@mnlstandardph
@ManilaStandardPH
@manilastandard
@ManilaStandardYT
@ManilaStandardYT
Missed your copy of Manila Standard? Call or text our Circulation Hotline at 0917-8848655 or email: circulation@manilastandard.net . For advertisement: email: advertise@manilastandard.net •09173382170 / 85646229
EX-DBM EXEC IN PHARMALLY MESS ARRESTED IN DAVAO By Cherrie Anne Villahermosa and Vince Lopez DAVAO CITY – Former Budget Undersecretary Lloyd Christopher Lao, a key figure in the 2020 Phar Pharmally scandal during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, was ar ar-
rested in Davao City on Wednesday. The PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group said its tracker team served an arrest warrant issued by the Sandiganbayan on September 12 at Lao’s house in Obrero, Davao City. The graft charges stemmed from the complaint filed by former Sena-
tor Richard Gordon and Senator Risa Hontiveros before the Office of the Ombudsman over Lao’s role in facilitating about P4 billion in public funds into the Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corporation for the questionable purchase of medical equipment. Sandiganbayan First Division
SENATORS are just about ready to wrap up their months-spanning investigation into the shady world of Philippine Overseas Gaming Operators (POGOs) and their public face, disgraced exmayor Alice Guo. On Wednesday, Senator Risa Hontiveros, who chairs the panel conducting the probe, said the chamber would hold another session looking into POGOs and their enablers on September 24, but this could be the last hearing on the subject. Next page
Next page
Double-whammy storms,‘habagat’ kill 20, hurt 11
Former DBM Usec. Christopher Lao
Senate winds up Guo probe; sets sights on Quiboloy
chairperson Maria Theresa Mendoza-Arcega set the recommended bail at P90,000. In August, the Office of the Ombudsman filed graft charges against Lao and former Health Secretary Francisco Duque III over the alleged illegal fund transfer during
By Rio N. Araja and Rex Espiritu
VOL. XXXVIII • NO. 216• 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 •THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2024 •
TROPICAL storm “Helen” was about to exit the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) as of WednesNext page
Duterte: End hearing on OVP 2025 budget Insists scrutiny aims to hurt her in 2028 polls
By Maricel V. Cruz, Rachelle Tonelada and Rolando Ng III
B
REAKING House rules and traditions, Vice President Sara Duterte on Wednesday refused to take oath during the Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability’s hearing on the alleged misuse by her office of millions of pesos in funds for socio-economic programs. Duterte also called for the termination of the House hearing on the budget of the Office of the Vice President, insisting there was no misuse of funds and citing the “lack of any proposed legislation or substantive matter for discussion.” Minutes after the hearing started, the Vice President swift swiftly left the House of Representatives, but not before hitting what she
OUTSTANDING. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is about to bestow the medal to a pregnant recipient who was one of those selected as among the Outstanding Government Workers for 2024 by the Civil Service Commission in rites at the Ceremonial Hall in Malacañan Palace. The ceremony is the culmination of the 124th Philippine Civil Service Anniversary which is celebrated every September. PHOTO/REVOLI CORTEZ
Next page Vice President Sara Duterte
PBBM cites outstanding civil servants as pillars in making Bagong Pilipinas By Charles Dantes PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos on Wednesday led the celebration of the 124th anniversary of the Philippine Civil Service, recognizing the hard work and dedication of public servants across the country. During the event, President Marcos acknowledged the challenges faced by civil servants but emphasized the significant impact they have on the nation. “You serve as the pillars upon which our government can draw its confidence and to build its momentum in achieving a Bagong Pilipi-
PCSO GM ROBLES WINS SEAT AT APLA GOVERNING BODY
nas,” the President said. He highlighted several accomplishments of this year’s awardees, including a municipal official in Iloilo who transformed an abandoned fishpond into an eco-park, and the Health Beyond Bars Program, which provides healthcare to inmates. “It has been 65 years since we began this practice, and while the acronyms and the titles attached to these awards may have changed, the purpose remains the same: To recognize and to honor those who have made an outstanding contribu-
A FIRST FOR PCSO. Philippine Charity
Sweepstakes Office General Manager Melquiades Robles is joined by Mr. JohnTeo, President, Asia Pacific Lottery Association Limited (APLA).The picture was taken shortly after GM Robles was elected as the first Filipino member of the Executive Board of APLA during the 2024 Regional Conference held last Sept 2-5 in Hanoi, Vietnam. (Contributed Photo)
LAWMAKERS have criticized Vice President Sara Duterte for her attitude during yesterday’s hearing of the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability. House Assistant Minority Leaders Arlene Brosas and France Castro said Duterte’s evasiveness fueled suspicion on the issue of misuse of public funds not only within the OVP but in the Department of Education as well which the Vice President used to head. “Vice President Duterte’s refusal to take an oath and her swift exit from the hearing is a clear sign
of guilt. If there is nothing to hide, the question of how confidential funds were used in 2022 should be straightforward to answer,” Brosas said. “VP Sara Duterte should stop the drama. Accusing legislators of plotting her impeachment is a diversion from the real issue at hand—the misuse of public funds,” she added. Castro added: “It is disappointing and unacceptable that VP Duterte chose to again resort to squid tactics rather than face the questions head-on, particularly on the issue of confidential funds.” “Her repeated absences and re-
fusal to explain the P125 million confidential funds used in 2022 only add to the public’s growing suspicion and frustration,” Castro said. Before she left the House, Duterte told the media in an ambush interview that she would “never again” team up with the Marcoses following their falling out. “We were not friends to begin with. We just knew each other because we became running mates. Prior to that we were not talking to each other,” the Vice President said. Maricel Cruz
Next page
PH to file resolution against China during UN General Assembly — DFA By Maricel Cruz
NEWS / A2
Solons to VP: Evasiveness fuels fund misuse suspicion
THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) plans to file a resolution before the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to address the continuing aggression by China in the West Philippine Sea. This was disclosed by Nueva Ecija 2nd District Rep. Joseph Gilbert Violago during Wednesday’s plenary deliberations on the 2025 General
Appropriations Bill. Violago was defending the DFA’s proposed P27.392 billion budget for next year. Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo will represent President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. in the assembly, which will be held in New York City from September 22 to 23. “The DFA has plans to file a resolution with the United Nations Next page
100 DAYS OF JOY. SM
malls all over the country launched their 100 DAYS OF JOY as their way of welcoming the longest Christmas celebration in the world.