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Volume 24 - No. 34 • 12 Pages
T h e F i l i p i n o A m e r i ca n C o m mu n i t y N e ws pa p e r
Volume 18 - No. 17 • 2 Sections – 16 Pages
August 22-28, 2025
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Senate pushes random drug testing after marijuana allegation; DATELINE USA Padilla’s annual testing bill faces constitutional hurdles Trump’s war on from the AJPress NEWS TEAM across America
mail-in ballots meets the limits of law
WASHINGTON— Standing before cameras on August 18, President Donald J. Trump vowed to “end mail-in ballots and get rid of these machines” before the 2026 midterms. The promise drew cheers from supporters, but within hours constitutional lawyers and election officials reminded the nation that a president cannot simply outlaw mail voting with the stroke of a pen. The announcement did not come in isolation. Back in March, Trump signed Executive Order 14248, formally titled Preserving and Protecting the Integrity of American Elections. The order seeks to tighten the rules of the game—requiring proof of citizenship on federal registration forms, banning ballots that arrive after Election Day, and forcing a new round of certifications for voting machines. Even then, parts of the order were almost immediately blocked by federal courts. The legal fight The Constitution grants states the power to run their own elections, with Congress holding authority to set nationwide rules by
by AJPress
MANILA — Calls for stricter drug testing in the Senate gained traction this week following reports of alleged marijuana use inside the chamber, with leaders rallying behind mandatory random testing for senators, their staff, and employees. Sotto’s letter and Escudero’s response Senate Minority Leader Vicente “Tito” Sotto III formally wrote Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero urging the immediate enforcement of mandatory random drug testing. Sotto recalled that during his
term as Senate President in the 18th Congress, random testing for Senate officials and employees was already carried out, and he argued it should be reinstated to safeguard institutional integrity . Escudero confirmed that preparations are underway for the program in the 20th Congress. He explained that the Senate entered into a partnership with the East Avenue Medical Center in March 2025 to administer tests, and the rollout will proceed once employee rosters are finalized . Senators undergo tests The proposal immediately drew support:
Supreme Court affirms acquittal of Ampatuan Kin in Maguindanao massacre Clan’s legacy and whereabouts revisited by AJPress
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USCIS adds ‘anti-Americanism’ to immigration screening in discretionary cases WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. immigration authorities have introduced a new layer of scrutiny for certain applicants, directing officers to treat evidence of “anti-American” activity as a heavily negative factor when deciding whether to grant immigration benefits. On August 19, 2025, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced it has updated its Policy Manual to make “anti-American” ideologies or conduct an “overwhelmingly negative” factor in cases that require the agency to exercise discretion. The guidance took effect immediately and applies to both pending and new applications. What the policy covers The update applies to a wide range of immigration requests that require discretionary judgment. These include applications for adjustment of status, or green cards, as well as requests to extend or change certain nonimmigrant visas, such as F and M student u PAGE 4
NINOY DAY. A wreath from the National Historical Commission of the Philippines stands at the statue of former senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino at the People Power Monument at the corner of EDSA and White Plains Avenue in Quezon City on Thursday, August 21. In his message for the 42nd death anniversary of the late senator, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. urged Filipinos to draw lessons from history as a guide for leadership and citizenship, underscoring peace and unity. PNA photo by Ben Briones
Senator Erwin Tulfo Photo from Facebook/@erwintulforeal
MANILA — The Supreme Court has affirmed the acquittal of Datu Akmad “Tato” Ampatuan Sr., a sonin-law of the late clan patriarch Andal Ampatuan Sr., in connection with the 2009 Maguindanao massacre, the Philippines’ deadliest election-related attack that claimed 58 lives, including 32 journalists. In a ruling promulgated on January 27, 2025 and released publicly this week, the Court’s First Division stressed that mere agreement with a criminal plan absent an overt act is not enough to establish conspiracy. The justices further emphasized that the constitutional protection against double jeopardy makes an acquittal final and unassailable, unless issued with grave abuse of discretion. The decision leaves intact the earlier acquittals issued by the Quezon City Regional Trial Court in 2019 and affirmed by the Court of Appeals in 2021. The 2009 massacre On November 23, 2009, a convoy of journalists,
Ninoy Aquino’s assassination has more clarity now — Marcos by Jean Mangaluz Philstar.com
MANILA — In a rare statement on his family’s storied political rival, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said that time has allowed Filipinos to look at the late Senator Benigno Aquino Jr.’s death with more clarity. Marcos declined to comment on Aquino’s character directly, carefully wording his statement to focus on the holiday itself, which commemorates the
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anti-Martial Law figure’s assassination. “The commemoration of Ninoy Aquino Day brings to light a chapter in our nation's shared story that continues to echo across generations and public memory,” Marcos said in his statement. “The passage of time has allowed the country to approach this event with greater clarity and, therefore, with a deeper perspective. History invites reflection more than reaction and from that Televangelist Apollo Quiboloy Inquirer.net file photo reflection arises a clearer understanding u PAGE 2
US push to extradite Philippine Senate widens flood-control graft televangelist puts Manila in a bind
Tulfo: Anti-dynasty bills face uphill battle as many lawmakers are relatives inquiry; COA opens fraud audit as dpwh confirms ‘ghost projects’ AJP by
• Sen. Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri announced on August 16 that his entire office would undergo testing. On August 18, he and 35 staff members completed urine tests for marijuana, methamphetamine, ecstasy, opium, and cocaine . • Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva reiterated his backing of drug-testing initiatives, saying he was ready to be tested . • Sen. Raffy Tulfo said his staff would also participate. He added that anyone in his office who tests positive would be removed, and he himself would u PAGE 2
ress
MANILA — Senator Erwin Tulfo on Tuesday, August 19 said legislation against political dynasties will remain difficult to pass because many lawmakers in Congress are themselves members of political families. Tulfo made the remarks during the August 19 hearing of the Senate Committee on Electoral Reforms and People’s Participation. He noted that while the 1987 Constitution prohibits political dynasties, it requires u PAGE 4
by AJPress
that some projects in Bulacan appear to be non-existent. DPWH MANILA — The Senate’s Blue Secretary Manuel Bonoan told Ribbon Committee has intensified senators his office has been valits probe into alleged anomalies idating reports from the field, adin flood-control projects across mitting: “In all honesty… I think the country, issuing subpoenas to so,” when asked if ghost projects contractors that failed to attend exist. its opening hearing, while the Palace portal flags irregularCommission on Audit (COA) con- ities firmed that a special fraud audit The probe began after in Bulacan is already underway. President Ferdinand Marcos The inquiry follows disclosures Jr. launched the “Sumbong sa by the Department of Public Pangulo” portal on Aug. 11, which Works and Highways (DPWH) u PAGE 4
by AJPress MANILA — The United States has formally asked the Philippine government to extradite Apollo Carreon Quiboloy, a 75-yearold televangelist indicted on trafficking and fraud charges in California, Philippine Ambassador to Washington Jose Manuel “Babe” Romualdez confirmed this week. Romualdez told Inquirer. net that the extradition documents were transmitted in June to the Department of Justice in Manila. He said U.S. Ambassador MaryKay Carlson is expected to meet with Philippine Justice Secretary Crispin Remulla soon to
discuss the matter. The DOJ said it has no record of the documents on file. DOJ spokesperson Mico Clavano added that, under Philippine law, pending domestic criminal cases take precedence over extradition. Quiboloy has been detained in the Philippines since 2024 on separate human-trafficking charges. A preacher with political reach Quiboloy is the founder of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC), a Davao City based religious group that claims millions of followers worldwide. He has long exerted political influence, including ties to former Presiu PAGE 4