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LOCALCYCLONES TRAILING 'NIKA;' GOV'T STEPS UP PREPARATIONS 2 FIVE MORE
HOLIDAYS IN OCT.
/ A3 for ‘NoNEWS need ISRAEL CONTINUES another DU30 TO POUND HEZBOLLAH as Davao mayor’ VOL. XXXVIII • NO. 227• 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 •MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 • WORLD / A6
PNP resurrecting probe into PCSO official's slay DAVAO City does not need another Duterte as mayor, former president Rodrigo Duterte said. Duterte also expressed his desire to step away from public service after over three decades in elected office. Duterte first became Davao City mayor in 1988. “I no longer want to. Whoever, leave it to God. The next mayor need not be a Duterte," the former president said, in an interview with SMNI last Nov. 7. The former president further said that he is willing to pass the leadership of Davao City to the next generation, adding that he wants to give a chance to others. "Ako, tapos na ako, ibigay ko na lang chance sa iba," said the
Speaker grateful for PMA Class '83 vote of confidence in Quad Comm VOL. XXXVIII • NO. 269• 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 •MONDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2024 • Next page
By Rio N. Araja
T PBBM assures typhoon-hit HE Philippine National Police (PNP) is reopening its investigation into the 2020 murder of Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) board secretary Wesley Barayuga.
families of unabated aid
Vows 'whole-of-government' approach to disaster recovery
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 the killing at the behest of ex-PCSO general manager Royina Garma. Mendoza narrated before congressmen how Garma allegedly facilitated 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 carry it out. The whistleblower also implicated incumbent National Police Commissioner Edilberto Leonardo in the planning of the murder. Barayuga was a retired police general and lawyer who supposedly threatened to expose corruption within the PCSO shortly before he was shot dead in Mandaluyong City. Garma, herself an ex-police Lt. Colonel, allegedly gained the top spot at the PCSO because of her in-
P
RESIDENT Marcos vowed to implement a whole-ofgovernment strategy to expedite rehabilitation operations in communities across Northern Luzon that were devastated by a recent series of typhoons. A WEB OF CRIME? House leaders Aurelio Gonzales and David Suarez presented matrix during the lastthis QUAD Thethis chief executive made promise on Comm hearing which shows the operations of a criminal syndicate allegedly led by fugitive Michael Yang, then economic Sunday as he led the distribution of material adviser of former President Rodrigo Duterte, that controlled the illegal activities of the POGOs and was involved in the drug assistance to storm-hit families in Buguey, trade and extrajudicial killings.
PAGASA
Gov’t readies P1.48b aid as By Rio N. Araja 'Julian' strengthens
TWO more tropical cyclones are likely to enter the Philippine area of responsibility this week, the state THE government has readied P1.48 weather bureau said Sunday. billion worth of aid forAtmospheric, communiPhilippine ties that may be hit by typhoon Geophysical andhardAstronomical ‘Julian’ PAGASA says could Serviceswhich Administration (PAGASA) turn a supertyphoon. chiefinto Nathaniel Servando said amid of 5:00 PM Sunday, PAtheAs presence of on Severe Tropical GASA raised two Tropical Cyclone Storm “Nika,” more vortices may Wind Signal No. 3 over develop into cyclones to beBatanes named and the and northeastern of enter Ba“Ofel” “Pepito” portion once they buyan Islands. the PAR. “’Julian’ is forecast to continue “Of course, it’s too far, too early intensifying over the next 24-36 yet. But the Department of Science hours as it moves towards and Technology-Pagasa will Batanes continue and/or Babuyan monitoring closelyIslands. not only With ‘Nika’the but current trendvortices in its intensification, the potential between Nov. 10 the possibility super to November 16,”ofhereaching said. typhoon is not ruledbyout,” “Ofel”category may make landfall Nov. PAGASA its advisory. 14 or 15, said whileinPepito’s landfall may National beMeanwhile, between Nov.the 16 and 17,” heDisasadded. ter Meanwhile, Risk Reduction and “Nika” was Managemonitored ment Council (NDRRMC) said thatas moving westward over the weekend ait total 1.9 million family food nearedoftyphoon strength. packs P1.48 other Theworth cyclone’s centerbillion, was estimated food items worth P276 million, and at 380 kilometers east of Infanta, non-food items (NFIs) worth P919 Quezon, as it was moving westward million werewith already prepared by at 20 km/h, maximum sustained the Department of Social Next Welfare page 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 Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) advised residents to secure their roofs and install window shutters as Typhoon Julian is expected to make landfall SENATE President Francis Next page Escudero said the soon-to-beenacted Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises to Maximize Opportunities for Reinvigorating the Economy (CREATE MORE) Act will greatly improve the country’s tax incentives regime, leading to an influx of new investors, and, in turn, create new local jobs. Marcos is set to sign THEPresident Philippine government on the CREATE MORE intoUnitlaw Sunday publicly called Act for the as a(UN) priority legislation of edtoday Nations to give it a seat on administration, meant to spur thehisUN Security Council, highlighteconomic growthstrong in therecord country. ing the country’s and The law amends Republic dedication to upholding the rule of Act 11534 or the original law. CREATE which Affairs was DepartmentAct of Foreign crafted to help enterprises (DFA) Secretary Enrique Manalo in from the impact of a recover speech delivered at the UN Genthe pandemic by lowering the eral Assembly in New York said the corporate continues income to tax rates Philippines emphasize and make the country more the “importance of upholding the appealing by rule of law andtothebusinesses integrity of the rationalizing fiscal incentives. multilateral system in the face of toMORE seeks to day’s“CREATE global challenges.” Next page Quoted by reports, Manalo also said: “The Philippines has consistently pursued peace, the sovereign equality of states, the rights and dignity of all persons.” He added that the country is also recognized as the “first Asian Re-
New tax rates law to create more jobs–Chiz PH lobbies UN for Security Council seat
Cagayan. He assured displaced families of continuous government assistance until they could fully recover from the consecutive disasters. “One department cannot do everything. So, what we do is what we call the wholeof-government approach. That means, all the THE legal counsel of Chinese adviser of former President Rodrigo different of illegal drugs and illegal activities Next page 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. Next page 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 “unacceptable.” activities, including the operations of organized crime. However, House members argued illegal POGOs. Lawyer Raymond Fortun they did not come by their suspicions Among the companies implicated questioned the House Quad about Yang recklessly. are Brickhartz Technology Inc. Committee’s impartiality and Buguey its On Friday, Senior Deputy Speaker and Xionwei Technology Co. Ltd., IN GROUND ZERO. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. visits hard-hit town in Cagayan province, top left photo, where in the distribution ability tohe pinparticipated Chinese national Yang Aurelio Gonzales Jr. of Pampanga which are being linked to alleged of support, including P10 million in financial from the Office down assistance for ay wrongdoing in of a the real and Deputy Speaker David Suarez of kidnapping. President, for the municipalities of Aparri, Buguey, Sanchez-Mira, Santa Teresita, Quezon presented a matrix showing criminal court. The two firms supposedly Baggao, Gattaran, Gonzaga, and Santa Ana affected by typhoon “Ithat am were very heavily interested in how they Yang’s first appearance and his have connections with the Baofu Marce. He went on to Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte to distribute financial assistance to [Quad Comm members] can prove subsequent activities at the Quad Compound in Bamban, Tarlac, Marce’s victims. PCO this criminal network in court. In Comm hearing. which, in turn, can be directly traced Congress, lawmakers act as both “We saw a pattern, and we tracked to disgraced ex-mayor Alice Guo. prosecutor and judge,” he said. it to the top of these corporations... During Friday’s Quad Comm Yang, who already admitted we stripped it of its layers , to get to hearing, lawmakers cited Tony Yang having a fake Philippine birth the top and through it all, we have in contempt for “lying” to about his 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 Welfare and Development (DSWD), House Assistant Majority Leaders Zia committee to remove Next the page AKAP Rio N. Araja saying the social amelioration Alonto Adiong of Lanao del Sur and funds in the proposed 2025 national program positively impacts the lives Jil Bongalon of Ako Bicol partybudget. HOUSE LEADERS of the have of poor Filipino families. list and Cagayan de Oro Rep. Lordan Acidre urged the Senate to look expressed full support for the Ayuda House Deputy Majority Leader Suan all expressed reservations on at the concrete results of A K A P, Para sa Kapos ang Kita Program Jude Acidre of Tingog party-list, the decision of the Senate finance Next page (AKAP) of the Department of Social UNAUTHORIZED cash transfers sparked an BAUTISTA outcry among GCash users on Saturday. cent Trinidad told reporters that By Rex Espiritu The e-wallet service however Manila troops did not monitor By Darwin Amojelar reported that by Sunday it "completed any such activity, adding that BeiTHE Philippine Navy debunked the necessary wallet adjustments to jing’s statement was meant only on Sunday the recent announceTRANSPORTATION its affected users." Secretary Jaime for its internal audience. ment by China that it conducted Bautista denied news report The firm didannotonline say however how “Our troops did not observe military exercises off Bajo de claiming Malacañang was angry many ofthat its clients were affected by any exercise, we have to underMasinloc, also known as Scarborwith the increase in airport fees without the glitch in its system. duty as of November 30, 2024. This By Rex Espiritu stand that sometimes, China is ough Shoal, in the West Philipthe approval of the Cabinet members.on The incidents, which occurred initiative also aims to support local doing this for their internal audipine Sea (WPS). “The Bilyonaryo articletheis misuse maliPRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. November 9, involved farmers in the agriculture sector. ence, right? For them not to look China reportedly made the ancious and unfounded,” Bautista said authorized a one-time rice allowance of GCash's "Send to Many" feature, The order covers personnel from weak and embarrassed,” Trinidad nouncement coinciding with the inallowing a Viber funds message, to the for all active military and uniformed to referring be transferred the Armed Forces of the Philippines said. fourth Multilateral Maritime Cowebsite published the checks said story. AWARD. Hans Sy,toChairman of the Executive(AFP) Committee of SMthe Prime Holdings, personnel (MUPs) recognize their withoutthat the usual security like under Department of Chinese warships were operative Activity between the Watson’sTwo was honored thenational Philippinesecurity, Retailers Association (PRA) with its Outstanding “Bilyonaryo is inconsistent,” WATSON’S 8,000TH AT SM. opened its 8,000th story in Asia at SM’s essential rolesbyin one-time passwords (OTPs).he added. National Defense (DND) and at Managing a distance ranging Philippines, Australia, Filipino Retailers leadership in retail development. Supermall. Gracing the event wereJapan, (left to right):monitored Danilo Chiong, Director of Bilyonaryo public safety, andPresident peace. Award for his visionary Users took reported to socialonline mediathatto members of the following agencies: from eight to 14 nautical miles. (From left toAdministrative right): PRA Director and Director of SM Retail Jorge T. Mendiola, PRA New Zealand, theChairman Unitedof the Executive Committee SM Prime Holdings Watsons Philippines,and Hans Sy, “Bautista and his long-time protege in Under Order express their frustrations, with some Philippine National Police (PNP) these Vice went up to 1,000 Vice President President and COO Inc. (The Penshoppe Group) Inc., Dominic Lai, Chairman AS Watson Group,One Tessieof Sy-Coson, Chairperson States within Manila’sofexclusive Philippine (AO) No. 26, and which was signed byof Golden, ABC, reporting Airlines, losses ofUndersecretary up to P38,000. for Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Alice T. Liu, SM Prime Holdings Chairman of the Executive Committee Hans T. Sy, yards atWatson the MMCA site but Sy, evenSM Investments Corp., Dr. Malina Ngai, Group CEO of AS Group, Elizabeth economic zone (EEZ) in the reAviation Airports Lim, are Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin Manyand claimed theyBobby had not clicked - Bureau of Jail Management PRA President and Chairman of Quorum International, Inc. (Toby’s Sports) Roberto and President SM Hotels and Conventions Corp., and Robert Sun, Regional Managing Director, tually went away. “It was not gional waters over the weekend. atontheany center of the storm it was on November 7, 2024, each eligible suspicious links after or received Penology (BJMP) S. Claudio, and PRA Director and President of Sportshouse Int’l. Leisure, Inc. and H&B Asia & International Commercial Director ofthreatening, AS Watson Group, theaccordopening justcelebrate normal,” Philippine Navy Spokesperson MUP will receive 25President’s kilogramsAward of Mars C. Chua any one-time passwords during the - Philippine Public Safety College proponent of PRA OFR of Watsons’ 8,000th store in Asia. for WPS Rear Admiral Roy VinNext Next page rice, provided they are on active incidents. Nextpage page Next page
Yang's lawyer mocks probers amid heated inquiry
DOTr’s Bautista says online news report‘unfounded' GCash glitch sparks outcry; problem fixed
House leaders back retention of AKAP funds in 2025 budget
Navy spokes debunks China claim of military exercises in Scarborough shoal
Marcos OKs one-time rice allowance for military, uniformed personnel