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Top PH, US security execs concerned over WPS tensions
GOV’T UPS BUDGET FOR SENIORS NEWS / A2
TINGOG BACKS BPSF MEASURE NEWS / A2
VOL. XXXVIII • NO. 188• 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 •THURSDAY, AUGUST 22, 2024 •
Marcos: Punish culprits who aided Guo's escape Interpol alerted of ex-mayor, her 2 siblings, associate
By Rex Espiritu, Rachelle Tonelada and Macon Ramos-Araneta MANILA and Washington’s National Security Advisers raised grave concerns over escalating tensions in the West Philippine Sea as Beijing steps up efforts to push its claims in the region. Philippine NSA Eduardo Año and US NSA Jake Sullivan exchanged information on the current maritime security situation in the region in a phone conversation Tuesday. Both security officials described Beijing’s recent acts as illegal, aggressive, and dangerous. Next page
By Charles Dantes, Joel E. Zurbano, Maricel V. Cruz and Macon RamosAraneta
P
RESIDENT Marcos vowed to fire and charge government officials complicit in the escape of dismissed Bamban Mayor Alice Guo, raising concern over corruption in the country’s judicial system. “Let me be clear: Heads will roll,” the President said. “The departure of Alice Guo has laid bare the corruption that undermines our judicial system and erodes public trust.” “We will expose the culprits who have betrayed the people’s trust and aided in her flight. A full-scale investigation is already underway, and those responsible will be suspended and held accountable to the fullest extent of the law,” he added. The Office of the President earlier ordered the Department of Justice and the Department of Foreign Affairs to proceed with the cancellation of the Philippine passports of Guo, her siblings Sheila and Wesley, and her business associate Cassandra Ong “There is no room in this government for anyone who places personal interest above serving the Filipino people with honor, integrity, and justice,” Mr. Marcos said. The DFA already alerted the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) about the Philippine passports of Guo, her siblings, and Ong for “appropriate action,” including whether these will be included in the organization’s blue or red list. The Bureau of Immigration on Tuesday said Guo is now in Indonesia after fleeing the country on July Next page
BIRTHDAY SALUTE. President Marcos returns the salute of First Lady Liza Marcos and her nephew on the occasion of her
birthday yesterday. At the center of the photo is a birthday cake sent by the Philippine Coast Guard which the First Lady joined as an 'Auxiliary Vice Admiral' of the PCG Auxiliary Executive Squadron. In his FB post, Mr. Marcos wrote: 'On this day, you deserve to slow down and be celebrated by those who hold you dearest.' FB page of Liza Marcos
President orders Mpox watch; Solons say Sara's impeachment fears QC starts contact tracing By Charles Dantes unsubstantiated and Rio N. Araja GRASSROOTS SPORTS. Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez beams
as he shows the personalized jersey he received from cage superstars Allan Caidic, Alvin Patrimonio, Marlou Aquino, Bal David, and Noli Locsin. The former PBA star cagers, accompanied by Tingog Partylist Rep. Jude Acidre, paid the Speaker a courtesy call at his office in the House of Representatives Tuesday afternoon. Rep. Acidre said the star cagers have forged partnership with Tingog partylist for grassroots sports development including playing in exhibition matches.
“Let me clarify to our people that the administration does not still have a senatorial lineup, South Cotabato Governor Reynaldo Tamayo, Jr. said in a statement.
SEVERAL lawmakers sought to douse premature speculation that the Commission on Audit (COA) findings regarding Vice President Sara Duterte’s confidential and intelligence funds (CIF) would lead to impeachment proceedings. This came after the House Committee on Appropriations recently approved a motion to subpoena COA’s report on the use of these funds from 2022 to 2023. COA reported last year that the Office of the Vice President (OVP) spent P125 million in CIF in just 11 days, translating to around P11 million spent per day.
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Alyansa leaders deny forming senatorial slate for 2025 polls LEADERS of the newly-formed Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas said Wednesday they still have to finalize the administration’s Senate ticket for the 2025 midterm elections.
By Maricel V. Cruz
PRESIDENT Marcos directed the Department of Health (DOH) and other concerned government agencies to enhance the monitoring of areas and de-
mographic groups that are at higher risk of Mpox virus transmission. During a meeting in Malacañang, Mr. Marcos told Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa and other officials to “continue surveillance, especially on areas and people most vulnerable to the Next page
PBBM to host Olympians at Palace By Charles Dantes PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is set to hold a “meet and greet” with the country’s representatives to the 2024 Paris Olympics in Malacañang on Thursday. The full list of attendees is not yet confirmed, but Filipina gymnast Levy-Jung Ruivivar posted on Instagram that she is on her way to Manila to meet Mr. Marcos. “Heading to Manila to meet the Presi-
dent,” Ruivivar wrote. “What an honor. Thank you to the President and his office for making this dream come true. Can’t wait to see everyone,” she added. The earlier welcome ceremony for the athletes has been surrounded by issues after gymnasts Aleah Finnegan and Emma Malabuyo posted on social media that they were unaware of the August 13 welcoming ceremony in Malacañang. Next page