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FIVE LOCAL HOLIDAYS IN OCT.
MARCOS FIRM PH WON'T COOPERATE WITH ICC, BUT... NEWS / A3
By Charles Dantes
ISRAEL CONTINUES TO POUND HEZBOLLAH
PRESIDENT Marcos clarified that his administration does not intend to cooperate with the International Criminal Court (ICC) on investigationSEPTEMBER into former President Rodrigo VOL. XXXVIII • NO. 227• 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 •MONDAY, 30, 2024 • Duterte’s controversial anti-drug WORLD / A6 campaign even while assuring that it will abide by its commitments with the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL). In a chance interview in Cavite VOL. XXXVIII • NO. 273• 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 •FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2024 •
on Thursday, Mr. Marcos said that the government would have "no role" in the possible interaction between Duterte and the ICC. “If [cooperating with the ICC] is good news to him, to PRRD [President Rodrigo Roa Duterte], then we won’t prevent it,” the President stated. “It’s up to him whether he wants to engage with or be investigated by the ICC, but as farPAGASA as we’re concerned,
PNP resurrecting probe ‘Ofel’ pummels disaster-hit north Luzon into PCSO official's slay 'Pepito,' sixth typhoon in three weeks, Speaker grateful for PMAVisayas—PAGASA Class '83 vote of confidence in Quad Comm threatens Luzon,
By Rio N. Araja Rio N. HE Araja, Rex Espiritu, Philippine Vito Barcelo andPolice National Vince Lopez (PNP) is reopening
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its investigation into FTER three the 2020successive murder of Philippine Charitybarreled typhoons Sweepstakes Officein across the country (PCSO) secretary the past board two weeks, two Wesley Barayuga. consecutive storms—
On Sunday, PNP Chief Police "Nika" and Super Typhoon General Rommel Francisco Mar"Ofel" —left P1.3 billion bil said he ordered the reopening of in infrastructure damage the cold case after whistleblower Police Lt. Col. Santie Mendoza and displaced 309,518 told the House Quad Committee that he individuals helped carry outthis the week. killing at the behest of ex-PCSO general manager A third one—to be called "PepiRoyina Garma. to"Mendoza once it enters the Philippine area narrated before conof responsibility—is expected gressmen how Garma allegedly fa-to bring significant in roadside Southern cilitated the PCSOrainfall official’s Luzon, Central Eastern assassination on Luzon July 30,and2020 by Visayas over the weekend, promptproviding the necessary information ing the Bicol region evacuate about his schedule, detailsto about his residents, of necessary the Civil Devehicle andthe theOffice funding to fenseitsaid. carry out. "Ofel," the fifth storm to threatThe whistleblower also implicated en the country in just three incumbent National Police weeks, Comsmashed Edilberto into the Leonardo already battered missioner in the northernof Luzon. planning the murder. It weakened overa mainland CagayBarayuga was retired police an, where the highest storm signal general and lawyer who supposedly was raisedto earlier the day, withwhile threatened exposein corruption threaten Babuyan Isincontinuing the PCSOtoshortly before he was lands Thursday afternoon. City. shot dead in Mandaluyong "Evacuations ongoing" Lt.in Garma, herself are an ex-police coastal and low-lying areas ofthe CagayColonel, allegedly gained top an province, localbecause civil defense spot at the PCSO of herchief inNext page Rueli Rapsing said. He said local governments are expected to take 40,000 people to shelters, roughly the same number that were preemptively evacuated ahead of Typhoon Marce, which struck Cagayan's north coast earlier this month. He said more than 5,000 Cagayan residents were still in shelters following the previous storms. This was because the Cagayan river, the country's largest, remained swollen from heavy rain that fell in several provinces upstream, flooding communities downstream. "We expect this situation to persist over the next few days," Rapsing said.
DOTr’s Bautista says online news report‘unfounded'
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BAUTISTA
By Darwin Amojelar
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Gov’t readies P1.48b aid as 'Julian' strengthens
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 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
PBBM: Overhaul flood control master plan Next page
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 “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 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, REDUX. R. Marcos, Jr. hands a check over to a beneficiary during his visit yesterday this AYUDA criminal network in President court. InFerdinand Comm hearing. which, in turn, can be directly traced to Oriental Mindoro where he distributed financial assistance to farmers, fishermen, and families affected by typhoons Congress, lawmakers act as both “We saw a pattern, and we tracked to disgraced ex-mayor Alice Guo. Kristine and Leon in Oriental Mindoro. Upper left photo shows Storm Nika heading towards Vietnam while typhoon prosecutor judge,” heofsaid. it toofthe top of these corporations... During Friday’s Ofel is and on its way out the Philippine Area Responsibility (PAR). At right is storm Pepito entering PAR. TopQuad right Comm Yang, who already admitted we stripped it of its layers , to get to hearing, lawmakers cited Tony shows a man paddling a banca through floodwaters that have submerged homes in barangay Sta. Barbara, Ilagan City,Yang having a PCO fake / Facebook Philippine in contempt for “lying” to about his Isabela. postbirth of Yep Yep the top and through it all, we have 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
Navy spokes debunks Jewelmer-made China claim Ms. U crownshoal of military exercises in Scarborough is the ‘best ever’ 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 artisans, (EEZ) the in the reAviation and Airports Bobby are A JEWELMER OF ALim, CROWN. Designed by Filipino gional waters over the weekend. at the center of the storm after it was Jewelmer-made Ms. Universe crown is now on display in Mexico where the 2025 Philippine Navy Spokesperson beauty contest will be held. Screengrab from ABS-CBN for WPS Rear Admiral Roy VinNext page
cent Trinidad told reporters that Manila troops did not monitor any such activity,president adding that MISS Universe andBeijing’s Raul statement was Anne meant only owner Rocha and Jakfor its internal audience. kaphong Jakrajutatip witnessed troops the “Our unveiling of thedid new not Miss observe Uniany exercise, we have underverse crown and praised the to beauty stand that by sometimes, of the crown the Filipino China luxury is doingJewelmer. this for their internal audibrand ence, right? For them to In look “Amazing, it’s the bestnot one. weak and of embarrassed,” Trinidad the history the Miss Universe, said. it’s the best one— beautiful beauChinese warships were tifulTwo beautiful!” Rocha, quoted by monitoredNews, at a said. distance ranging ABS-CBN from to 14 is nautical The eight new crown called miles. the One ofof these went 1,000 “Light Infinity” andupis tomade yards at the the Philippines’ MMCA sitenational but evenof 23 of tually— went away. “It was not gems South Sea pearls. threatening, just normal,” accordNext page Next page
PH lobbies UN for Security Council seat
By Charles Dantes, Maricel Cruz and Joel Zurbano
PRESIDENT Ferdinand "Bongbong"Philippine Marcos Jr. government directed concerned THE on government agencies Sunday publicly called on for Thursday the Unit- to country's edoverhaul Nations the (UN) to give itflood a seatcontrol on master plan, citing the escalating the UN Security Council, highlight-impact climate change. ing theofcountry’s strong record and "The storms are different now," dedication to upholding the rule of he said in his address in Oriental Minlaw. doro during a of distribution of aid to Department Foreign Affairs farmers and fisherfolk (DFA) Secretary Enriqueaffected Manaloby in retyphoons. a cent speech delivered at the UN GenThe President directed eral Assembly in New Yorkthe saidDepartthe ment of Public Workstoand Highways, Philippines continues emphasize the“importance Department of Environment the upholding theand Natural Resources, and other agenrule of law and the integrity of the cies to amend country’s flood multilateral systemthe in the face of tocontrol master plan to meet the deday’s global challenges.” mands of increasingly severe weather Quoted by reports, Manalo also events. said: “The Philippines has consis"We have flood measures, tently pursued peace,control the sovereign but dueoftostates, the increased from equality the rights water and digthe of rainfall, they can no longer cope," nity all persons.” heHe said. added that the country is also Next page recognized as the “first Asian ReNext page
Marcos unfazed by China’s protests over signing of new maritime laws
By Charles Dantes and Rachelle Tonelada PRESIDENT Marcos brushed aside China’s protests to the Philippines' new maritime and archipelagic sea lanes legislation as he reaffirmed his
country's sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea (WPS). Speaking in Tagaytay City on Thursday, Mr. Marcos pointed out that the twin laws only serve to reinforce the Philippines’ longstanding stance on Next page its maritime rights.
Most Pinoys say life will improve in 2025 14 to September also found AWARD. Hans Sy, Chairman of the Executiveber Committee of SM Prime23 Holdings, By Vito Barcelo
that 40% stay the same, was honored by the Philippine Retailers Association (PRA)said withititswould Outstanding Filipino Retailers President Award for his visionary leadership in retail development. and 5% said it would worsen (“pesNEARLY half of Filipino adults (From left to right): PRA Director andthat Director of SM RetailinJorge Mendiola, PRA simists”) the T. next 12 months. (47%) expressed optimism Vice President and President and COO of Golden, ABC, (The Penshoppe Group) The Inc. remaining 8% did not antheir quality of life will improve in Alice T. Liu, SM Prime Holdings Chairman of theswer. Executive Committee Hans T. Sy, The net personal optimism the 12 months, according to International, Inc. (Toby’s Sports) Roberto PRAnext President and Chairman of Quorum score was +42, which was classified the latest and Social Stations S. Claudio, PRA Weather Director and President of Sportshouse Int’l. Leisure, Inc. and "excellent" by SWS. (SWS) survey. proponent of PRA OFR President’s Award Marsas C. Chua Next page The poll conducted from Septem-