint session of Congress at the Batasang Pambansa on Monday, July 27, Maru PAGE 2
Lawmakers move to restore SBA loans for businesses owned by green card holders
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. foreclosure filings increased during the first half of 2026, prompting warnings about businesses that promise to save homes in exchange for fees. A total of 227,548 properties received at least one foreclosure filing from January through June, up 21 percent from the same period in 2025 and 28 percent from two years earlier, according to ATTOM, a property-data company. The figure does not mean that 227,548 homes were repossessed. ATTOM’s count includes default notices, scheduled auctions and bank repossessions. California recorded filings on 21,543 properties, up nearly 13 percent from the first half of 2025, or about one in every 680 housing u PAGE 2
House and Senate resolutions target restrictions on the SBA’s 7(a) and 504 programs by AJPress WASHINGTON — Sen. Edward J. Markey of Massachusetts and Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez of New York introduced matching resolutions seeking to overturn Small Business Administration rules that bar businesses with any lawful permanent-resident ownership from new financing under the agency’s 7(a) and 504 programs. Markey introduced S.J. Res. 202 in the Senate, while Velázquez filed H.J. Res. 207 in the House on July 23. Both Democrats are the ranking members of their chambers’ small-business committees. As of July 30, congressional records showed no action beyond introduction and referral to those committees. Official records listed no committee hearing, markup or vote. Introduction itself does not alter eligibility. The resolutions invoke the Congressional Review u PAGE 2
Trump administration to end temporary Medicare Part D premium stabilization program after 2026 Revilla released on P1-million bail Estrada seeks bail in P573.75Prescription drug coverage million plunder case as flood control case proceeds will continue; final 2027 plan premiums are expected in September
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Trump administration will end a program limiting premium increases for stand-alone Medicare prescription drug plans. Its expiration could contribute to higher costs for some beneficiaries in 2027, although final premiums have not been released. The decision does not end Medicare Part u PAGE 3
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivers his 5th SONA at the Batasang Pambansa on Monday, July 27, 2026.
Photo by PCO
Sandiganbayan says prosecutors did not meet the evidentiary standard required to keep the former senator detained
Sandiganbayan must determine whether prosecution evidence is strong before deciding whether the detained senator may be released
by AJPress
MANILA — Former senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. was released from detention Friday after posting P1 million in cash bail in a malversation case linked to an alleged P92.8-million flood control project in
Pandi, Bulacan. The Sandiganbayan Third Division granted Revilla’s application in a 107-page resolution, ruling that prosecutors had not established that the evidence of his guilt was strong for purposes of bail. The charge is u PAGE 2
MANILA, Philippines. Sen. Jinggoy Estrada has asked the Sandiganbayan to grant him bail while he faces a plunder charge linked to alleged irregularities in Department of Public Works and Highways projects. Estrada filed the petition July 29 before the anti-graft court’s Fifth Division. His lawyers argued that the prosecution’s evidence is not strong enough to justify his continued detention while the case is tried. The Office of the Ombudsman alleges that Estrada and several former public works officials took part in a scheme involving budget by AJPress insertions, project allocations and MANILA — Sen. Panfilo Lac- proposed. No independent con- illicit payments tied to infrastrucson said Thursday that he re- firmation of the reported ap- ture projects for fiscal year 2025. jected an indirect proposal for proach had been made public as Prosecutors allege that Estrada a “ceasefire” after his office sub- of Thursday. accumulated or received P573.75 mitted documents and witness The statement intensified million through the arrangement. accounts to the Office of the Lacson’s dispute with Senate The accusations have not been Ombudsman concerning alleged Minority Leader Alan Peter proven in court. Estrada has deirregularities in government in- Cayetano over flood-control, nied wrongdoing, and all defenfrastructure projects in Taguig drainage and slope-protection dants are presumed innocent unCity. projects in Taguig. Lacson has less convicted beyond reasonable Lacson did not identify who sought to link Cayetano to some doubt. allegedly sought the truce, who of the questioned projects. CayIn his petition, Estrada disputed conveyed it or what terms were u PAGE 5 claims that he demanded or re-
Senate receives Duterte Lacson rejects reported truce as Taguig financial records as trial project allegations reach Ombudsman examines confidential funds Cayetano denies involvement; Former LandBank managers described P612.5 million in agency withdrawals as unusual but did not determine how the money was spent or whether any law was violated by AJPress MANILA — The Senate impeachment court received tax, bank and anti-money laundering records involving Vice President Sara Duterte and her husband on Thursday, July 30, as prosecutors continued presenting evidence over confidential funds. Senate Secretary and impeachment court clerk Renato Bantug Jr.
said six banks had complied with subpoenas: BDO Unibank, Philippine Savings Bank, Metropolitan Bank and Trust Co., Security Bank, Land Bank of the Philippines and Bank of the Philippine Islands. Other institutions requested time. The Anti-Money Laundering Council also delivered records. The materials had not yet been released to the House prosecution u PAGE 2
by AJPress
DPWH pledges cooperation as NBI and Senate reviews proceed
ceived commissions or kickbacks from then Public Works Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, directly or through intermediaries. He also denied seeking payments from Bulacan district engineer Henry Alcantara and rejected allegations that he conspired with former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan and other defendants. The filing followed a July 24 resolution denying Estrada’s earlier request for the court to immediately set a bail amount. The Fifth Division ruled that the motion was premature because the court had not yet determined whether the evidence of guilt was strong. The distinction is important. A motion to fix bail asks the court to set the amount and conditions of release. A formal bail petition in a case punishable by reclusion perpetua requires a hearing at which prosecutors must demonstrate that the evidence of guilt is strong. Plunder is punishable by reclusion perpetua, but the charge does not create an absolute prohibition against bail. Bail is not available as a matter of right, yet u PAGE 5