AUGUST 23-29, 2025 Volume 36 - No. 34 • 2 Sections – 16 Pages
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‘Flooded gates of corruption’: Senate, COA, BIR DATELINE USA probe ‘ghost projects’ in flood-control spending 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 hold-
BIR joins Senate and COA in investigating contractors as undeclared income, uniform pricing, and unfinished flood works raise red flags by AJPress
MANILA — The government’s investigation into alleged corruption in flood-control projects has expanded on multiple fronts, with the Commission on
The widening inquiry follows disclosures by the Audit (COA) conducting a fraud audit in Bulacan, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) opening a tax Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) compliance probe into contractors, and the Senate that some projects in Bulacan appear to be “ghosts,” Blue Ribbon Committee issuing subpoenas after and a personal inspection by President Ferdinand several firms skipped its hearings. u PAGE A2
Senate pushes forward on drug-testing program; Lawmakers join in, Padilla bill faces legal hurdles 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 non-
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WET WEEKEND. Pedestrians brave almost knee-deep flood at the corner of Taft Avenue and United Nations Avenue in Ermita, Manila on Friday, August 22. A low-pressure area east of Aurora has developed into Tropical Depression Isang. PNA photo by Yancy Lim
MANILA — Momentum is building in the Senate to enforce drug-testing measures following reports of alleged marijuana use inside the chamber. Senate leaders have confirmed the rollout of a mandatory random drug-testing program, while several senators have voluntarily undergone tests with their staff. Parallel legislative proposals from Sen. Robin Padilla and Sen. Raffy Tulfo have added a legal dimension to the debate, with Malacañang warning against potential constitutional conflicts. Escudero confirms rollout Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero said the Senate will revive its Mandatory Random Drug Testing (MRDT)program this Congress. The chamber signed an agreement with the East Avenue Medical Center in March 2025 to conduct the tests, which will cover senators, officials, and employees. Escudero noted that u PAGE A2
SC ruling on Ampatuan kin renews focus on Maguindanao massacre
Supreme Court affirms acquittal of Datu Akmad “Tato” Ampatuan Sr. in the Maguindanao massacre case, as families of 58 victims continue to seek full justice by AJPress
MANILA – The Supreme Court has affirmed the acquittal of Datu Akmad “Tato” Ampatuan Sr., a son-in-law of the late clan patriarch Andal Ampatuan Sr., in connection with the 2009 Maguindanao massacre, the Philippines’ deadliest elec-
tion-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 conu PAGE A2
Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto
Inquirer.net photo
Tulfo: Anti-dynasty bills face uphill Conflicting claims cloud Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto alleges Discayas’ battle as many lawmakers are relatives Quiboloy extradition request interviews with Korina Sanchez, Julius by AJPress 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 Congress to pass an enabling law to define and enforce the ban. To date, no nationu PAGE A3
by AJPress
both the DOJ and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) denied MANILA — Conflicting state- receiving any such request. DOJ ments between Philippine offi- spokesperson Mico Clavano emcials and the country’s ambassa- phasized that all extradition redor to Washington have fueled quests must first pass through uncertainty over the status of an the DFA before reaching the DOJ. American extradition request for DFA officials likewise said they detained televangelist Apollo C. had not received the papers. The U.S. Department of Justice Quiboloy, founder of the Kinghas not issued a press release dom of Jesus Christ (KOJC). Philippine Ambassador to on the matter and declined to the United States Jose Manuel comment when asked by Philip“Babe” Romualdez told reporters pine media. No public statement that the U.S. government trans- from the U.S. Embassy in Manila mitted extradition documents has appeared in major outlets as in June 2025 and that the papers of August 22, 2025, and no official were already with the Depart- filings or court documents have ment of Justice (DOJ). However, u PAGE A4
Babao were paid; journalists deny claim by Nick Garcia Inquirer.net
Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto called out veteran journalists who interviewed contractors entering politics, supposedly in exchange for millions of pesos, amid the hot topic of corruption in flood control projects. In a Facebook post on Aug. 21, Sotto shared screenshots of Curlee and Sarah Discaya being interviewed by Korina Sanchez and Julius Babao in their respective programs. The Discayas are linked with companies that have projects with the Department
of Public Works and Highways, including Alpha and Omega Gen. Contractor & Development Corporation, St. Timothy Construction, and St. Gerrard Construction General Contractor and Development Corporation. (Sarah also ran against Sotto in the midterm elections but lost by a landslide.) In Babao's interview titled "EXCLUSIVE! ATE SARAH AT KUYA CURLEE, DATING MAHIRAP NA NAGING BILYONARYO!" posted on his Julius Babao UNPLUGGED YouTube channel on Sept. 17, 2024, he asked the Disu PAGE A4