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Rody: I take full responsibility FIVE LOCAL HOLIDAYS IN OCT. NEWS / A3
ISRAEL CONTINUES Defends bloody war on drugs; admits existence of death squad
TO POUND HEZBOLLAH WORLD / A6
VOL. XXXVIII • NO. 227• 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 •MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30,Zurbano, 2024 • Ralph Rirao, Charles Dantes By Joel
and Rio Araja
F PNP resurrecting probe Gov’treadies
ORMER President Rodrigo Duterte PAGASA said he takes full legal responsibility for his administration's war on drugs amid accusations of a reward system that led to extrajudicial killings of drug suspects.
into PCSO official's slay
Speaker grateful for PMA Class '83 vote of confidence in Quad Comm NO APOLOGIES.
Former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte submitted himself hours-long By Rio N. to Araja questioning yesterday by the Senate Blue Ribbon HE Philippine Committee tasked with investigating the conduct of National Police his administration’s drug war. Senate Public Relations and (PNP) is reopening Information Bureau
T
its investigation into the 2020 murder of Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) board secretary Wesley Barayuga.
VOL. XXXVIII • NO. 256• 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 •TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2024 •
‘VP Sara may face impeachment over alleged funds misuse’
On Sunday, PNP Chief Police General Rommel MarManila Rep. Joel Chua said. summit – were significant enough to raise we see it, they really have liability. Those By Rio N. Araja Francisco and bil said he ordered the reopening of Chua said the House panel probe un- concerns. two instances we can say are grounds for Potcold Chavez the case after whistleblower covered possible grounds for Duterte’s “I was shocked to know that P125 mil- impeachment because obviously there Police Col. Santie Mendoza toldface impeachment, particularly graft and cor- lion was spent in 11 days. There was a was betrayal of public trust and elements VICE Lt. President Sara Duterte may the House Quad he ruption and betrayal of public trust. notice of disallowance from the Commis- of graft.” impeachment overCommittee the allegedthat mismanhelped out allocated the killing at the The initial findings – such as the P125 sion on Audit,” he said. “After the impeachment, once proven agementcarry of funds to the Office behest of ex-PCSO As for the budget for the safe houses or impeached, that’s the time for cases to of the Vice Presidentgeneral and the manager Department million in confidential funds the OVP Royina Garma. of Education which she previously head- spent within just 11 days in December and the youth summit, Chua said: “In be filed against the Vice President,” the narrated onbefore con2022, the P16 million budget for safe these two instances, unless of course they lawmaker added. ed,Mendoza House committee good governNext page gressmen how Garma allegedly fahouses, and the P15 million for a youth can prove that their use is justified, but as ment and public accountability chairman cilitated the PCSO official’s roadside assassination on July 30, 2020 by providing the necessary information about his schedule, details about his vehicle and the funding necessary to A WEB OF CRIME? House leaders Aurelio Gonzales and David Suarez presented this matrix during the last QUAD carry it out. Comm hearing which shows the operations of a criminal syndicate allegedly led by fugitive Michael Yang, then economic The whistleblower also implicated adviser of former President Rodrigo Duterte, that controlled the illegal activities of the POGOs and was involved in the drug incumbent National Police Comtrade and extrajudicial killings. missioner Edilberto Leonardo in the planning of the murder. Barayuga was a retired police general and lawyer who supposedly By Charles Dantes and threatened to expose corruption within the PCSO shortly before he was Darwin Amojelar shot dead in Mandaluyong City. Garma, herselfMarcos an ex-police Lt. un- THE legal counsel of Chinese adviser of former President Rodrigo of illegal drugs and illegal activities PRESIDENT on Monday Colonel, allegedly gained the committop businessman Tony Yang sought to Duterte. associated with POGOs,” Suarez said derscored his administration’s spotment at the because of her indisparage lawmakers’ conclusions Fortun, a lawyer who often finds in a mixture of Filipino and English. to PCSO developing Northern Mindanao Next of page himself at the center high-profile The solons explained how the by announcing the expansion Lagu- about his client’s supposedly cases, apparently sought to mock matrix details Yang’s connections to indingan International Airport through a sketchy past and his alleged ties congressmen, calling their probe other individuals involved in illicit P12.75-billion public-private partnership with Philippine Overseas Gaming Operators (POGOs) and even “unacceptable.” activities, including the operations of (PPP) with Aboitiz InfraCapital. However, House members argued illegal POGOs. The envisioned upgrade, which will organized crime. Lawyer Raymond Fortun they did not come by their suspicions Among the companies implicated result from a concession agreement the House Quad about Yang recklessly. are Brickhartz Technology Inc. between the Department of Transporta- questioned On Friday, Senior Deputy Speaker and Xionwei Technology Co. Ltd., tion (DOTr) and the Aboitiz-led firm, Committee’s impartiality and its Aurelio Gonzales Jr. of Pampanga which are being linked to alleged is seen to bring regional economic ability to pin Chinese national Yang and Deputy Speaker David Suarez of kidnapping. benefits by enhancing connectivity and down for ay wrongdoing in a real criminal court. Quezon presented a matrix showing The two firms supposedly promoting tourism. “I am very interested in how they Yang’s first appearance and his have connections with the Baofu The agreement for the PPP project subsequent activities at the Quad Compound in Bamban, Tarlac, was presented to the President after [Quad Comm members] can prove Comm hearing. which, in turn, can be directly traced signing ceremonies at Malacañan this criminal network in court. In Congress, as both “We saw a pattern, and tracked ex-mayor Alice Guo. Palace. PPPlawmakers PROJECT.actPresident Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. presided over thewe signing yesterdayto ofdisgraced the P12.7 billion Laguindingan and judge,” hePublic-Private said. it to the top of these corporations... During Friday’s Comm Opened in 2013, Laguindingan prosecutor International Airport Partnership (PPP) Project Concession Agreement at Malacañan Palace. With theQuad President Yang, wholeft to already admitted we stripped it of itsgeneral layersof, Civil to get to Authority hearing,of lawmakers cited Tony Yang are (from right): .Capt. Manuel Antonio Tamayo, director Aviation the Philippines, Airport—located between Cagayan de Secretary Jaime J. Bautistathe andtop Ms. Cosette Canilao,itpresident, AC6 Corp. PCO a fake Philippine birth and through all, we have in contempt for “lying” to about his Next page havingTransportation certificate, is the brother of Michael discovered and identified at least two businesses and business partners. Yang, a presidential economic main actors or players in the issue Next page
‘P12b Laguindingan airport upgrade to boost economy’
Yang's lawyer mocks probers amid heated inquiry
DOTr’s Bautista says online news report‘unfounded'
P1.48b aid as 'Julian' strengthens
“For all of its successes and shortcomings, I, and I alone take full legal responsibility,” Duterte said, strongly defending his deadly drug war as he THE government readied testified at a Senatehas Blue RibbonP1.48 combillion worth on of Monday. aid for communimittee hearing ties“My that may be hit hard bywas typhoon job as President never ‘Julian’ which PAGASA easy. I have tried to do thesays bestcould I can turn into a the supertyphoon. to address problem of illegal drugs As of PM compromises,” on Sunday, PAfirmly and5:00 without he GASA raised Tropical Cyclone said. Wind Signalwho No. was 3 over Batanes Duterte, accompanied and theformer northeastern portion of legal Baby his chief presidential buyan counselIslands. Salvador Panel, said he should “’Julian’ is forecastfor tohis continue face legal consequences actions, intensifying overfollowed the next not the police who his 24-36 orders. hours it moves Batanes He as also admittedtowards the existence of and/or Babuyan Islands. With the the Davao Death Squad as he taunted current trend inofits intensification, the Department Justice to file a case the possibility of reaching super against him. typhoon not ruled out,” "I havecategory long beeniskilling people, but PAGASA said in its case advisory. until now there is no filed against Meanwhile, Disasme,” he said. the NationalNext page ter 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 WORLD / A6 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 Response Fund (QRF) in the central office of the DSWD. In Batanes, the/ A4 Provincial DiNEWS saster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) advised residents to secure their roofs and install window shutters as Typhoon Julian is expected to make landfall
IRAN WARNS ISRAEL: ‘BITTER CONSEQUENCES’
US COMMITS P450M TO PH COAST GUARD
‘Kristine’ deaths rise to 116 as PH lobbies UN ‘Leon’ strengthens Next page
for Security Council seat
By Rex Espiritu and Rio Araja
THE National Disaster Risk Reduction THE Philippine government on and Management Council (NDRRMC) Sunday publicly called for the Unitsaid its tally as of Monday showed that ed Nations (UN) to give it a seat on a total of 116 people were killed while the UN Security Council, highlight39 others remained missing as a result ing the country’s strong record and of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine. dedication to upholding the rule of Also, some 109 individuals were law. injured by the cyclone, whose brunt Department of Foreign Affairs was felt throughout the Bicol Region (DFA) Secretary Enrique Manalo in and Batangas province, and caused aua speech delivered at the UN Genthorities in many other jurisdictions to eral Assembly in New York said the declare localized states of emergency, Philippines continues to emphasize the agency also reported. the “importance of upholding the An estimated 575,000 individuals rule of law and the integrity of the were forced to leave their homes and multilateral system in the face of toseek shelter in some 6,000 evacuation day’s global challenges.” centers nationwide, the NDRRMC furQuoted by reports, Manalo also ther disclosed. said: “The Philippines has consisIt was also reported that the storm tently pursued peace, the sovereign deeply flooded 663 communities equality of states, the rights and digacross 13 regions in the country. nity of all persons.” The NDRRMC said ‘Kristine’ affected He added that the country is also some 35,918 farmers and fisherfolk across recognized as the “first Asian ReNext page Next page
Tinga DOTr, DPWH ready plans to ensure Navy spokes debunks China claimasks SC to junk hike in Taguig councilors militarytravelers exercises in Scarborough safety of millions ofofUndas By Pot Chavez shoal BAUTISTA
By Charles Dantes By Darwin Amojelar THE Department of Transportation TRANSPORTATION Secretary (DOTr) said on Monday that theJaime counBautista deniedsector an online news report try’s transport is ready to accomclaiming that Malacañang was angry modate millions of travelers expected with the increase in airporton fees without to head to the provinces November the approval of the Cabinet members. 1 for “undas.” “The Bilyonaryo mali"We are prepared article for the is influx of cious and unfounded,” Bautista said passengers across airports, seaports, inand a Viber message, referring to the bus terminals," DOTr Secretary website that published said story. Jaime Bautista said in the a Malacañang “Bilyonaryo is inconsistent,” he added. press briefing. Bilyonaryo reported onlineexpects that Bautista said the DOTr “Bautista long-timetoprotege "millions"and ofhis passengers travel in in Philippine Airlines, Undersecretary preparation of undas, noting that for the Aviation and Airports Lim, are agency expects at leastBobby 1.5 million bus atpassengers the center and of the stormthree after million it was around travelers for air and sea travels. Nextagenpage He also stated that DOTr and
By Espiritu ciesRex including the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), THE Philippine debunked Philippine Ports Navy Authority (PPA), on Sunday the recent announceManila International Airport Authorment by China it International conducted ity (MIAA), andthat Cebu military exercises off efforts Bajounder de Airport have coordinated Masinloc, known as Scarborthe annualalso "Oplan Biyaheng Ayos" ough Shoal, in the West Philipprogram to ensure smooth operations. pineThe SeaPhilippine (WPS). Coast Guard will China made analso assistreportedly in managing thethe holiday nouncement coinciding with the travel rush. Despite some storm-relatfourth Multilateral Maritime Coed damage to minor seaports in Calaoperative between the barzon andActivity the Bicol regions, Bautista Philippines, Australia, Japan, said all major airports and seaports reNew Zealand, and the United main fully operational. States within Manila’s exclusive Malacañang earlier declared that economic (EEZ) in the atregovernmentzone offices and classes all gional overwill thebeweekend. levels waters nationwide on half day onPhilippine October 31Navy for theSpokesperson observance of for WPS Rear Admiral Roy VinNext page
cent RETIRED Trinidad told reporters that Justice Dante Supreme Court (SC) Manila troops did notfiled monitor O. Tinga on Monday a petition before the any such activity, adding that Bei-City Ordinance SC seeking to invalidate Taguig jing’sNo. statement meantthe only 144 whichwas increased number of counfor itscilor internal audience. seats in the city from eight to twelve per “Our troops did not observe councilor district. any exercise, we have to under- on Elections In September, the Commission stand(Comelec) that sometimes, China is En Banc issued a resolution allowing doingthethis their internal audisaidfor increase. ence, right? Fortothem not tothelook "It seeks invalidate unauthorized and weakillegal and embarrassed,” increase becauseTrinidad it is void and unconstisaid. tutional. The measure requires a law andAWARD. that Hans Sy, Chairman of the Executive Committee of SM Prime Holdings, Two Chinese were power does not warships belong to the city council,"was Tinhonored by the Philippine Retailers Association (PRA) with its Outstanding monitored at a distance ranging ga told reporters. Filipino Retailers President Award for his visionary leadership in retail development. from eight to 14thatnautical miles. He added Senate Concurrent Resolution (From left to right): PRA Director and Director of SM Retail Jorge T. Mendiola, PRA One No. of 23 these went to 1,000 which seeksup to include the enlisted Men's PETITION. Supreme Court Justice O. Tinga shows Vice President and PresidentRetired and COO of Golden, ABC, Inc. Dante (The Penshoppe Group) the Prime petition he filedChairman with the Supreme Court seeking to invalidate the Alice aT. Liu, SM Holdings of the Executive Committee Hans T. Sy, yardsBarrios at the MMCA but even(EMBO) site barangays "does not have ordinance passed of byQuorum the Taguig City CouncilInc. that increased theRoberto number PRA President and Chairman International, (Toby’s Sports) tuallyforce went away.of “It was not and effect a law." of councilor seatsand from eight (8)of toSportshouse twelve (12) per district. S. Claudio, and PRA Director President Int’l.councilor Leisure, Inc. and threatening, just normal,” accordNext page Next page
Cruz proponent Norman of PRA OFR President’s Award Mars C. Chua