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Volume 37 - No. 33 • 12 Pages
AUGUST 14 - 20, 2026 info@asianjournalinc.com • Tel: (818) 937-9981 • (818) 937-9982 • (213) 250-9797 • 611 North Brand Blvd., Suite 1300, Glendale, CA 91203
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Marcos administration proposes P7.2-trillion DATELINE USA Trump administration 2027 budget as economy seeks stronger growth FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
says Medicaid financing changes could curb health costs
WASHINGTON – The Trump administration says new restrictions on two Medicaid financing mechanisms could reduce federal spending and ease health-care costs, while hospitals and states prepare for tighter limits. An HHS analysis projects that changes involving Medicaid provider taxes and state-directed payments could reduce prices outside Medicaid by as much as 3.5 percent in affected markets. The estimate is a projection, not a measured result. The restrictions were enacted in Public Law 119-21, signed July 4, 2025. CMS is implementing the law and has proposed additional regulations. Medicaid is jointly financed by the federal government and states. States may use qualifying taxes on hospitals and other providers to finance their share of Medicaid costs and obtain federal matching funds. CMS says 49 states and the District of Columbia use at least one health-care-related tax. u PAGE 3
Military-family detentions draw scrutiny as immigration enforcement expands WASHINGTON — The federal government’s immigration enforcement campaign has reached families of active-duty U.S. service members, drawing congressional scrutiny over how immigration law is being applied. An Associated Press investigation identified at least 52 spouses and parents of active-duty service members detained by immigration authorities since President Donald Trump returned to office in January 2025. AP reported that at least six had been deported, one left the United States voluntarily and at least eight remained in federal custody. The Department of Homeland Security said it does not maintain a comprehensive count, making the AP figure an independently compiled tally rather than an official government statistic. u PAGE 3
Education, health and infrastructure remain major priorities as Congress begins scrutiny of spending plan by AJPress MANILA — The Marcos administration has proposed a P7.2-trillion national budget for 2027, in-
creasing government spending as the Philippine economy confronts slower growth, elevated inflation and continuing pressure to strengthen oversight of public funds. The Department of Budget and Management for-
Ramon Ang acquires 25.68% of Lopez Inc. Crème Investment, after selling its Lopez Inc. stake, joins two other Lopez family vehicles in committing fresh capital directly to ABS-CBN by AJPress
DBM submits 2027 peoplecentered budget to Congress, highlighting education, health, and jobs at the core of the Marcos Administration’s final fullyear spending plan. President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Budget Acting Secretary Kim Robert de Leon lead the presentation. DBM Photo
The family of Filipino American community advocate Christina Pasion is calling for her release from Philippine custody, disputing government allegations linking the 27-year-old Maryland resident to the country’s communist insurgency. Pasion, an American citizen, was taken into custody July 30 in Cabuyao City, Laguna, during an operation in which authorities arrested Binay Serrano on a murder warrant. Philippine security officials allege Serrano is a member of the New People’s Army. Pasion was with Serrano but was not identified as the subject of the warrant.
MANILA — Businessman Ramon S. Ang has acquired a 25.68 percent stake in Lopez Inc. from the family branch of former ABS-CBN chairman Eugenio “Gabby” Lopez III, while ABS-CBN Corp. has separately lined up P6 billion in new equity commitments to strengthen its finances. San Miguel Corp. disclosed that Ang, its chairman and chief executive officer, made the investment in his personal capacity through Illumina Investment Holdings, Inc., a company he wholly owns. The filing said Ang executed a Deed of Assignment covering 25.68 percent of Lopez Inc.’s outstanding shares registered to Crème Investment Corp. The transaction was not an acquisition by San Miguel, and the disclosed documents did not state the purchase price. Ang has said the other Lopez family branches retain the controlling majority of Lopez Inc. u PAGE 2
Ex-DPWH chief says P24-billion fund COA findings face scrutiny in backed senators’ priority projects Duterte impeachment trial Bonoan tells anti-graft court each senator was allotted at least P500 million for infrastructure proposals; Zubiri disputes account of his role by AJPress MANILA — Former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan testified Wednesday that all senators serving in 2024 were allotted at least P500 million each in infrastructure projects under what he described as a
P24-billion DPWH “leadership fund” for the 2025 budget. Bonoan told the Sandiganbayan’s Third Division that allocations could rise to about P1 billion for senators heading major committees. He said then-Senate President Juan u PAGE 2
She was later turned over to the Bureau of Immigration. The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict alleges that Pasion had contact with people linked to NPA activities in Mindoro. The task force cited handwritten notes, field reports and other materials from military operations as grounds for investigation. It said the allegations remain subject to due process and legal proceedings. Pasion’s family and supporters reject the government’s characterization. They say she traveled to the Philippines in December 2025 through a migrant advocacy exposure program to learn about conditions affecting farmu PAGE 3
State auditor defends findings covering P448.3 million in OVP spending as defense challenges documentation, recipient identities and audit standards by AJPress
MANILA — The Senate impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte turned this week to evidence behind disputed confidential-fund transactions, as a Commission on Audit (COA) witness defended findings covering P448.287 million in OVP spending and defense lawyers their basis. OCTA survey shows a 45%-42% split between challenged Proceedings on Article I resumed Tuesday, Aug. 11, after possible president-vice president pairings, Monday’s hearing was canceled with the difference falling within the poll’s by heavy rains. The article accuses Duterte of impeachable margin of error offenses arising from alleged Raffy Tulfo for vice president. A systematic misappropriation and by AJPress pairing of Vice President Sara irregular liquidation of P500 milMANILA — Two possible Duterte for president and Sen. lion in OVP confidential funds 2028 tandems featuring some of Imee Marcos for vice president and P112.5 million released to the Department of Education the Philippines’ most prominent drew 42%. The three-point difference while she was education secrepolitical figures are virtually tied, according to a new OCTA falls within the survey’s plus- tary. Duterte denies wrongdoing. COA auditor Xylene Mae del Research survey that found no or-minus 3 percentage-point statistically clear nationwide ad- national margin of error. OCTA Campo testified that P73.287 described the result as a statis- million of the OVP’s P125-milvantage for either pairing. lion confidential fund for 2022 The July Tugon ng Masa sur- tical tie. Another 8% chose neither had been disallowed and that vey found 45% of respondents choosing Naga City Mayor Leni pairing, 4% were undecided COA had issued notices of disu PAGE 3 allowance covering P375 million Robredo for president and Sen.
Family seeks release of detained Fil- Leni-Raffy, Sara-Imee tandems Am Christina Pasion in Philippines virtually tied in 2028 poll by AJPress
mally transmitted the proposed National Expenditure Program to Congress on Tuesday, Aug. 11. The spending plan is 6% larger than the 2026 national budget and equivalent to about 21.7% of projected u PAGE 2
in OVP confidential funds for the first three quarters of 2023. For 2022, Del Campo said auditors found insufficient documentation for some payments and purchases, including records for activities that occurred before the OVP received the cash advance on Dec. 21. She said earlier expenses could not be charged against the later release. On the 2023 funds, Del Campo cited earlier House testimony by former OVP special disbursing officer Gina Acosta that she turned over disbursement duties to security chief Col. Raymund Dante Lachica. Presiding officer Francis Escudero, however, noted that Acosta was explicit about the fourth quarter of 2022 but less clear about whether the same arrangement covered the first three quarters of 2023. Cross-examination Wednesday also tested acknowledgment receipts bearing unusual names. Asked whether an odd-sounding name meant a recipient was fictitious, Del Campo said she u PAGE 2