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on A4) FIVEFREEDOM LOCAL ‘THE THAT WE ENJOY(Story TODAY WAS NOT SIMPLY GIVEN’—PBBM
File photo dated July 27, 2016 shows President Duterte during a National Security Council meeting attended by four former presidents including (from left) Joseph Estrada, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Fidel V. Ramos and Benigno Aquino III. Presidential Spokesman Harry NEWS / A2 Roque says Malacanang is inclined to ask the four ex-presidents to attend a meeting on issues besetting the West Philippine Sea. NSC file
HOLIDAYS IN OCT. NEWS / A3
ISRAEL CONTINUES TO POUND HEZBOLLAH WORLD / A6
VOL. XXXVIII • NO. 227• 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 •MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 •
PNP resurrecting probe into PCSO official's slay 80TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY.
Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, Defense Secretary Gilberto "Gibo" Teodoro, US Army Maj.Gen.Matthew McFarlane (extreme left), Australian Ambassador HK Yu (fourth from left) and Leyte Gov. Jericho "Icot" Petilla (fifth from left) witness the re-enactment of the Leyte Gulf landing of Gen.Douglas MacArthur during the 80th Commemoration in Palo, Leyte. Ver Noveno
Speaker grateful for PMA Class '83 vote of confidence in Quad Comm VOL. XXXVIII • NO. 248• 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 •MONDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2024 •
By Rio N. Araja
T Quad Comm formally invites HE Philippine National Police (PNP) is reopening its investigation into the 2020 murder of Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) board secretary Wesley Barayuga.
Duterte to hearing on EJKs
Koko leads Senate's parallel probe; vows impartiality
On Sunday, PNP Chief Police General Rommel Francisco Marbil said he ordered the reopening of the cold case after whistleblower Police Lt. Col. Santie Mendoza told the House Quad Committee that he helped carry out Ng the III killing at the By Rolando behest of ex-PCSO general manager and Vince Lopez Royina Garma. Mendoza narrated before conHE House of gressmen how Garma allegedly facilitated theRepresentatives' PCSO official’s roadside assassination on July 30, 2020 by panel providing consolidated the necessary information about his schedule,extra detailsjudicial about his investigating vehicle and the funding necessary to killings (EJKs) perpetrated carry it out. during the previous The whistleblower also implicated incumbent National Police has Comadministration's term missioner Edilberto Leonardo in the finallyofsent former President planning the murder. Barayuga was a retired police Rodrigo Duterte a formal general and lawyer who supposedly invitation to attend one withof threatened to expose corruption inits thehearings. PCSO shortly before he was shot dead in Mandaluyong City. Garma, herself ex-police In a letter datedanOctober 18, Lt. SuColonel, gained the "Ace" top rigao delallegedly Norte Rep. Robert spot at thethe PCSO of her inBarbers, Housebecause Quad Committee's Next page (Quad Comm) overall chair, sought Duterte's presence at a hearing scheduled on the morning of Oct. 22. "In this regard, the Joint Committee respectfully invites you to attend the said inquiry to provide valuable insights and shed light on the issues under discussion particularly on extra juridical killings," Barbers wrote on behalf of the merged panels. Quad Comm members have long sent feelers and implied invitations to the former president, saying he is "welcome to attend" or that he has "a standing invitation," but this is first time on record that Duterte's attendance to the proceedings has been formally requested. Meanwhile, the former president
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DOTr’s Bautista says online news report‘unfounded'
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BAUTISTA
By Darwin Amojelar
A WEB OF CRIME? House leaders Aurelio Gonzales and David Suarez presented this matrix during the last QUAD Comm hearing which shows the operations of a criminal syndicate allegedly led by fugitive Michael Yang, then economic adviser of former President Rodrigo Duterte, that controlled the illegal activities of the POGOs and was involved in the drug trade and extrajudicial killings.
Yang's lawyer mocks probers amid heated inquiry THE legal counsel of Chinese adviser of former President Rodrigo of illegal drugs and illegal activities businessman Tony Yang sought to Duterte. associated with POGOs,” Suarez said disparage lawmakers’ conclusions Fortun, a lawyer who often finds in a mixture of Filipino and English. about his client’s supposedly himself at the center high-profile The solons explained how the sketchy past and his alleged ties cases, apparently sought to mock matrix details Yang’s connections to with Philippine Overseas Gaming congressmen, calling their probe other individuals involved in illicit Operators (POGOs) and even President “unacceptable.” operations of NEW INDONESIAN LEADER. Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. congratulatesactivities, Indonesianincluding Presidentthe Prabowo organized House members argued illegal POGOs. new leader Subiantocrime. as First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos However, awaits her turn after yesterday's inauguration of Indonesia's and his Vice President, GibranFortun Rakabumingthey Raka, at not the come Nusantara Building in Jakarta, Indonesia.The event, held during Lawyer Raymond did by their suspicions Among the companies implicated a plenary session the People’s Consultative Assembly, marked the beginning of the new 2024–2029 term. Inc. questioned the of House Quad about Yang recklessly. areleadership’s Brickhartz Technology Insert Story on Page 3. Committee’s impartiality and its On Friday, Senior Deputy Speaker and Xionwei Technology Co. Ltd., ability to pin Chinese national Yang Aurelio Gonzales Jr. of Pampanga which are being linked to alleged down for ay wrongdoing in a real and Deputy Speaker David Suarez of kidnapping. criminal court. Quezon presented a matrix showing The two firms supposedly “I am very interested in how they Yang’s first appearance and his have connections with the Baofu [Quad Comm members] can prove subsequent activities at the Quad Compound in Bamban, Tarlac, this criminal network in court. In Comm hearing. which, in turn, can be directly traced local political scene. and we tracked on howex-mayor she spentAlice the confidential Congress, lawmakers act as both “We saw a pattern, toissue disgraced Guo. By Rio Araja thetop Lower Tingog partyfunds allottedFriday’s to her office. prosecutor and judge,” he said. it toAtthe of Chamber, these corporations... During Quad Comm list stripped Rep. JudeitAcidre on Sunday “It’s lawmakers very disturbing to see the Yang, President who already we of its layers , to hit getVice to hearing, cited Tony Yang VICE Sara admitted Duterte's President Sarathrough Duterte, itsaying she have should highest country having fake Philippine birth the top and all, we insecond contempt for official “lying” of to the about his unseemlya remarks against President “behave likeand an identified educated adult andtwo stop resorting and to petty threats, childish certificate, is the of Michaelto discovered at least businesses business partners. Marcos and his brother family continues acting like a child” by addressing the core threats. Can she not make sense the Yang, a presidential economic main actors or players in the issue draw flak from lawmakers across the Next of page
PAGASA
Gov’t readies P1.48b aid as 'JFBI ulian'agents strengthens in
Zambo to help save abducted content creator
THE government has readied P1.48 billion worth of aid for communities that may be hit hard by typhoon ‘Julian’ which PAGASA says could turn into a supertyphoon. As of 5:00 PM on Sunday, PAGASA raised Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 3 over Batanes and the northeastern portion of Babuyan Islands. “’Julian’ is forecast to continue intensifying over the next 24-36 hours as it moves towards Batanes and/or Babuyan Islands. With the current trend in its intensification, the possibility of reaching super typhoon category is not ruled out,” PAGASA said in its advisory. Meanwhile, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said that a total of 1.9 million family food packs worth P1.48 billion, other food items worth P276 million, and non-food items (NFIs) worth P919 million were already prepared by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). Some P171 million in standby fund is also available for utilization by the DSWD, including P123 million which can be allotted as Quick ELLIOT ONILFund EASTMAN Response (QRF) in the central office of the DSWD. AGENTS of the BureauDi-of In Batanes, theFederal Provincial Investigation (FBI) are now in Zamsaster Risk Reduction and Manageboanga del Norte gathering additional ment Office (PDRRMO) advised information the abduction of Ameriresidents to on secure their roofs and can content creator Elliot Onil Eastman install window shutters as Typhoon and tois"assist" localtolaw enforcers Julian expected make landfallin trying get him back safely. Next agents page On Saturday, several FBI paid a courtesy visit on Sibuco Mayor Joel Ventura to get updates on the ground before proceeding to the residence of the victim's wife at Sitio Tungawan in Barangay Poblacion to meet his wife and her family. The FBI has legal attachés and agents across the world, including in the Philippines, who serve as "a bridge to ourPhilippine overseas partners and a conduit THE government on for strengthening the global rule of Sunday publicly called for the Unitaccording bureau's website. edlaw,” Nations (UN)totothe give it a seat on In a statement, the US Embassy the UN Security Council, highlightin the Manila said the US government ing country’s strong record and is working closely with Philippine dedication to upholding the rule ofauthorities in searching for Eastman. law. “When a U.S. is missing, Department ofcitizen Foreign Affairswe work closely with local authorities (DFA) Secretary Enrique Manalo in as carry out theiratsearch efforts, a they speech delivered the UN Gen-and we make every effort to keep eral Assembly in New York saidlines the of communication open with families,” Philippines continues to emphasize
PH lobbies UN for Security Council seat
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the “importance of upholding the rule of law and the integrity of the multilateral system in the face of today’s global challenges.” Quoted by reports, Manalo also said: “The Philippines has consistently the sovereign P125 pursued million peace, confidential funds that equality states, the rights dig- it she mustofhave enjoyed for and spending nity of all persons.” in just 11 days?” he asked. He the country is also Headded said that Duterte seems to fit the recognized Asian descriptionasofthe the“first classic caseReof a
VP Sara’s tirade against PBBM draws more flak from irate lawmakers
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Poe to decide on VP Sara’s presence at budget plenary of private armies
Navy spokes debunks China claimcalls Comelec of military exercises in Scarborough shoal for dismantling By Rex Espiritu
THE Philippine Navy debunked on Sunday the recent announceTRANSPORTATION Secretary Jaime ment by China that it conducted Bautista denied an online news report military exercises off Bajo de claiming that Malacañang was angry Masinloc, also known as Scarborwith the increase in airport fees without ough Shoal, in the West Philipthe approval of the Cabinet members. pine Sea (WPS). “The Bilyonaryo article is maliChina reportedly made the ancious and unfounded,” Bautista said nouncement coinciding with the in a Viber message, referring to the fourth Multilateral Maritime Cowebsite that published the said story. operative Activity between the “Bilyonaryo is inconsistent,” he added. Philippines, Australia, Japan, Bilyonaryo reported online that New Zealand, and the United “Bautista and his long-time protege in States within Manila’s exclusive Philippine Airlines, Undersecretary for economic zone (EEZ) in the reAviation and Airports Bobby Lim, are CHRISTMAS ENCHANTMENT. SM Lanang’s dazzling 55-foot Christmas gionalwith waters overSM the weekend. attree thelights center of the storm after it was up to signal the start of the merriest season the theme Lanang mall in Philippine Navythey Spokesperson Davao City offers families and friends the perfect holiday escape where can create and for WPS Rear Admiral Roy VinNext page capture magical moments together.
cent Trinidad told reporters that Manila troops did not monitor any such activity, adding that Beijing’s statement was meant only By Vito Barcelo for its internal audience. “Our troops did not observe ALL private armed groups in the any exercise, we have to undercountry should be neutralized before stand that sometimes, China is the 2025 national and local elections, doing this for their internal audiCommission on Elections (Comelec) ence, right? For them not to look chairman George Garcia said. weak and embarrassed,” Trinidad This, as newly-appointed said. Department of the Interior and Local Two Chinese warships were Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic monitored at a distance ranging Remulla earlier ordered the police from eight to 14 nautical miles. force in Central Luzon to dismantle One of these went up to 1,000 the private armed groups that may yards at the MMCA site but evencompromise peace and stability in the tually went away. “It was not region, GMA News reported. threatening, just normal,” accord"Private armies really should be Next Nextpage page
IT IS now up to Senator Grace Poeof some lawmakers at the House -Senate Finance Committee chairof Representatives for repeatedly -and other senators whether or not skipping the budget deliberations they will ask Vice President Sara there, Escudero said he does not want Duterte to be present during the to preempt the decision of the senators upper chamber’s deliberations on the when it comes to the Senate’s own Office of the Vice President’s (OVP) plenary hearings. proposed 2025 budget at the plenary "I repeat, I don’t want to preempt level, Senate President Francis anything and I don't want to say that Escudero said. there is such a condition before the AWARD. Sy, Chairman the Executivebudget Committee of SM Prime Holdings, even Escudero,Hans quoted by GMAofNews, plenary deliberation was "That's honoredup by the Philippine Retailers (PRA) with its Outstanding said: to Senator Grace. If Association starts," Escudero, quoted by GMA Filipinoan Retailers President Award for his visionary leadership there’s instance that the agency News, said. in retail development. (From right): PRA and Director of SM Jorge T. Mendiola, head is left nottopresent forDirector any reason, InRetail September, DutertePRA said she Vice President and President and COO of Golden, ABC, Inc. (The Penshoppe Group) it’s the sponsoring chairman that would attend the plenary deliberations Alice T. Liu, SM Prime Holdings Chairman of the Executive Committee Hans T. Sy, has toPresident decide. It also depends on the International, on the OVP budget at theRoberto Senate. PRA and Chairman of Quorum Inc. (Toby’s Sports) members thePRA Senate if and theyPresident will of Sportshouse She alsoInt’l. saidLeisure, that she no longer S. Claudio,ofand Director Inc.is and request the agency head to attend.” expecting that the OVP's proposed proponent of PRA OFR President’s Award Mars C. Chua Despite Duterte earning the ire Next page